Wesley Community Service Center

Annual Report 2016

Message From Executive Director John Hatcher Jr.

We are daily encouraged, in-spired, challenged, convicted, consumed and consoled by the many persons who pass through the Wesley Center doors. As we approach our eightieth anniversary, our work is even more validated by the many who visited recently. These included: • Bruce who stopped in to get

some information as he did not understand and was trou-bled that his recent marriage and wife’s employment income impacted his SSI payments and the support he could provide to his family unit.

• Mary Ann telephoned in a panic concerning her need for financial assistance to avert the termination of her electric ser-vice which Wesley was able to provide and calm her anxiety.

• Teresa came through the doors of Wesley with news of her mother’s death (a former Wes-ley Board member and volun-teer) asking if Wesley’s “people’s sanctuary” might be available for a funeral.

• Adam and Virginia, two of the thirteen individuals for whom Wesley serves as a representa-tive payee institution for Social Security income, come through

each Monday to receive their weekly allowance.

• Johnnie called us and met us at the door as he is physically disabled seeking information and assistance with a home loan modification application.

• Shawanda came by to confirm arrangements for her upcoming Norfolk State University School of Social Work internship with Wesley in the fall.

• “Mr. Tony” Community Ser-vices Program Coordinator for the Portsmouth Friends of the Juvenile Court stopped in sev-eral times this summer to intro-duce us to several young people being referred for community service which greatly benefits our agency.

• Paula and daughter Sarah made regular weekly deliveries of surplus food products donated from the Harbor View Chic-Fil-A which was incorporated into our every Tuesday food redistribution program when some twenty five or more per-sons enter our doors to receive foodstuffs.

• On Monday evenings between the hours of 6 P.M. and 8:30 P.M. parents needing support in

child rear-

ing issues came

through our doors for an eight week class in cooperation with Mary Immaculate Hospital’s Family Focus Initiative.

• Coming through the doors at just about the same time on Mondays in yet another section of the building was a group of children for weekly learn-ing and fun activities under the guidance of a group called “Uniting Youth in Action” which uses space in the Wesley Center.

We are proud of this record and most grateful for the sup-port of our many benefactors, for our abiding relationship with the United Methodist Women, Inc. and the United Way of South Hampton Roads and the congregations and individuals near and far. Yet we are mindful that there have been many who have present-ed needs we could not fill because of our limited resources. All who come, now and in the future, underscore the continuing urgency of both Wesley’s commit-ment to be in mission, and our ap-peal for your continued generosity.

☼

Wesley pushes back the walls of poverty

Working where want is great, and resources are fewThe United Methodist Women founded the Wesley Center in Portsmouth during the Great Depression to alleviate the impact of poverty on families, seniors and single parents. Wesley remains dedicated to relieving hunger and other needs caused by poverty that remains deep and chronic today. Did you know that:

• At Brighton Elementary School, just blocks from Wesley, 100% of students qualify for the state’s free lunch program that recognizes low household incomes and nutriton deficits. (http://bit.ly/2cTJPC7)

• In 2013, nearly half of Portsmouth’s population ages 25 and over had only a high school di-ploma or had not finished high school. (http://bit.ly/2cJGFO6)

• In one Wesley nieghborhood (U.S. Census tract #2118) 70 percent or more of families have incomes that are 80 percent or less than the statewide media income. (http://bit.ly/2cTKnrw)

• More than 20 percent of Portsmouth residents faced food insecurity in 2014, according to Feed America. (http://bit.ly/2diCMDp)

• Much of the area Wesley services has unemployment rates of more than 15 percent. (http://bit.ly/2cJGFO6)

Wesley distributed 2,100 food packages to local residents in 2015 via our food pantry, emer-gency food assistance and weekly food distribution, as well as 1,600 hot meals to low-income housebound residents. In the first 7 months of 2016 more than 900 people and households re-ceived our help -- but another 135 presented needs we couldn’t fill because of limited resources.

With additional support, Wesley is ready to expand its human service programs that include weekly food distribution, life skills classes, emergency food aid, utility shutoff relief, clothing bank, weekly meal deliverty to housebound residents and affordable nutrition classes.

An Anchor of Community Life For 80 years, the Wesley Community Service Center has been a hub of neigh-borhood life in Portsmouth Whether it’s Wesley’s annual child sum-mer day camp, concerts, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Uniting Youth in Action, support groups or Wesley’s own custom-planned Youth and Health Fairs,

the Center continues to be a safe and fa-miliar sponsor or venue for civic, arts and spiritual programs and organizations. From weekly line dancing to alliances with community groups like Friends of the Portsmouth Juvenile Court and Cath-olic Charities of Eastern Virginia, Wesley is an irreplaceable partner with the people of Southside Portsmouth.

