IMPACT REPORT: 2022
To equip fathers and empower families to improve the lives of children. OUR MISSION OUR VISION Each father we serve loves, supports, encourages, and actively participates in his family. Furthermore, each individual and family we serve has a stable and healthy home environment and a productive and fulfilling livelihood. .
Message from the President/CEO Dear Friends, I am very proud, excited, and humbled to be welcomed as the just the second President/CEO of Fathers and Families Center – especially following in the footsteps of Dr. Wallace McLaughlin’s 29 years of service. Under his leadership, this agency has played a crucial role in helping roughly 21,000 fathers – most of whom hail from some of our most disenfranchised communities – to gain the tools, skills, and confidence to move towards self-sufficiency. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Julie M. Conrad, JD Eskenazi Health Charlie Harris, MSML EmployIndy Kevin Kuruzar, CPA (Treasurer) CREA, LLC Larry Smith Fathers and Families Center Ian Nicolini, MPA Pure Development Bob Ripperger MBA (Secretary) Ret - Fathers and Families Center Andrew Vento, JD Ice Miller Christopher Walker (Chair) Cummins, Inc. Marlon M. Webb, MPA Indy Chamber I would like to offer a special thank you to everyone who stood with us this past year. We would not be able to engage in this important work without you. I humbly ask for your continued support. Sincerely, Larry Smith President/CEO
Impact 2022 We deeply appreciate the generosity of our donors, partners, and other supporters who helped us serve more than 590 fathers and their families – including more than 1,180 children. Over 20% of our fathers came to the Center for the first time to learn how to be better people, parents, partners, and providers! BASIC NEEDS Helped more than 242 families with food, legal service, work clothes/equipment, transportation, rent/utility assistance, or other barrier removals that impact stability and employability…totaling $44,000+. EMPLOYMENT Placed 88 clients in full-time jobs with wages up to $49/hour. Average starting wage was $17.70/hour – a 15% increase from 2021. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Awarded more than 80 education and training certificates, ranging from high school equivalency diplomas to advanced training certifications in IT, HVAC, and CDL. The financial impact of certifications are significant: from $12.79/hour with no certification to an average of $25.90/hour with an advanced certification. ADVOCACY AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES Served and supported more than 250 fathers and families for challenges related to housing, food insecurity, legal and court advocacy, and more.
Helping to Grow Future Leaders! A Special Thanks to our Supporters…
$800,000+ Lilly Endowment $250,000 - $500,000 African American Quality of Life Central Indiana Community Foundation United Way of Central Indiana $25,000 - $50,000 Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority $10,000 - $25,000 IndyGo David P Sheetz Foundation Managed Health Services Washington Township Trustee PNC Community Development Banking $5,000 - $10,000 Dr. John & Amanda Kunzer William & Kimberly Witchger Encore Meijer – Pike Plaza location Enterprise Holding Citizen Energy Group FedEx Corporation 2022 Donors and Supporters $1,000 - $2,500 Mays Chemical National Bank of Indianapolis Marques Cain Krieg Devault, LLP Marion County Public Health Department Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership David Rose Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank Jewel Human Services AER Logistics, LLC Andrew Vento GEICO Philanthropic Foundation Annamarie Melodia Ivan & Marcy Ekhaus Jim Barkley Marlon Webb RecycleForce Eastern Star Church Care Cluster Truck $2,500 - $5,000 William & Anita Hill Indy Chamber Ice Miller, LLP Spherion Staffing Eskenazi Health $1,000 - $2,500 Christ Church Cathedral Renaissance Charitable Foundation Steven Pockrass & Kathy Osborn Hunter & Glenna Heath KSM Business Services, Inc Bob & Kathy Ripperger Indianapolis Public Library Ivy Tech Foundation CTL Engineering $500 - $1000 Dr. Louise Goggans Erin Hedges James & Linda Trippi Matthew Jonker Rodney Retzner Charities Aid Foundation of America Daryl Whitley Kevin Kuruzar Julie Conrad
Up to $100 $100-$250 $250 - $500 Harry McFarland Dr. Wallace & Karla McLaughlin Clarence Crain Jenice Golson-Dunlap Taft Stettinius & Hollister N Clay Robbins Joseph Sutherland Fidelity Charitable Donor Advised Fund Eric & Patricia Gillispie Men of Purpose-Eastern Star Church Bill Shrewsberry Zachary Propernick Kevin Biglan Louis Petrone Charles Corbin Charles Preston Kipper Tew Kathy Barnett Joshua Robertson John Wagner Jeannice Shobe Ian Albright Hudnall & Diane Pfeiffer Curtis Burhannan Courtney Salazar Charlie & Robbie Williams Andrea Voisard Amanda Horvath Amanda Bieber Alonzo Ross State Employee’s Community Campaign Yolanda Bell Devi & Tyrone Davis Todd Cook Geri Bradley Eric Thompson Thelma Stevens Jim Rawlinson Evan Bell Cliford Hunt Robert Mays Eric Steager Gary Beaulieu Susan Reed Emmanuel Newman Tony Beverly Ray Shufra Sanjay Patel John Muhammad Reed Mann Michael Pace J Steele Emanual Smith Susan Doss Terry Lovely Michele Moran Jessica Arviso Kjell Wangensteen Jude Magers Tom Fitzgibbon D Moreau Irma Petrosino Kroger Mani Maeve, LLC James & Tara Melton Gray Lesesne UPS Bethan Warner Shelley & Dan Carver ProAct Indy Mike Zick Michael Econs Leroy Lewis Larry Smith $100-$250 Up to $100 Vincent Ash Anita Caraker Richard Bibbs Joe White Michael Terry Lela Sanders Chris Jaros David Chandler E.H. & Martha Lamkin 2022 Donors and Supporters Karen Bullington Anonymous Ryan Bower Kim Egan Michael Oliver Harold Brown Bob Williams Michael Prey Vertrale Williams
Financials* *Unaudited Financials. 2% 3% 6% 16% 69% 4% Revenue: $2,265,165 Donations Special Events Business Government Foundation Other 82% 17% 1% Expenses: $2,197,338 Program Costs Management & General Costs
Year of Transition
Faces of Fatherhood Luncheon After a two-year hiatus we were able to bring back our annual Faces of Fatherhood Luncheon to the Hyattdowntown Indianapolis for its 16th year! It was wonderful to welcome back old friends and supporters as well as meet new ones who had never attended the Luncheon before. Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas served as our MC, keeping our 250+ guests entertained, engaged and awed by the stories of triumph and impact of our Heart of the Father recipients. A fourth recipient, Tyrone Davis, was our keynote speaker, who was a participant in one of the first Father Resource Program classes in 1994.
