2011 Annual Report - Whaley Children's Center

MISSION AND VISION
The mission of Whaley Children’s Center is to
provide tools to children and families, who have
experienced trauma, to reach their full potential.
Since 1926, Whaley Children’s Center has been
committed to providing quality programs and
services to children across the State of Michigan.
We strive to be a leader in the treatment of
vulnerable children and families and create an
environment that fosters change and growth.
In 2011, Whaley provided a home to 78 different children.

From the President
Dear friends,
“Trust me, the food is great here!” As I watched the 10 year-old brother, Joey welcome his younger
frightened brother at Whaley Children’s Center in our foyer, I couldn’t help but think of the
enormous expectations and responsibility that we had. Joey, who came to us two weeks prior, had
had the same frightened look on his face – the one that his younger brother now had. Yet, in a matter
of two weeks, he found comfort and hope, welcoming his brother to their new home. As they walked
down to the Mott residence, I saw Joey put his arm around his brother’s shoulder and whisper,
“You’re going to love it here.”
Joey and his brother were just two of the 78 traumatized children we provided a safe haven for in
2011. While the children came from all parts of Michigan and each with their own unique
circumstances, the common thread they shared was the profound amount of abuse and neglect they
survived.
We transformed lives by meeting the vast array of physical, emotional, and developmental needs of each child. With strong
guidance and support, our children continued to receive the therapeutic services and programs they needed to recover from their
past and enhance their life and social skills. Because of the committed, talented staff and volunteers, children learned that their
past does not have to define their future.
Leadership Team
Director of Children’s Services
Holly Banes, LMSW
Director of Administrative Service
Kate McNamara, BBA
Director of Quality and Compliance
Brian Newlon, M. of Ed.
Director of Clinical Services
Krystin Sankey, MS, LPC
Director of Residential Services
Michelle Shamel, MFT
President and CEO
Kevin M. Roach, MSW
Kevin M. Roach, MSW
President/CEO
While 2011 was a year of transition, it set a strong foundation for growth and opportunity in
2012 and beyond. None of this was possible without the dedication and support of our
community. In 2011, because of your support, we created futures. Thank you. New beginnings
and new possibilities were constant themes as children overcame their past and experienced
new success. There was a lot to celebrate from the child who learned to overcome his sexual
abuse to the teenager who was voted Secretary of his school’s student council.
We owe it to Joey and his brother, along with the 76 other hurting children we served in 2011, to
live up to their high expectations - expectations that go beyond good food and a warm bed. But
rather that brighter, better days are truly ahead. Thank you for allowing us to live up to our
children’s expectations in 2011 and beyond.

Dear Whaley Supporters,
The future of the agency is bright! While we’ve had some challenges, we are as healthy as we’ve ever
been. Under the leadership of Kevin Roach, we’re excited about our future. Adding new housing, re-engaging
the community, and implementing additional programming to help our children transition to adulthood are
all part our new strategic plan. Our goal is simple, yet critical: be the standard by which all child care
agencies are measured. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank each and every one of you for
your continued commitment and support to the children. It is that commitment that will ensure that the
agency will exist for another 85 years!
Douglas Pastor, Board President
We have a new website!
www.whaleychildren.org
Board of Directors
Officers
Doug Pastor, Chair,
UBS
Evelyn Nartelski, Vice Chair
Nartel Family Foundation
Scott Triplett, Treasurer
Citizens Bank
Diana Hedderman, Secretary
Community Volunteer
Members at Large
Nathan Adams, PNC Bank
Walter Barkey, MD, Flint Dermatology
Jonquil Bertschi, JD, Weiss Advocacy Center
Andrew Heller, Journalist
Fred Hensler, Hensler & Associates
Anne Kelley, Volunteer
Linda Kordyzon, McLaren
Olga Long, Financial Plus FederalCredit Union
Jim Murdock, Murdock & Associates

