Nonprofit Profile - DonorHouston

Last Updated: 5/7/2018 1:45:07 PM

3 A Bereavement Foundation

5330 Griggs Rd.,

Suite A108

Houston TX 77021-3758-3758

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Summary
Mission & Areas Served
Programs
Leadership & Staff
Board & Governance
Financials

Contact Information

Address 5330 Griggs Rd.,

Suite A108

Houston, TX 77021-3758 3758

Telephone 713 649-3232

E-mail bereavement3@aol.com

Web and Social Media

Web Site https://www.3abereavement.org

Facebook

Twitter

Mission

3 A Bereavement Foundation (3ABF)assists, counsels, educates and comforts low-income children, individuals and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. 3ABF's mission is to enable low-income and working poor bereaved families to secure services to comprehensively address their bereavement needs. It is our belief that accessibility to affordable bereavement services are a basic and vital need for impoverished children and families impacted by the death of a loved one. 3ABF provides services for low-income and working poor families with a simple vision in mind - that they will have accessible, quality bereavement services to relieve the pain of their loss. Families are devastated as they search for funds to cover what should be a basic human right - the ability to bury their loves ones. Children in particular are often overlooked. Due to the aversion people tend to have towards matters of grief and bereavement, there are few organizations that are willing to assist in this area. 3ABF envisions the elimination of the feelings of despair and hopelessness experienced by bereaved families who have limited or no means to bury their loved ones, or to obtain needed counseling services for healing and wholeness.

At A Glance

Year of Incorporation 1997

Organization's type of tax exempt status Public Supported Charity

Leadership

CEO/Executive Director Ms. Michele Lara

Board Chair Mr Gabriel Luke

Financial Summary

Revenue vs Expenses Bar Graph

Statements

Mission 3 A Bereavement Foundation (3ABF)assists, counsels, educates and comforts low-income children, individuals and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. 3ABF's mission is to enable low-income and working poor bereaved families to secure services to comprehensively address their bereavement needs. It is our belief that accessibility to affordable bereavement services are a basic and vital need for impoverished children and families impacted by the death of a loved one. 3ABF provides services for low-income and working poor families with a simple vision in mind - that they will have accessible, quality bereavement services to relieve the pain of their loss. Families are devastated as they search for funds to cover what should be a basic human right - the ability to bury their loves ones. Children in particular are often overlooked. Due to the aversion people tend to have towards matters of grief and bereavement, there are few organizations that are willing to assist in this area. 3ABF envisions the elimination of the feelings of despair and hopelessness experienced by bereaved families who have limited or no means to bury their loved ones, or to obtain needed counseling services for healing and wholeness.

Background

3 A Bereavement Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established in 1997, to assist, counsel, educate and comfort low-income children, individuals and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. The mission of 3ABF is to enable low-income and working poor bereaved families to secure services to comprehensively address their bereavement needs. We occupy a unique position in the Houston Metropolitan Area as the only nonprofit organization with a sole purpose to provide comprehensive bereavement services to economically disadvantaged families. All services are rendered without regard to ethnic, social, religious or cultural background.

Needs

3ABF serve the low-income and working poor in the Houston Metropolitan Area and over 95% are ethnic minorities. 71% of these households have at least one working adult - evidence that the majority of our families consist of working-poor residents, versus individuals seeking to live off of government assistance. The ability to cover funeral expenses is virtually impossible for uninsured low-income families and a lack of resources translates to literal delays or even cancellations of bereavement services.

Local governmental resources are limited to County services. These services must be requested within 48 hours of a death, unless the death occurred in a County facility. Families are denied County services, which is the only source of public support, for waiting too long to request support or for having as little as $550 to cover funeral expenses.

Other ways to donate, support, or volunteer

Secure online donations made on 3ABF 's website: http://www.3abereavement.org/donation.html. Checks and Money Orders accepted by Mail. Gift In Kind Donations accepted.

Care Team Volunteers: a volunteer aftercare program, to provide a safety-net for bereaved families served by 3ABF as they move through their grief journey.

