Vita Nova Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

The Spot Drop-In CenterVita Nova's the Spot is the only drop-in center in Palm Beach County dedicated to serving youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Located in West Palm Beach, The Spot provides a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment for young adults ages 1825, offering immediate access to essential resources, supportive services, and connections that help youth transition from homelessness to safe and stable housing.The Spot team provides comprehensive, youth-centered support tailored to meet each youth's unique needs. A team of Intake and Outreach Peer Support Specialists serve as the initial point of contact, leveraging knowledge gained from their own lived experiences to connect with youth in a meaningful and nonjudgmental manner, conduct assessments, identify appropriate services and resources, and make necessary referrals. The Spot team also includes a Youth Engagement & Community Resource Officer who assists youth in accessing essential resources and remaining actively engaged in services; Career Coaches and a Securing Our Future Initiative (SOFI) Case Manager who connect youth to employment opportunities, life-skills development, educational supports, and vocational training opportunities; a Health Care Specialist, who assists youth with accessing affordable health insurance, healthcare providers, and medical resources; and a Licensed Clinical Therapist who supports youth's emotional wellness and mental health needs.The Spot offers a wide range of supportive amenities designed to address immediate needs while promoting long-term stability and independence. The center features a computer lab, shower facilities, music therapy room, laundry facilities, clothing closet, kitchen, and food pantry stocked with shelf-stable foods, fresh produce, meats, and essential health and hygiene items. The Spot features a computer lab, shower, music therapy room, laundry services, clothing closet, kitchen, and food pantry with shelf stable foods and fresh produce and meats, hygiene, and health essentials. Vita Nova's robust network of community partners also provides youth with access to additional on-site resources, including a GED Center and various health and wellness services, such primary and psychiatric care, STI testing, and prevention education.The Sleep Spot is an innovative new pilot program designed to increase stability and reduce exposure to trauma by providing youth access to immediate, short-term emergency beds while awaiting placement in shelter, transitional housing, or other more permanent housing solutions.Through its comprehensive services and dedicated team, the Spot serves as a critical resource hub, providing young adults with the support, opportunities, and tools needed to overcome barriers, access housing, and move toward a brighter, self-sufficient future.The Spot served over 520 unduplicated youth during the current fiscal year.The Spot provided the following case management and supportive services: Over 520 Intake and Assessments services, resulting in linkages to housing, supportive services, and community resourcesOver 120 unduplicated youth developed Employability Skills with over 25 youth enrolling in the GED program, nearly 25 obtaining vocational certificates, and nearly 70 completing an employability curriculumOver 580 instances of Healthcare Coordination, Eligibility Screening, and Transportation services to support physical health and medication needsOver 120 unduplicated youth received Mental Health services from an on-site licensed clinician through individual and group counseling and other wellness activitiesOver 550 emergency bed nights at the Sleep Spot, providing access to safe refuge from the dangers of street homelessnessThe Spot delivered the following essential services: Over 600 visits to the Clothing Closet, providing youth with basic clothing needs as well as appropriate apparel for ob interviews and on-the-job requirementsOver 2,200 visits to the Food P

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 78.5%; rating input score 78
• Program expense ratio: 78.7%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $19.2 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 0.5%; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.06; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.4%; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 9.1% per year; rating input score 100; 61st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.4% per year; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3% per year; rating input score 100; 24th percentile among comparable filings