ANNUAL REPORT2013

You Helped Us Break the Cycle ofPoverty in Single Parent FamiliesIn the 4 years of our existence, H.O.P.E, Inc. has become a visible support service to low-income single parent families with children in Metro Atlanta. While there are many agencies in the area that provide some of the services we o�er, H.O.P.E, Inc. remains the only program with a holistic approach addressing the emotional, �nancial, and education needs of single parent families who are struggling to obtain a college degree to better themselves and their children.

Mission StatementH.O.P.E, Inc.'s mission is to serve low-income

single parents working to obtain a college degree by providing assistance in subsidized housing, childcare assistance, social services,

and life skills.

Vision StatementOur vision is to empower, encourage, and equip

single parents in our community.

ValuesWe believe in education. We believe in family.

We believe in giving to those in need.We believe in overcoming

obstacles & statistics.

impact in the CommunityWe believe that providing educational and �nancial opportunity for low-income families, headed by single parents, a�ects poverty levels in our community and increases the quality of life for low income families and children within the community.

Key Elements of the H.O.P.E, Inc. (H-LISP) ProgramRent Assistance Program; Childcare Assistance Program; Social Services; Life Skills Training; and Emotional Support.

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EXECUTIVE LETTERThanks to you, 2013 has been a truly incredible year for H.O.P.E, Inc.! We approached 2013, with drive and focus and far exceeded our expectations. We continued to focus on partnerships and fundraising, but this year we decided to increase donor relationships, as well as impact more single parents in our community with our services. We are extremely grateful for you, whether you are part of our engaged Board, dedicated volunteers, new partners, or devoted supporters who committed their time, talent and resources to help us along the way. We’re very excited to present our 2013 Annual Report that outlines the major accomplishments of our growth and the urgent need that so many of our single parents experience.

The Need is GreatThere was a study done called“The Quality of OpportunityProject” in 2012 which examinedupward mobility in America.

The study found that Atlanta ratedlowest regarding opportunities forupward mobility. That means it is harder to rise out of poverty here in the greater Atlanta area than just about anywhere else in America. We are at the epicenter of deeply concentrated poverty in America.

Bottom Line? HOPE is working to help people rise out of poverty, people who struggle the most. There is no better place to help people than here, and no better time than now. Can you imagine what this diagram means for the single parent?

H.O.P.E.’s model of helping single parent students in their hour of greatest need, and in planning for their future allows parents to finish school and achieve a higher standard of living. Our work improves not only graduation rates, but family standards of living, the community’s tax base, and the economy.

When given the right support with H.O.P.E., single parent graduates are twice as likely to own their own home, be employed full-time, have health insurance, be self-sufficient, make charitable contributions, and earn incomes above the poverty level.

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Expanding our partnerships and servicesOne of the biggest barriers to finishing school can be childcare costs and the ability to make rent. Because we saw this need, we are partnering with Gwinnett Tech, Georgia State, and Rainbow Village.

Our partnership with Gwinnett Tech is two-fold. This partnership has helped us serve more single parents in need, as well as allow their children access to the early learning center on campus at a reduced cost.

We also created a new program called “Hand-in-Hand” through a strong partnership with Rainbow Village that will give transitioning homeless single parents the opportunity to attend college and truly position themselves to become self-sufficient.

We are now also working with the student services department at Georgia state and have helped more single parents from Georgia State enter our program and get the help they desperately need.

Our vision for the futureWe would like to partner with other colleges in the greater Atlanta area and help even more struggling parents succeed in finishing school and gaining the life skills they need to move up the economic ladder.

In the next five years, we would like to offer a physical location for parents to come and get support, and possibly a place for parents to live cheaply while they go to school.

Thank you for helping us come thisfar! We still have a ways to go, butwith your help, I know we cansucceed!

Kenita Pierce-Lewis, BBA, MBAPresident & Founder

RecognitionWe received 13 positive reviews from clients, volunteers and board members in the last year. We were named a Top Charity of 2013 by GreatNonprofits.org.

2013 Major Achievements• 100% of our single-parents maintain stable housing• 25% of our single-parents started an Emergency Fund • 5 program participant are scheduled to graduate in 2014 with their Bachelor’s Degree, and 1 with an Associates.• Matched $50,000 Kingdom Investment grant with cash• Grew program, increasing serving capacity by 50% from last year• Tripled program revenue from last year• Increased our Board and gained a new Board Chair• Started a monthly donor campaign• NOMINATED 2013 TOP CHARITY BY GREATNONPROFITS.ORG• Partnered with Gwinnett Technical College & Georgia State University Alpharetta Campus• Cultivated new funding relationships • Increased Foundation support by 31%• Engaged 36 new volunteers from last year• Increased individual donors by 56%• Graduated from a volunteer only organization to a sta�ed organization• Met revenue budget this year

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Fiscal Responsibility2013 OPERATING BUDGET

Key Fiscal Highlights:• Bene�ted from $20,000 of in-kind donations and services

• Increased Funding by 39%

expenses

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incomeMembership Fees

IndividualContributions

FoundationChurchPartnerships

2%7%

35%

35% 66%18%

16%

Management

Fundraising

Programs

Help for Low-Income SingleParents (H-LISP) ProgramThe objective of H.O.P.E, Inc. is to have a positive impact on the single parent college dropout statistic rates, an increase in educational opportunity and academic success for parents involved in our program, economic su�ciency for our participants and satisfaction of daily needs.

