Coming Together
Sprout Family Services 2015 Report
Greetings Champions of Sprout!
A message from the Board President
It’s the end of the calendar year with more and more darkness surrounding us, however through my eyes Sprout remains a shining beacon in our community any time of year. Yes, we have faced a shrinking budget this year and are staring into a forecasted state economic shortfall too. And that’s why “Coming Together” is so crucial as we live and breathe our mission of promoting healthy development of children and families.
As we peer into the future, we know that forming partnerships with other nonprofits and the private sector is key for our sustainability, efficiency, outreach, and contributions to the vitality of families and children. And so our incredible Staff and committed Board of Directors are proactively seeking ways to partner with others whether that is sharing space, administrative costs, or enhancing programs with others for children. Perhaps you want to join in and share ideas and energy how we can support children and families in our communities even better through partnerships? Please let me know. “Coming Together” in the coming year will allow Sprout and its partners to light the way and lift the well being of children and families in all of our communities!
Thank you for your ongoing support of Sprout.
Susie Amundson
Sprout BOD President
A Message from the Executive Director
Donald Winnicott, the English psychologist, in 1947 said that, "There is no such thing as a baby, there is a baby and someone." You see, babies can not exist without their caretaker. Their caretaker is also how babies establish the view of their world. Will they feel a sense of security, know that when things get tough, they have the support of their caregiver?
2015 marked a tough year for Sprout and other non-profits in Alaska. Our state is in a fiscal crisis and we began to feel the effects through the potential of funding cuts. In times like this, it is very easy to feel the anxiety that comes with fewer resources while families remain in need.
I am so proud to work for an agency that is clear in our mission: to promote the healthy development of children and families. Instead of asking the question, "how will we do more with less?" our staff and board decided to come together. We chose to ask the question, "how can we do the best for families with what we have?" You see, just like Winnicott, there is no such thing as an agency, only an agency mission and the support of our funders, donors, and our community.
Throughout this report, you will see the work that Sprout has accomplished over the past year. You will see a list of donors who have joined us to meet our mission. You will see some program highlights, special events and the many ways that we have come together.
Jillian Lush
Executive Director
A poem by Gary Snyder, For the Children:
For the Children
The rising hills, the slopes of statistics lie before us.
The steep climb of everything, going up, up,
as we all go down.
In the next century or the one beyond that, they say,
are valleys, pastures,
we can meet there in peace if we make it.
To climb these coming crests one word to you,
to you and your children:
stay together
learn the flowers
go light.
Programs and Services
Program Highlight: Infant Learning Program
- 51 Developmental Evaluations
- 143 visits with Occupational Therapy
- 67 visits with Physical Therapy
- 200 visits with Speech Therapy
- 119 visits with Specialized Instruction
- 64 children referred
- 60 children enrolled
3 Plus Therapy
Hearing and Vision
Playgroups
Sprout hosted playgroups in Homer & Anchor Point weekly, with a monthly Nanwalek playgroup as well. Attendance in FY2015 was through the roof with groups at the playground, beach, Chapman School, Nanwalek Teen Center and the Sprout office. 1768 children and adults attended 216 groups!
Water Play!
Program Highlight: Families Together Program
- 10 Families enrolled
- 206 Family Training/Support
- 88 Family Service Coordination
- 87 Direct Transportation Provided
- 20 Referral/Intake
- 13 Collaboration with Community Services
- 10 Family Team Meetings
Program Highlight: Imagination Library
This year Sprout hosted the “Alice in Winter Wonderland” float during the winter carnival parade. Sprout staff and families dressed as characters going to the tea party. Artwork was generously loaned by Aleda Yourdin. We handed out almost 300 books to children in the crowd (pictured below).
Financial Highlights
We couldn't do it without you!
Many thank-yous to our donors, funders and friends!
Susie Amundson/OT Kids*
Lela Benson
David and Kara Clemens
Carla Cope
Leland Curtis
Jessie Dabney
David Derry
Julie Engebretsen
Alison Flack
Ross & Jen Fonkert
Allison & Malcolm Gaylord
Haejin Han
Michael Hiller
Michael & Cheryl Illg
David & Jeanette Johnson
Jessica Lawmaster
Porter Lawrence
Linda Lekness*
Jillian Lush
Julie McCarron
Gretchen McCullough
Conor McManamin
Maureen Moore*
Amanda Neals*
Karen Northrup
Jackie Norvell
Carolyn Norton*
Odin Onion
Kasey Panhuise
Julia Person
Olympia Piedra*
Becky Pfeil/Timeless Toys
Rachel Romberg
Paul & Tina Seaton
Miranda Weiss & Bob Shavelson
Mel Strydom & Nadya Klingel
Elizabeth Trowbridge
Crystal Wallace
Hollie Wynne
Sharon Whytal
Tom Zitzmann
Alaska Communications
Alaska Community Foundation
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
American Seafoods
Best Beginnings
Brookes Publishing Company
First National Bank of Alaska
The Foraker Group
The Grog Shop
Homer Emblem Club #350
Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club
The Homer Foundation
Kenai Peninsula United Way
The Rasmuson Foundation
Seldovia Village Tribe
*Indicates past or present Board Members
The above list represents donors from FY2015 (July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015). Although every effort was made to ensure accuracy, we acknowledge that errors may have been made. If we have omitted, misplaced or misspelled your name, please contact Sprout at (907)235-6044.
Sprout Board of Directors
Left to Right: Randall White, Treasurer; Maureen Moore, Vice President; Jillian Lush, Executive Director; Carolyn Norton, Member; Linda Lekness, Member; Amanda Campbell, Secretary; Susie Amundson, President
We're an official Pick. Click. Give. Organization!
The program was created by the Alaska State Legislature in 2008 and allows Alaskans filing for their PFD online to donate all or part of it to eligible charitable and educational organizations. The program is available to Alaskans who file online for their PFD. The online application has a list of eligible organizations, including SPROUT and people will be able to choose to contribute. Remember us when you file for your PFD!
Sprout Family Services
Email: office@sproutalaska.org
Website: www.sproutalaska.org
Location: 3691 Ben Walters Lane, Homer, AK, United States
Phone: 907-235-6044
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sprout-Family-Services-191002143470/