GOLD2022

Wishes with Wings

Every Kind Act Counts

Blue Springs, MO   |  http://www.wisheswithwings.org

Mission

The mission of Wishes with Wings is to create life transforming experiences and memories for children and teens impacted by poverty, abuse, neglect, addiction and mental illness.

Ruling year info

2014

Director

Scott Allen Haakonstad

Co-Director

Tonia Sue Haakonstad

Main address

3713 Hwy 40

Blue Springs, MO 64014 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

46-3297699

NTEE code info

Homeless Services/Centers (P85)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

A homeless child is one who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Jackson County, Missouri has over 8,000 children and teens that are homeless or living in shelters with that rate increasing 20% every year. Children living in these homes are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, with the average age 7 years old. Our communities are also overwhelmed with the reality that approximately 2,463 children are determined to be victims of abuse, neglect and mental illness every day in America. These defenseless children are scared and likely to suffer from emotional and behavioral problems, anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviors that demand constant supervision and medical attention from our local shelters/homes.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

CLAP-Children Love A Party (Birthday Parties)

Children Love A Party (Birthday Parties) is our signature program targeting children and teens living in homeless, residential, transitional, domestic violence and foster homes/shelters. Our staff and volunteers collaborate with the event coordinator from each shelter to plan and execute birthday parties either for a child individually or the entire shelter. Shelters may have up to 75 children. We make sure to involve all children and staff members in this fun filled event! Birthday parties usually last an hour and consist of bright-colored decorations, cupcakes, juice boxes, balloons, music, dancing, games and a present for each child whose birthday is being celebrated. Through our birthday parties, children who may rarely feel important or loved are allowed the opportunity to be the center of attention and experience the love of all our volunteers. We also teach children important social skills during the parties by requiring them to show respect and gratitude to the generous donors and volunteers though writing personal thank you cards. Through our signature birthday parties, we help create fun memories and educate at-risk children and teens at the same time!

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Ethnic and racial groups
Social and economic status

The Wishes program grants "quality of life" wishes to children and teens living in homeless, residential, transitional, domestic violence and foster homes/shelters. These "quality of life" needs consist of the following: graduation expenses, recreational field trips, school pictures, school supplies, clothing, prom/homecoming attire, class rings, yearbooks and emergency assistance. We have helped over 50 high school seniors purchase their graduation caps, gowns and announcements as well as honor them with a graduation party that is well deserved. Graduation is a huge event that gives a teen confidence, dignity and a hope for a bright future.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

Wishes with Wings' dedicated volunteers assist homeless teens to apply for employment, move into transitional living, practice good hygiene, stay away from drugs and alcohol, complete college application forms and tutor at all educational levels. Our dedication to help children in need is never prohibited by race, gender or age. We believe that through advocacy, volunteering, outreach and education, one person can make a difference in the life of a child.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

Where we work

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Our programs foster a sense of community spirit and provide leadership development for children, youth and teens living in homeless, residential, transitional, domestic violence and foster homes/shelters.

Community Spirit Development Goals:
1. Seek opportunities to encourage and reinforce positive behavior.
2. Teach conflict resolution.
3. Love every child from the heart with hugs, smiles, laughter and words of encouragement.
4. Provide positive feedback and reinforcement to help build a child’s confidence and hope for a brighter future.
5. Meet the needs of the kids to encourage educational success for the future.
6. Educate children to believe they do have a future and can break the cycle of poverty, abuse and neglect they have witnessed.
7. Give children a sense of belonging and purpose.
8. Encourage the spirit of community service to ALL children and adults.
9. Educate and train teens on productive life skills.

Leadership Development Goals:
1. Have good attendance at school and better grades.
2. Get better grades
3. Live successfully as adults
4. Attend college/trade schools
5. Graduate with their classmates, less dropouts
6. Experience less domestic violence
7. Pay-it back to their community and raise awareness.
8. Lower the poverty levels
9. Build stronger feelings of confidence and empowerment

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

Wishes with Wings
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Wishes with Wings

Board of directors
as of 05/05/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Scott Haakonstad

Wishes with Wings

Term: 2022 - 2025


Board co-chair

Tonia Haakonstad

Paws & Pals

Term: 2022 - 2025

Art Fillmore

Retired U.S. Army/ Attorney

Angel Foster

President Foster Excavation, Inc

Tonia Haakonstad

CEO Paws & Pals

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 5/5/2022
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 03/08/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.