H-LISP participants received �nancial support through our Rent and Childcare Assistance Program and attended a life-skills training each month. Thanks to in-kind donation kits from Perimeter Church, we were able to o�er the Dave Ramsey Financial Planning Training, in which our participants went through a 9 week course detailing the following: • Super Savings • Relating With Money • Cash Flow Planning • Dumping Debt • Buyer Beware • Clause and E�ect • From Fruition to Tuition • Real Estate and Mortgages • The Great Misunderstanding

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Having successfully completed one training per week, and receiving peer mentorship, our participants developed an emergency savings, a cash �ow plan, and learned baby steps to eliminate their debt.

H.O.P.E, Inc. has better equipped our single parents to successfully break the cycles poverty and focus on their academic goals.

“H.O.P.E. Inc. was very encouraging to me through the whole process. It felt very good to have someone’s support that understood the special needs of a single mother like me, trying to work, provide for my young daughter and pursue a college education. I want to encourage anyone who is trying to balance work, college, and motherhood to give them a call and learn more about how they can help. The good thing is, H.O.P.E. Inc. will let you know that you’re not alone.” (Melissa Ebneter)

Keenya’s Story I was very successful before I married my ex-husband. The emotional and physical abuse that I endured during my marriage led to my divorce, loss of self-worth, and eventually the demise of a successful business as a hair stylist.

I have spent the last several years rebuilding my emotional, financial,

spiritual, physical and now educational best self. I never expected that my life would be this challenging. My greatest fear is that I would not be financially established to handle an emergency/disaster. In an attempt to make life better for my family, I enrolled in school with the goal to obtain an undergraduate degree.

The decision has been rewarding in countless ways. However, my ability to do well, maintain my clients scheduling needs, be a great mom, and keep my sanity was taking its toll on me. I received little to no assistance from their father/ex-husband. My father is deceased. My mom is not local. I'm the only point of help for my children.

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I lost my car in an accident December 2011. To date, I am still without transportation. Before H.O.P.E, Inc., I gave up my booth in the salon and began working out my apartment to reduce cost and be able to get my children after school since the cost of after-care was more than I could afford.

We were living with the basics, but my strong faith paid-off! I felt ‘hope’ just reading H.O.P.E, Inc.’s website.

A client of mine told me about H.O.P.E, Inc. After piquing my interest, she gave me the website information, but I didn't look it up right away.

I was hesitant because H.O.P.E, Inc. seemed too good to be true. It seemed like the answer to my problems was staring me in the face, and I just couldn’t believe it. I finally called the program coordinator and talked with her. After careful consideration, they felt that I was a good fit for the program.

H.O.P.E, Inc. taught me different methods to prepare for an economically stable life. These were things that I had been praying for God to work on in my life! I was asking for His help with financial education, how to budget, and stretch my money.

I am so thankful that God sent me to H.O.P.E, Inc.! I can't tell you how much I have been blessed each and every week that I have been in the H.O.P.E, Inc. H-LISP (Hope for Low-Income Single Parents) program. They have become such a part of my life that I can’t imagine what am I going to do without them when I have to move on.

I will be graduating in May 2014 with a degree in Fashion Design Marketing because of H.O.P.E, Inc. I will always be grateful to this organization and I hope to come back and volunteer my time because I have arrived!

Keenya Mollon, H.O.P.E, Inc. participant.

“I have shared great times with a group of single parent mothers who have experienced the same struggles I have. We are all making strides to better ourselves and the lives of our families.“ (Keenya)

Program UpdatesThe success of the organization is measured based on the performance and achievement of the program’s bene�ciaries. The following measurements were achieved:

measurement #1Academic Progress: Evaluate enrollment status, attendance levels, transcripts, and cumulative G.P.A to ensure that each of our program participants maintains a GPA of 2.7 or higher as a program requirement and ultimately graduates from college.

Outcome Target (1): 100 % of our participants increased their G.P.A. 25% increased their G.P.A from 2.7-3.11 (one letter grade), and Six of our participants are scheduled to graduate from college in May 2014; 5 with bachelor’s degrees and 1 with an associates degree.

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measurement #2PSP Monthly Evaluation: Monitor the e�ectiveness of each PSP plan by conducting monthly interviews to ensure that 100% or more of our participants are attending one life skill course a month, improving their �nancial literacy, and utilizing resources o�ered through the H-LISP program.

