Written, edited and produced by Regis A. Saxton

1. 2008 RENEWING
ANNUAL REPORT HOPE
IN DIFFICULT
THE BOWERY MISSION & TIMES
KIDS WITH A PROMISE
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3. Dear Friend,
As 2008 came to close, our nation faced a new year of exceptional
change, challenge and opportunity. However, one thing has not
changed — the commitment of The Bowery Mission and Kids With
A Promise to renew hope in New York’s men, women and children.
For 130 years we have worked to transform their lives — men
homeless on the streets, women suffering from addiction and abuse,
children neglected by broken neighborhoods and broken schools.
Our work began in 1879 with the Christian Herald newspaper, which
brought exceptional Christian reading into homes and raised funds
for humanitarian needs in every corner of the world. Out of this charitable
enterprise sprang our two outreach arms, The Bowery Mission and
Kids With A Promise. Over the intervening years, we have seen wars,
civil unrest and depressions, but by providential grace we have endured
them all. Our newspaper may have long ceased publishing, but our
commitment to renewing hope in New York City has only strengthened.
Inside we share more of who we are and our work throughout
The Bowery Mission and Kids With A Promise. Inside are also stories
of individuals who represent the thousands we serve, and those
who help us serve: young and old, rich and poor, every shade and color.
I hope you’ll join us in this inspiring task.
Sincerely,
Edward H. Morgan
President
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5. 2008 Annual Report
Renewing Hope in Difficult Times
7 Compassionate Care
8 Life Transformation
The Bowery Mission
Discipleship Institute
The Bowery Mission Women’s
Center at Heartsease Home
The Bowery Mission
Transitional Center
Alumni Services
11 Highlights
14 A Promising Future
Mont Lawn Camp
After Schools
Summer Day Camp
Leadership Academy
22 Highlights
24 Renewing Hope in New York City
25 Financial Summary
26 Our Board of Directors
27 Our Key Staff
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6. “I finally got out of that pit.”
“I grew up in Washington Heights with a pretty good life, but my growing
up stopped quickly at 15 when my son was born. It was really hard,
raising a child that young. My parents did what they could, but they’re
factory workers, you know? I had to leave school to work … I think the
pressure made me want to escape my responsibilities. That’s what led
me into drugs when I was 19. Weed, heroin, cocaine, crack … I didn’t
realize how far gone I was for a long time. I burned a lot of bridges at
home, and that added to my guilt and shame. That’s why I became
homeless – I was too ashamed to go home … too ashamed to put the key
in the door. I worked a steady job during the day, and at night got high
and slept outside. It was my church who helped me see I needed help.
When I first got to The Bowery Mission it was hard and I wanted
to run away, but they helped me see that I could change. I finally got
out of that pit. Now God keeps me, even when I don’t want to keep
myself. I know I can’t change the last 20 years, but now I’m accepting my
responsibilities and being held accountable. I’m moving forward and taking
it one day at a time. My goal is to be a chaplain at The Bowery Mission,
and lead others in the right direction … because someone did it for me.
I’m not afraid anymore. I’m absolutely more hopeful now …absolutely.
I’m Alejandro, I’m 39 years old, and I’m in the Discipleship Institute.”
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7. Compassionate Care at The Bowery Mission
Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless
Since 1879, compassion for the troubled has marked our services and the
attitude of everyone at The Bowery Mission. Our motto is simple: Serve like
you are serving a King. Volunteers from New York and throughout North
America helped cook 800 meals every day in our cafeteria at 227 Bowery,
contributing a total 36,691 volunteer hours in 2008. Our compassionate care
for the homeless does not end with a meal, however: we also offer medical
and optometric care, showers, clothing, and a bed for the night to each of
our guests.
• Our Chapel Program hosts services three times a day for our guests.
Each service is organized and led by our 40-member Bowery Ministry
Team, a collection of local churches. Monthly themes center on
ministering to the very special needs of the homeless community,
imparting this message: hope springs anew from a transformed heart.
