Patience and perseverance have a magical affect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. --John Quincy Adams

Sincerely,

Dr. Stephen Richerson, D. Min.President & Executive Director

A Message from the President & Executive Director

Dr. Stephen Richerson President & Executive Director

There are many terms for the worst condition a chari-table organization can find itself in; stagnant, apathetic, complacent. HopeTree Fam-ily Services resembles none of these descriptors. A brief perusal of our publications, the quickest glance at our main campus clearly indicates we are an organization moving forward: energetic, adaptive, motivated. Yet, perhaps the two words that best describe HopeTree Family Services are perseverance and change. From our earliest days as an orphanage, HopeTree Fam-ily Services has made every effort to adapt to the ever-changing societal needs we seek to meet. Over the past few years, we have looked to the demands of the future and compared them to our servic-es and facilities of the present. We found our buildings to be lacking and are currently tak-ing steps to rectify that situ-ation. Hence, we are making a substantial change on our Salem campus. Rising on the site of our for-mer dining hall is the

HopeTree Education Cen-ter; the primary component of our $16.7 million capital campaign called A New Era of Hope. This building is, in essence, a heart transplant for our campus. It will house our school, our din-ing facility, and several other components of our overall set of services. The perse-verance we embody is ap-parent in our dedication to working with at-risk children and youth as well as with adults with developmental disabilities. The youthful residents we care for do not always exhibit the best behaviors or make the best choices. As staff often say, ‘There is a reason why they are here.’ So, we persevere to help them overcome the obstacles standing between them and a fulfilling life as well-adjusted adults.

Adults with developmen-tal disabilities often require tremendous perseverance on the part of their caregiv-ers. Our mission is to provide that perseverance and minis-ter to the residents by caring

for them and ministering to their families by relieving them of the stress that so often accom-panies caring for adults with developmen-tal disabilities. Two new DDM homes are un-der construc-tion so that we may serve even more of

these truly special adults. While we were in the begin-ning stages of these signifi-cant changes on our campus, America’s economic climate began going through signifi-cant changes of its own. While many would say it is unwise to consider pushing forward with such a formidable campaign,

we believe we must, again, persevere and press on to-ward our goal of preparing our ministries for the needs they must meet in the future. HopeTree Family Services has a tree sprouting hearts as its emblem. We think it a fitting symbol of an agency that is strong enough to endure the storms of time, alive with new growth, and producing love and care for all those who come beneath its boughs.

The Mission of HopeTree Family

Services is to provide Christian residential and support services

to at-risk children and youth, and to

adults with develop-mental disabilities.

Throughout our history, HopeTree Family Services has been an agent of change. When our doors first opened, our goal was to change the lives of young children left orphaned by the diseases, dangerous labors, and declin-ing social conditions of the late 19th century. Generation after generation since then, we have perse-vered through the shifting tides of social disorder, famil-ial dysfunction, and personal tragedy to not lose faith in the God who inspires us to care for those who most need us. Despite their apparent incompatibil-ity, two facets of the human condition perfectly summarize who we are and where we are headed; perseverance and change. To bring about the change one feels is necessary in life, one must persevere through countless challenges. Fittingly depicted by our logo,

HopeTree Family Services stands as an enduring source of steady, on-going change. During the 2007-08 fiscal year, HopeTree Family Ser-vices set forth on the path of perhaps the greatest change in our 118 year history. We commenced the $16.7 mil-lion ‘A New Era of Hope’ Capital Campaign which, over the next five years, will help fund the daily operating ex-penses of all our programs, build a new education/recre-

ation center at Camp Glory Road, create a

new education and dining facil-

ity for Bicker’s Camp on Craig,

Change is inevitable. Change for the better

is a full-time job. --Adlai E. Stevenson

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when

he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that

God has promised to those who love him.

--James 1:12

construct two homes for the Developmental Disabilities Ministry, and erect the Hope-Tree Education Center on the Salem campus. These projects stem from the need to update and replace much of our exist-ing physical plant so that we can continue to provide the high-quality care and service our residents deserve. Such a large construction ef-fort for an institution our size is formidable. Continuing with our plans in the financial con-text of the current economic instability in our country is daunting. Yet, the need for the services these facilities offer will not go away during these

A New Era of Hope

The Needs HopeTree Family Services is dedicated to helping residents make substantial life changes. Given that we serve essentially two very disparate popula-tions, at-risk children and youth on one hand and adults with developmental disabilities on the other, this dedication requires tremendous commit-ment of resources. Most significantly, the changes we hope to make within the lives of our resi-dents affect their physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs. The needs of these dif-ferent groups of people have tremendous similarities as well as substantial differences. Within their own contexts, their needs can shift tremen-dously within a relatively short time period. The licensing guidelines HopeTree Family Services must adhere to also undergo their own significant fluctuations as time goes by. Therefore, we constantly tread

the heaving waters of an ever-roiling sea. Complicating the chal-lenges of meeting each individual’s needs is the outdated inflexibility of our physical plant. The buildings constructed decades ago on our main campus are difficult to change. Minor renova-tions have been conduct-ed, but the constant march of time and conditions have left many of them less than effi-cient for our residents’ needs.

