A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 1

www.housingopt.org

O U R M I S S I O N

Housing Options mission is to develop housing opportunities for people recovering from mental illnesses, provide a network of support services so that each person can live as independently as possible, and advance the understanding of mental illnesses and the importance of supportive housing.

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Dear Friends,

In fiscal year 2011, Housing Options took a step toward the future and embraced change. In our 23 year history we have always provided life-saving mental health services and affordable housing and as we looked to the future and imagined what Housing Options could be we saw

a future filled with hope, transformation and recovery.

The first step toward this transformation was getting the new I-Work program up and running in 2011 and run it did. We could not have imagined the success this program has had. People are working. Work can transform someone’s life and that is what I-Work has done for our participants. In Fiscal Year 2011, we also saw an increase in the number of private foundation grants to Housing Options. Despite these hard economic times and the continued decline in state funding others saw how valuable our work is to the community. And finally one very significant change you will be noticing, after 23 years Housing Options has a new brand and a new tagline and we are pleased to introduce: Hope,TransformationandRecovery.

As we move into 2012 we are even more excited to be able to continue to build on our strong foundation to ensure that our services are cutting edge and leading the way for others. We want to thank you, our supporters, for standing with Housing Options so that our participants are provided hope, have an opportunity for transformation and the resources for recovery. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Deborah Taber Debbie Bretag President, Board of Directors Executive Director

HOPE • TRANSFORMATION • RECOVERY 3

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PROGRAM EFFICIENCY

90 cents of every dollar contributed in 2011 to Housing Options went to support program services. With more and more people losing their homes and an economy that is not improving, Housing Options has been able to provide 30,000 nights of housing to 80 participants. With your contribution and our careful budgeting and program efficiency we are providing hope and the best chance of recovery to our Participants.

Having a safe place to call home is the first step on the road to recovery from mental illness.

Unfortunately, many individuals with severe mental illnesses lack a home and because of this have little hope of recovery. We provide individuals in this situation with hope and a home. Walter moved into an apartment with Housing Options in May of 2011. It had been a long time since he had a space of his own, having spent many years in a nursing home. One of the first things Walter did after moving into his own apartment was to cook for himself. This was a luxury he had not had for years and because each Housing Options apartment is fully furnished, he didn’t need anything—not a pot, not a pan, not even a spoon. If you asked Walter about Housing Options, he would tell you that he is very

happy to have his apartment and the services he needs to recover and reclaim his life in the community. Walter has hope for the future. Walter imagines a day when he will move into his own apartment on the lake with central air, his own furniture and a flat screen television with cable. Walter’s dream is attainable and with hope he will achieve his dream.

H O P E

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Everything was available in the apartment— furniture, dishes, linens—it is very comfortable and easy to move in.

WALTER HOUSING OPTIONS RESIDENT

2INDIVIDUALSREGAINEDHOPEMoving from Institutes of Mental Disease to more independent housing in a Housing Options apartment gave 2 people a new lease on life.

4INDIVIDUALSNOLONGERCALLTHESTREETSHOMEIn fiscal year 2011, Housing Options gave homes to 4 individuals who were homeless when they entered our program.

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In 2011 Housing Options began its newest program, I-WORK. This evidenced-based supported employment program is designed to help participants gain competitive employment. Our team of two supported employment specialists helps participants identify their strengths and interests, develop a resume, job search, practice interview-ing, and practice the skills necessary to maintain a job. I-WORK has been incredibly successful helping participants gain competitive employment.

Steve, one of our success stories, is a good example of how sustainable affordable housing, support services, and specialized employment services like I-WORK can greatly enhance an individual’s recovery, and ultimately help transform their life. Before entering Housing Options’ program, Steve was homeless and living in emergency shelters and on the streets. He worked odd jobs for money because his symptoms prevented him from being able to find and keep a job. After entering Housing Options’ program, and attaining housing and psychiatric care, he learned to manage his symptoms with the help of our clinical staff and became more engaged in the community. Steve expressed an interest in finding a part-time job and, with the help of I-WORK’s supported employments specialists, was able to find one.

27JOBINTERVIEWSBYI-WORKPARTICIPANTSInterviewing for a job is a nerve wracking experience for anyone, but when you have not worked for many years due to your mental illness it can be doubly hard. In the last year I-WORK staff have helped our participants not only interview but obtain and retain jobs.

7INDIVIDUALSREJOINTHEWORKFORCEWork helps individuals recover, bolsters self esteem and helps individuals regain their place in the community. In 2011 Housing Options’ I-Work program helped our participants find their place in the workforce.

I haven’t felt this way in over twelve years.

HOUSING OPTIONS PARTICIPANT after being offered a peer counseling job

T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

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COMMUNITY BUSINESS SUPPORT

Local business support of I-WORK has been overwhelming! I-WORK has been able to collaborate with local businesses and help them find motivated employees – I-WORK participants. Housing Options would like to especially thank the following businesses for their support and help: Marshalls (Rogers Park and Skokie locations), Office Depot (Evanston), Misericordia, Portillo’s, Chipotle (Evanston), Cinemark (Evanston), Food-4-Less, Crossmark, Primepro Services, Old Orchard Aquarium, Tanner & Tanner, Turning Point, LA Fitness, Greek Fire Grill, World Market, High Ridge YMCA, and Regal Cinemas

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Thomas, who struggles with a mental illness, came to Housing Options over 12 years ago after a rehospitilization for symptoms of his mental illness. A hospital employee had recommended Housing Options to him. When Thomas moved into a Housing Options’ apartment, he took full advantage of the supportive housing services offered because he knew, without Housing Options, he would be either homeless or in a nursing home. Thomas chose to begin working on his recovery.

A year ago, Thomas moved from a Housing Options apartment to his own apartment through the state’s BRIDGE program. He signed the lease and now pays the rent himself. Having his own apartment makes Thomas feel great; he is responsible for his new place, he likes his neighborhood, he no longer has to share with a roommate, and he does not have to worry about being analyzed about the way he lives his life. And the best part: Thomas is able to have a pet, a guinea pig named Willow.

Thomas loves to be creative; he is both a writer and an artist. When Thomas was a child, he taught himself to read, and by the time he was in the third grade, he had taught himself to type on an old typewriter and wrote two 250-page novels, one of which was called “The Spy in Space.”

Thomas also liked to make art as a child. He says art and writing run in the family — and they are a very large part of Thomas’s life today. He received a degree from Columbia College in Fiction Writing, has had several pieces of writing published, participates in several community writing groups, and he recently had several pieces of art in a gallery art show in Rogers Park.

R E C O V E R Y

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6INDIVIDUALSFOUNDANEWHOMEIn fiscal year 2011, 6 individuals moved into a new home with Housing Options and 4 new apartments were added to our growing supply of homes.

5INDIVIDUALSINCREASEDTHEIRINDEPENDENCEA goal for many people recovering from mental illness is to regain their place in the community and Housing Options helps them do that. This year we provided support services to 5 individuals who have been able to move from our housing into their own apartments and take greater responsibility for their lives.

Housing Options taught me a lot about myself from a year ago to now. I’m a new person.

HOUSING OPTIONS FORMER RESIDENT and CURRENT PARTICIPANT

INCOME, EXPENSES, AND FUNDING SOURCES

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2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Deborah Taber PresidentEdwin Getz Vice President Al Belmonte Treasurer Catharine Hamrick Secretary

Richard AbramsRichard C. Bett Patsy Campbell Lara DudaEd FortinoKevin Hopkins Harvey SaverJere SimonErick A.Soderberg Susan TurnerRandy UsenMargaret Wold

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Woods BowmanEunice Collins Janet Dotson Dayle DuchossoisMark Epstein Naomi Feldman Ellen Rockwell Galland Lawrence Gavin John Harris Debra Hill Paul Larson Dorothy Lloyd-Still Peter Michaels Scott Morgan Carol Mullins Claire McCarthy PetersonPatricia Reece Eleanor Revelle Jeffrey Ross Angela L. SchwartzLynne SimonPatricia Vance

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Debbie A. Bretag

EXPENSEINCOME

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

Years ended June 30, 2011 UNRESTRICTED BOARD- TEMPORARILY PERMANENTLY DESIGNATED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED OPERATING (NOTE 8) TOTAL (NOTE 9) (NOTE 10) TOTAL

Revenueandothersupport Public support: Government grants $ 880,524 – $ 880,524 – – $ 880,524 Contributions: Individual 92,863 – 92,863 3,530 – 96,393 Private foundation/corporate 52,540 – 52,540 40,000 – 92,540 United Way allocations 29,334 – 29,334 2,666 – 32,000 In-kind 8,303 – 8,303 – – 8,303 TOTAL contributions 183,040 – 183,040 46,196 – 229,236 Special events, net 36,972 – 36,972 – – 36,972 TOTAL public support 1,100,536 – 1,100,536 46,196 – 1,146,732 Other revenues (losses):Participation fees 293,684 – 293,684 – – 293,684 Investment income and other interest 27,144 – 27,144 – 4 27,148 Miscellaneous 188 – 188 – – 188Net assets released from restrictions (Note 9) 45,706 – 45,706 (45,706) – – TOTAL other revenues (losses) 366,722 – 366,722 (45,706) 4 321,020

TOTAL revenues and other support 1,467,258 – 1,467,258 490 4 1,467,752

Expenses Program services: Support services 838,490 – 838,490 – – 838,490 Building management 407,706 – 407,706 – – 407,706 Community education 80,655 – 80,655 – – 80,655 Supporting services:

Management and general 66,873 – 66,873 – – 66,873 Fundraising 75,868 – 75,868 – – 75,868

Totalexpenses $ 1,469,592 – $ 1,469,592 – – $1,469,592Increase (decrease) in net assets (2,334) – (2,334) 490 4 (1,840)Net assets, beginning of year $ 1,732,587 50,000 $ 1,782,587 1,430,742 2,051 3,215,380 Netassets,endofyear $ 1,730,253 50,000 $ 1,780,253 1,431,232 2,055 3,213,540

This statement is an excerpt from Housing Options’ annual financial statements. For a complete copy of those financial statements, please contact Housing Options.

Annual Report Design: Henry McGill / Photography: Andrew Halpern

I like it, I like my job. It makes me realize I got something to do.

HOUSING OPTIONS RESIDENT

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1132 Florence AvenueEvanston Illinois 60202T 847.866.6144 F 847.866.6233www.housingopt.org Housing Options for the Mentally Ill in Evanston, Inc.