Serving Our Neighbors Ministries Inc

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3-GENERATION FAMILY ESL PROGRAM THE FESTA 3-GENERATION FAMILY ESL PROGRAM TAKES PLACE EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY EVENING FROM OCTOBER-APRIL AND WELCOMES IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES OF ALL AGES SEEKING TO LEARN ENGLISH. PARENTS CAN BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO KIDS CLUB, WHICH PROVIDES PROGRAMMING, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, AND DINNER FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES K-8, OR TO OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS WHICH PROVIDE INFANT CARE AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR TODDLERS. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN OUR TEEN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WHERE THEY ASSIST FESTA STAFF IN LEADING ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING DINNER, AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT. THIS YEAR, OUR 3-GENERATION FAMILY ESL PROGRAM SERVED FAMILIES FROM 47 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND SERVES CHILDREN FROM 3 MONTHS OF AGE TO THEIR GRANDPARENTS, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN ALTHOUGH THE PROGRAM IS BASED IN HILLIARD, WE WELCOME FAMILIES FROM 44 DIFFERENT ZIP CODES ACROSS CENTRAL OHIO, AS WELL AS A VIRTUAL CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS WITHOUT LOCAL TRANSPORTATION, OR IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, TO JOIN OUR PROGRAM AND THE WELCOMING COMMUNITY THAT EXISTS AT FESTA. DURING THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, WE WELCOMED 303 IN-PERSON ADULT STUDENTS, 146 ONLINE ADULT STUDENTS AND 278 CHILDREN FOR A RECORD NUMBER OF 727 PEOPLE (AN 18% INCREASE) SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM. HALF OF OUR MISSION IS TO MOBILIZE THE COMMUNITY TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS AND IN THIS PROGRAM, WE RECRUITED, TRAINED AND MOBILIZED 463 VOLUNTEERS (CHILD AND ADULTS) WHO SERVED 7,580 HOURS. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSE REPORTED ABOVE, THERE WAS 50,144 IN DONATED RENT AND 63,800 IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WHICH WERE REPORTED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROGRAM EXPENSE. FOR THE FORM 990, HOWEVER, THE IRS REQUIRES THAT CONTRIBUTED SERVICES AND USE OF FACILITIES BE EXCLUDED FROM BOTH REVENUE AND EXPENSE.

MARCH 2023 FESTA STARTED A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FESTA BUSINESS ESL WHERE BUSINESSES CAN HIRE FESTA TO TEACH ENGLISH TO ASSOCIATES AND SPANISH TO MANAGERS ON-SITE BEFORE WORKING HOURS, MAKING IT FREE AND CONVENIENT FOR THEM. BEING BILINGUAL IS A TOP BUSINESS SKILL IN THE UNITED STATES. FESTA BUSINESS ESL ALLOWS COMPANIES TO INVEST IN THEIR EMPLOYEES, OFFERING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME BILINGUAL. THIS WILL CLOSE THE COMMUNICATION GAP AMONG COWORKERS, STRENGTHENING THE TEAM AND HELP ATTRACT NEW EMPLOYEES WHILE RETAINING QUALITY TALENT. IN 2023, WE STARTED WITH ONE COMPANY AND OFFERED PROPOSALS TO 3 OTHERS. FESTA OFFERS TRAINING, COACHING, AND CONSULTING, SINCE 2008 TO HELP CHURCHES, CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER GROUP OF CARING PEOPLE PROVIDE CRUCIAL SUPPORT TO THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FACING POVERTY IN THEIR SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS. TOPICS INCLUDE RUNNING OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS OF 3-GENERATION FAMILY ENGLISH AND FREE SUMMER LUNCH CAMP AS WELL AS POVERTY, CULTURAL DIVERSITY, AND VOLUNTEERISM.

FREE SUMMER LUNCH CAMP NOW IN ITS 17TH YEAR, THE FESTA'S FREE SUMMER LUNCH CAMP WELCOMES CHILDREN FACING POVERTY FROM CULTURALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO JOIN US DAILY FOR FRIENDSHIP, RECREATION, READING SUPPORT, SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, AND A NUTRITIOUS, FREE LUNCH. CHILDREN WHO ATTEND WILL PARTICIPATE IN AGE- APPROPRIATE PROGRAMMING AND EAT A NUTRITIOUS MEAL DAILY THE SUMMER LUNCH CAMP HELPS CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH AT SCHOOL WHILE SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION BY SERVING FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WHILE FACILITATING CAMP ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING. THIS PROGRAM COMBATS SUBURBAN POVERTY BY PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH A SAFE SPACE TO GROW, LEARN, AND BE PART OF A SUPPORTIVE AND POSITIVE COMMUNITY. DURING SUMMER 2023, WE WELCOMED 668 CHILDREN (A 10.2% INCREASE) AND SERVED A TOTAL OF 7015 MEALS WITH 303 VOLUNTEERS SERVING 2838 HOURS. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSE REPORTED ABOVE, THERE WAS 81,942 IN DONATED RENT AND 12,712 IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WHICH WERE REPORTED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROGRAM EXPENSE. FOR THE FORM 990, HOWEVER, THE IRS REQUIRES THAT CONTRIBUTED SERVICES AND USE OF FACILITIES BE EXCLUDED FROM BOTH REVENUE AND EXPENSE.

CONNECTING FAMILIES IN NEED TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES WHEN FAMILIES WHO ATTEND OUR PROGRAMS HAVE A VITAL NEED FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER OR EMERGENCY BILL PAYMENT WE VET THE NEED AND MAKE THE CONNECTION TO LOCAL CHURCHES, SUBURBAN NEIGHBORS, PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS OR OUR BENEVOLENT FUND WITH THE GOAL OF STABILIZING FAMILIES. WE SERVE AS A VITAL LINK CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH NEEDS TO A HOST OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. DURING FY23 (SEPTEMBER 2022 THROUGH AUGUST 2023), OUR STAFF WORKED ON AND SUCCESSFULLY CLOSED 59 CONNECTING TO RESOURCES CASES. EVERY YEAR FESTA AND CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE AN AFFORDABLE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES WITH A LIMITED INCOME. THE GOOD TIDINGS CHRISTMAS STORE ALLOWS FAMILIES TO PURCHASE A VARIETY OF ITEMS AT VERY AFFORDABLE PRICES IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER. THIS IS A DIGNITY STORE AND OFFERS FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY A RESPECT FILLED "HAND-UP" VERSUS A "HANDOUT." ALL SALES GENERATED GO TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TOYS, ENABLING MORE FAMILIES TO SHOP. OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS WITH LIMITED INCOME A WAY TO CHRISTMAS SHOP FOR THE CHILDREN IN THEIR LIVES AT A VERY LOW COST, IN A RESPECTFUL WAY. DURING THE 2022 HOLIDAY SEASON, WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE A RECORD 309 FAMILIES (A 50% INCREASE). 948 CHILDREN RECEIVED GIFTS THANKS TO THE GOOD TIDINGS CHRISTMAS STORE WITH 81 VOLUNTEERS SERVING 694 HOURS. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSE REPORTED ABOVE, THERE WAS 1,022 IN DONATED RENT AND 1,147 IN DONATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, WHICH WAS REPORTED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROGRAM EXPENSE.