WESLEY COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER, INC. 2016 BUDGET Beginning Balance CHURCH SUPPORT United Methodist Women, Inc. $19,006.00 Call To Prayer/Special Grants $2,000.00 Supplementary Gifts $13,000.00 United Methodist Women $24,000.00 Virginia Annual Conference Support $1,000.00 Elizabeth River District $12,000.00 Local Church Contributions $15,000.00 Ecumenical $1,500.00 Other/York River District $1,700.00

NON-CHURCH SUPPORT Contributions $11,000.00 Board Member Contributions $4,000.00 Program Fee - Summer Camp 0 United Way $36,000.00 Profit - Pecan Sales $6,500.00 Building Rental $16,000.00 Invested Funds Transfer- VA U Foundation $5,000.00 Board Fundraising Campaign $8,000.00 Miscellaneous $1,000.00 TOTAL CASH RECEIVED $176,706.00 CASH PAID FOR OPERATIONS Salaries/Wages $103,170.00 Employee Benefits $20,343.00 Payroll Taxes $7,893.00 Professional Fees $900.00 Supplies $3,000.00 Telephone $2,500.00 Postage and Shipping $400.00 Occupancy $28,000.00 Copier Lease $2,600.00 Travel $500.00 Conferences and Meetings $500.00 Specific Assistance to Individuals $2,400.00 Insurance $4,500.00 Miscellaneous 0 TOTAL CASH PAID $176,706.00

Budget & FinancesThe Wesley Community Service Center Inc. derives its revenue from a variety of sources. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a long history of community-based human services, Wesley is a recipi-ent of support from the United Way of South Hampton Roads. It under-goes periodic review by the United Way of its operation.As befits its founding by United Methodist Women in 1937 in the settlement house tradition, Wesley is supported by congregations and individuals in the greater United Methodist community, both locally based and statewide. The national United Methodist Women contin-ues to aid Wesley.Additionally, Wesley is supported by a spectrum of non-Methodist faith groups, as well as by individ-uals.Wesley pursues grants on an ad hoc basis to underwrite programming. Recent successful grants include the United Methodist Women Call to Prayer Technology Grant for computer system upgrades, funding from the Southeast Vir-ginia Community Foundation for a youth/health fair, and a Jean Fran-ces Craig/Agnes C. Burr Mission Fund grant to support Wesley’s annual child summer day camp.In 2016, Wesley for the first time participated in the Give Local 757 giving day benefiting nonprofits and organized by three local com-munity foundations.Wesley’s annual pecan fundraiser is a significant revenue generator. Rental of Wesley’s facility by local groups and by individuals hosting events generates income as well.

Support is gratefully received from Individuals & Organizations

Albritton, Donald S. Alverez, Catherine

Anderson, Donald Anderson, Earl

Anderson, JavoneAnderson, MadiseBassett, Leland, Jr.Bassett, Phillip H.

Bible, EllenBlanchard-Collier, Ralph

and Pat Boltz, Sue

Bowman, Lee & MarieBradley, Horace and Cyn-thia

Brooks, JeanBurns, V. Pat

Callis, Lin and MarthaCampbell, EllenCarey, BeulahCherry, JoAnn

Clark, MaryCollier, PatriciaConnor, Gloria

Cook, BillieCotton, Mae F.Decker, James

Dignard, Joyce and Rich-ard

Eason, Helen M.Elliott, JoAnnFintch, Roy

Freshman, Judy

Friend, EdwinGarrett, Nita

Garrison, Iverson and Georgia

Goings, MarilynGreen, AlvoriaGriffin, PeterHall, Delores

Hanshaw, Stephany and Vanessa

Hatcher, Myrtle and JohnHinton, Elizabeth

Jenkins, Glenn and Akram

Johnson, J. Howard and Fraitus

Jones, ElaineJones, James Webb

Jones, TroyLane, Amanda

Leathers, Rev. MarvinLifton, Greg

Little, BillMcClung, JoannMcCook, ConnieMitchell, PauletteOwens, Patricia

Parham, Donnell Perkins, Michael

Powell, Emon Powell, William and Ro-

bertaRawley, Mary Jane

Reilly, John Richardson, Harold and

AliceRiddick, Gail

Robinson, Adelaide and Lee

Roets, DonnaRomenius, Brenda and

BillRussell, Edmund W.

