April Edition 2010 - New York Nonprofit Press

12 New York Nonprofit Press www.nynp.biz April 2010
AGENCY OF THE MONTH
BBCS continued from page 11
chronically ‘under-housed’, each have their
own studio apartment in a large affordable
housing complex at 1825 Atlantic Avenue.
“We have an office with staff on the first floor
to provide support,” says Klein. “The consumers
take a lot of pride in their apartments.
They are learning how to cook and clean.
They socialize and mix with their neighbors.
It is a great model.”
BBCS’ employment-related services are
extensive and appropriate for individuals with
a wide range of disabilities – as well as those
who do not face these chronic challenges.
Pre-vocational support serves those who
cannot yet pursue vocational training or job
placement due to the degree of their mental
illness or mental retardation. These services
include Project Moving On, which offers daily
counseling, therapeutic activities and peer
support for people with severe mental illness.
Day Habilitation provides center-based services
as well as opportunities for volunteer
work with local community groups. Residential
Habilitation teaches independent living
skills to developmentally disabled adults living
with their families or in their own homes.
BBCS also operates a sheltered workshop
at which individuals with disabilities
provide a variety of packaging and assembly
services for local Brooklyn businesses. “We
package everything from special eye guards
for kids playing football to
spices for a local factory,”
says Goodman. “We have
even invested in a ‘clam
shell’ packaging machine
to package electronic
products.”
“We have very strong
relationships with local
employers,” says Deborah
Washington, Director
of Placement Services.
BBCS has developed a service
model in which teams
of consumers will work
on site with such business
partners as Berdiner Laboratories,
Brooklyn Union
Beer Distributors, Citi-
Storage and Tanner Nuts
and Bolts – but under the
supervision of a BBCS staff member.
In addition to its services for individuals
with disabilities, BBCS also operates its own
proprietary vocational school – the Brooklyn
Bureau Career Training Academy – which
provides training in retail skills, including
classroom work, a computer lab and on-site
experience working with Marshall’s department
store.
All together, BBCS provides pre-vocation
or employment related services to 2,308
individuals annually, including 596 who are
BBCS operates a variety of literacyrich
early childhood programs.
placed in competitive or
supported employment.
New Directions
When Goodman
succeeded Donna Santarsiero,
who had led the
agency for 28 years, he
found an organization
with strong programs but
also significant financial
challenges in light of the
nation’s economic crisis
and cutbacks in government
funding. As a result,
Goodman and new
Board Chair Jerrold
Mulder, are strongly focused
on efforts both to
increase BBCS’ visibility
with potential donors, volunteers and other
supporters and to find new and more diverse
sources of revenue.
Once a month, Goodman now hosts a
“360 Event” at which interested members of
the community are invited to a one-hour session
which introduces BBCS and the work it
does throughout the borough. “We bring in
people from all over – business people, lawyers,
people from other nonprofits, City government,”
says Goodman. “They learn about
what we do, hear testimonials from staff and
clients, see video clips and tour two of our
programs.” These events are part of the “Benevon
Model” for fundraising designed to
help organizations build long-term, sustainable
revenues through strong relationships
with donors and other supporters. “Over the
last seven months, we have introduced over
100 non-board members to this organization.
All of them can be potential donors or advocates,
people who can help us open doors or
establish new relationships.”
Goodman is looking for new ways to
bring in revenues – revenues that are not subject
to arbitrary cutbacks and reductions in
government contracts. “We have assets,” he
explains. “We know how to do certain things
better than other organizations. We have to
capitalize on these strengths and find new
ways to market these services.”
The agency has received pro bono assistance
from Morgan Stanley in development
of a business plan for a new income generating
project. “They put a team of associates
together to help us put together a plan,” says
Goodman. “We have a number of ideas and
are looking to identify the one that requires
the least investment of start-up capital.” First
on the agenda is a plan to market family therapy
treatment services to non-governmental
consumers. “There is a dearth of services out
there,” says Goodman. “We have the expertise,
experience and the reputation for providing
this service.”
Help Others
HelpingYou
This is what our Not-for-Profit group is all about.
From social service organizations and educational institutions to foundations and
health care providers, Holtz Rubenstein Reminick has been serving the accounting
and consulting needs of federal and state not-for-profit organizations for over 30
years. We know how to help those in the public service.
Accounting and Audit
Reimbursement Consulting
Strategic Business Planning
Tax & Employee Benefits
ëìéÉêáçê=
íÜáåâáåÖK
råã~íÅÜÉÇ
áåíÉÖêáíóK
For more information, contact
Gordon Siess, CPA
631-752-7400
GSiess@hrrllp.com
Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP
125 Baylis Road, Melville, NY 11747
1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
www.hrrllp.com
©2010 Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP