Annual Report for Advent House Ministries

OVERVIEW:

As the year 2006 ended, Advent House Ministries entered its 20^th year of operation. On this eve of celebrating two decades of operation, we are able to reflect on growth and development for our organization, at the same time that we see increasing need among those we serve. One highlight of 2006 for Advent House and our community at large has been the statewide plan, strongly supported by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), to end homelessness in 10 years-an effort that has built new partnerships and forged new hope that the serious problem of homelessness can and will be solved.

Advent House took the opportunity to take a very active part in the plan to end homelessness at the end of 2006. Through our association with the Greater Lansing Homeless Resolution Network, we were awarded a grant of $500,000 from MSHDA to move 25 chronically homeless individuals into permanent housing. This grant for Tenant Based Rental Assistance allows Advent House to pay the rent for up to three years to give formerly homeless individuals a new start and a chance to build stable lives. In addition to funding for rent payments, the grant allows a small amount to pay for basic case management for the 3-year period of the grant. The success of this program is dependent upon the partnership of area agencies and Advent House to provide sufficient support services and access to resources for each person. We have made formal agreements with area agencies to ensure that their services will be available and accessible to program participants. We are looking forward to celebrating the success of each man and woman in this program in 2007 and beyond!

PROGRAMS:

Besides the wonderful opportunity this new program has offered us to help those in need improve their lives, our other programs have steadily helped the growing number of needy persons in our community. The following chart outlines increase in use of our programs, which we documented at mid-year 2006:

At-Risk Demographic	7/04-6/05	7/05-7/06	Variance
Weekend Day Shelter Program This program provides meals and a safe place to stay during the day weekends throughout the year (and including Christmas Day and New Year's Day). With the help of hundreds of volunteers representing more than 20 area religious and community groups, hot, nutritious meals were served to those listed below.
Non-Homeless	999	1357	36% inc.
Homeless	699	628	10% dec.
Children (total)	286	505	77% inc.
Children (homeless)	37	48	30% inc.
Veterans (total)	175	226	29% inc.
Veterans (homeless)	64	128	100% inc.
Persons over 60yrs.old	56	76	36% inc.
Total Meals Served	29,793	30,878	4% inc.
Good Work! Employment Program Employment assistance, including basic life skill training, is offered to homeless adults through this program. Partnerships with area agencies are key to successful outreach to those in need; services are offered on-site by AHM staff at Capital Area Michigan Works!, Volunteers of America, City Rescue Mission of Lansing, EVE's Place (for victims of domestic violence), and the National Council on Alcoholism recovery centers.
Homeless Adults	144 in lifeskills 109 w/job plan 83 employed	106 in lifeskills 106 w/job plan 61 employed	26% dec. 3% inc. 27% dec.
Shelter Home Program
# of Families	5	6	20% inc.
# of Adults	7	8	14% inc.
# of Children	20	22	10% inc.

The total cost of providing programming at Advent House Ministries in 2006 was approximately $620,000.00*.

* End of year financials were not completed at time of this report. Actual total cost detail is available upon request.

In 2006, as in previous years, we continued to seek out new avenues of monetary and in-kind support for our programs, as well as new membership on our Board of Directors. We believe that God is giving blessing to the work that we do, even as we see increased need among those we serve. Our mission has always been to build hope in a troubled world. Our hope is that the "trouble" that necessitates a program such as ours will be resolved and that we will no longer be needed. We work, hope, and pray for that blessed future.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

As always, the support of Westminster Presbyterian Church remains an essential element in the success of Advent House as a community gathering place and an effective source of assistance to those in need among us. This year we had a special gift for improvement of the Day Shelter room from All Saints Episcopal Church, which enabled us to install an air-balancing system and a new boiler for the area of the church basement that serves hundreds of people each weekend. With the help and patience of the Westminster Church members, as well as the support and prayers of the members of All Saints Episcopal Church, we now have the ability to bring fresh air (as well as adequately cooled and heated air) into the Day Shelter room.

When our doors open each day, those who come to us know that they are entering a place where they are accepted and encouraged. This knowledge is rooted in the relationship between Westminster and Advent House; the result of many years of hard work and the incredible commitment of the Westminster Church community. We know that God will continue to bless us all in 2007.