Outcome Target (2): 100 % of our program participants attended one life skill course a month, started an emergency fund, and paid down debt utilizing

resources o�ered through the H-LISP program.

measurement #3Monthly Peer Counselor Evaluation: Conduct monthly peer counseling sessions to identify �nancial or emotional need of program participants. Success indicators would be that 82% of our program participants express a decrease in stress levels and an increase in �nancial stability.

Outcome Target (3): 100 % of our program participants express a decrease in stress levels and an

increase in �nancial stability.

Volunteer Impact“HOPE's work is important to me because it is an investment in OUR future. The more families that we help the more potential for economic stability and educational growth for the next generation.”

We engaged 37 more volunteers this year through our Peachtree Corners Charity Marathon event, concession stands, monthly trainings, and micro volunteer projects. We continue to attract more people to our cause, and value our volunteers. Their expertise, talents, and dedication help us achieve our vision every year!

Here are just some of the many waysour volunteers served in 2013: • Life-Skills Trainers • Administrative Support • Fundraising Events • Board Members • Graphic Designers • Community Advocates • Campaign Leadership • In-Kind Donations • Financial Support

Charmaine is our program intake coordinator and often times assists the CEO with her administration needs. She personally reviews every application for assistance and interviews all potential participants. In addition, she takes the time to make monthly peer calls to our current participants to make sure that we’re doing all that we can to meet their needs. She invaluable and we appreciate all that she does to make H.O.P.E thrive!

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Our Star Volunteer: Charmaine Munn

Our Community PartnersH.O.P.E, Inc. is values community partners that believe in our vision. These partners have collaborated with us to share skills, resources, & o�er in-kind services. Their support helps us be more e�cient and e�ective in our community and we value all of them!

Business & Retail Partners• Chronic Health Management• Grant Source 1• Google• Serenity Touch• Celebrity Trend• Unique Events and Favor• 3 Counselors and a Couch• Career and Workforce Development Center• Dream Girlz, LLC• Sacred Sentiments

College University Partners• Gwinett Tech College• Georgia State University Alpharetta Campus

Faith-Based Partners• Crossroads Christian Community Church• Crossview Baptist Church• Cornerstone Church• Perimeter Church

Nonprofit Partners• Rainbow Village, Inc.• Urban League of Greater Atlanta, Inc.• The NATIONAL COLLABORATIVE FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Foundation Partners• The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation, Inc.• The John and Mary Franklin Foundation, Inc.• The Ida Alice Ryan Charitable Trust• The Luther & Susie Harrison Foundation, Inc.• The Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation, Inc.

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Special AcknowledgementsPerimeter Church and Kingdom Investments

We’d like to acknowledge Perimeter Church and Kingdom Investments for their support over the last two years, investing

$67,500 in our cause. Because of Perimeter Church, we have assisted 20 low-income single parents year to date and will have

seen 8 low-income single parents graduate with Bachelor Degrees ranging from Psychology to Criminal Justice by May of 2014. We

thank you very much for showing our organization the love of Christ and helping our single parent families in need.

Monthly DonorsThank you “Givers of HOPE” for meeting our family’s needs monthly! Trey Tompkins, Monique McMillan, Charmaine Munn, Claire Hill, and Kenita Pierce-Lewis your gifts are appreciated.

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Foundation SupportThe Scott Hudgens Family Foundation The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation is has been a gracious supporter of H.O.P.E, Inc. Their gift of $30,000 over the past two years has helped us provide assistance to families in Gwinnett County in need of our services. The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation has consistently embraced our vision since 2012, helping us grow our program and meeting the needs of our single parent families. We are extremely grateful to this wonderful foundation for giving us the opportunity to o�er HOPE!

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Our Vision for the futureFuture goals of the organization include the expansion of the scope of service based on evidence of need among program participants. Expansion of services would be undertaken as determined by the availability of funding.

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An additional goal includes the establishment of an apartment housing program:• Income-based Apartment Housing Program - As the H.O.P.E., Inc. organization grows in awareness, capacity and funding, the organization would like to provide an Apartment Housing Program as an alternative to the voucher program. This program would involve the purchase of an apartment building and making rental units available to program participants while they complete their education. Single parents enrolled in the program would be required to pay 30% of their annual income to H.O.P.E., Inc. for their monthly rent. Participants would only be able to occupy the space for 2-4 years depending on their timeline for academic completion.

This program would have a number of benefits. In addition to providing participants access to safe, affordable housing, it will foster an environment that further supports and empowers partici-pants because all tenants would share a similar belief in education and be on a similar journey. Further, this program could create cash flow for the organization and improve its sustainability.

P.O. Box 3166 | Duluth | GA | 30096

ANNUAL REPORT2013