JUST SOME OF THE 2011 AGENCY SUCCESSES. . .
Our proud partnerships with King Par, Zoie Sky
Foundation and numerous other businesses
Our first annual Volunteer Celebration Picnic at Whaley
Renovating and opening of the Optimist Group Home
Development of the 2012-2014
Strategic Plan
Student Success Center
Expansion of our Clinical
Department and program

Kara
THE CIRCLES OF LIFE
Kara came to Whaley at the age of 16 after spending 10 years in and out of the foster care system. A survivor
of her mother's persistent physical and emotional abuse, she experienced severe depression. By age 13, she
was homeless, on the streets, fending for herself.
After a year with us, Kara's path to recovery has been dramatic! She attended school regularly, received good
grades, became involved in TeenQuest, held a couple part-time jobs, and is determined now more than ever to
become a nurse. Kara was known for her beautiful smile and a positive, upbeat outlook at life.
Kara recently left our center to live in a Independent Living Program. When asked what Kara liked most about
herself, she responded:
"I learn from my mistakes. Also I'm honestly really happy about everything. Being
angry did not take me anywhere. I'm just a happier person and like me."
After surviving ongoing domestic violence as a child and was removed from his home
at the age of 8, Ricky came to us hurting. Angry and depressed and tired of the years
spent in the foster care system, he took his anger out on others. Finally given a safe
haven, Ricky began to find hope again. Gradually, he began to trust adults, feel pride,
and found a love for cooking and drawing.
Upon leaving for a family, Ricky stated the reason Whaley worked for him was:
“My therapist helped me get through a lot of stuff - stuff I used to
never talk about and never wanted to deal with. She helped channel
my anger too. I’m not mad anymore.”
Ricky
In 2011, there was 14,874 days of care provided!

Emily
Emily was ten years old when she first came to Whaley Children’s
Center. She was quite small for her age, due to the extensive
malnourishment and physical neglect she had experienced since infancy.
Not only was Emily physically and sexually abused, she also witnessed
significant physical violence between her parents. Emily had not only
been sexually abused by her father, but also by other males that came
into the home. Often times, Emily found herself as the protector for her
two younger sisters, taking the blows of physical and sexual violence so
that her sisters didn’t have to.
Finally, at the age of 8 years, she was first removed from her birth
family and placed in a foster care home. Emily then had four different
foster care and relative placements fall short before she was admitted to
Whaley.
At Whaley, Emily found comfort and hope, yet she continued to struggle with feelings of rejection and
mistrust. After all, every adult she had previously encountered had let her down.
While living at Whaley, Emily participated in individual and group therapy to overcome her past and
reclaim her childhood. She learned to trust again and formed healthy relationships with her peers, the
staff at Whaley, as well as a prospective adoptive family. Emily worked on managing her anger and for the
first time in her life, developing her life and social skills. As her grades improved, Emily began to laugh
and play more.
After almost a year at Whaley, Emily began to transition to the adoptive home. Since Emily left Whaley’s
program, she has continued to make progress. She has bonded very quickly with the family and made
many friendships in her new school. Emily helps with the chores at home, though her favorite thing to do
is take care of the family dog. Emily finally has her childhood back.
Emily’s story isn’t a miracle. It’s a testament that every child that comes to Whaley has reasons to
hope and believe again. . . brighter days are ahead.

THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR DONORS!
Your dedication to our children means so much!
Al Bourdeau Insurance Services
Baker College
Citizens Bank Wealth Management-
Loeb Charitable Trust
Clarkston United Methodist Church
Client Financial Services of MI
Mr. Fred E. Crew
Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association
Dort Federal Credit Union
Flagstar Bank
General Motors LLC
Hastings Mutual Insurance Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hope
Hougen Foundation
Mr. Keith Jennings
Junior League of Flint
King Par
Klobucher Foundation
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools
Lowe’s
McLaren Health Plan
McLaren Regional Medical Center
Nartel Family Foundation
Pioneer State Mutual
Preventive Medicine Center
Project Joy
Safeco Insurance
Sigma Phi Gamma International
Mr. George Skaff
Skaff Carpet and Furniture
Ms. Doris Sutton
The Flint Journal
University of Michigan-Flint
Zoie Sky Foundation
And of course the
Zonta clubs, Kiwanis
clubs, Rotary clubs,
and Optimist clubs
for all that they do
for our children!