• Every Wednesday our on-site clinic, Bowery Medical Services,
provides free medical and optometric care. This all-volunteer staff
is run by professional medical doctors and optometrists. We saw
551 patients and treated a variety of chronic conditions and disease,
including administering flu vaccines. Our optometry clinic helped 55
men and women see better with a brand new pair of free eyeglasses.
• Through our Outreach Program volunteers and staff took more than
34,000 hot meals to the homeless and low-income in various parks in
Brooklyn and Manhattan.
• Without our In-Kind Food Operations, serving 800 meals a day
would never have been possible. A supportive network of
generous Mennonite communities in Pennsylvania, and other
partners like Whole Foods Market, Inc., altogether provided
more than $2.3 million in gift-in-kind contributions.
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8. Life Transformation
Restoring Hope, Dignity and Relationships
A meal, a shower and some clothes may set life transformation in motion,
opening broken hearts to the possibility that life can be different, that they can
recover. After that, each man and woman has to make a personal decision to
set about the hard and rewarding work of life transformation often energized
by a newly found faith in God.
In our residential recovery programs, described below and on the
next page, counselors help work through addiction and abuse issues, our
career center managers help develop employment skills and pursue a better
education, and our chaplains give spiritual counsel. Men and women can find
new clothes for that interview, and reintegrate into the working world through
on-the-job training experiences.
When our residents are fully prepared, family, friends and supporters
gather for graduation ceremonies to usher our alumni into a new life marked
by sobriety and independent living. After graduating, alumni take advantage
of a host of services to sustain their stability.
The Bowery Mission
Discipleship Institute
The Bowery Mission has been
ministering to broken men since 1879.
For six to nine months, 62 men at a
time recover their lives and renew
their hope in our dormitory at 227
Bowery. In 2008 a record-breaking 80
graduates walked out of our famous
red doors with transformed lives.
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9. The Bowery Mission The Bowery Mission Women’s
Transitional Center Center at Heartsease Home
In 1994, the City of New York Building on our more than a century
partnered with us to create a and a quarter experience of working
residential recovery program with homeless men, in 2005 we
for the 5,300 single adult men in opened The Bowery Mission
the city shelter system. For the Women’s Center at Heartsease
past nine years, the Transitional Home. The Women’s Center is a
Center has been cited as one of the 17-bed program focused on helping
most effective substance abuse homeless women gain spiritual
recovery programs in the City. This grounding, economic empowerment
historic partnership with the City and emotional equipping. Five brave
of New York has been fruitful for women graduated in 2008, whole
the 500 men who pass through again and ready for a new lease
the doors of The Transitional on life.
Center every year. In 2008, 98 men
graduated to independent living.
The Bowery Mission Alumni Services
For graduates of each residential
recovery program we offer a
top-notch aftercare program, to
help our graduates remain sober
and self-sufficient. In 2008, we
supported 332 graduates with help
finding employment and housing,
and hosted retreats, reunions and
seminars on relationships, family
restoration and parenting.
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10. “I can just stand up now. I’m not afraid.”
“Thirty years. That’s how long unforgiveness, anger and despair ruined my
life. The last time I was homeless was in January 2007. Before that I tried
to soothe the pain of childhood abuse with drugs, alcohol, men … all of
them abused me and controlled me. I was with my mother at that time and
drinking a lot, so she asked me to leave. I slept in a tent for two years … it
was so hard. I felt like somehow I deserved it — I thought living on the
streets affirmed who I was … worthless, shameful … I hated myself. It was
a nightmare.
That last January was so cold. I caught pneumonia, and they
told me I had a seizure due to malnutrition. Suddenly, I slipped into a
coma. I woke up six days later and my daughter was there, my mother,
my brother … and they were praying for me. I know it was God who filled
me up then. After that my brother got me into a faith-based rehab.
I transferred from there to The Women’s Center. Debbie, the Director,
she is such an inspiration, I just love it so much here. They’re helping
me overcome what was done to me when I was young. I can just stand
up now. I’m not afraid. All I want to do is go out into the streets and find
people like I was. I feel like if someone had come to me and shown me
there is hope … that’s what I want to do for others — show them there
is hope. I’m Rebecca, I’m 58 years old and I’m in the Women’s Center.”
