2015 Annual Report The Sparrow’s Nest

Teen Maternity Home

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The mission of THE SPARROW’S NEST MATERNITY HOME is to provide a

CHRIST centered shelter and to educate homeless, pregnant and

parenting YOUNG WOMEN by providing a wide range of SERVICES that

empower them to make positive and healthy LIFE decisions for

themselves and their BABIES.

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t Kevin Thompson

President of the Board

Typically, the letter from the President

that accompanies the Annual Report is

intended to briefly report out on the

activities of the organization for the

previous year. And while there is no

doubt that we were busy, and had a

very productive year, I would like to

take a different approach.

The Sparrow’s Nest is a unique ministry. Every day, our staff and volunteers

deal with dozens of issues that are unique to dealing with, what is essentially,

children raising children. To say that it takes a remarkable level of discipline,

courage, compassion and integrity to accomplish this mission would be an

understatement of significant proportions. Each day, our staff and

volunteers, along with our community and church partners, show what it

truly means to reflect the heart of a servant. Each, in their own way, find

ways to serve selflessly, often in ways that we on the Board of Directors could

never anticipate.

These thousands of acts of service that occur during any given year make up

the building blocks that turn these children into adult parents. It is through

seeing these daily acts of service that our residents slowly awaken to the

reality that their lives are intended to be lived not simply focused on

themselves, but to live a life of gratitude for what God has accomplished, and

will accomplish, in them as part of a larger spiritual community.

Know that our gratitude to each of you, whether staff, volunteers or partners

in ministry, is deep. Without each of you, this ministry would never have

become a reality. Your encouragement, as well as your constant reminder

that we stay focused on God as the center of our work, has been the

foundation of our success. So, it is with thankful hearts that we present this

report of our 2015 financial results.

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Carissa Figgins

Founder

Executive Director

I am fairly certain 2015 took its

normal 365 days in 12 months.

Looking back it could be an

absolute blur. However, God in

his beautiful artistry pulls out

some distinct moments for me.

I remember meeting Ali for the

first time. She was sitting at our

old big conference table

looking exhausted as she held

Baby K. She was the first “girl in

the castle” for 2015. We dove into reminding her she was a princess and

a daughter of the King. A very special memory for me was when she

dedicated Baby K at Harvester Christian’s Baby Dedication. In this

memory, Ali is 10 times stronger, healthier and confident than the first

time I met her.

I look back at the adrenaline that literally drove Alyssa and me down to

southern Georgia to pick up a young lady by the name of Chaina. I

remember the actual shock of her meeting us in the designated area,

loading up my car with her son and her earthly belongings, and never

looking back. She attacked the GED and CNA tests and blew both out of

the water.

I reflect on holding Baby Isaiah for the first time, the first baby really

born while living at The Nest and willing myself not to drop him from the

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wonder of seeing God fulfill promise after promise at The Nest. I will

never forget the gleam in Lauren’s eyes as she marveled at what she had

created.

I remember 3 year old N’yemea moving into The Nest with her mother

Brianna. I was coloring with her in the study and asked her what she

liked most about living at The Nest. My best “don’t cry poker face”

showed up when she shared with me she was really happy to have a bed

of her own upstairs.

I remember Miss Maddy bouncing into my office with her very prego

belly. The belly did not outshine the glow and look of absolute pride on

her face as she flagged her final high school report card at me showing

every bit of a 4.0 GPA.

2015 marked our first baptisms, our first baby showers, our first gender

reveal parties, our first deliveries, our first graduations, our first school

and job transportation woes, and our first heartbreaks of watching girls

leave.

2015 also marked something that means the most to me. It marked “our

girls” coming back for visits, dropping by on holidays, calling us to see

how things were going at The Nest, seeing them out in public and

receiving big hugs, texts and pictures of baby’s firsts, and asking for

advice and prayers.

They all know they will always have a place of belonging at The Nest.