The Changes

The new HopeTree Educa-tion Center was not designed exclusively to be a school. It was designed to be a flexible educational facility that can be adjusted and adapted to meet changes over time. When the Gus Mitchell School was established and originally housed in Carpenter Cottage, that building was just that; a cottage. It was well designed as a sleeping and living facility for youth, but

not as a teaching and learning environment. Gus Mitchell School has always provided a superla-tive academic education to our residents. As time has passed, we have discovered that the young people who pass through our programs most often have a need for vocational training as well. To the extent our limited existing facilities allow, we have added

vocational programs that teach basic auto mechanics, woodwork-ing, and other trades. With the expanded

possibilities of the HopeTree Education Center, we will offer wider ranges and higher lev-els of vocational instruction.

It is change, continuing change, inevitable change,

that is the dominant factor in society

today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world

as it is, but the world as it will be.

--Isaac Asimov

A New Era of HopeHopeTree Education Center

WOODS campus updatesTwo new DDM cottages

Five years’ expenses

challenging times. In fact, they will most certainly increase. HopeTree Family Services intends to provide those ser-vices as they are called for by those in need.

The Perseverance A New Era of Hope’s finan-cial goal is $16.7 million. In addition to the construction projects in three locations,

that sum includes the daily operating budget for all facili-ties for five years. Daily expenses are figured into the

amount because our staff and residents must continue to persevere to overcome the

Perseverance is the hard work you do

after you get tired of doing the hard work

you already did. --Newt Gingrich

In particular, the addition of a greenhouse to our academic facility holds great promise for plans to offer horticulture training to our students. Perhaps the greatest change we will undertake during the New Era of Hope will be the impact we hope to have on the community beyond our Salem campus. While we have always made every effort to be good citi-zens of the local community and reach out to those in need around us, the HopeTree Education Center will enable the Agency to have a signifi-cant impact on the Roanoke Valley and beyond. Traditionally, our education programs have been open only to those enrolled in one of our residential programs. While the residential programs provide incalculable service to

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God

has called me heaven-ward in Christ Jesus.

--Philippians 3:14

hundreds of youth each year, still great-er work can be done. Gus Mitchell School staff and our Resi-

dential Program staff are cur-rently exploring new ways to utilize our existing and future facilities to service the needs of those beyond our Salem campus. Whether through adult education classes, vocational re-education of displaced workers, or operat-ing an alternative school in the evenings for academi-cally challenged children and youth not enrolled in one of our residential programs, we will find news ways of solving old prob-lems. A New Era of Hope will also improve other locations and programs. Bicker’s Camp on

HopeTree Education CenterGus Mitchell School

Vocational workshop spaceGreenhouse

Dining/Meeting facilityStage/presentation area

DDM Day Support facilities

Craig will receive an updated kitchen/dining facility and the school at that location will be moved from the converted trailer it now occupies to a new setting in the Activities Building. Construction is underway for an Activities Center for Camp Glory Road in Henry County. The Developmental Disabili-ties Ministry, which has grown steadily since its inception in 1992, will expand with the addition of two new cottages also under construction on the Salem campus.

table in-stitutions. We seek new ways to increase our own methods of gen-erating income from within our programs. Ever mindful to be good stewards of the donations we receive, we are carefully ex-amining all pending expendi-tures to pare them as closely as we can while not sacrificing the quality of care we provide. Simultaneously, we explore creative ways of providing our

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to

find out they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the

energy that comes out of you.

--William James

obstacles and challenges they face until all the new facilities have been completed and all the new programs have been developed and implemented. In other words, we all must ‘keep on keeping on’. We are seeking new sup-porters beyond our existing family of friends who have long supported us with their finances, time, and prayers. We constantly encourage our long-time friends to care-fully examine their hearts and resources to determine what new levels of support they might reach on our behalf. We have substantially in-creased our applications to foundations supporting chari-

services that will lead to cost savings wherever possible. A New Era of Hope ush-ers in not just great hope for those in care now, or the next few years, but for all those who need the perseverance to make vital changes in their lives for generations to come.

Highlights from the YearOctober 2007 HopeTree hosts “Chip in for Charity” golf tournament at Hanging Rock Golf Club in Salem.November 2007 Students travel to Johnson Family Orchard for an apple gleaning project.

Supporters supply Christmas gifts for HopeTree residents.December 2007 Halstead Home opens in the Richmond area.

HopeTree alumnus Fred Brownley begins construction on fishing dock with residents.

January 2008 Lorra and Tracie graduate from Gus Mitchell School.February 2008 Gus Mitchell students visit Old Dominion Job Corps Cen-ter in Monroe, VA.March 2008 HopeTree breaks ground on two new DDM homes.April 2008 Patrick graduates from Boys WOODS.May 2008 Long-term resident Deanna is baptized at Melrose Baptist Church in Roanoke.June 2008 HopeTree breaks ground on the new HopeTree Education Center.

