2024-06-26T14:01:43-07:00 2023-12-31 990EZ 2023-01-01 320682473 Starting Over Strong STAR 8187496856 6355 Riverside Ave Ste 100 Riverside CA 92506 Vonya Quarles Interim Executive Director 9518980862 2024-06-26 Vonya Quarles 999009999 1 1 11 0 AAL2 2023 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z X X X X 125000 125000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 125000 0 0 27000 0 9600 0 0 36600 88400 51800 0 140200 X 88400 176800 0 0 0 0 88400 176800 36600 36600 51800 140200 Starting Over Strong (SOS) is dedicated to advocating for individuals re-entering society, ensuring they have access to essential services such as housing, job placement, retraining programs, and addressing food insecurity. We amplify their voices through policy advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and by supporting candidates and organizations that align with our mission. Our vision is a society where every person re-entering society receives the support and resources necessary to rebuild their lives and thrive. Key activities include championing policies that provide comprehensive services, conducting public awareness campaigns, educating voters on critical issues, organizing grassroots mobilization efforts, endorsing and supporting aligned candidates, and lobbying for policies that promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. During 2023, Starting Over Strong focused on securing initial funding through grants, strategic planning, and preparing for the launch of our programs and services, including the onboarding of an Operations Director in the second quarter of 2024. We applied for grants from foundations and government programs, tailored proposals to meet specific criteria, and engaged in follow-up communications with potential funders. These efforts were crucial for building a financial base to support future operations and program services. We refined our strategic plan to outline our objectives and strategies, setting priorities, identifying critical resources needed, and establishing metrics for measuring progress. This plan was a collaborative effort involving the board of directors, staff, and community stakeholders, providing a clear vision for the organization's future. We finalized operational procedures, developed partnerships with community organizations, and set up necessary infrastructure for program launch, including securing office space and creating detailed program plans. By focusing on these foundational activities, Starting Over Strong is positioned for significant impact in the coming years. We are ready to launch our programs and services, supported by a robust organizational structure, clear mission and values, and a strategic plan to guide our efforts. Total expenses related to these accomplishments were approximately $36,600, including $27,000 for the Executive Director and $9,600 for office space. 0 0 0 Vonya Quarles Interim Executive Director 10 27000 Avalon Edwards Director 3 0 Renee Quarles Director 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vonya Quarles 6355 Riverside Ave Ste 100 Riverside CA 92506 9518980862 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Form 990-EZ, Part II, Line 26 For the tax year ending December 31, 2023, the total liabilities reported on Line 26, Column (B) of Form 990-EZ were $36,600. This amount represents the following liabilities: Salaries, Other Compensation, and Employee Benefits of $27,000, which includes the compensation for the Executive Director, Vonya K. Quarles, who worked 10 hours per week (1/4 time) during the year, and Occupancy, Rent, Utilities, and Maintenance of $9,600, covering the costs associated with renting office space for the organization. Starting Over Strong experienced delays in filing Form 990-EZ for the tax year ending December 31, 2023, due to several factors related to its initial establishment and preliminary funding efforts. The organization was formally established in 2022, which included completing all necessary legal and administrative procedures required to form a nonprofit entity, such as drafting bylaws, obtaining federal and state tax-exempt status, and setting up a governing board. These activities required significant time and resources, as our volunteer board members dedicated their efforts to ensuring that all foundational elements were properly in place. During the tax year 2023, our primary focus was on securing initial funding to support the organization's operations. We were engaged in extensive grant writing and fundraising activities to build a financial base that would allow us to hire essential staff and begin program activities in the upcoming election year (2024). These efforts were crucial as the organization needed more financial capacity to hire a full-time operations director or other staff members during this period. The lack of dedicated personnel contributed to delays in administrative tasks, including the timely filing of Form 990-EZ. On May 15, 2024, we hired Nathan P. Kempe as Operations Director. The transition period involved familiarizing him with the organization's operations, addressing immediate needs, and managing the aftermath of the relocation from Corona to Riverside. This transition further delayed our filing processes. We have since implemented several measures to ensure future compliance with IRS requirements, including purchasing a filing cabinet exclusive to Starting Over Strong to ensure all records are centrally located in the office. Part of Nathan P. Kempe's responsibilities includes overseeing compliance matters. He is actively enrolled in webinars and other learning opportunities to ensure that all compliance requirements are satisfied. Further, we have established internal deadlines and procedures to ensure that all required forms and filings are completed well before their due dates, and we are engaging with a professional accountant or tax advisor to oversee the organization's financial and compliance obligations. Additionally, our Executive Director, Vonya K. Quarles, recently experienced the loss of a family member, which further impacted our ability to manage and file timely. We respectfully request that the IRS consider these extenuating circumstances and grant an abatement of any associated penalties.