At Let's Start we are collecting data and documenting our stories. ... (314)241-
2324 www.letsstart.org. Let's Start. Annual. Report. 2013. LET'S START,. INC.
Planning for the future... Research on children whose parents are in prison has not been extensive. At Let’s Start we are collecting data and documenting our stories. Our goal is to be on the forefront in establishing best practices. Every night, approximately three million children go to bed with a parent in prison or jail. “These children have committed no crime, but the price they are forced to pay is steep. They forfeit much of what matters to them: their homes, their safety, their public status and private self-image, their primary source of comfort and affection. Their lives are profoundly affected.” - Nell Bernstein, All Alone in the World
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” -Andy Warhol Now, and into the future, Let’s Start is:
Inspiring Hope—Changing Lives LET’S START BOARD Katherine Fowler, Pres. Shirley Lester, Vice Pres. Christine Woody, Secretary Pam Ross, Treasurer Patricia Allen Regina Heard Jami Boyles Toni Jordan Cory Elliott Pam Palacios Katie Cohen Stephanie Antoinette Grier Regagnon
Let’s Start, Inc. Our Mission Statement: Let’s Start aims to break the cycle of incarceration in families by working with formerly incarcerated women and their children to support recovery and reentry, mitigate the impact of parental imprisonment, educate the public and inform policy.
L ET’ S
S TA R T , INC.
1408 South 10th Street St. Louis, MO 63104 (314)241-2324 www.letsstart.org
Let’s Start Annual Report 2013
breaking the cycle of incarceration in families Staff: Staff Jackie Toben, SSND Cynthia Stevenson-Johnson Amelia Flood, Grant Writer Eddie McCaskill, Therapist
The Year in Review... During the past year, many women and children have been supported by Let’s Start. We have: • Engaged 588 women in group sessions at Let’s Start and at the Clayton Jail. • Facilitated parenting groups for 154 women. • Provided 28 children with individual or group therapy • Transported 83 children to prisons for numerous visits with their moms • Presented 45 talks or performances of “Stories of Hope” to an audience of 1,864. • Offered advice and referrals through a legal clinic to 96 women. Through self reporting, the Let’s Start participants shared the following outcomes: • 88% have not used drugs during the past year • 69% have built a better relationship with their family and/or their children • 98% feel more confident in problem solving • 95% have made more positive choices • 78% have jobs or are in drug treatment programs. • 80% of the caregivers saw improved behavior in the children • 90% of the caregivers feel that some of their tensions have been relieved because of support received from Let’s Start • 75% of the children can identify healthy responses to feelings • 80% of the children feel less isolated or alone The Children Speak... “I want other kids to know that even though your mom is locked up, she’s not a bad person. She just did something she shouldn’t have done. And it really affects us kids. And I want them to know that we’ll get through it. As long as we have someone there to help us, we can get through it. It makes us stronger.
THANKS TO OUR DONORS Gratitude is a special hallmark of Let’s Start. We are grateful to our many donors, volunteers and foundations that have supported us this past year: Women Helping Women Committee, 100 Women Who Care, Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund, City of St. Louis Youth at Risk Initiative, Incarnate Word Foundation, Guth Family Foundation, Dana Brown Charitable Trust, Boeing Employees Community Foundation, School Sisters of Notre Dame Ministry Fund, Women’s Initiative for Health and Safety, Trio Foundation, Vatterott Family Foundation, Ministry Partnership of the Blessed Virgin Mary, JF Roblee Foundation, Loretto Special Needs Fund, Sisters of Charity Halifax Charity Alive, Old Newsboys, Emerson, Assistance League. Fiscally responsible, with a $207,228 budget, Let’s Start provides quality support for women and children. INCOME— $234,513
$3,720 1%
$90,931 39%
$139,862 60%
Grants Donations and Fundraising Stories of Hope, Sale Items & Talks
EXPENSES -$156,320 $9,116 6% $15,177 10% $14,506 9%
$23,729 15%
Program Related
Adminstration Fundraising
$93,792 60%
Operating Contracted Srv
Net Savings & Assets: $288,216
