Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we celebrate another year, we continue to focus on our mission to serve Lorain County
and it’s neighborhoods by enhancing individual and family lives along with improving
neighborhoods and communities.
Neighborhood Alliance strives to restore hope to Lorain County even in the midst of historic
funding cuts and other challenges. We are proud to report that since our rebranding two years
ago, we have not only brought more awareness to our new name, but also who we are as an
agency. This positive change has made an even greater impact on those that we serve, as we
continue to fill our tool belt with alliances to remain strong despite economic challenges. The
blueprint of Lorain County that we envisioned has come true. Over this past year our
relationships began developing from formal alliances into collaborative partnerships. We
realized that together with other local partners, we have achieved a greater impact by more
effectively and efficiently providing assistance to those that we serve.
In 2013, we utilized our tool belt of collaborations to bridge the gaps and restore hope to those
that need us most. Here are just a few examples of our collaborations in 2013:
•Collaborating at a national level began late in 2012, and in 2013 we solidified our partnership
with Next Step Ministries an international missionary group from Madison, Wisconsin.
Neighborhood Alliance was chosen over several other organizations, to bring volunteers from
around the country and potentially the world to Lorain County to assist with home rehab for
the fragile older adult clients in our Senior Nutrition Home Delivered Meal Program. Over 200
volunteers from around the country chose a mission trip to Lorain County, and that was just
year one! We have a formal covenant to partner with Next Step Ministries for the next 8 years.
•Early in 2013, Neighborhood Alliance was approached by The Linden School’s Board of
Directors who had been facing many challenges over the years. With the fear of closing their
doors looming, Neighborhood Alliance was asked to consider becoming the owners/operators
of one of the county’s premier child care centers. After performing our due diligence and with
guidance from our Board of Directors, we identified several areas of improvement that needed
to be put in place for The Linden School to become a successful learning center again that provides top quality services to families seeking Child Enrichment programming. In October
of 2013 the acquisition was completed. By retaining the existing staff, we expanded our staffing
by 12 new employees and continue to improve the quality of service received at the new
Neighborhood Alliance, Child Enrichment Services-Linden at Wesleyan.
These are only two examples of Neighborhood Alliance restoring hope and bridging the gaps
in all of our programs.
We are forever grateful for your partnerships, collaborations and guidance throughout 2013.
We look forward to working with you to evolve our programmatic approaches and fundraising
strategies. Together we will build a stronger Lorain County to meet the growing needs and
ever-evolving challenges within our region.
Thanks again for Restoring Hope
to your Neighbors in Lorain County!
Connie Osborn - CEO/ President
ored
Rest E!
HOP
Look for “Restored Hope” Icons throughout this
report to read letters from a few of your neighbors
that had their hope restored in 2013.
Board of Directors
Officers
Amy DeLuca – Wickens, Herzer, Panza,
Cook & Batista Co., Board Chair
Frank Filipovitz – PolyOne Corporation, Vice Chair
Victor Turk – R.W. Beckett, Treasurer
Robert Heinrich – Lorain National Bank, Secretary
Members
Marc Blanden - Sam’s Club
Karen Davis - KeyBank
Jeff Hudson - PolyOne Corporation
Kevin Knight - Heidelberg Distributing
Amy Koncelik - Columbia Gas
Kathleen Lesner Hall - Nordson Corporation
Michele McGhee - Lorain County Community College
Danielle Parrish - Lake Ridge Acadamy
Mary Pease - Avon Lake United Church of Christ
Jason Smith - Green Circle Growers
Pat Spitzer - Spitzer Automotive
James Valderama - McGladrey LLP
Leadership Team
Administrative
Connie Osborn - President/CEO
Dawn Meyer - Vice President/Development
Holly Spitz - CFO
Pat Tarter - Administrative Assistant
Lori Magyar - Y