President/CEO After nearly 30 years of service as the Founding President/CEO, Dr. Wallace McLaughlin retired in 2022. During his tenure, he assisted more than 21,000 fathers and their families to build noble legacies of fatherhood. Now we are pleased to welcome Larry Smith as our new President/CEO. “After a national search, we found the right leader for Fathers and Families Center to further the Center’s legacy of helping fathers and we are very excited to have Larry take the helm,” said Christopher Walker, Fathers and Families Center Board Chair. “Larry brings extensive leadership and nonprofit experience, a passion for social justice and equity, along with a deep sense of commitment to the fathers and families we serve.”
Photo Gallery
The Last Plane Each year, we want to share stories of grit, perseverance, courage, and resiliency. This is the story of Mohammad Ahmadi and his family. Mohammad Ahmadi came to Fathers and Families Center by way of Afghanistan. While living in Afghanistan, Mohammad was an interpreter for the CIA and the U.S. military…until the fall of that nation to the Taliban in 2021. It was then that he knew his life and the lives of his family were in danger. Due to his service, he and his family were some of the lucky ones to be evacuated on the last U.S. plane, a C-17, out of Afghanistan on August 30, 2021. Sadly, in the chaos of that day, he and his wife got separated from their children. Anxious minutes turned into agonizing hours before they were finally reunited. The family arrived at Camp Atterbury among thousands of Afghan evacuees who were temporarily housed at the military base. Mohammad worked hard to acclimate his wife and family to a new culture and country as they awaited visa processing and resettlement. Mohammad also began seeking out various social service agencies for assistance for housing, employment, and other needed resources. Fortunately, Mohammad arrived at Fathers and Families Center in November 2022 to learn more about our Strong Fathers program. We welcomed him into our brotherhood. These men all untied around a common goal: becoming productive and engaged fathers for their families. Mohammad never missed a class and started to set his eyes on CDL training so that he could build a new career in the United States that would be able to support his family. Fortunately, Fathers and Families Center was able to provide him a scholarship for him to pursue this dream – and he did not let us down. On December 9, 2022, Mohammad passed the CDL state driving test on the first try! This earned him the Red Truck Coin, which is reserved for those dedicated trainees who pass on their first attempt. He and his wife and two children have found a place to call home in Indianapolis. In addition to Mohammad finding full-time work in the trucking industry, his wife -- breaking with Afghan tradition -- has also found a full-time job. Both parents work the night shift, but their days are now a little brighter.
Each year, we host Family Nights & family Friendly activities for fathers and their families. It is a time for them to come together and have fun, explore and learn new things. Trunk or Treat in partnership with UWCI
Plant Tours expose the men to various industries within Marion County. Monthly Career Clubs bring employers who are “ready to hire” to meet and interview the men.
16th Annual Faces of Fatherhood Luncheon
Dr. McLaughlin’s Retirement Reception with presentation of portraits: Sarah Meadows, Founder of the Father Resource Program & Dr. McLaughlin, Founding President/CEO
Fathers and Families Center relies on the generous support of our corporate, foundation and individual donors and supporters to provide programs and services to over 550 fathers and their families each year. You can help support us in the following ways: Donate online: Go to www.FathersandFamiliesCenter.org and click our donate button. It will take you directly to our secure donation page where you can pay with your credit card. Mobile giving: Text the word “Donate” to 317-225-5285 Mail a check to: Fathers and Families Center 2835 North Illinois Street Indianapolis, IN 46208 If you are interested in learning more about how you can support Fathers and Families Center or are interested in becoming a Faces of Fatherhood Luncheon sponsor, please contact Anna Melodia at (317) 921-5951 or [email protected]. Jack Atkins Fatherhood Manager Tyrone Davis Facilities Maintenance Specialist Devi Dais Women & Family Engagement Coordinator Nicole El Employment Specialist Rhonda English Administrative Assistant Gordon Flick Controller Victoria Handy Education Specialist Tracey Jones Instructional Aide (Walker Career Center) Robert Mays Fatherhood Specialist Anna Melodia Director of Operations & Workforce Development Rebecca Mills Executive Assistant to the President We also want to recognize the dedicated and caring staff at Fathers and Families Center. They come to work each day to assist, encourage, challenge, and educate fathers and their families…and perhaps most importantly, offer them hope for the future. Joseph Palus, PhD Director of Grant Administration, Research & Analytics Corey Parchman Director of Fatherhood Engagement & Outreach Landon Radford Data Specialist Larry Smith President/CEO 2022 Staff How You Can Help.
To learn more about our vision, mission, impact, and how YOU can make a difference, please contact: Larry Smith President/CEO at (317) 921-5950 [email protected] Fathers and Families Center 2835 North Illinois Street Indianapolis, IN 46208 (317) 921-5935 www.fathersandfamiliescenter.org Proudly affiliated with Eskenazi Health