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Annual Report2015-2016

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Who We Are Amity Foundation is a teaching and therapeutic community rooted in the well-documented and researched �erapeutic Community model, which has been used

worldwide for the past six decades to provide habilitation services to vulnerable individuals and families.Amity provides services in communities, jails and prisons to individuals, families, men, women and children. Amity’s approach to habilitation and recovery is holistic and addresses mind, body, and spirit. �is approach is successful in facilitating a process of transformation which leads to sobriety, dignity & competence.

Our Mission Amity Foundation is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of individuals, children, and families marginalized by homelessness, poverty,

addiction, crime, racism, sexism, trauma, and violence. Amity is committed to research,

development, implementation, and dissemination of information

regarding community-building.Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal

Amity’s communities foster individual's dignity by Reducing and eliminating substance use disorders

Reducing homelessness Reducing recidivism Reducing high-risk behavior relating to HIV/AIDS

Increasing an individual’s prosocial living skills in order to prepare for employment and education opportunities

assistance with �nding and maintaining stable housing helping cope with past traumatic experiences Providing support for loving parenting

Breaking the multigenerational and intergenerational cycles

of substance abuse, violence and poverty

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Contents ...with Gratitude

Board of Directors

Year at a Glance

Arizona

Dragonfly VillageCommission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities CARF Award

Tale of Friendship

California

Yesterday to Today • Lifer's to Mentors • Number to NameAmistad Teaching CommunitySpecial Guests & EventsIn-Prison Teaching CommunitiesVista Teaching Community

New Mexico

Almas Teaching CommunitySkill Up Center LaunchesWomen's Empowerment ConferenceBack to School Mindfulness

Community Building Highlights

CollaborationsAgape Hero AwardSHero AwardEmployee of the MonthDr. Ysaye Barnwell • Building a Vocal Community

Financial Report

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...with Gratitude

If you want to go quickly go alone, if you want to go far, go together.

— African Proverb

Rod Mullen, Chief Executive Officer Robin Rettmer, Vice President of Operations Naya Arbiter, Vice President of Services

This is a year of thanks for the teamwork of the Amity Board, Amity Faculty and friends.

Thanks to every person who worked with Robin Rettmer’s team at Circle Tree Ranch, securing the three year, internationally recognized CARF accreditation (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). Thanks to Ray Clarke, who never wavered on the vision of Dragonfly Village: quality affordable transitional housing friendly to children and families. Today, Dragonfly Village is full. Thanks to Robert Cannon, who manages Dragonfly, and whose kind and fair presence, has helped to build community. With great appreciation for Rose Salazar, Amity’s friend, Director of the Dream Catcher Day Care who has cared for our children, guided their parents, and hosted the best Halloween party for kids west of the Mississippi. Thanks to the Circle Tree Ranch Principal, Mark Schuettinger, who has championed the importance of services to First Nations for more than 30 years. For Terry Maloney, who has consistently stayed in touch with Amity’s alumni since l985, and for Sheila Schrader who has stepped up and stepped in wherever needed, the garden, the wellness center, the business management. Gratitude to the veterans at Amity, who have told their stories and extended hope to others like themselves.

Thanks to Mary Stanton, Director of Almas in Albuquerque, and Olga Mellizo, Director of Grants and grant writer extraordinaire; to the Almas de Amistad team, who were able to secure funding to continue Amity’s center in Albuquerque, New Mexico for women and children at risk for HIV. Most of the women are homeless.

Thanks to Mike Salazar, whose tireless efforts in our environment ushered all three residential campus’s through construction projects, seemingly endless inspections, audits and corrections — maintaining safety and excellence.

Thanks to Barry Warne, who has re-established Amity’s Communication Center and taken charge of collateral and curriculum projects in three states. He and Mike are turning their departments into vocational training centers.

Thanks to Amity’s Executive Chefs, Jeremy Christianson, Alan Hubbard and Carl Tierno, and our master gardener Whitney Hamon, who overcame resistance and developed plant-based healthy menus without genetically modified foods at every campus. This has resulted in dramatic reversals for our students in terms of weight loss, blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis and more.

Thanks to the California team, Doug Bond, Mark Faucette, Elisa Sanchez, Mary Aguirre, Steve Anderson, Regina Slaughter and Nver Tigranyan, who continue to improve services for men and women in prison, and those recently released—

We are in the circle of life together.

“Aho Mitakuye Oysin” – Lakota Sioux

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currently over 2,000 each day are receiving services in California.

Their collaborative work in the development of resources, relationships and jobs is unprecedented.

Thanks to Dr. Ysaye Barnwell, whose workshop at Amity inspired the weekly song circles taking place under the able leadership of Susanah Blinkoff at Amistad, and of course to Heather Hardy who continues to weave music into our Circle Tree Ranch Campus.

Thanks to the Lifer — Mentors recently released after decades in California prisons. Many incarcerated as teens, were released at forty-five or older, reentering a dramatically changed society; cell phones to self flushing toilets. Today many are to meeting their grandchildren for the first time.

