Reflecting on the past year, I am filled with immense gratitude and pride. Our 2023 Annual Report is more than a summary of our activities; it's a celebration of growth, creativity, and the profound impact we've made in the community.

At the heart of Piece by Piece is a vibrant community of artists, supporters, and believers in the transformative power of art. This year, our commitment to empowering individuals through art has been stronger than ever. We offered over 150 mosaic classes this year, bringing in an influx of new artists that resulted in a 50% increase in participation in addition to infusing our programs with fresh perspectives and energy.

We've broadened our horizons by introducing monthly creativity classes in various mediums and launching soft skills sessions. These initiatives are crucial for personal and professional development, helping our artists bridge gaps in skills and knowledge. We've tackled food insecurity by serving 2,041 meals to our participants in order to nourish their bodies and fuel their artistic expression.

Our participant artists have been nothing short of extraordinary. Twelve artists achieved certification, and together, they completed 38 commissions. In total, our artists created 1,193 mosaics, earning over $160,000 and repurposing over 700 lbs of materials into stunning art pieces.

We're immensely grateful for the support from the Picerne Foundation grant, which enabled us to welcome instructor Wendy, a fantastic addition to our team. The Perenchio Foundation Capital Grant allowed us, for the first time in our 17 year history, to upgrade our equipment and create a professional studio setting for the social enterprise. Our participation in the REDF Accelerator program and the Skid Row Arts Alliance were significant milestones, offering us invaluable insights and growth opportunities. I am grateful to all of our funders and supporters.

Our Creative Forces grant and project with LA Metro allowed us to work closely with veterans, a project that holds a special place in our hearts. Our collaboration with the Downtown Women’s Center on candles was a glowing success, and we're equally proud of our partnerships with Procure Impact, Bank of America, UCLA Anderson, and USC Impact.

The role of our volunteers in the Piece by Piece family cannot be overstated. We welcomed new board members Donna, Virginia, and Mercedes. We are grateful to Patricia, Chris, Shelia, and Ally for their invaluable contributions. Their involvement has been instrumental in our success. The staff at Piece by Piece are the unsung heroes, a gift to our participants and to all of us.

The achievements of this year, including enhanced systems and infrastructure, lay a strong foundation for even more impactful work ahead. We remain committed to our mission of transforming lives through the art of mosaics, one piece at a time.

Thank you to each and every one of you who has been a part of this incredible and inspiring journey.