Gratitude Report
2023
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Letter from our Founder and CEO When a visitor comes to Have Dreams, they are often greeted by one of our participants with a friendly handshake or high five. They meet members of our talented and enthusiastic staff who are eager to explain what goes on during our daily programs. Seeing Have Dreams in action often elicits comments like, “everything is so well run” or “what a happy place.” And it IS a well run and happy place, but that is because of hard work and decades of expertise. What people don’t see are the many hours it takes to create highly structured, individualized materials for each of our participants with autism, or the training that goes into onboarding our employees. This is long and expensive work, but because of our dedicated staff, and because of you, our wonderful supporters, Have Dreams has been able to provide these programs and services to our participants and families. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Here at Have Dreams, we are incredibly thankful to have the support of our giving community. Each of you, our friends and donors, that have given time, talent, or treasure has made it possible to provide lifespan services to our participants with autism.
We invite you to look through our 2023 Gratitude Report to learn more about our programs and services and to see the impact of your support. Your partnership and commitment to our mission and work has been invaluable.
With deep gratitude,
Kris Johnsen
Founder and CEO of Have Dreams
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Gratitude for our Participants and Families
Ben Bragança, former Have Dreams participant and current SCILS Program Leader
“When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Aspergers, now Autism Spectrum Disorder. I used to go to the Evanston Have Dreams After-School program during my time in middle school. During that time, I became close friends with a number of my groupmates, whom I would see outside of Have Dreams to hang out. I continued to participate in Have Dreams until high school, where I got busy with extracurricular activities, though the skills I got from Have Dreams were invaluable in my success in these groups. Midway through college I came back to Have Dreams as a volunteer, working with the same groups that I used to participate in. The greatest strength I bring to my work at Have Dreams is my experience as someone on the autism spectrum, as well as someone who used to go to Have Dreams. I can still remember when I was just like the kids I work with, so I can understand how important this place is to them. I think that the support I got in school and Have Dreams are the chief reasons I can do what I do today. Have Dreams was the first place I ever felt normal and comfortable, and I hope I can help others to feel the same.”
Lisa Bragança, Ben’s mother
“Have Dreams provided not just social skills programs that gave Ben tools he used to succeed in high school and college, but a place where he made friends and could relax and be himself.”
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Gratitude for our Business Partners and Volunteers
Don Adams, Huntington Bank - Longtime Have Dreams event Corporate Sponsor and Partner of the Have Dreams Academy
“Huntington Bank had the opportunity to partner with Have Dreams in doing practice interviews with their participants. The participants were able to tour our office, meet with bank staff, interview, and then go out for a business lunch. The event with Have Dreams was inspiring to me to see the effort and determination of the participants in preparing for their interviews and being willing to listen and learn. The event brought awareness of inclusion to our workplace and we look forward to doing this again in the fall. Have Dreams is making a real difference in their participants lives!”
Tom Conlin, Golf Classic Committee Member
“Our dear friends introduced us to Have Dreams. Their son was a long-time participant in Have Dreams’ programs and we saw first hand all the great things that Have Dreams does for kids and families. The impact Have Dreams is having on families is immense. Not only by helping participants learn life skills, but also resources that Have Dreams provides for the families. It’s so great to see. And the Have Dreams team is so accommodating and helpful. You can’t get a better group to work with.”
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Have Dreams Services Responding to the needs of our community
Professional Trainings Our training programs leave parents, caregivers and
professionals feeling empowered to help someone with autism succeed in their daily lives, resulting in thousands of individuals being served beyond our doors. We have also created free resources for professionals, parents and caregivers to access autism-friendly activities for the home and classroom.
Counseling Services
Have Dreams offers one-on-one counseling to individuals on the autism spectrum as well as to parents, caregivers, family members, and partners of those with ASD. We also offer a free, professionally-run support group for parents and caregivers, including those of newly diagnosed children, where information, resources, tips, strategies and community are shared to help empower parents and caregivers of individuals with autism.
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Have Dreams Programs
Gratitude Moment: Did you know that with your help, Have Dreams provided nearly $40,000 in program scholarship support in 2023?
Life SCILS: Adults with autism over the age of 22 participate in a variety of leisure, learning and fitness opportunities that build social, communication and independent life skills and friendships with their peers at Have Dreams in this full- day community-based program.
SCILS: Cooking, games, art and other structured activities foster social, learning and friendship-building skills for elementary, middle and high school students on the autism spectrum in our weekly after-school social skills programs at our Evanston and Park Ridge sites.
Have Dreams Academy: Our workforce training program for neurodivergent adults offers an autism-specific curriculum to build the soft skills needed for competitive, meaningful employment. Hands-on workplace internships combined with daily instruction foster confidence and independence, and skills such as teamwork and time management.
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Have Dreams Events Over $450,000 was raised thanks to you, our community of supporters who volunteered, participated in, or attended our 2023 events. In March, Have Dreams had our third annual Pizza With A Purpose , a virtual cooking demonstration where supporters made Holt's famous Park Ridge pizza at home with owner Matt Ranalli. Ice cream sundaes from Triple Scoop’d were kindly included by owners Jim and Nicole Hanlon in every order. 100% of the proceeds were generously donated back to Have Dreams.
