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Banchero Friends Services 

Description

We provide 24 hour supported living services, case management and extended programs to adults with developmental disabilities living in Shoreline and North Seattle.

Mission Statement
Banchero Friends Services empowers adults with developmental disabilities so that they may realize their potentials, achieve their goals, and be active and contributing members of their communities. Together, we promote equitable civil rights.
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Banchero Friends Services
13732 Midvale Ave. N #103 
Seattle 
WA
98133 
(206) 367-7795 

CaraLee Cook 
Executive Director 

Programs

Banchero Friends Services Programs

Supported Living Services for adults who have developmental disabilities
Banchero Friends Services provides in-home support services to people with developmental disabilities.
  • Our clients determine how they would like to live their lives, and together we map out a plan to achieve their goals. We provide education in areas such as meal planning, nutrition, shopping, budgeting, banking, exercise, social skills and using public transportation for work and social trips.
  • We encourage our clients to join sports programs, attend classes and cultural events, and volunteer in the community. We provide case management to make sure our clients have desirable jobs, social security income, subsidized housing, utility assistance, medical care, and mental health services.
  • We work with our clients so they may understand and be part of the political process that affects their lives, and to be full participants in their communities.

Relationship Class
Banchero Friends Services has offered this class to our clients and other community members since 1993. The class teaches the fundamentals of building friendships and loving relationships. It covers safety awareness, sexual assault prevention, how to create and maintain friendships, and how to improve communication in all relationships. Class members learn how to ask someone on a date and the practices of safe sex. Other topics include anatomy, body language and cross cultural communication.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Recent Success - New apartment complex
Banchero Friends Services, via our wholly owned Daisy Properties LLC, purchased a 20 unit apartment complex in 2010. The complex houses low-income people who have developmental disabilities, a mental illness, and/or have experienced chronic homelessness. There are also market rate renters who provide integration and a stable cash flow to the project.

Current Need
In 2009 Banchero Friends Services embarked upon a $1 million, 3 year capital campaign to finance the purchase of our apartment building. The balance of the purchase price was financed by a loan with Charter Bank. We are actively seeking donations to complete our capital campaign so that we can pay down our loan and secure this crucial housing for many years to come.

Evaluation


Banchero Friends Services provides 24-hour support and case management services to people with
developmental disabilities living in north King County.

Proven Success
The highest goal for each of the 24 people they serve is for them to achieve an ever-increasing degree of health, independence, financial stability, relationship skill, self-worth, and community integration. In all of their work, their goal is not to impose lifestyles or plans of service but to help people increase their self-reliance and ability to contribute to their communities.

Financial Health
They have been constantly modifying their organization as each year funding from the state decreases. The
most recent cut is $66,000 on top of previous year cuts of similar amounts and project cuts in 2011. They have increased their fundraising efforts substantially, and achieved a 33% increase in individual and corporate contributions. They have created a major gifts committee made up of board members and community supporters that are cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors capable of making annual gifts of $500 or higher. They will continue their grantwriting activities, enhance their direct mail strategies, and expand outreach for events.

Sustainability
In January 2010 they purchased a small apartment building where many of their clients and administrative offices are now located. The building is showing a modest return and purchased in the current economic environment is a good asset and investment. The building has 20 units, 4 apartments are for Downtown Emergency Services. As state funding decreases their primary concern is providing a competitive wage and attracting and retaining staff who can work with their client base. Currently most of their wages are under $14.00/hr.

They have a strong Executive Director that has been with the agency for 17 years and is very active with the association advocating for quality programs for developmentally disabled individuals. The major challenge facing Banchero Friends Services is their state funding. Their contract is stable and they continue to manage their funds with a modest revenue over expenses. This is becoming more and more challenging as state funding is decreasing.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
3/10/2011 $5,000.00support general operating expenses.
9/17/2008 $13,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/16/2004 $10,000.00support general operating expenses and the purchase of computer, office and telephone equipment.

Financials

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