2017-Annual-Report-2.pdf

2017 ANNUAL REPORTpersonal success, community progress2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORStarget sectorprivate sectorpublic sector• Rev. Dr. James CherryGreene County Senior Centers• Ms. Deanna D. ComfortGetting Ahead Class• Ms. Julia RickHead Start Policy Council• Mr. Paul TencerFoster/Adoptive Parent• Mr. Richard BurgessPast Head Start Parent• Mr. Michael L. ChaidoWashington Financial Bank• Ms. Lugene CalderoneUniversity of Pittsburgh• Ms. Deborah E. TakachWashington Financial Bank• Mr. Brook WardWashington Health System• Ms. Stacy BrodakWaynesburg University• Commissioner Larry MaggiWashington County• Mr. Scott Slaglerepresenting Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan, Washington County• Honorable Michael J. LucasCourt of Common Pleas• Commissioner Blair ZimmermanGreene County• Commissioner Harlan ShoberWashington CountyPersonal Success, Community ProgressDear Friends and Neighbors,We are nearing the one year anniversary of rebranding our organization from Community Action Southwest into Blueprints, an initiative we undertook to clarify our services and amplify our impact. We are pleased to report that our objectives have been achieved. We’ve increased community awareness and embraced an enduring brand that empowers us to grow into new opportunities in order to meet the ever changing needs of our communities. After 50 plus years, our organization has not just sustained, we are on the rise. We’ve implemented new initiatives and services, adopted evidence based service methods to increase our outcomes, and adopted real-time, flexible strategies to navigate our ever changing environment. We are exceptionally proud of our many programs, which helped break barriers and build futures for more than 20,000 people this year in Pennsylvania’s Washington and Greene counties, and throughout West Virginia. Anyone can achieve a personal revolution with tools that power the mind, home, health and wallet. From ABCs to GEDs and beyond, we help people learn everything needed to build their own future. From safety for kids to stability for families, we help people establish a place to not just live but to thrive. From health checks to healthy greens and grains, we help people stay active and strong. From budget basics to savings strategies, we help people earn and balance a livable wage. With our help, our neighbors work toward a new master plan for their lives, regardless of which program they need to succeed; regardless of whether they need a new “future story” or just a little LIFT. In step and partnership with our supporters and stakeholders, we equip and educate people to improve their lives by co-designing solutions that encourage self-made stability.We are thankful for your support and partnership of that endeavor. Blueprints serves as the catalyst to mobilize the resources of the entire community to enable families and individuals in our service area to attain the skills, knowledge, motivations and opportunities to become self-sufficient.our mission:Washington County150 West Beau Street, Suite 304 (HQ)Washington, PA 15301365 Jefferson Ave.Washington, PA 15301Greene County58 East Greene StreetWaynesburg, PA 15370West Virginia1800 Locust AveFairmont, WV 26554103 Euclid DriveParkersburg, WV 26104myblueprintsorg1-877-814-0788www.myblueprints.orgScott SlaglePresident, Board of DirectorsDarlene J. BiglerChief Executive OfficerWe were awarded the United Way Community Partnership award. We celebrated the graduation of our Getting Ahead class. Friends and family were invited to hear the future stories of our graduates.Federal, state and local legislators attended our annual legislative breakfast to engage in discussion around local poverty and community issues. They were acknowledged for their ongoing support, and learned about the latest and greatest in Blueprints programs and development. Children in our after school program grew their academic performance and social and life skills, while being provided with support, recreation and entertainment. progress in actionCommunity Action Southwest transformed its look and name to reflect the growth and development that have transformed the agency over the last 50 years. In September 2017, Blueprints launched A Little LIFT for true barrier elimination. ALL is crowd-funding at its finest, where the community comes together to help those in need. Some examples of successful LIFTS include interview-appropriate work clothes for job-seekers, car repairs, dental work for children, expenses for employment, and eyeglasses. truancy intervention & prevention programRichard Brown — former Blueprints client, single father and longtime resident of Washington County — moved out of a local public housing community after five years and purchased a new home in the City of Washington on Sept. 29, 2017. Richard was always a hard worker, despite struggling with illness and having a kidney removed in 2008. While living at Jollick Manor, Richard participated in Blueprints’ HUD-funded Resident Opportunities and Self-Suff...