Pizza With A Purpose
In April, Have Dreams supporters gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago to dine, bid and donate at our Night of Dreams Gala . Actor Gary Cole was our emcee and our Dream Maker award winner was Jim Morici. We are so grateful to our Dinner Committee members, Ember Burke, Ann Egger, Laura Glenn, Harmony Harrington, Janice McDill, Katie McGinnis, Terese Soto and Ariel Towers who helped create this impactful event.
Night of Dreams
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Have Dreams Events
We had a beautiful day in September for the Have Dreams Golf Classic at Kemper Lakes. Our generous sponsors helped make the day extra fun by creating unique on-hole challenges like the Kiddie Pool Challenge and the Putting Challenge. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Morici, Longo & Associates and Golf Committee Members, Tom Conlin, Tom Dillon, Jon Jahnke, Jim Morici, Olivia Morici, Mike Passaneau, Dale Seaberg, Mike VanSlambrouck and Dave Vucovich, who worked tirelessly to make the Golf Classic such a great success.
Golf Classic
In October, Have Dreams had 31 runners from all over the United States participate in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. We were happy to once again support our team with lots of virtual meetings that culminated in a celebratory in-person pasta party held downtown Chicago the night before the race. Since 2009, Team Have Dreams has raised over $500,000 towards much-needed programs and services for children, teens, and young adults with autism.
Team Have Dreams
Financials
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION HAVE DREAMS December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current Assets Land, Buildings and Equipment (book value) Security Deposit Right of Use Contribution Receivable
3,047,935 972,640 75,972 5,257 1,677,736 316,330 1,880,267 300,433 1,579,834 1,303,113 0 (135,445)
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
Current Liabilities Non-current liabilities: Operating Lease Liabilities
Total Liabilities
Beginning Net Assets Prior Period adjustment Change in Net Assets
Ending Net Assets
1,167,668
TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
3,047,935
STATEMENT of ACTIVITY (Condensed) for the 12 Months Ended December 31st, 2022 REVENUES
Contributions In-Kind Contributions Program Service Fees Special Events Revenue Unrealized Gain on Investments Miscellaneous Income
730,246 8,647 843,928 205,254 1,292 16,470
TOTAL REVENUES
1,805,837
EXPENDITURES Staff Costs: Direct Care (Program)
872,828 291,353 235,424
Management & General Fundraising
1,399,60 566,579 304,582
Total Personnel Costs
Professional Fees & Contract Service Occupancy Classroom Expense Public Relations and Marketing Insurance Printing and Reproduction Other
31,727 10,562 32,840 6,265 69,207
TOTAL EXPENSES DEPRECIATION TOTAL EXPENSES WITH DEPRECIATION TOTAL CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
1,921,367 19,915 1,941,282 (135,445)
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Our Team
Have Dreams is grateful for the many individuals who voluntarily share their time, expertise and talent to support and advance Have Dreams’ mission and work .
Board of Directors
Robert X. Creevy, President | Corporate Attorney Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Steven C. Gustafson, Vice President | Partner Gould & Ratner, LLP Jeffrey Devlin, Treasurer | Global Head, Sales and Marketing Siemens POC Diagnostics Christopher Cassidy Midwest Division Manager Tito’s Handmade Vodka Ann Egger Executive Director, Business Execution Senior Manager Wells Fargo Kristina Johnsen Chief Executive Officer Have Dreams Peggy Gilger Labern Registered Nurse Have Dreams Founding Member
Life Trustees
Gil Fergus Peggy Gilger Labern Richard Malone William & Connie Manika Dale Seaberg
Medical Advisors
Bennett L. Leventhal, M.D. Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Deputy Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Director of Training, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry University of California, San Francisco STAR Center for ASD & NDDs
Catherine Lord, Ph.D. Professor of Human Development and Psychology
George Tarjan Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Lauren Wakschlag, Ph.D. Professor of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Department of Medical Social Sciences Feinberg School of Medicine
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Our Team
Staff
Kristina E. Johnsen, MA , Chief Executive Officer and Founder Dana Fenceroy, MNA, MA , Chief Operating Officer and Therapist
Christine Bellosa, MA, LCPC, Clinical Consultant and Trainer Michael Bolton, Life SCILS Coach Cameron Boone, Have Dreams Academy Job Coach Kate Carlson, Have Dreams Academy Job Coach Carla Donnelly, MS, CRC, LPC, Therapist Megan Fleischel, Director of Marketing and Communications
Andrea Franckowiak, MA, Director of Programs Bobbi Frazes Goldman, Director of Development Maureen Hartwig, Development Coordinator Madison Hegedus, Life SCILS Coach Melanie Johnsen, Administrative Manager Haleigh Kent, Therapist Intern Deirdre King, Life SCILS Supervisor
Caroline McCarthy, MA, Director of Training and Consultation Cathy McCarthy, MBA, Counseling Services Billing Manager Celia Mooradian, MLIS, CAS, Have Dreams Academy Program Supervisor Corrine Murray, M. Ed, Trainer David Murray, MBA, Business Manager Andy Norkett, Life SCILS Coach Kelly Passaneau, Special Events Coordinator Lora Slutsky MS, CRC, LCPC, Director of Clinical Services and Therapist Paulette Wilkins, MSW, Grants Coordinator
Lydia Wissing, Training Coordinator Daniel Woodall CPA, Finance Manager
Have Dreams
Gratitude Report
Thank You
www.havedreams.org
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