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11. 2008 Highlights from Bowery Mission Programs
Across our programs every day, In January, 200 people attended our
993 people received a hot, opening of About Face, an exhibit
nutritious meal and 212 people featuring portraits of men and
found a warm bed for the night. women at The Bowery Mission by
famed photographer Bill Bernstein.
142 of our graduates achieved
a “Positive Life Outcome”. A new garden graced the Women’s
These men and women: Center, opened in July through
• Have connected to their Creator; a renovation spearheaded
• Are connected to family; by Mrs. Veronica Kelly.
• Are committed to being
clean and sober; In February, over 400 people attended
• Have found a job and a place to live; our ninth annual Valentine’s Day
• Have a plan for the future. Gala, high atop Rockefeller Center
at the Rainbow Room. Rev. A.R.
Our annual Thanksgiving dinner Bernard, Kate Paley and Barbara
was gratifying – 665 volunteers Bryant were honored and Mayor
cooked and served more than 2,400 Bloomberg praised The Bowery
meals to homeless New Yorkers. Mission. Our friends and supporters
raised $1 million to help men and
women at The Bowery Mission.
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12. “My experience here proves faith
really does work wonders.”
“I went to The Bowery Mission Women’s Center the first time with Veronica
Kelly. She spoke to me about the beauty and importance of what they
were doing there and showed me around the Center. My heart immediately
gravitated towards the women there. Then I saw the backyard; at that
time it was so disheveled and in desperate need of renovation … my heart
immediately gravitated towards the women there — I decided to give
them an outside space just as beautiful as it was inside. I helped Veronica
raise money for the Women’s Center Garden — the first person I went to was
my boss at the New York Mercantile Exchange. After that, the circle
of influential supporters just kept expanding. At the Garden’s summer
opening, I approached The Bowery Mission’s special events manager about
starting a program to get more young professionals involved. It eventually
evolved into The Bowery Mission Young Philanthropists — a committed
group of young people dedicated to raising money to meet the needs
of The Bowery Mission. Detaching from my daily life to help others in need
is such a rewarding experience. I hope others can experience this as well …
I want men and women, no matter if they are volunteering, raising money,
or even benefiting from a program themselves, to know they can come
to The Bowery Mission and succeed. My experience here proves faith really
does work wonders. I’m Christine Grasso, I’m a Young Philanthropist and
I support The Bowery Mission.”
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14. Kids With A Promise: A Promising Future
New York City’s millions of underprivileged and at-risk children are
weighed down and scarred by impoverished communities, broken families,
and under-performing schools. Without help, New York City’s children
and youth can find their hope and potential snuffed out before they even
kindle. Since 1894, Kids With A Promise has been dedicated to breaking
the cycle of poverty in the lives of our young people, helping them
become accomplished academically, confident in their character, and
ready for leadership in their families, communities and wider world.
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15. “We’re going back next year!”
“Camp is so much fun! We like swimming in the pool and going to the chapel
to sing songs. We liked chasing bugs too, except spiders and bees. Well,
really only Aaron liked it. We got to sing a lot, and it was good because we
got to play with our friends. At home in the Bronx … it’s scary sometimes.
Somebody broke in the people’s house downstairs. We like to get out of the
house, because we don’t have anything to do, and our parents work and
come home at night. But Aaron likes to watch TV, can’t get him away from
it. We also really like Mont Lawn Camp because we learn about God. We’re
going back next year! I’m Alyssa, I’m 11 … I’m Aaron, I’m 6 … and we go to
Mont Lawn Camp!”
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16. Mont Lawn Camp
Our wooded summer camp in the Poconos Mountains is a world removed
from the city. A wealth of great experiences met 950 children and youth this
past summer at Mont Lawn Camp. Across our sprawling 200 acres, children
slept in cozy cabins, greeted the morning with rousing songs in Diebold Chapel,
and ate nutritious meals in Fort Plenty. Each activity incorporates the values
every child needs to grow in character, competence and confidence, such as
responsibility, thanksgiving and faith.