Service Categories

Primary Organization Category Human Services / Emergency Assistance (Food, Clothing, Cash)

Areas Served


Fort Bend
Harris

Programs

Family Support Services "Helping Hands"
Grief Counseling
Bereaved Family Assistance Funds
Crime Victim Services
Educational Lectures for the Community
Crisis Emergency Assistance
After Care Services

Family Support Services "Helping Hands"

Description Though financial need is what prompts families to call 3ABF, Helping Hands is the heart of what we do. 3ABF advises and accompanies family members through all aspects of preparing for funeral and interment services, with particular focus on where costs can be cut to provide affordable, yet dignified services for their loved-one.

Population Served Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General / General Public/Unspecified / Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General

Program Long-Term Success 3ABF has a simple belief â€“ that access to bereavement services should be available to everyone, regardless of income, social status or ethnic, religious or cultural background.

Grief Counseling

Description Informal and professional grief counseling services are available for up to one year following initial intake to immediate family members (spouses, children, siblings, and/or parents). 75% to 80% of our families receive in-house counseling support. Providing an informal, relaxed setting is critically important as low-income populations tend to be more averse to counseling than middle and upper-income persons.

Budget $11,500.00

Population Served Crime/Abuse Victims / General Public/Unspecified / Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General

Program Long-Term Success People need to relieve the pain of loss, and if they donâ€™t do so by sufficiently working through their grief, they may turn to detrimental substances (alcohol, drugs, or food) or harmful activities (sex, gambling, or shopping) to numb the discomfort that continues to stir within.

Bereaved Family Assistance Funds

Description Financial support is provided to assist in avoiding delays in funeral services. Due to the cost of funeral expenses basic fees start at $3,500 for a small child and $5,000 for adults 3ABF is able to provide partial assistance to only 25% of eligible families. 3ABF verifies the need and that there are no other sources of funding, and then provides up to $1,000 to offset expenses. Support goes directly to funeral homes or cemeteries, never to families.

Budget $25,000.00

Population Served Poor,Economically Disadvantaged,Indigent / Families / Victims

Program Long-Term Success 3ABFâ€™s long-term goal is to bridge the gap in the availability and quality of bereavement services available to indigent and low-income families in the Houston Metropolitan Area. Over the next 12 months, 3ABF desires to increase BFFs support to cover at least 40% of eligible families; with the 3-year goal to support 75% of eligible families.

Program Success Monitored By 3ABF desires to increase Bereaved Family Assistance Funds support to cover at 40% of eligible families over the next 3 years.

Crime Victim Services

Description 20% of all referrals to 3ABF are families seeking Crime Victim Compensation through State services. 3ABF assists these families through the arduous task of filing for Compensation Claims and Appeals to cover funeral and/or counseling expenses. 3ABF has been specializing in this area for over 10 years and is pleased to have a measurable impact on the increased number of approved applicants in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

Population Served Crime/Abuse Victims / General Public/Unspecified / Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General

Program Long-Term Success Particularly for families who have experienced a traumatic loss,it is well documented that their loved ones' violent death has a devastating effect on individuals, families and communities. The pain of losing a loved one remains constant and potentially severe when there is no closure.

Educational Lectures for the Community

Description Workshops and talks, in English and Spanish, are provided in low-income neighborhoods to increase public awareness and educate residents about all aspects of bereavement planning.

Population Served General Public/Unspecified / Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General / Crime/Abuse Victims

Program Long-Term Success Educate individuals about life insurance and preneed burial insurance. Educate the few that have life insurance to review their policies and make sure they are adequate to meet current funeral and burial expenses.

Crisis Emergency Assistance

Description Consultations and referrals to families prior to the death of a loved one. 3ABF advises and assists families on planning final arrangements for loved ones with terminal illnesses, in hospice care, in hospitals on life support, diagnosed with memory loss disease (Alzheimer's, Dementia).

Budget $15,000.00

Population Served Poor,Economically Disadvantaged,Indigent / Aging, Elderly, Senior Citizens / Victims

After Care Services

Description Providing follow-up services to families at 3 and 6 months intervals after the initial office contact to monitor the need for counseling, social services or emergency assistance and to conduct community education/outreach in low-income Houston communities.

Budget $20,000.00

Population Served Poor,Economically Disadvantaged,Indigent / Families / Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated

Disaster Programs

Member of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)? No

Notes Programs listed here are those that are only activated during a disaster. Some organizations have unified budgeting and do not budget by program. Because of this, some budget fields may be blank or represent an approximation. Organization describes previous experience during the immediate response, recovery or rebuilding phases following a disaster.