It is a year of thanks for the new faculty who have taken the concept of “community as method” seriously and are engaged learning how to apply it.

Thanks to the Glen Gibson and the Home Office team, who have done a great job managing Amity’s finances day to day — and led the charge on closing out the bond issue on Amistad and refinancing all of Amity’s debt on favorable terms.

Thanks to Pamela Jay, for her tireless pursuit of collaborators who are committed to share information regarding the preservation of our planet. Hundreds of Amity’s students have been educated not only in terms of their own lives, but trained as trainers for the communities to which they are returning.

We acknowledge and honor Amity’s dear friend and advisor, Dr. George DeLeon, whose respected research on the therapeutic community (TC) model is the most extensive in the world. Dr. DeLeon has frequently stated that the area least researched relates to the collateral benefits of this model. TC practitioners have the good fortune to go to school in the lives of others. We continue to learn about racism, and marginalization in our nation. This is particularly poignant in terms of the First Nations People.

At Amity’s Circle Tree Ranch, the majority of the student population represent First Nations communities; Diné, Tohono O’odham, Pascua Yaqui, Tulalip, White Mountain Apache, Gila River, Salt River, and many more — we have been providing services to these communities for over 30 years. Our Native American students are reclaiming their lives, the powerful healing traditions and history of their native communities; they are committed to both sobriety and lives of integrity and service. One of the deepest traditions of tribal communities is protection of the natural environment. Our students know how their communities have suffered, and how their lands have been taken and degraded. They are aware of the crisis unfolding at the Dakota Access Pipeline adjacent to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal lands — lands that were originally theirs as the original inhabitants, then theirs by treaty with the U.S. Government — lost when that treaty was broken.

At Amity, we not only provide services — we advocate for our students on matters that are important to them, we help them develop the “voice” that they either lost or never had the opportunity to develop. While as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, we are resolutely non-political, we have a moral obligation to stand with our students, their

I am because we are, to be human is to affirm one's humanity by recognized the humanity of others – We exist together.

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ancestors, sisters and brothers, and children against this latest assault against First Nations.

We were not alive when our government broke every treaty ever signed with First Nations people — a record of lawlessness, oppression, injustice, and discrimination against communities who lived here for 10,000 years prior to the arrival of Europeans. The claims of "private property" and "eminent domain" have been used to exploit indigenous peoples — in the name of "progress", producing profits for the few, at the expense of the many—causing frequent environmental disasters. Our students know — from their own experience, that this pipeline will not benefit the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe — most likely it will leak, as almost all of them do, polluting the precious water supply for the Sioux and for seventeen million others who depend on the Missouri River for clean water.

Our students ask, when do we as a nation, say enough to this relentless assault on the lands, which they as descendants of the first inhabitants, held as sacred and protected for centuries? They ask why are we so very slow to recognize the devastating effects of global warming, becoming more and more evident every year? As our students rebuild their lives, they become more aware of these issues; that we, as a species, face an existential threat from the combination of global warming and unchecked population growth. The Dakota Access Pipeline is seen through that lens — through that lens — burning more fossil fuels contributing to global warming and risking pollution to precious clean water, in a world where hundreds of millions have little access to clean water.

The ancient traditions of Africa admonished us. “Ubuntu – Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” I am because we are, to be human is to affirm ones humanity by recognized the humanity of others – We exist together.

“Aho Mitakuye Oysin” – Lakota Sioux

You are all my relations, my relatives without whom I would not live. We are in the circle of life together.

Rod Mullen Robin Rettmer Naya Arbiter

One is not more important than the other. For all these reasons and more, we stand with Standing Rock

Cicero admonished us: Non nobis solum nati sumus ortusque nostril partem patria vindicate partem amici. Not for us alone are we born, our country, our friends, have a share in us.

Naya ArbiterNaya Arbiter

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Board Members

Jennifer Bond • Chair

Donald DeVito

Mark Faucette

Jo Ann Gordon Culberson

John Griffith

David Huerta

Rod Mullen • President

Bob Neri

Robin Rettmer • Secretary

Elizabeth Stokes

Alfred Urbina

Walter Weiss

Board of DirectorsExecutive Team

Rod Mullen, Chief Executive Officer

Naya Arbiter, Vice President, Services

Ray Clarke, Vice President, Southwest Region

Glen Gibson, Chief Financial Officer

Robin Rettmer, Chief Operations Officer

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Since February 6, 2015, Dragonfly Village has provided quality, affordable, safe, beautiful housing for 70 households. Dragonfly Village successfully passed a City of Tucson audit and inspection, and an Arizona Department of Housing audit and inspection. Nicolosi & Fitch (Dragonfly’s Property Manager) and Amity Foundation have participated in three Tucson Homeless Connect events, that focus on providing necessary services to the homeless population in Pima County. Dragonfly Village remains at capacity and has an active waiting list for apartments when they become available.

Arizona has the 8th highest poverty rate of all U.S. States. In Pima County 26% of children live in poverty and 37% of single mothers are impoverished. Dragonfly serves a critical need.