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CHRIST’S LOVE, GRACE, AND MERCY IS THE CENTER OF THE SPARROW’S

NEST. We believe God is perfect and we are not. But somehow God

unconditionally loves every single one of us so much so that He sent his

perfect and holy Son to rescue us from the death we earned for our sin.

(John 3:16, Rom 3:23, 6:23, Micah 6:8)

We believe salvation is this crazy gift from God and there is nothing in

this world we can do to earn it. We can accept God’s gift of salvation by

trusting that His gift pays for our sins, and by sharing love to God and

others. (Eph 2:4-10)

We believe our journey of trust begins when we lovingly obey the

gospel (turning from sin, confessing Christ, connecting with Christ’s

death, burial and resurrection in baptism) and continues as we humble

ourselves daily to the transforming power of the resurrected Christ.

(Rom 6:1-14)

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t We believe salvation is powerful, and when we receive His gift of grace

we…

…start over and live a new life here on earth (2 Cor 5:17)

…have forgiveness from God for all our sins (Acts 2:38)

…share in table fellowship with God and His family (Acts 2:42-47)

…receive His Holy Spirit to guide and empower us (Eph 1:12-14)

…are blessed with spiritual gifts, the greatest being love (1 Cor 12-14)

…are adopted as God’s sons and daughters (Eph 1:3-6)

…are being transformed to be more like Christ (Rom 12:1-2)

…look forward to being resurrected in Christ (Phil 3:10-11)

…get to spend eternity with God and His family forever (Rev 21:2-4)

We believe His story continues today—we can discover our place in the

story as we study the Bible and grow with His family to live according to

His will. (Phil 1:6)

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Action Restoration Services Adria & Michael Gratiot Agape Christian Counseling Services Aimee Musil Alex & Ayla Oler Amanda Brower Amber Jones Ameren Missouri Andrea Reynolds Andrew & Heather Hager Andrew & Sophia Thompson Andrew & Sheila Smude Andrew Nelson Angie Harness Ann Woods Anne & Michael Schoch Anne Zerr Avon Fletcher Barb Ware Barbara Andrews Barbara Mills Barbara Murray Barry Wehmiller Becky & Ken Sieve Ben Castelli Benjamin Woods Betty & Jessica Hamilton Betty Mitchell Bill & Carolyn Perrot Birth and Wellness Center Bob & Melba Figgins Boeing Boonslick Medical Group Inc Brad & April Willbrand Brad & Liz Peustor Brandon Nieveen Brent & Donna Smith Brent Campbell Brett & Carol Rough Brian Coldagelli Caleb Reed Cambridge Engineering Candice Herb Carissa & Robert Figgins Carla & David Trampe Carol & Norman Hoffman

Carol Davis Carol Fleming Marks Carol Noellsch Carrie Pyron Caryn Brassel Casey Graham Centerpoint Chiropractic Chaina Crespo Chapel of the Cross

Lutheran Church Charlotte Carr Cheryl & Terry Matejka Chiropractic Wellness Connection Chris & Karene Marfisi Chris & Wendy Smuda Christian & Mary LaPak Christian & Teresa Samter Christopher Seibel Cindy Elking Clint & Judy Darr Commonwealth Cares Fund Community & Children's

Resource Board ConAgra Foods Connection Christian Church Corianne Wood Craig & Teresa Hillburn Craig Cundiff Craig Sengl Agency Craig, Leesha & Jace Heins Crosby Chiropractic &

Acupuncture Centre Cuivre River Electric Company Curt Hensley Curtis & Saundra Hensley Curtis Hudnutt Cydney Gehner Cynthia Colthrop D. Brent & Christine Hoover D.J. Puster DA Stahlhut Daily Chiropractic Care Daniel Backmann Datu Health Inc Dave & Donna Frazier David & Christine Stratmann

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David & Delia Smart David & Kelsey Aberle David & Larenda Scales David & Linde Wilson David Fricke David Melody David & Cynthia Evans Denise Spring Derrick Crouch Diane Clay Dianna & Michael Bridgins Dianna Kannady Donald & Gail Hahn Donald & Linda Kalicak Donald LeBaige Donna Snowbarger Douglas & Sherry Albietz Douglas Brackenridge Douglas & Janis Beaver Dr. C. Patrick & Peggy Tharp Dr. Donald & Linda Wright Edward & Rhonda White Emerson Charitable Trust End Max Sports Inc