Mont Lawn’s hands-on instructional areas educate with new
and exciting experiences. In Mr. Al’s Hobby House, arts and crafts grew
sophisticated due to the addition of kiln-fired ceramics, needlework and pine
car derbies. Campers saw their first goat in our Petting Zoo, and made their
own ice cream in the Little Chefs Area. Mont Lawn’s Adventure Program helped
form character through age appropriate challenge experiences such as rope
courses and the climbing wall. Our teenage campers enjoyed overland hikes,
backcountry camping and canoe trips on the Delaware River. In the midst of
this excitement, there was plenty of time for a refreshing swim in Diebold Pool,
or long talks with one of our 72 trusted summer counselors by the campfire
at night.
For 114 years, Mont Lawn Camp has given the opportunity of a lifetime
to New York’s children. A chance to breathe fresher air than they have ever
smelled, see trees as far as they eye can see, to run, jump, play, learn and
experience things New York can never offer — a chance to leave it all behind
and refresh their hopes in achieving a better future.
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18. After Schools
Eventually the summer fun comes to a close, and our campers become
students, returning to workbooks, desks, and homework. But Kids
With A Promise stays at their side, ready with year-round programming
to develop every child in academics, faith and character.
In 1995, Kids With A Promise expanded to offer After Schools for
children ages six to 12 to help our kids combat academic failure and grow
in their love of learning. In 2008, four sites, Fort Washington Collegiate
Church, Evangelical Church, Fordham Manor Church, and Living Waters
Church, hosted 110 children for three hours a day, four days a week.
Each After School is linked with school standards, reinforcing
literacy and math through project-based learning. Our site staff
also provided homework help, shared well-known Bible stories, and
led creative arts projects. At the end of the year, every After School
site held a performance for parents and community members.
Summer Day Camp
During the summer, not every student can escape the city for Mont Lawn
Camp. For them, we have provided a positive summer alternative: Day Camp.
Lasting all of June, Day Camp hosted 86 1st – 6th graders in Washington
Heights and the Lower East Side for an activity and project-based learning
experience incorporating arts, academics and field trips. The theme
A New York City Adventure engaged kids in reading and writing about the
City’s history, and broadened their horizons through visits to historic sites,
such as the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of New York and Central Park.
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19. “I can be in a safe place to learn …”
“I don’t have a lot of choices sometimes. My neighborhood can be
good, but sometimes there is trouble … people are fighting and yelling
outside at night, and there are gangs too. So I really like After School
because I can be in a safe place to learn and do my homework. We also
learn to read the Bible … we just started reading Exodus, but my
favorite book is Mark because I know that one the best. I get to read my
favorite mystery books too, play with my friends, and get something
to eat, because sometimes I don’t get lunch at school. Today we are
doing papier mache monsters! I really like After School and I thank the
people who support it. I’m Joshua, I’m 11 and I go to After School!”
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20. The Leadership Academy
The teenage years are pivotal. Some of the decisions we make — finishing
school, dating this person or another, playing football or swimming — can ripple
through the rest of our lives. In New York City, teenagers are surrounded by
voices competing for their self-esteem, their integrity, their future. Leadership
Academy pairs teenage graduates of our After-Schools and Mont Lawn Camp,
no longer students but “protégés”, with volunteer adult mentors who give
voice to the confidence, character and academic accomplishment we want
for our kids.
2008’s theme was GREATS: Godliness, Responsibility, Effective
Communication, Achievement, Teamwork and Servant Leadership, and
mentors worked with protégés in a series of workshops, events and
teambuilding activities to foster growth in each virtue. Saturday meetings
also gave the protégés the space to open up to their mentors, to talk about
that boy or girl, their fight with mom last week, their struggles with school-
work. But the mentors wanted to do more. So they formed a scholarship
committee, dedicated to creating a resource guide and raising money to help
our protégés get to college. Our 23 mentors had a tremendous impact on
these 78 protégés, helping them grow into young individuals of competence,
character and confidence.