Pima County is implementing the Ending Poverty Now initiative working with the Pima County Health Department to help young mothers navigate the health-care system. The program aims to listen to poverty stricken mothers and adjust the health-care system to accommodate their needs.”

Some ideas for Ending Poverty Now are based on Phil DeVol, international consultant and co-author of Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals, and author of Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World.

In 2017, Amity Dragonfly seeks to collaborate with Pima County and the community, to provide open Bridges Out of Poverty classes at the Dragonfly Village Community Center.

Dragonfly Village is transitional housing for homeless individuals and families. Supportive housing services, case management and coordination are offered. Our goal is to transition people from poverty to independent living and permanent housing.

Drug Free, Sober Living, Non-Smoking, Crime Free, Sustainable Environment, No Pets.

Arizona Dragon�y Village

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Adrianna

Arnold

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Dragon�y Village Testimonials "I really appreciate getting the chance to experience living on my own and being independent, responsible and a productive member of society. For the first time in my life, I have learned so many things; most of all how to be humble, happy and grateful. Learning how to manage my money and pay bills has been a good learning experience that I will carry forward for the rest of my life. Being at Dragonfly gave me the opportunity to transition with confidence from there into my own apartment."

— Arnold, age 43

"Before coming to Dragonfly, I was a drug user and just out of jail. I knew I did not want to go back to jail, so I received treatment for my drug use. I talked to someone and told them that when the treatment was over that I had nowhere to go and that it was not good for me to return to my old neighborhood. The case manager told me about Dragonfly and I filled out an application for residency. I was accepted and have been here for about a year and a half. I am working and just purchased a car. I am preparing to move out into the community in the next few months." — Adrianna, age 28 and mother of three

Dragonfly Board (Fund Development) Ray Clarke | 520.628.3164

Dragonfly Village Center Director Robert Cannon | 520.548.7183

Property Management & Rental Information Sonia Valenzuela | 520.398.5057

New Support is needed for operations and services, especially for children.

Please go to www.dragonflyvillage.org

Click the donate button or mail your check (payable to Amity Dragonfly) to:

Amity Dragonfly Village Post Office Box 3043 Tucson, Arizona 85702

Contact Information

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Arizona Teaching Community Circle Tree Ranch

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Circle Tree Ranch Receives CARF

AccreditationAmity is delighted to announce that this fiscal year it received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for Amity’s Circle Tree Ranch teaching community in Tucson, Arizona as well as Amity’s

Employment Services in Los Angeles and San Diego, California.

Founded in 1966, CARF International is an independent, non-profit accreditor of health and human services including behavioral health and employment services. CARF accreditation provides a visible symbol that assures the public of Amity's commitment to continually enhance quality with a focus on the satisfaction of students.

CARF surveyors use a consultative approach during the survey process to assist in improving the quality of Amity's offerings. A survey team, selected on a match of the surveyors' areas of expertise and Amity's needs came to Amistad de Los Angeles and Vista Ranch to survey Department of Rehabilitation Employment Services in November 2015 and to Circle Tree Ranch to survey residential services in September 2016. Each site was granted a CARF certification for a three-year period, recognizing Amity for innovation.

There are numerous benefits to CARF accreditation. Accredited providers enjoy fiscal savings as accreditation can signal financial stability, marketing advantage, reduction of exposure to risk in human resources, healthcare, governance, finance, and access to an international network.

“Amity Foundation Circle Tree Ranch clearly evidences dedication to a person-centered environment.”

"Students are treated with dignity, equality, and respect for their individual cultures."

“Amity Foundation uses innovative, evidence-based approaches and is recognized as one of the few formal curriculum-based teaching & therapeutic communities in the United States.”

Focus On Health & Wellness

Five years ago, Amity’s Culinary Arts Department expanded it's intention towards whole person education, implementing ways to say “yes” to improved health. Acknowledging that each person has the potential to positively affect the health and wellness of themselves, their family, friends, and associates. Strategies include but are not limited to the following:

• Faculty do not bring soda or junk food to the campus.

• All mixed sugar drinks, processed juices, and sugar packets have been removed.

• Plant based meals have been developed starting with one plant-based day a week with the intention of increasing to one “raw” meal a week.

• Industrial juicers have been installed for fruit and vegetable juice.

• Reductions are being made in the purchase of processed/prepared foods.

• An organic garden has been planted, growing seasonal vegetables and spices.

• Eco-friendly, toxic free cleaning supplies were purchased in bulk.

• Pressure is being brought to bear on food suppliers to sell non-GMO products.

• Organic miso is utilized as a broth; miso is a natural probiotic and served daily. (Japan is first in terms of health and wellness on the planet).

• Numerous DVD’s regarding food and health are included in the curriculum.