Enterprise Holdings Equifax Erin Easton Erin Matlock Ethan & Rebecca Belanger Eugene Howell Eva Guest Faith Keefe Farhad Moshiri DMD Favazza & Associates First Baptist Church of Harvester First United Methodist Church Fitness-Plus Francie Blackwell FreeMan Marketing Gannet Foundation Gary & Pamela Marquette Gary & Sharon Rhodes Geer Consulting George & Sarah Anagnos Gina Wynn Glen & Brenda Keely Glenn Austin Gordon & Susan Bredow

“160 years ago when a subsection of our national

population was oppressed with a debate raging in

both our legal system and the public square, there

were a relative few who would not stop at words

and were compelled to action. The underground

railroad were the champions who saw value in the

voiceless of their time and risked their lives and

fortunes to rescue the oppressed. Today adoption and maternity homes

are the underground railroad of our day providing an avenue of escape for

unborn babies and mothers who desire to give their children a future when

many times voices around those women are pushing for the wrong choice

of abortion. The Sparrow’s Nest is a key link in the underground railroad of

our day and is providing a way for young mothers to become a solid

foundation to their budding families.

- Jeremy Jacobs, President of Fitness Plus Equipment Services, Inc.

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Thank Grace Hauling Grace River Graham & Jill Marks Greater St. Louis

Community Foundation Greg & Laura Matheny Greg & Lori Pfautsch Gregory Stein Greta & Gerald Geringer Groupon Gwen Garthe Harvester Christian Church Holly Murray Immanual Lutheran Church Indoff Inc James Harold Thomas Jane Asa Janet Lindbloom Jared Moore Jason Moehl Jay McLeester Jeff & Caralee Ford Jeff & Dana Thornhill Jeff & Teri Unterreiner Jeff Johnston Jeff Jungermann Jeff Wells Jennifer Morris Jennifer Uetrecht Jeremy & Lisa Walker Jerry & Donna Clark Jessica Ramirez Jim & Ashley Weaver Jimmy & Laurie Simon Joe & Shirley Willhite Joe Exum John & Brenda Porzelt John & Brooke Moore John & Carla Klaskin John & Christina Williams John & Darlene Rawson John & Gwendolyn Reeves John & Judy Rodden John & Kimberly Harnagel John & Shirley Peschke John Figgins

John Lanham John Leslie McKeown Jon & Shannon Vitiello Jonathan Arnold Joseph & Angela Curtis Joseph & Karen Kahn Josh & Nichole Smith Joshua & Laura Mathias Julie Grant Karen Englert Karen Kieffen Karen Wilhelms Kari McDonnell Kasey & Todd McKee Kate Schulte Kate Thoelke Kay Riddle Keith & Kelly Willbrand Kelly Brickner Kelly Kerr Ken & Stacey Scrogin Kenny Parker Kenny White Kevin & Kimberly Carmack Kevin Heyman Kevin Thompson Kimber Smith Kimbereley Coleman Kimberly Appel Kimberly Braun Kimberly Gingrich Kirk & Darrah Kasicki Kirk & Nancy Heinemann Kirsten & William Perschbacher Knights of Columbus Council 9981 Kristine Parson Kurt & Jennifer Bahr L. Darr Laura Compton Laura J. Feldman Laura Nobe Lauren Thompson Laurie Seubert Lea Hammer Leah Andrews Leon & Jenneth Long

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Leonard & Sandra Schlelcher Lewis & Elizabeth Wiles Linda Cannon Linda Johnson Linda Ponzar Linda Smith Linda Wright Lisa Pontious Lori Williams Lucille Huslage Lynn Neill M. Jeannette Wehner Magdalena Schuler Marc Braun Margaret Cline Margaret McKenzie Mari Fahrendorf Marilyn Wamble Mark & Kathleen Doerrer Mark Henman Martin Church of Christ Mary Ellen Offner Mary Kasicki Mathew & Colleen Coffman Matt & Vanessa Limbrick