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21. “… it’ll teach me how to be more of a leader.”
“I really love my family. My parents are great and very supportive of me.
But I live in Castle Hill in the Bronx, and there, there’s a lot of gangs and
drugs at night. So I have to be really aware and alert of them. I’ve been
going to Mont Lawn Camp since I was 6, and in Leadership Academy for
four years. And I love it, I mean, you get to meet up with mentors, have
fun, go to retreats. It’s cool. But the best thing is learning about leadership
qualities and about God. When I was in 8th grade I wanted to kind of be
a thug, you know? Never again though. This program keeps me focused,
teaching me right from wrong and how to be patient. My mentor, Rich, is
helping me find a way to be in the US Coast Guard or the FBI, I don’t know
which one yet. But I’m glad to be able to cut loose all those bad things
that were trying to stop me. I’m going to be a counselor-in-training at
Camp this summer; it’ll teach me how to be more of a leader. This is a
really great program! I’m Manny and I’m in the Leadership Academy.”
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22. 2008 Highlights from Kids With A Promise
2008 was record-setting. At Mont Kids With A Promise’s strategic
Lawn Camp attendance increased move to the Lower East Side kicked
to 950 campers. At the same off with a Summer Day Camp
time, counseling was enriched and an After School program.
by a lower camper to staff ratio,
4:1 this year over 9:1 last year. We completed a half-million dollar
renovation of Mont Lawn Camp’s
At four After School programs signature building, Diebold Chapel,
hosting 110 students, reading and and celebrated the endowment of
vocabulary scores increased 20%. the swimming and summer arts
Mathematics scores were even more programs by generous donors.
successful, increasing by 43%.
Our Fourth of July Yacht Party
aboard the Royal Princess raised
$145,000 for Mont Lawn Camp.
More than 120 of our closest
friends enjoyed front row seats
to a spectacular fireworks
show in the East River.
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23. “I can see their potential.”
“I came here from Boston a few years ago. Back there I used to mentor
with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and a youth group, so I came to New
York looking for an opportunity to serve. That’s when I found Leadership
Academy. You know sometimes these kids, they don’t have a father, or
they were raised in a community and go to a school with bad influences.
But these kids have so much potential, they just don’t have the right
influences around them. So their parents send them here; and that’s the
first important step, for the parents to take the initiative. In the Leadership
Academy I can sit down with them and see their potential, connect with
it, and channel it in the right direction. These kids are extremely bright,
but they don’t always know it. I want to give them a sense of their capability.
To let them know all things are possible if they believe. I’m Michael
Park, I work at Goldman Sachs and I’m a Leadership Academy mentor.”
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24. Renewing Hope in New York City
All of us at The Bowery Mission & Kids With A Promise are committed to our
purpose statement:
We are called to minister in New York City to men, women
and children caught in cycles of poverty, hopelessness
and dependencies of many kinds, and to see their lives
transformed to hope, joy, lasting productivity and eternal
life through the power of Jesus Christ.
If these stories have stirred you, we invite you to join us in our mission of renew-
ing hope. You are welcome to serve in our soup kitchen. Become a mentor in the
Leadership Academy. Teach a class at the Women’s Center. Sponsor a man in
the Discipleship Institute. Attend our Valentine’s Day Gala. We ask you to give of
yourself and your resources what you can — it takes all of us to renew hope.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true
there is life and joy.” We have faith in that proverb, and the God who makes it
happen. Faith has renewed the hope of thousands we have served, and we
are thankful.