Program Description

Program Budget

Category

Population Served

Previous Experience

CEO/Executive Director

Ms. Michele Lara

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Term Start Aug 1997

Staff

Number of Full Time Staff 2

Number of Part Time Staff 2

Number of Volunteers 2

Number of Contract Staff 2

Plans & Policies

Organization has a Strategic Plan? Yes

Senior Staff

Ms. Michele Lara

Title Executive Director

Mrs. Lucero Guajardo

Title Family Support Assistant

Awards

Award/Recognition	Organization	Year
Newspaper Article	Houston Chronicle Newspaper	2007
Television Interview	Black Voice	2007
Television Interview	HOLA Houston	2007
Community Service Award	Association of Black Social Workers	2012
Web News Interview	Channel 11 KHOU.com News	2015

Comments

CEO Comments 3 A Bereavement Foundation (3ABF) strives to convey the importance of recognizing bereavement services as a basic and vital need for impoverished children and families throughout the Houston community - not for the benefit of the deceased, but to provide a hope and a future for surviving loved ones. 3ABF occupies a unique position, as the only organization in the Houston Metropolitan Area with the sole purpose to provide comprehensive bereavement services to low-income families. It is our belief that accessibility to affordable bereavement services are a basic and vital need for impoverished children and families impacted by the death of a loved one. Thus, 3ABF provides services for low-income families with a simple vision in mind - that they will have accessible, quality bereavement services to relieve the pain of their loss. Families are often devastated as they search for funds to cover what should be a basic human right - the ability to bury their loves ones. Children in particular are often overlooked. Accessing bereavement services for low-income families is an unmet need in our communities because there is little to no public or private support. Local governmental resources are limited to County services. These services must be requested within 48 hours of a death, unless the death occurred in a County facility. Families are denied County services, which is the only source of public support, for waiting too long to request support or for having as little as $550 to cover funeral expenses. Thus, there are a number of families who, though considered poor, are not poor enough to qualify for County services, or who are eligible, but miss the deadline. Ironically, Harris County Indigent Burial refers families to 3ABF that have missed the deadline, are unable to meet the strict indigent guidelines, and/or might qualify for Crime Victims Compensation.

Board Chair

Mr Gabriel Luke

Board of Directors

Name
Annie Briscoe Atty
Marcus Colvin
Bennie Daniels
Michele Lara
Gabriel Luke
Sharon Phillips

Board Demographics - Ethnicity

African American/Black 4

Asian American/Pacific Islander 0

Caucasian 1

Hispanic/Latino 1

Native American/American Indian 0

Other 0 0

Board Demographics - Gender

Male 2

Female 4

Governance

Board Term Lengths 3

Board Term Limits 4

Board Meeting Attendance % 95%

Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 4

Written Board Selection Criteria Yes

Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 100%

Constituency Includes Client Representation No

Additional Board/s Members and Affiliations

Name
Ms Mercedes Alejandro
Ms. Viva Pennington

CEO Comments

3ABF envisions the elimination of the feelings of despair and hopelessness experienced by bereaved families who have limited or no means to bury their loved ones, or to obtain needed counseling services for healing and wholeness. We also strive to convey the importance of recognizing bereavement services as a vital need throughout the Houston Metropolitan Area – not for the benefit of the deceased but to provide a hope and a future for surviving loved ones. Our long-term goal is to bridge the gap in the availability and quality of bereavement services available to indigent and low-income families.

Financials

Fiscal Year Start Jan 01 2018

Fiscal Year End Dec 31 2018

Projected Revenue $201,513.00

Projected Expenses $198,363.00

Spending Policy Income Only

Documents

Form 990s
Form 990	2016
Form 990	2015
3ABereavementFoundation	2014
Form 990	2013
Form 990	2012
Form 990	2011
Form 990	2010
Form 990	2009
Form 990	2008

Audit Documents
Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet Statements	2017
FY 2016 - CPA Review Letter	2016
CPA Review Letter	2014
FY 2012-CPA Review Letter.pdf	2012
FY 2010-CPA Review Letter CPA Signed.pdf	2010
FY2009- CPA Review Letter, CPA Signed.pdf	2009