Megan Teal Melinda LeVar Melissa & Jeremy Jacobs Melissa & Mark Hollander Merck Foundation Mercy Michael & Cheryl Kirk Michael & Denise Scoffic Michael & Jeanne Zerbonia Michael & Serena Williams Michael & Sharon Driskell Michael & Vickie Edmonston Michael Etheridge Michael Flandermeyer Michael Schneller Michelle Eswer Mike & Ember Figgins Mike & Linda Favazza Milton & Paula Fulghum Mindy Foster Missouri Artists on Main, LLC Missouri Foundation for Health Moms Club of Florissant Monsanto Fund Nancy Mullen

“When I was a 20 year old sophomore in college, I

found out I was pregnant. I was fortunate to have a

family who loved and supported me. Today that

‘pregnancy’ is a 31 year old daughter who is my

best friend and brightest hope for the future. I can't

imagine... and would not have considered another

option for her... but not every young woman is so

lucky. I serve on the board of The Sparrow's Nest, including financial

support, because EVERY young woman and EVERY unborn child deserve

the support that they need to make a life affirming choice to parent their

child. The smile of a child is one of life's most inspiring gifts... I support TSN

because these are the ‘smiles’ that will propel our society to protect the

dignity of life in all of it's stages from conception to natural death.”

- Cindy Lawson, Board of Directors

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Thank Natalie Baker Nathan & Melissa Laurentius Nathaniel Thompson Network for Good New Frontier Bank Nick & Dianne Walls Nina DeAngelo Norma VanWinkle O'Fallon Pain Relief Associates OSS/igive P. Jeanne Schade Pamela Lauderback Pamela Saraceno Partrica Haynes Partrick & Mary Ann Larmon Patricia & Kirk Smith Patricia Dimercurio Patrick Brookman Patsy Williams Paul Kaler Pete Krizbai Porlier Priscilla Etherington Randall Disko Randy Sorensen Rebecca & Jeff Halcomb Richard & Cynthia Bryan Richard & Sharon Pound Rick & Cynthia Hasler Rita Varner-Otness Robert & Lois Cook Robert & Myrna Conrad Robert & Therese Hussey Robert Hussey Roger & Colleen Schulte

Ronald Avery Russ & Carrie Dickherber Russell & Trisha Grantham Safety National Samantha & Charles Sutton Sandra & Robert Eno Sandra & Ron Hoffman Sandra Bray Sara Sherrill Scott & Regina Grossenbacher Scott & Emily Snowden Scott Propp Scott Reisig Shannon & Adam Smart Shawn Darnell Shawn White Sherl & Eugene Myers Sheryl & John Baker Shirley Pickenpaugh St. Charles Jaycees Jr.

Chamber of Commerce St. John's Quilters St. Joseph Parish Stacy Price Stacy Wilson Stauros Financial LLC Stephanie Czeschin Stephanie Mackey Stephen & Le'Anne Schlotzhauer Stephen & Shawn Marek Stephen Ratzlaff Stevan & Deborah Hendricks Steve & Kim May Steve Wolfrom Steven & Andrea Weymeyer

"I support The Sparrow's Nest because Carissa

Figgins embodies the strong, effective leadership

the world so desperately needs today. Her work in

protecting the rights of single mothers and their

unborn children is the personification of true

leadership."