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25. Financial Summary & Ratios 1
Revenue 2008 E xpenses 2008
Contributions
from Individuals
Foundations &
Corporations The Bowery Mission
Government Homeless Services
Contracts & Grants Kids With A Promise
Gifts in Kind Children’s Services
Special Events Development &
Investments Public Awarenss
& Trusts Management
Program Fees & General
Volunteer Services
Other
Support & Revenue (in the thousands) 2008 2007
Contributions from Individuals 2 $4,561 40% $3,320 33%
Foundations & Corporations 3 885 8% 737 7%
Government Contracts & Grants 4 1,535 13% 2,231 22%
Gifts in Kind 2,338 20% 1,543 15%
Special Events 1,096 10% 1,168 12%
Investments & Trusts 438 4% 477 5%
Program Fees 5 402 4% 414 4%
Volunteer Services 71 1% 70 1%
Other 86 1% 64 1%
Total Support & Revenue 11,412 100% 10,024 100%
Expenses 2008 2007
Program Services
The Bowery Mission Homeless Services 6 $5,965 54% $5,099 53%
Kids With A Promise Children’s Services 7 1,853 17% 1,791 19%
Total Program Services 7,818 71% 6,890 72%
Development & Public Awareness 1,764 16% 1,607 17%
Management & General 1,449 13% 1,114 12%
Total Expenses 11,031 100% 9,611 100%
1 Combined summary for Christian Herald Association (The Bowery Mission & Kids With A Promise)
and the Christian Herald Housing Development Fund Corporation (The Bowery Mission Transitional Center)
2 Includes legacy gifts ($400K in FY 2008) & contributions to endowments (two gifts totaling $408K in FY 2008)
3 Includes operating grants ($819K in FY 2008) and capital grants ($66K in FY 2008)
4 Difference in 2007 & 2008 totals due to government grants in FY 2007 for capital improvements
5 Includes fees for outside groups using Paradise Lake Retreat Center and nominal fees for After School and
Camping programs
6 Includes The Bowery Mission, The Bowery Mission Women’s Center, The Bowery Mission Transitional Center,
Alumni Services and Gift-in-Kind Operations
7 Includes Kids With A Promise After School Programs, Day Camps, Leadership Academy, Mont Lawn Camp and
Paradise Lake Retreat Center
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26. Our Board of Directors
Jan Nagel, Chairman Bruce Maasbach
Partner Managing Director
KPMG-LLP Manhattan Mortgage
New York, NY New York, NY
Nicholas J. DeMarco Edward H. Morgan
CEO President and CEO
Active Brands The Bowery Mission and
New York, NY Kids With A Promise
New York, NY
Dudley G. Diebold
Investor Daniel Ness
Roxbury, CT Administrator, Retired
Lancaster, PA
Henry Higdon
Managing Partner Miguel Sanchez
Higdon Partners LLC Associate Professor
New York, NY Nyack College
Nyack, NY
Victor J. Huebner
Managing Director, Retired Beverly Ann Sloan
TD Securities Business Representative
Dobbs Ferry, NY Actor’s Equity Association
New York, NY
Douglas John
Founder and President Charles W. Veth
Connecticut Marketing Associates Founder and President
Wilton, CT CVM, Inc.
Madison, CT
Donald Kolowsky
Division President, Retired Thomas R. Vogeley
Pfizer Inc. Investor
Niantic, CT Doylestown, PA
Pamela Leggett Vaughn Weimer
Volunteer Managing Director
Upper Montclair, NJ Oaktree Asset Management, LLC
New York, NY
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27. Our Key Staff
President & CEO
Edward Morgan
Vice President of Operations
Brian Johansson
Chief Financial Officer
Robert Depue
Director of Development
James Winans
Contact
Administrative Headquarters
132 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
1-800-BOWERY-1
www.bowery.org
info@bowery.org
design & art direction: Kathryn Cho
photography: Song Han
portrait photography: Francis Hsueh (p. 6, 10, 12, 15, 19, 21, 23)
The Bowery Mission and Kids With A Promise
are ministries of Christian Herald Association, Inc.
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28. Administrative Headquarters He will give a crown
132 Madison Avenue of beauty for ashes
New York, NY 10016 a joyous blessing
1-800-BOWERY-1 instead of mourning,
www.bowery.org festive praise
info@bowery.org instead of despair.
In their righteousness,
they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted
for his own glory.
Isaiah 61:3
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