The 2014 Social Progress Index showed that the United States is 70th in the world of industrialized nations in terms of health and wellness, behind most nations in Europe — we are closer to Iran and Kuwait. Americans represent 5% of the worlds population and ingest 50% of all prescription drugs, more than half of us are obese, 79 million are pre-diabetic. Students are at significant risk for HIV, Hepatitis C, depressions, diabetes and more. The majority of people of color are lactose intolerant — which Amity acknowledges and provides alternatives to cows milk. We have evidence of dramatic improvements in health throughout our residential campuses.

Approximately 65% of Amity’s students suffer from non-communicable diseases such as morbid obesity, autoimmune disease, heart disease & Diabetes.

“Sanitas per Escam” (health through food)

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I came to Amity Foundation in July of 2015 and was diagnosed with a Psychological disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, and was on multiple medications to treat my mental illness as well as type two diabetes.

Today, after 17 months of hard work and diligence, I am 53 lbs. lighter and am no longer on medication. I have to credit Amity Foundation for my well-being. It was first and foremost the Circle of Truth that helped me. My psychosis was allowed in those groups circles so that I could see my own emotional garbage being displayed. I was a mess and a melting pot of emotions. After the countless hours of groups and one-on-one’s, I learned to embrace my psychosis and drug abuse and to not look at it as a disability that couldn’t be overcome. Three different doctors told me "I wouldn’t ever get better if I did not take these medications." I thought I was doomed to be the way I was forever: Depressed, Angry, Ready to Die, without

the will to live or take care of myself. I was in and out of the hospital for renal failure and suicide attempts along with infections from repeatedly shooting up morphine and heroin. Amity changed all this for me.

Amity provided support in the aid of my weight loss. The plant-based diet was essential to my (A1C3) levels dropping over the period of a year and a few months. A physician at San Xavier said “Had I not known your medical history and the levels of your last 4 (A1C3) test results, I would say that you’re not a type two diabetic”.

I give credit to myself for sticking it out and pushing through, and for being a man of my word. Some of the most basic principles that were instilled in me as a child: Temperance, Endurance, Integrity! I learned so much in this journey of self-discovery. I didn’t learn moral development in the streets. I learned “only the strong survive” and that it was “a dog eat dog world” and first and foremost “men don’t cry”. As I sit here I can’t help but think, as a tear drop rolls down my cheek, how much I have changed as well as how much further I have to go. For me this journey has only just begun.

There is so much more left in me that has yet to be discovered and a lot more that needs to be discussed. I was once told, “Sometimes you have to allow others to believe in you before you can believe in yourself.” In closing, I will be the person who I was destined to become because a few kind folks took the time to invest in something larger then themselves.

With sincerity, Timothy Ryan Valandra.

Timothy

... my physician said, “Had I not known your medical history I would say that you’re not a type 2 diabetic.”

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I am Navajo and I am 47 years old. When I first came to Amity, I was obese with low self-esteem and had a lot of insecurities. I weighed 375 lbs and had high blood pressure. Thanks to Amity and the plant-based diet, along with various other activities and walking the ranch, my weight started to drop and I felt more energetic. Through my process of weight loss, I began to accept myself and started to feel better as a person. Today I weigh 265 lbs and I am physically active. I am playing on the Amity Foundation softball team. I no longer have high blood pressure.

Thanks to Amity, I’m a whole better person.

My name is Anna and I’m 21 years old. When I came here, I was 325 pounds and I am now 298.

What really helped me was working out here and being able to talk to people about what I really needed to talk about. I’ve been working out for 5 months now with a trainer and it has really been helping me. When I work out I do weights and cardio almost every single day from Wednesday to Saturday and it’s awesome because I feel like I’m being helped by someone that has been through this program and is really connected to it.

The food is amazing here — it’s really healthy. When I came here, I ate all junk food and a lot of soda. Now I don’t drink soda, and that is one of the biggest things that has really impacted my life. I used to drink soda almost every single day. Here we eat a lot of vegetarian food. We sometimes have meat, but we do a lot of grains, and we don’t have a lot of sugar. None of the food is processed and all of the food is non-GMO. GMO foods are really bad for you.

I'm really excited to continue on this journey and feel better and better every day.

Thank you.

Lowell

Anna

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Amity Children

Amity makes it possible for children to stay in residence with their parents while they make the journey to lives of dignity and independence. One of the beautiful side effects is these children are afforded the space to 'be a kid again' and are able to successfully move to emotional and academic excellence.

“Creation is a bird without a flight plan; it will never fly in a straight line.”

—Violetta Parra

“The center of Amity is a tapestry of friendship.”