HOW YOUR HELP TODAY WILL LEAD TO
BRIGHTER TOMORROWS
Please consider donating to Whaley Children’s Center this year. Every bit helps. Besides monetary
donations, there are a number of other ways to remember the children at Whaley Children’s Center.
All gifts are tax deductible.
• Contributions in Honor or Memory of a special individual
We accepts charitable gifts that honor individuals for achievement, celebrate a special occasion,
or memorialize a loved one. Gifts can be designated for any purpose depending on the wishes of the
donor. You and your honored individual will be personally acknowledged and recognized.
• Have your own fundraiser!
Throw a fundraiser for us. Proceeds from a graduation or retirement party. Have a Mary Kay party or a theme party. For
more ideas, give us a call!
• Capital Gifts
Capital gifts given to us can have specific purposes which can be designated by the donor. Capital gifts are important to us
because it can grow our endowment.
• Gifts of Stock
There are additional benefits when giving appreciated stock. If your sales from marketable securities, which can bring longterm
capital gain, are donated to Whaley Children’s Center, your outright gift could mean a significant tax savings. You are
not required to pay capital gains on the appreciation. As a result, the actual cost to you as a donor could be less than the
value of your gift.
•Planned Gifts (Deferred Giving)
Planned giving offers numerous opportunities to provide long-term support to Whaley Children’s Center. Planned gifts
can include naming Whaley Children’s Center as a beneficiary in one’s will. In planning your estate, please remember
us and the legacy that you can leave behind with all the children. An outright bequest can reduce taxation of your
estate. Consult with your tax specialist and contact us!
•In-Kind Donations
Whaley Children’s Center also accepts many in-kind donations, which includes children’s games, school and office
supplies, cleaning and personal care items, furniture, computers, and more.

Assets Liabilities
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
Accounts
Receivable
Agency Funds
Investments
Land, Building, &
Equipment-
Accumulated
Depreciation
$631,766
$309,086
$4,479,643
$994,580
Miscellaneous $32,714
Total Assets $6,447,789
Accounts Payable $37,208
Accrued
Liabilities
$181,141
Long Term Debt $116,554
Total Liabilities $334,903
Net Assets
Unrestricted $2,393,596
Temporarily
Restricted
Permanently
Restricted
$91,011
$3,628,279
Total Net Assets $6,112,886
Total Liabilities and Net Assets: $6,447,789
*
FINANCIAL
REPORT
2011 Revenue
$3,666,175
2011
Expenditures
$3,666,175
The financial statements are still in
draft form, but will be audited in
this year. Every year, Whaley
Children’s Center receives an
independent audit through a
certified accounting firm.
*

DEMOGRAPHICS
•62% of all children came from
Genesee, Wayne, Oakland,
and Macomb counties.
•Average age of a child at
Whaley was 11.6 yrs.
•30 of the children were under
the age of 10 years old.
•The avg. length of time spent
in the foster care system was 4
years and 5 months!
•73% of the children who left
Whaley went to a family
setting, armed with life skills!
“Whaley helped me
get my behavior
together and right
so that I could
have a family and
look forward to a
nice life.”
Jacquie, age 14
DID YOU KNOW?
•71% of the children
did not know the
whereabouts of their
biological father.
•71% of the children
had one parent who
was currently
incarcerated or had
criminal histories.
•56% of the children
were survivors of
physical abuse.
•46% of the children
were survivors of
sexual abuse.
•33% of the children
survived domestic
violence.
•12% of the children
had a deceased
parent.
•95% of the children
have at least one
mental health
diagnosis.

Whaley Children’s Center
1201 N. Grand Traverse
Flint, MI 48503
(810) 234-3603
www.whaleychildren.org
Whaley Children’s Center would like to thank
BHS and Goyette for their sponsorship of our 2011
Annual Report and commitment to us.
TRANSFORMING LIVES, CREATING FUTURES