An Update from Ignite CEO Stephanie Piccirilli
Dear Ignite Friends,
It’s hard to believe July has come to a close already. July brought with it a beloved goodbye, many beginnings, and some exciting new things to come for Ignite. And, for me, each time a month comes to a close, it brings with it some of the most reflective days of my year. Thoughts of what was accomplished or maybe missed, innovative ideas to dive into, or perhaps some obstacles we need to face. But what I hope for most is the clarity and space to be open to what is presented before me – and the possibility that exists within it.
A lot has been put before us over the last few months – some challenges and many opportunities to be better. Several are not new. Many have left us feeling raw and, at the same time, hopeful and inspired. The uncertainty of a pandemic, the reminder that we can never take our foot off the pedal when it comes to ending systemic racism, the brokenness we felt through it all, and the promise of re-imagining the world around us. And when I think of our Ignite community, I think of the grace, bravery, love, and generous spirit that kept our mission moving forward through it all.
As we start a brand new fiscal year, we'd like to celebrate the impact your support has made over the last year and the ways you have supported our young people. We are proud to share with you the following outcomes and initiatives achieved over the last 12 months:
Outcomes:
Ignite served over 490 youth experiencing homelessness from July 2019 - June 2020.
Safe and Stable Housing
73% of youth exited Ignite residential programming to safe and stable housing. (Goal 70%)Education and Employment
80% of youth in residential programming became employed and/or attended school while engaged with Ignite. (Goal 75%)Permanent Connections
74% of youth exited Ignite feeling that they have improved their social support systems. (Goal 70%)Social-Emotional Well-Being
83% of youth set goals and worked on improving their health and well-being while engaged with Ignite. (Goal 80%)
Initiatives:
A re-imagined organizational structure that sets the stage for growth and opportunities for advancement.
The launch of Salesforce as our primary program data platform.
Our move and opening of the Community Hub in the historic Rosenwald Building and our first socially-distanced resource fair for young parents.
There are so many more outcomes and initiatives we will be sharing with you over the next year. I hope you take comfort and pride knowing how special your support is and how much you lifted up our community in ways that will never be forgotten.
Finally, I feel extremely honored and grateful for the warm welcome I have received as I have taken a new seat on our bus. If you would like to know more about Ignite or our plans for the future, I invite you to reach out to me at any time. I would love to hear from you! You can reach me at stephaniep@ignitepromise.org.
Wishing you continued good health and safety.
#ignitelove,
Stephanie