A marker for campus burial site donated by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home.

Taylor and Tori graduate from Girls WOODS; Tori also earns her high school diploma.

Annual Alumni Reunion heldJuly 2008 Lee, Mike, Tiffany, and Britta-ny graduate from Gus Mitchell

School.

The Hargrave Dining Hall is torn down.

The Gus Mitchell Achievement Awards Ceremony takes place in Keesee Chapel.

DDM residents attend Camp Coley in Chester, VA.August 2008 Ector Hamrick retires as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

C to Shining C walk begins in Lee County, VA.

Irvington Baptist Church youth group joins HopeTree’s summer mission week.September 2008 DDM residents attend Camp Keaton.

Construction begins on the HopeTree Edu-cation Center.

C to Shining C walk ends in Chincoteague, VA.

Walking the Path...Where Love Grows

Walks take place in Emory, Sa-lem, Chesterfield, Winchester, Powhatan, and Portsmouth

HopeTree hosts golf tourna-ment at River’s Bend Golf Club in Chester.

RevenueCooperative Program 137,163Gifts: Designated Program Gifts 683,482 Church Gifts 216,775 Virginia Baptist Foundation 105,548 Other Foundation Gifts 38,864 Restricted Gifts 31,879 Bequests 287,538 In-kind Gifts 0 Capital Campaign Gifts 1,144,523Fees for Services 9,316,600Other 148,163Realized Gains on Sale of Property 0Revenue from Operations 12,110,535

From Investment ActivityEarnings from Long Term Investments 702,874Net Unrealized/Realized Gain on Long Term Investments (5,283,809)Revenue from Investment Activity (4,580,935)

Total Revenue from Operations and Investments $7,529,600

expensesChildren’s Ministries 6,995,453Developmental Disabilities Ministry (DDM) 4,488,475Administration 1,796,897Development 413,813Total expenses $13,694,638

Increase/(Decrease) in unrestricted net Assets ($6,165,038)

net Increase/(Decrease) in Restricted Assets ($43,591)

Total net Change in Assets ($6,208,629)

2007-08 Consolidated Financial Information for HopeTree Family Services& The Virginia Baptist Children’s Home Foundation

Days of Care Provided by

Program

Children’s Services provided 34,119 days of care in

fiscal year 2007-08.

Developmental Disabilities

Ministry provided 27,994 days of care

in fiscal year 2007-08.

Fee Income - Public Placements - 69%

Gifts - 21%

Fee Income- Private Placements - 8%

Other - 1%

Cooperative Program - 1.0%

Categories of Financial Support for Fiscal 2007-08

Bill A. Adkins - MartinsvilleMary K. Barton - Roanoke

Charles I. Boggs - Virginia Beach Dr. Tim Cannon - South Boston

Rev. Don Davidson - Alexandria (joined Board 2/08)Rev. Ronald Eason - Richmond

Keith Fogg - RichmondHelen F. Foster - Virginia Beach

John M. Garnett, III - FredericksburgHazel Harrison - Farmville

Dr. Robert Hetherington - Hardy

2007 Officers

Chairman.......……………...……..……………..Dr. Ector L. Hamrick Portsmouth

First Vice-Chairman………...….....….……..Rev. George Fletcher, III Winchester

Second Vice-Chairman……..……...……....…….Marshall W. Stowe Martinsville

Treasurer……..……………………….……….......Patrick N. Shaffner Roanoke

Secretary……………………………………........... John G. Mizell, Jr. Richmond

Assistant Secretary………………………………….......Rev. John Fox Roanoke

2008 Officers

Chairman…...…………………………….....Rev. George Fletcher, III Winchester

First Vice-Chairman….…….…………………... Dr. Ector L. Hamrick Portsmouth

Second Vice-Chairman……..……...……....…….Marshall W. Stowe Martinsville

Treasurer……..……………………….……….......Patrick N. Shaffner Roanoke

Secretary……………………………………........... John G. Mizell, Jr. Richmond

Assistant Secretary………………………………….......Rev. John Fox Roanoke

David F. Long - RoanokeIrene Meade - Abingdon

Ellen Mustoe - WashingtonKendall Preas - Roanoke

Tom M. Stover - RoanokePeggy L. Walker - Roanoke

Rev. Peyton W. Wiltshire - FredericksburgBetty Wood - Newport NewsDiane M. Yawn - Annandale

Rev. Paige Young - Fredericksburg

Virginia Baptist Children’s Home & Family ServicesHopeTree Family Services

Board of Trustees

2007 & 2008 Board Members

HopeTree Family Services P.O. Box 849 Salem, VA 24153 (540) 389-5468

Change starts when someone sees the next step. --William Drayton

www.HopeTreeFS.org