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Tale of Friendships ...when Women Gather with Good Intent

A Tapestry of Friendship"A friend will stand for you when you are no longer able. A woman can say to herself, ff I die, I know that my friend, my sister friend will be here to hold up the banner." —Maya Angelou

"Our friendships hurry to short and poor conclusions because we have made them a texture of wine and dreams rather than the tough fiber of the human heart. The laws of friendship are austere and eternal of one web with the laws of nature and of morals." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

The center of Amity is a tapestry of friendship amongst women made of the ‘tough fiber of the human heart.’ We are weavers and quilters. Our friendships have lasted for decades, through triumphs, tragedy, betrayals, endings and beginnings. We study the art of turning stumbling blocks to stepping-stones — using our experiences to foster inclusion. As the years pass, the weaving of the tapestry continues as new friendships join the journey — and beloved ones return. We have been advocates for children and families, for untangling rather than cutting, for reconciliation, for living with HIV rather than dying with it, for the rights of every person to pick partners and have that love respected. We learn to participate and respect ceremonies that have survived, and create ceremony for healing for those we serve. We honor women ancestors from every background forced to make decisions within paralyzing limitations. We stand for our sister friends who have passed before us. We help each other develop intention and roles that are friendly to the growth of character and community. We have mentored many on the path behind us, and struggle to find ways to implement what is right and just rather than

what is convenient and acceptable. As daughters of the patriarchy, we can all function within the confines of the corporation, but believe that it is only through community and communication that our planet will survive — the creativity that forms community is always a bird without a flight plan.

This year we honor our sister friend Josie Cortez and her life partner Jesus Martin Cortez Velardes, who passed on October 18th, 2016. Many of us met Martin when

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In Honor of... the Tapestry of Friendshiphe joined a Manda to the San Xavier Mission made by Amity faculty and students years ago. He joined Josie at Amity and with his gifted hands and his brother in-law Eddie Chavez, literally built, brick by brick, tile by tile the environment that Amity enjoys today. When he discovered he had cancer, he once again walked a Manda to San Xavier and pledged to accept with grace whatever the Virgin and the Spirits had sent to him — which he did. Martin was an astounding friend, father and husband to Josie, her family and Amity Foundation. His final Manda was to return to Granados, Mexico to be buried next to his father. Sheila Schrader, Frances Nuñez and Terry Maloney prepared him. Josie, Frances and Terry drove the final Manda with Martin to return him home. Eddie Jesus Martin Josie

"The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any country…a recognition of the rights of the accused and even the convicted…the unfailing faith that there is a treasure, if you can only find it in the heart of every person…mark and measure the strength a nation and are signs of the living virtue in it."

— Winston Churchill House of Commons 1910

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Yesterday to Today Lifers to Mentors Number to NameAmity was awarded the very first in-prison therapeutic community project in California in 1990 at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. With the concept being so new to the men incarcerated there, Amity recognized that it would need leaders within the prison to achieve cultural change on the prison yard. One of the essential 'non-negotiables' for the contract was to include lifers, who were those who had the most credibility within the institution. Amity worked to achieve the buy-in of lifers, many of whom had already embraced a lifestyle that was free of drugs. The lifers became a tremendous resource and made it safe for other students to work on their own process.

Amity Faculty, Ozell Johnson, speaking to California Governor, Jerry Brown about this process (below).

California

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In 2008, a major legal decision impacted many lifers in California. The California state Supreme Court held that it was no longer sufficient to base parole decisions on the viciousness of the crime. Rather, lifers now had the right to present evidence of habilitative efforts at their parole hearings to demonstrate they were no longer a threat to society. This change in the law is the key element in Governor Jerry Brown’s approach to making parole decisions. Governor Brown has released nearly 2,500 lifers.

During the first 2½ years he was in office, more lifers were released from prison than during the previous three gubernatorial administrations combined. As a result, many released had specific re-entry needs given their decades-long period of incarceration. They needed reintegration assistance around issues of family restoration, employment skills, and assistance in finding meaningful work. Amity was well-positioned to take this on, given its already remarkable work with lifers and is serving as one of two lifer pilot projects in California. Amity currently has 54 lifers in its California campuses and intends to continue its advocacy of social progress for lifers as they step into the world where they can continue to make a difference for others.

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Amistad de Los Angeles Teaching Community

Amity’s certified job sites for Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) funded Job Preparation and Placement Services in Los Angeles, received a three-year CARF certification. Through DOR, Amity provides job preparation, placement services and vocational training for students and referrals for anyone with a physical or mental disability. This includes a job club training, a 16-week curriculum designed to give skills needed to obtain successful employment. Amity dramatically increased its funding and service numbers this year serving a total of 171 individuals.

Amistad underwent significant changes this year including many physical updates in order to accommodate and launch a Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) through the California Department of Corrections. The purpose of the MCRP is to provide linkage to a range of community-based services. MCRP is a voluntary program for men who have approximately 120 days left to serve, allowing those eligible to serve the end of their sentences in the community rather than confinement in state prison. The MCRP is designed to help students successfully re-enter the community from prison.

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Amistad de Los Angeles was proud to host Scott Kernan, Chair, Secretary, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and other dignitaries for the Council on Mentally Ill Offenders (COMIO) at the Amistad campus. COMIO currently seeks to “Investigate, Identify, and Promote Cost Effective Strategies and Best Practices” with a focus on diversion, training and juvenile justice. Numerous Amistad faculty and students participated in the meeting, with students sharing their personal stories, and faculty offering information about Amity’s model, as well as a catered lunch in the Amistad facility.

Amity was also delegated to host a full day with Californians for Safety and Justice.