Sawyer, Paula and SaraSister Grace

Sligh, Rev. GarySprague, MonicaThomas, EugeneTravis, Wendy

Trumble, Richard and LuAnn

Turley, DonnaVegh, StevenWalsh, Nancy

Washington, Wilma and Iann

West, Dr. PriscillaWhite, Melissa

Williams, EugeneWinfield, ElijahWinston, Joyce

Wright, Otha and BerthaYarborough, Nancy

Young, James

Afton United Methodist Women (Burgess)

Aldersgate United Methodist Women (Hampton)

Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Hampton)

Beech Grove United Methodist Church (Suffolk)

Benn’s United Methodist Church (Smithfield)

Board of Directors, Wesley Communi-ty Service Center

Broad Street United Methodist Women (Portsmouth)

Centenary United Methodist Church (Portsmouth)

Centenary United Methodist Women (Portsmouth)

Charity United Methodist Women (Virginia Beach)

Chick-Fil-A Store (North Suffolk)Christopher Academy (Portsmouth)

Circle of Grace at Great Bridge United Methodist Church (Chesapeake)

Clark Heritage Circle of Williamsburg United Methodist Women

Club DePorres Catholic Club (Ports-mouth)

Community United Methodist Church (Virginia Beach)

Cottage Place United Methodist Wom-en (Portsmouth)

Courthouse Community United Meth-odist Women (Virginia Beach)

Covenant United Methodist Church (Chesapeake)

Covenant United Methodist Women (Chesapeake)

Douglas Newman Circle of Communi-ty United Methodist Women (Virginia

Beach)Dumfries United Methodist Church

(Dumfries)Elizabeth River District United Meth-

odist ChurchElizabeth River District United Meth-

odist WomenFirst United Methodist Church Circle

9 (Hampton)Fredericksburg District United Meth-

odist WomenFront Royal United Methodist Women

(Front Royal)Galilee United Methodist Women

(Edwardsville)Great Bridge United Methodist Wom-

en (Chesapeake)Green Acres Presbyterian Church Pre

SchoolHigh Street United Methodist Women

(Franklin)Irvington United Methodist Women

(Irvington)Jack and Jill Inc., Portsmouth ChapterJames River District United Methodist

WomenKilmarnock United Methodist Women

(Kilmarnock)Main Street United Methodist Women

(Suffolk)McKendree United Methodist Women

(Norfolk)Memorial United Methodist Women

(Norfolk)Messiah United Methodist Church

(Chesapeake)Monumental United Methodist

Church (Portsmouth)Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church

(Chesapeake)New Creation United Methodist

Church (Chesapeake)Norfolk Church United Methodist

Women Norview United Methodist Women

(Norfolk)Our Summer Place Day Support

GroupOxford United Methodist Women

(Suffolk)Pam Stagg Circle @ Benn’s United

Methodist Church (Smithfield)Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Beta

Sigma ChapterProvidence United Methodist Church

(Yorktown)River Road United Methodist Women

(Richmond)Riverview/Oak Grove United Method-

ist Women (Smithfield)Seniors Keeping Young (SKY) at

Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Chesapeake)

Shady Grove United Methodist Wom-en (Mechanicsville)

Shiloh United Methodist Women – (Forest)

Singleton United Methodist Women

(Gloucester)St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (Ports-

mouth)St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church

(Portsmouth)St. James Episcopal Church (Ports-

mouth)St. John’s United Methodist Women

(Norfolk)Tabernacle of Deliverance Church @

WesleyThalia United Methodist Women (Vir-

ginia Beach)Third Baptist Church (Portsmouth)Trinity Episcopal Church Missions

Committee (Portsmouth)Trinity United Methodist Women

(Chester)United Methodist Women, Inc. (New

York)United Way of South Hampton Roads

Verona United Methodist Women (Verona)

Virginia Conference United Methodist Church

Virginia Conference United Methodist Women Spiritual Life Retreat

Warwick Memorial United Methodist Women (Newport News)

West End United Methodist Women (Portsmouth)

Williamsburg United Methodist Wom-en (Williamsburg)

Winchester District United Methodist Women

Woodland United Methodist Women (Windsor)

York River District United Methodist Women Women

Wesley Changes Lives: Testimonials“If the Wesley Center were not here so that our Narcotics Anonymous Group could meet there, many of us would find ourselves back in the streets as drug addicts and users” Anonymous attendee“The community has a lot to be thankful for in the Wesley Center. I am especially appreciative of all that you have done to make life better for me even as I am now incarcerated. You and the Wesley Center are one in a million and when I get out of here, I would be happy to show my appreciation for you and the Wesley Center by working around the cen-ter to do something you need done.” Letter from an incarcerated friend

“We the members of “Ministry Without Chains” give thanks that the Wesley Center provides a place for us to meet and study within the com-munity.” Lorenzo J. Holley Group leader

Wesley Community Service Center Inc.

Contact Information● 1701 Elm Avenue, Portsmouth VA 23704● (757) 399-0541● wesley@wesley.hrcox-mail.com

Wesley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your donations are tax de-ductible.

Board of Directors

● Nancy Yarborough● Rev. Marvin Leathers● V. Pat Burns● Ellen Bible● Georgia Garrison● Marie Bowman● Steven G. Vegh● Aaron Ashanti● Catherine Alvarez● Harold Richardson● Connie McCook

Staff

● John G. Hatcher Jr., Executive Director● Madise L. Ander-son, Program Asst. for Emergency Services● Vanessa B. Hanshaw, Administration and Finance● Diana Chappell-Lew-is, Asst. to the Director for Special Programs