Try-Again Homes Incorporated

I am a board member and longstanding supporter of Try-Again Homes(TAH). I also serve as a director on several other local boards of both non-profit and for-profit organizations. I felt compelled to write this review in light of the recent, and I believe unsubstantiated, negative review posted here on GuideStar. I have remained involved with TAH because of the excellent work they do in our communities, providing critical services to children and families in need. During my tenure at TAH the organization has received excellent program reviews and clean fiscal audits. TAH continues to maintain longstanding favorable relationships with its service contractors such as Washington County CYS and the WVDHHR , as well as with its donors and other stakeholders. TAH consistently strives to improve upon its strong historical performance and utilizes client and staff satisfaction surveys in their continuous quality improvement initiatives. The organization continues to reflect a stable financial condition with healthy fund balances in both the Pennsylvania and West Virginia corporations. These fund balances have allowed the organization to incur, and comfortably absorb, operating deficits from time to time, while continuing to provide the services needed by their constituents. As with most non-profits, TAH has experienced fluctuations in revenue and expense levels over the years, and given the ever changing economic environment within which they operate, that volatility will likely persist.

I would highly recommend TAH to anyone considering a charitable contribution and encourage you to review the 990's to obtain the facts about this very worthwhile organization.

As both a donor and lead regional reviewer, I am inclined to comment on this particular organization. It is my hope that immediate change will occur for fear that this organization operates within a bubble and its apparent lack of respect to its donors/funders and community as a whole. First let me address the program expenses: as a percent of total functional expenses spent on programs and services. While organizations are not created to make a "profit" they should not outspend their means. When an agency runs a combined deficit overtime you are inherently risking the actual mission/services. This agency has no valid revenue since 2007/2008, however, has an alarming administrative expense. Accountability not only is the responsibility of its management staff, but that of its governing board (as noted in previous comments). The wedsite to this organization has not been changed since 2009/2010 respectively, nor does it protect any prviacy (or lack of policy) of its donors (in my case). What is the quality of evidence on reported results of foster care? Has this agency adjusted or improved its results? It appears that working capital is non-existent since previous administration and no real case of improvement during uncertain economic times.