Distinguished Visitors at Amistad de Los Angeles

Teaching Community

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Vista Teaching CommunityAmity’s Vista Ranch completed its first year under the Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming (STOP) contract. Vista also receives referrals through its contract with San Diego County to serve AB109 eligible individuals, as well as, a new contract awarded this year under the County of San Diego Probation Department to provide residential behavioral health treatment for 20 beds through the next fiscal year. This year, Vista Ranch enrolled 207 individuals at its 60 bed residential facility.

Vista Ranch holds first-ever on-site meeting with San Diego local government officials. Pacific Western Bank donated $5,000 to support health and wellness efforts at Vista Ranch.

Amity has been providing services at Vista Ranch since 1992. For the first time in Amity’s history, Amity hosted a delegation of San Diego Government and Criminal Justice leadership from Juvenile Probation on March 24, 2016 to discuss Juvenile Services in San Diego and their interest in working with Amity. Rod Mullen, Naya Arbiter, Mark Faucette, Doug Bond, Dwain Rogers and Elisa Loza presented in order to underscore the importance of this meeting. Amity faculty discussed Amity’s history of working with juveniles and faculty shared personal stories. In-Prison

Teaching Communities

In-Prison Communities Students Students Students Students Total / Year

Central California Women’s Facility Chowchilla, CA 120 48 48 48 720 women

California Institution for Women Chino, CA 108 36 36 48 600 women

California State Prison Los Angeles County Lancaster, CA

120 36 36 48 660 men

Richard J. Donovan San Diego, CA 96 48 48 48 672 men

California Rehabilitation Center Norco, CA 168 48 48 48 912 men

Amity’s In-Prison communities continue to flourish and have increased significantly in size this year.

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New Mexico Almas de Amistad

Almas de Amistad completed its third and final year of its SAMHSA-funded Targeted Capacity Expansion grant and was awarded an unprecedented fourth round of funding that will go through September of 2019, a testament to the continued strength and importance of this project in Albuquerque. This project has been funded by SAMHSA grants since 2001.

Almas serves the most disadvantaged population at all of Amity — ethnic minority women and women with children in Albuquerque, New Mexico with histories of homelessness, poverty, trauma, violence, addiction, incarceration, and unemployment.

The Almas community effectively engages this vulnerable population, serving over 60 women daily — an astonishing and outstanding example of a flourishing therapeutic community. The fact that women do not live at Almas, yet find a way to attend in such high numbers indicates the exceptional quality and relevance of services received at Almas, and the safe environment they experience within the community. Almas maintained a phenomenal pace and exceeded its target numbers again for the third year with total enrollment of 289 women, which is 107% of the target intake rate for the grant. In addition, Almas maintained a 94.5% retention rate at the 6-month, follow-up assessment, which is truly exceptional for this particular population.

Violence Intervention to Enhance Lives Award In addition, Almas was one of five awardees nationwide for a SAMHSA Violence Intervention to Enhance Lives award as a one-year supplement to the SAMHSA Targeted Capacity Expansion award to implement Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) screenings, intensive case management, and referrals for IPV supportive services. Almas screened 128 women during the past fiscal year (exceeding its original screening goal of 90) and found that al-most 33% of the women enrolled at Almas are currently experiencing Intimate Partner Violence and are in need immediate safety planning and IPV related services.

On January 28, 2016, Almas opened a 'Skill-up' Computer Center for ACT Work Keys — a national program where women can receive Career Readiness Certificate Assessments such as “Applied Mathematics”, “Locating Information”, “Reading for Information” and other Foundational Assessments in “Applied Technology”, “Business Writing”, “Listening for Understanding”, “Teamwork”, “Workplace Observation”, and Soft Skills assessments such

Grand Opening of an onsite 'Skill-up' Computer Center for ACT Work Keys and Almas

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as “Fit”, “Performance”, “Talent” and other specialized assessments. The Almas Computer Lab and 'Skill-Up' Center was established at no cost to Amity through the support of local business partners and community leaders including Intel, Adelante, Innovate+Educate and the City of Albuquerque TalentABQ project. Donations included 8 computers & monitors, computer desks and office furniture, software, and ongoing training and support for education, job development, and job placement opportunities for the women of the Almas community. Presenters included Mayor Richard Berry representatives, City Councilor Alan Armijo and City Councilor Isaac Benton, Jamai Blivin, the Founder and CEO of Innovate+Educate, Mary Stanton, the Director of Amity Foundation New Mexico, and Amity CEO Rod Mullen.

In order to connect the skill-building acquisition with actual job placements, Almas is working with business partners who are willing to hire Almas students into entry-level business opportunities in a wide variety of industries such as telemarketing, coding, customer service and more, that can lead to a long-term career instead of just a minimum-wage job.

Women in need of Amity’s comprehensive, whole-person supportive services are often reluctant or unable to seek skill development, career readiness, and job training opportunities at unfamiliar locations around the city. Having free computer access along with the information, resources, and access to Career Ready 101®, within a sanctuary environment significantly improves their confidence, knowledge, workplace skills and career success. Through Amity’s continued work and our partnership with TalentABQ, women can achieve their goal of stability, responsibility, regaining and retaining custody of their children, and living productive and fulfilling lives.