- Les McKeown, CEO of Predictable Success

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You! Steven & Cindy Ferguson Steven Edwards Steven Winder Straw Productions Suburban Journals Old Newsboys Sue Martin Sue Webb Sue Zerbonia Sunrise United Methodist Church Susan Ottinger Suzanne Goebel Suzanne Tucker Sydney Luter Tamara Dudenhoeffer Taylor Gehner Teresa Simmons Teresa Weiersmueller Terry Herbert The Benevity Community

Impact Fund Thomas & Marsha Feldmann Thrive Thrivent Financial Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Timothy & Tracy Cook

Todd & Krystle Deibert Todd Artz Tom & Carrie Stoner Toni Meyer Tracy & Charles Fahs Truist UMB Bank Valerie Sorensen Versaille & Terry Weis Vive LLC Wayne & Shari Hammer Wells Fargo Community Support Wentzville Community Club Inc West Community Credit Union West County Assembly

of God Church Wharf Pharmacy William & Dorothy Bowen William & Kay Roundey World Wide

Technology Foundation YMCA of Greater St. Louis Zion Lutheran Church Zion Lutheran Church - Ladies Aid

As conservative Christians who believe that all

humans, born or unborn, are made in the image of

God, there is nothing more important to us than

the preservation of life, especially the life of the

innocent. Pregnant teenagers are often pressured

to choose termination of the life of their child, and

without support or other options, they may feel

that’s their only way forward. The Sparrow’s Nest, however, provides a

path for pregnant teenagers whereby they can choose life instead of

death, all while being nurtured and developed as individuals. Because this

work is so important, we were grateful for the opportunity to contribute

regularly and serve in whatever capacity we were able in 2015. Supporting

The Sparrow’s Nest is truly a blessing, and we are proud to be a part of

their mission.” - Jill Marks, TLC and Chair of the 2017 Princess Dance

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Vice President of the Board

Corporate Treasurer

2015 was a tremendous year! It was the

first FULL year that “the nest” was

operational and often full of beautiful

young mothers, toddlers and babies! My

heart is full of love and excitement for what

God has in store for us.

As the official board treasurer, I often get caught up in the budgets and

financial information each month. It is easy to let our financial statements

get the best of you but I often sit back in amazement that every line on those

financial statements represents the beautiful lives that are being changed

because of your consistent contributions. One of my favorite things to do is

to make our monthly calls to our supporters

Our fundraising events grow every single year – The Rush 5k and Our Annual

Gala provide great support but it would be impossible for us to operate

without the consistent support of our individual donors – consistent monthly

pledges are amazing! Baby Bottle donations and House Parties provide other

ways for you to be more involved, as well. AND, we will welcome back the

Golf Tournament this year - after a one year break!

We were blessed with Missouri Maternity Home Tax Credits this past year

and it helped provide our donors with more than $32,500 in tax credits for

the 2015 calendar year. We still have so much more available to us and you

should take advantage of them for the 2016 tax year. If you have made a

contribution of more than $100 this year, please complete the necessary

forms from our website and take note of the State of Missouri's fiscal year

deadlines.

2016 is almost half way gone now (Does that even seem possible??). Words

cannot simply express the appreciation that we feel for your support. We

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have a chance to change the world for young mothers who have nowhere to

turn and for their babies, as well. The teaching, training, support and love

that is poured into their lives is incredible and it is made possible because of

your support.

Thank you so much – from the bottoms of our hearts!

Tony Bryan

Board of Directors

At The Sparrow’s Nest we are truly proud

of the work we have accomplished in just a

few years. However, we are mindful in our

need to look long-term to be thoughtful in

changing community needs and to

continue to expand our programs. In 2015,

with the support of our Board of Directors,

TSN created a strategic plan designed to

take us into the next 5 years. Our vision included:

Purchasing the adjacent house to our current home to become a

transition unit for mothers

Launching a teen father curriculum designed to foster total family

support for children

Creating a coffee shop run by our mothers to learn real-world

experience

Expanding our outreach closet program to serve more young families

Building relationships in additional communities to expand the reach of

our mission

These are just a few examples of TSN’s ambitious goals, but we felt it

important to share with you our supporters. It will take each of you to

support and embrace not only our vision, but our mission to empower young

mothers to reach their full potential.

View the full 2015 Tax Return for The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home at TheSparrowsNestStL.org/2015-Tax-Return

View the full 2015 Tax Return for The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home at TheSparrowsNestStL.org/2015-Tax-Return