2020 | ANNUAL REPORT R“HopeKids has helped us escape our reality of isolation. It is also incredible to be able to connect with other families who know what our day-to-day is like.” - Katherine, Daleyza’s momWhen the world shut down at the beginning of 2020, we immediately shifted our focus to how we could continue serving our families. With all of our staff already working from home, we were able to put all our effort into building a new program to ensure our families were still being served and felt connected during a time we knew would bring even more isolation. We suspended our in-person programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but remained committed to providing hope to families. Life was already full of challenges for HopeKids families, and the pandemic exacerbated it in many ways. Although this year may have been difficult, we always try to let the positivity outshine the difficulties. That’s not to suggest overlooking the tough times. For it’s the trials in life where we find unexpected hope and joy. We hope you find that to be true as well. March 2020 brought the unanticipated addition of virtual events to our HopeDay and HopeCommunity programs. We have learned that virtual events create an even more intimate environment to our program; providing an avenue for HopeKids families to share experiences and connect with others on a deeper level. It allowed us to serve HopeKids isolated in the hospital, and families who weren’t able to participate as often in our in-person programs, due to their location. It even gave families the opportunities to meet across our six chapters! Our virtual program included meet and greets with professional athletes, storytime with princesses, teen and parent book clubs, movie streaming with dinner delivery, and so much more. In total, our chapters provided 2,691 program events to over 48,000 people. Additionally, despite the pandemic, we enrolled 348 new families, and our passionate volunteers provided more than 3,643 hours of service. We have learned a lot through the pandemic, and have found new, impactful ways to serve our families--which we are excited to continue offering as part of regular programming. Thank you for the part you have played in navigating this strange year with us. You have given, and continue to give, our families hope for the future! With Hope, JOSH TAYLOR President PRESIDENT’S LETTERWE EXIST TO RESTORE HOPE AND TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE SERVE. Our Mission HopeKids provides ongoing events, activities and a powerful, unique support community for families who have a child with cancer or some other life-threatening medical condition. We surround these remarkable children and their families with the message that HOPE IS A POWERFUL MEDICINE.Our Guiding Principles Our vision, mission and motivation are driven by our desire to serve in the name of Jesus Christ in response to and out of our gratitude to God. (Colossians 3:17) It is through God’s love and the eternal hope we find in Jesus that we want to love and offer hope to those in need. We cling to the promise that “Hope does not disappoint.” (Romans 5:5) We also believe that hope comes from God, and provides joy and peace in a way that nothing else can. These biblical truths form our belief that hope is a powerful medicine, and all our activities, resources, and time are to be directed to restoring hope for the future to the children and families we serve. We strive to promote integrity, honesty, and openness in the manner in which we conduct our daily financial and management operations. We will be good stewards of all resources that God has blessed us with. The HopeKids program is open to all children with life-threatening medical conditions and their families without regard to background, ethnicity, gender, religion, race, or sexual orientation.Board of Directors Steve Whiteman - Board Chair Former Chairman, CEO and President of Viasoft, Inc. Scottsdale, AZ Joe Birkholz - Treasurer Vice President, TCF Financial Corporation Minneapolis, MN John Jacobs - Secretary CIO, JE Dunn Construction Kansas City, MO Angelique Lehmann Waddell - Director Legal Counsel, CEC Companies Dallas, TX Dave Chapman - Director Vice President, HelmsBriscoe Yorba Linda, CA Josh Taylor - Director President, HopeKids Minneapolis, MN Staff National Josh Taylor, President Molly Cash, Enrollment Manager Michelle Cassens, National Program Manager Nicole Dahl, Marketing & Communications Manager Amy Whiteman, Donor Stewardship Manager Arizona Chapter Kimberly Trichel, Executive Director Kelly Schindler, Program Manager Andrea Lewis, Family & Community Manager Colorado Chapter Howie Hutchinson, Executive Director Lisa Sweeney, Program Director Robbin Brown, Family & Community Manager Kansas City Chapter Kristin Castle, Executive Director Ashley Williams, Program Manager Middle Tennessee Chapter Deb Sandvik, Executive Director Melissa Price, Program Manager Minnesota Chapter Brian Anderson, Executive Director Brianna Watke, Program Manager Ariel Lindahl, Family & Community Manager North Texas Chapter Bridget Asheim, Executive Director Jessica Glenn, Program Director Olga Valdez, Family & Community Manager OUR PEOPLEOur virtual program launched out of necessity, but it was quickly evident how essential it would become to HopeKids families. Many of them know what it’s like to self-isolate in order to keep their immunocompromised child safe. With the unwaivering support of our donors, volunteers, and program partners, we improved as an organization by supporting families, regardless of their location, and connected families across HopeKids chapters. Hope for the future helped us all cope with the uncertain times that the COVID-19 pandemic presented, enhancing the meaning and relatability of the HopeKids mission. Thank you for walking alongside us during this historical year and continuing to provide hope and a sense of community to families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition. Hope, even virtually, is a powerful medicine! HOPE AT HOME“HopeKids has benefitted my family so much. There have been times where, financially, I could not afford to take my family out. HopeKids has allowed us to get out together and explore so many different things that we have never seen or been to before. When I’m at an event, all the people are so friendly and respectful.” - Laurience, Christa and Christine’s MomHOPE AND ANTICIPATION HopeKids hosts highly-anticipated, free, fun events for families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition. From live entertainment to private movie screenings, and amusement parks to sporting events, we offer a wide variety of activities for the whole family. We want to keep children and their families focused on the future rather than dwelling on what they are dealing with now. COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT HopeKids builds programs with the goal of drawing families together. We provide a unique, supportive, and recreational environment for connection, sharing, and encouragement. Our events foster lasting friendships and support among people who share similar challenges. Our families report that nothing is more powerful than one sick child meeting another who has recovered from the same condition. No HopeKids family is alone on this difficult journey. IMPACT AREAS FAMILY FOCUS At HopeKids, our events and activities bring a family together when circumstances tend to pull them apart. Our events offer fun for all family members; allowing them to spend much needed time together-- even parent date nights. All events are focused on the whole family and provide opportunities to look forward to the future. We help create memories during a time that brings situations our families might otherwise wish to forget. SAFETY AND ACCEPTANCE Many of our events are held privately providing a safe, healthy environment away from large, public crowds. Public spaces are a problem for our immune- suppressed kids; minimizing exposure both protects them and reduces parental stress. Additionally, in HopeKids’ supportive peer community, no child is the only one wearing a mask or using a wheelchair. At HopeKids, everyone belongs. ECONOMIC SUPPORT The all-consuming demands of a life-threatening childhood illness often overwhelms other resources like time, energy, or the initiative for planning. Paying for and planning social activities isn’t realistic or feasible for most of our families. HopeKids alleviates these challenges by providing events that are pre- organized and available free of charge to the whole family.Next >