Name	Year
Letter From Family	2017	View
Letters From Families	2016	View
Letter From Family	2016	View
Letters from Families	2015	View
Rev Ivan Jackson Letter	2015	View

Other Document 2

Name	Year
Harris County Indigent Burial	2013	View

Detailed Financials

Prior Three Years Total Revenue and Expense Totals Chart

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Total Revenue	$113,639	$136,841	$101,018
Total Expenses	$116,185	$116,594	$100,040

Prior Three Years Revenue Sources Chart

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Foundation and Corporation Contributions	--	--	$35,430
Government Contributions	$0	$0	$0
Federal	--	--	$0
State	--	--	$0
Local	--	--	$0
Unspecified	--	--	$0
Individual Contributions	$39,365	$62,075	$0
Indirect Public Support HelpIndirect public support represents revenue received through solicitation campaigns. This includes funding United Way and other federated fundraising organizations, but does not include donor designated contributions.	--	--	$0
Earned Revenue HelpEarned revenue represents income generated in direct exchange for a product or service.Earned income includes income from government contracts.	--	--	$0
Investment Income, Net of Losses	--	--	$0
Membership Dues	--	--	$0
Special Events	$24,696	$29,811	$21,296
Revenue In-Kind	--	--	$0
Other	$49,578	$44,955	$44,292

Prior Three Years Expense Allocations Chart

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Program Expense	$82,855	$83,873	$71,890
Administration Expense	$23,067	$21,829	$19,470
Fundraising Expense	$10,263	$10,892	$8,680
Payments to Affiliates	--	--	$0
Total Revenue/Total Expenses	0.98	1.17	1.01
Program Expense/Total Expenses	71%	72%	72%
Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue	--	--	--

Prior Three Years Assets and Liabilities Chart

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Total Assets	$70,257	$69,439	$44,039
Current Assets	$69,632	--	$43,211
Long-Term Liabilities	$1,645	$1,519	$450
Current Liabilities	$8,953	$5,715	$1,631
Total Net Assets	$70,257	$69,439	$44,039

Solvency

Short Term Solvency

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities	7.78	0.00	26.49

Long Term Solvency

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets	2%	2%	1%

Capitial Campaign

Currently in a Capital Campaign? No

Goal $0.00

Comments

CEO Comments As a newly licensed Funeral Director in 1997, 3ABF's Founder quickly discovered that the emotional stigma of poverty is significantly intensified when impoverished families attempt to bury a loved one. With exceptionally few resources available to address this basic human need, economically disadvantaged families experience additional emotional suffering when confronted with the overwhelming burden of funeral expenses and the tedious process of making burial arrangements. 3ABF was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in that same year to tackle this concern. Since our inception,3ABF has provided assistance to over 8200 families; including countless Consultation hours, over $380,245 in BFAF support to over 1685 families, over 750 hours of professional group and individual counseling services and assisted over 900 crime victim families to receive over $2 million in Crime Victims Compensation Benefits for funeral and counseling services. Accessing bereavement services for low-income families is an unmet need in our communities because there is little to no public or private support. Local governmental resources are limited to County services. These services must be requested within 48 hours of a death, unless the death occurred in a County facility. Families are denied County services, which is the only source of public support, for waiting too long to request support or for having as little as $550 to cover funeral expenses. We serve up to 400 children and their families annually by providing: (1) Guidance: most low-income families are ill-prepared for the financial and emotional expense of burying a loved one. (2) Grief Counseling: in-house group sessions serve most families. (3) Emergency Assistance: Bereaved Family Funds between $200 and $500 is provided as gap funding to avoid delays in funeral services. (4) Crime Victim Services. 3ABF's long-term goal is to bridge the gap in the availability and quality of bereavement service to low-income families.

Foundation Staff Comments 3ABF has a Biennial Independent Accountants Review Report performed. Due to the total revenue brought in by this organization, they do not have audited financials.

Address 5330 Griggs Rd.,

Suite A108

Houston, TX 77021-37583758

Primary Phone 713 649-3232

Contact Email bereavement3@aol.com

Website https://www.3abereavement.org

CEO/Executive Director Ms. Michele Lara

Board Chair Mr Gabriel Luke