Amity New Mexico Faculty Host Women’s Empowerment Conference Amity New Mexico faculty planned and facilitated its highly-anticipated, second, in-prison “Women’s Empowerment Conference” at the New Mexico Women’s Correctional Facility in Grants, New Mexico. A total of 116 women incarcerated at the facility, at least six Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) staff members and at least four instructors from the Education Department participated in the four break-out sessions provided throughout the day. The opening plenary, “Women’s Empowerment: The Journey from Degradation to Dignity” presented by Mary Stanton, was attended by the entire administrative team, including Warden Monica Wetzel, Assistant Warden James Lopez, Director of Education Philip Debarthe, and Administrative Assistant Education Rita Charley. This conference followed the highly successful conference held last year, the first of its kind nationally for the CCA.

Sessions included:• The Power of the Present Moment: Finding “True Refuge” in the

Awakening of our Heart (Mary Stanton and Valerie Gonzales).• Healing the Wounds of Trauma and Violence (Lalannie Pettway and

Tina Muir) Re-Scripting Negative Messages (Brandee Gutierrez and Jade Sanchez).

• Becoming Empowered Through Communication and Intention (Abby Long and Nadine Roberson).

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Other New Mexico highlights and collaborations include:

• Almas received two large anonymous donations, totaling $175,000 earmarked to support New Mexico-based services for women and children.

• Amity of New Mexico continued to build and strengthen community partnerships, including linkages with the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County to explore transitional and permanent supportive housing options to expand Almas services. This development effort was also supported by a grant from the McCune Foundation.

• Almas provides on-site educational support for women in need of a high school diploma, GED, or enrollment in community college through Almas’ partnerships with the Central New Mexico Community College, CNM Connect Program and Gordon Bernell Charter School. A liaison from each campus comes to Almas weekly to assist women with overcoming barriers to the enrollment and financial aid processes.

• Mary Stanton provided quarterly Children’s Mindfulness Workshops at Almas, children’s nutrition, wellness, and environmental awareness activities for 36 school age children. In August 2016, Mary provided a “Back to School Mindfulness Workshop” at Circle Tree Ranch for 19 children entering Kindergarten through 6th Grade. This was also a training opportunity for faculty who are interested in learning to facilitate Mindfulness and Wellness workshops for the children living at Circle Tree Ranch and Dragonfly Village.

• Almas continues to partner with the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University as a practicum site for graduate students studying counseling or social work. During the past year, three University of New Mexico and two New Mexico Highlands University students have learned Therapeutic Community methodology through engagement in the Almas community.

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Community Building Highlights

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Mark Faucette Receives Agape's Hero Award Through the collaborative efforts of Los Angeles-based organizations Common Peace and Agape, Amity Faculty member Mark Faucette, Director of Community Relations and Other Projects received a Hero Award as a part of The Season of Nonviolence activities in March of 2016.

Mr. Faucette was recognized as a local hero, who practices the principles of nonviolence in his daily life and makes the world a better place by answering the call to serve.

The Hero Award was given to members of the Los Angeles community during The Season for Nonviolence, an annual 64 day commemoration honoring the memorial anniversaries of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. This honors the vision of a nonviolent world for which these two heroes lived and died. Cesar Chavez is included as another honorary leader of peace. During the 64 day campaign, local heroes who are creating change in our community through the power and practice of the principles of nonviolence are honored. Amity congratulates Mark Faucette.

In Mr. Faucette’s acceptance speech he stated, "In this election year might we remember the work not just of our founding fathers — but of the founding mothers of our time who have stood for inclusion, for honesty, for families, for children, for fairness, for community. What mother has ever wanted her child murdered, a victim of a hate crime — denied an education?"

We have all been blessed to know the work of community builders such as Maxine Waters, Dolores Huerta, Ella Baker, Wilma Mankiller, Daisy Bates, Eleanor Roosevelt, Fannie Lou Hamer, and many more — whose names may not be known but whose demonstration we have benefited from. Let us live up to that.Might we honor all of our mothers and work together to address gun control, racism, fear, poverty, and violence.

"Might we honor all of our mothers and work together to address gun control, racism, fear, poverty, and violence.”

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Frank Rivera Project Director

at Amity’s In-Prison Community at the California Rehabilitation Center is Honored

For the first time in Amity’s history, an Amity faculty member, Project Director Frank Rivera, not a prison staff member, was selected as the employee of the month at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, CA.

Warden Cynthia Tampkins wrote the following in honor of Mr. Rivera:

“As the Director, you have been the “Luminary Star” of rehabilitation which is much brighter than any guiding light. You are a strong leader for the staff and inmates assigned to Amity. You provide direction and follow-up to resolve issues within the program. You continue to display many attributes of a good quality supervisor. You are kind, treating others with dignity and respect. You show genuine care and concern for all people you come in contact with, maintaining professionalism without being rigid. On four of the previous Program Accountability Reviews for the In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Program audits, your area received 100 percent compliance, which is the best compliance score in the state.”

Amity congratulates Mr. Rivera and all of his faculty for the valuable contribution they have made.

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SHeroes Award

Goes to Amity’s Regina Slaughter, Director of Amistad de Los Angeles

On May 22nd, 2016, at the 9th Annual Tribute to SHeroes Awards Luncheon and Ceremony, Amity’s own Regina Slaughter, Director at Amistad de Los Angeles, was honored as an outstanding local woman with deep roots in the Ninth District. Women receiving this award demonstrated significant leadership, pride and commitment to strengthening the Los Angeles community. Councilman Curren D. Price Jr. presided, highlighting the achievements of these women.

Ms. Slaughter, has worked at numerous Amity projects since 1997, inclusive of adolescents and in-prison adults and our community campuses in three states. She has been responsible for accomplishing Amity’s mission with thousands upon thousands over the past three decades.

Amity is extremely proud that Ms. Slaughter received this well deserved recognition from the community of Los Angeles, and supports what we at Amity have known all along about this tremendous woman.

“When the sun refused to shine, God put a rainbow in the clouds.”

— Maya Angelou

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Dr. Ysaÿe Barnwell Building a Vocal CommunityCircle Tree Ranch hosted Dr. Ysaÿe Barnwell for her “Building a Vocal Community” Workshop from May 9th-May 13th 2016, during which faculty and students engaged in singing rhythms, chants and traditional songs from Africa and the Diaspora. The intent of the workshop was to continue to foster community-building as well as inclusion throughout our ethnically and racially diverse community highlighting the African American experience.

Ray Clarke, Vice President of Amity Foundation and President of the Dragonfly Village Board stated, “We were so pleased that Circle Tree Ranch and Dragonfly Village were able to have the experience of learning in the oral tradition, exposure to the historical, political and social context as an introduction to the songs, and the opportunity to explore the African American values and world view that many had not ever experienced. Many of our faculty and students emerged as leaders in song, offering all of us a new perspective on them, and they of themselves. We all benefited from the power of communal singing and appreciated having shared this experience as a community.”

Dr. Ysaÿe M. Barnwell was nominated by President Obama, just days after coming to Circle Tree Ranch, for membership on the National Council on the Arts. Currently, Dr. Ysaÿe Barnwell is President and owner of Barnwell’s Notes Publishing, Inc. Dr. Barnwell was a vocalist and composer for the acappella quintet, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and also composed music for dance, choral, film, and stage productions.

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Financial Summary FY 2015-2016• Fiscal year 2015-16 was very positive with an Operating Net Income of $358,779.• Amity re-negotiated the Long Term Debt, with a loan from Wells Fargo. This includes all the debt of Amity

Foundation with the exception of the USDA and Pima County loans for Dragonfly Village. The interest rate on the new loan is 3% and the loan will be paid off in 15 years.

• Cash contributions for the year totaled $25,138 and donations in kind totaled $189,768. Dragonfly Village will receive those donations designated specifically for that project. Unrestricted contributions and donations will be used for the children and families at Circle Tree Ranch.

• Amity Foundation spent 85.8% and 85.2% on program services in 2015 and 2016, respectively.• Amity continues to streamline its processes and reduce costs while using innovative strategies to enhance

the quality of its services.• We expect that Amity Foundation will increase Operating Net Income significantly in 2016-2017.• Statement of Financial Position 2015-16.

Statement of Financial Position 2015-16 ________________________________________________________________________________

AssetsCash and cash equivalents $113,563Restricted cash and cash equivalents $46,166Contract receivables, net $2,024,154Other receivables $14,469Prepaid expenses $124,941______________________________________________________________________________

Total current assets $2,323,293Property, Plant and Equipment, net $16,717,192Other assets $1,373,747______________________________________________________________________________

Total assets $20,414,282

Revenue, Gains, and Other SupportContract revenue $12,209,978Client patient revenue net $981,656Indirect service fees $2,179,470Grant income $215,041Contributions $25,138Other $87,317Donated goods and services $189,768Temporarily restricted $135,300______________________________________________________________________________

Total Revenue, Gains and Other Support $16,023,668

Fiscal Year 2015-2016

Revenues $16,023,668

Assets $20,414,232

Revenues $16,023,668

Assets Assets $20,414,232 $20,414,232

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The financial information shown above are condensed statements of financial position and activities that were derived from pre-audit financial information. The audited financial statements of Amity Foundation were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for not-for-profit organizations.

For a copy of the audited financial statements please contact the Finance Department at Amity Foundation.

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Our Mission Amity Foundation is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of individuals, children, and families marginalized by homelessness, poverty,

addiction, crime, racism, sexism, trauma, and violence. Amity is committed to research,

development, implementation, and dissemination of information

regarding community-building.Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal

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Executive Offices 120 S. Houghton Rd, Ste 138-321

Tucson, AZ 85748

520.749.7178 www.amityfdn.org