CanLearn Society 35
Magic Carpet Ride
years of changing lives through learning
Self-Regulation More than Just Making
Share the Magic
Lists
Family
Groups
Social Skills
Literacy WordPlay
Programs
Camp CanLearn
Learning Starts at Home
LearningLinks Library
Professional Education and Resources
Assessments
Learning Disabilities ADHD
(Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder)
www.ADHDFamilies.ca Practicums | Internships Workshops for professionals
Gifted
Message from the CEO The year that just flew past was simply incredible for CanLearn. The recipe for success was a talented staff, a visionary board under the strong leadership and warm support of Gerry Meek, volunteers that surpassed all expectations, generous donors that gave and gave again, partners that stepped up in our hour of need and above all, clients and their families for choosing us to help them on their learning journey. It was a humbling and triumphant year for all of us. As such I would like to share my top highlights! 1. Moving to an inspiring and bright new downtown office with the help of excellent realtors, movers, volunteers and donors! 2. A turn around in our finances... with a special thanks to Steve Clarke the recipient of this year’s Carolyn Meier Helping Hand Award. Thanks to his financial expertise, guidance and generosity, we are back in the black! 3. We were selected to paint a horse for Spruce Meadows Horses Jump to Give a Leg Up. Volunteer Leeanne Stringer and her recruits created a horse that we called “Magic”. Magic took the top bid at auction and the creative process inspired all of us. 4. We continue to have success with our PGI events. 2013 was a rousing success and 2014 marked the 25th anniversary of the Calgary PGI. Congratulations to Amber Clarke, our PGI Learner Award winner. Giving out this award is always a highlight for me! 5. Our Family Literacy event celebration — what a wonderful way to celebrate with our community partners! Thanks for the fun. 6. Two new programs launched: CanLearn Friends and Self-Regulation group. They are seeing impressive results. 7. Securing three year funding of financial assistance for our clients who need help. 8. Resilient and passionate staff. We needed an exceptional year, and we did it! Thank you friends and wishing all of you the very best for 2015.
Krista Poole, CEO
$90,440
surplus 2013-2014
Message from the Chair This past year has been one of significant transition and major accomplishments for CanLearn. In looking back on this period there are a number of highlights to celebrate and share. After months of preparation and planning, a successful move was made in a more central and strategic location near downtown Calgary. The visibility and profile of this new space and its accessibility to both transit and other potential partners should serve us well in the months ahead. Over the course of the past year extensive improvements have been made to many of our internal business practices including our financial operations and budgeting processes. These have been very positively reflected in our year end and financial audit. While progress continues to be made in this area, additional work remains to be completed and action is currently being undertaken on a long term sustainability action plan. Volunteers have continued to make significant, much needed and appreciated contributions to our success as an organization through their active participation in events such as our PGI golf tournament, CanLearn Casino and in many other activities. To all of our volunteers, our funders, sponsors and partners, I say thank you for your generosity and caring and for the difference that you make to our organization and to the life of our community. In recent months, work has also been rapidly progressing in the development of a renewed vision for the organization and a tightly focused action strategy to move the organization forward and to position it for continued success in the future. This is an important undertaking which will create both a stronger aspirational role to guide our path forward and the renewed energy to power us toward the achievement of new goals. The accomplishments of the past year are considerable and a cause for celebration. These successes reflect the diligent and caring efforts of many hands. In this regard I would especially like to acknowledge the hard work and express appreciation for the efforts of our dedicated CanLearn staff team inspired by the leadership and tireless enthusiasm of our creative and talented CEO, Krista Poole. I would also like to formally acknowledge and thank the committed and caring members of our Board team for their efforts and unfailing support over the past year. As we look ahead, we are proud of our past and excited about the future and the bold strategic direction that is being set. To succeed, we will need the support of even more hard working hands and caring hearts. Please join us in forging our new future and choosing to make an active difference in our community.
Gerry Meek, Board Chair
Teamwork has an Impact Our Staff
Did you k now?
Krista Poole, CEO Anne Price, Director, Clinical Services Clare Pludek, Bookkeeper • Nearly 29% of
Cynthia Strem, Right to Read Facilitator
children in Alberta are experiencing
Dariel Bateman, Right to Read Facilitator Elvira Castañeda, Registered Psychologist Greg Markusson, Right to Read Coordinator Jayne Clarke, Family Literacy Coordinator Jodi Kresowaty, Registered Psychologist Jodi Larmour, Reception and Operations Coordinator Keoma Thorne, Registered Psychologist Kim Parke, Family Literacy Coordinator Krista Forand, Pre-Masters Intern
great difficulty in one or more areas of development upon kindergarten entry. • Approximately 27% of children in Canada experience difficulties with learning to read in grades 1-3. • The current high school dropout rate in Alberta is 26%. • An estimated 10% of Canadian children and more than half a million adults live with a learning disability. • An estimated 15% of the population has a
Laura Godfrey, Librarian
learning or attention disorder.
Lori Carlson, Intake Clinician Lori Roadhouse-Haney, Family Literacy Coordinator Marilyn Martin, Share the Magic and Volunteer Coordinator Megan Williams, Manager of Operations and Communications Michael Zwiers, Registered Psychologist Nada Jerkovic, Manager, Family Literacy Sally O’Rourke, Registered Psychologist Sandy Ireland, Family Literacy Coordinator Sherry Ching, Intake Clinician Sue Stretton, Registered Psychologist
We want to help:
Ursula Gardynik, Provisional Psychologist Valerie Orr, Reception and Operations Coordinator
Medical Associates
• More vulnerable preschoolers be ready for
school by kindergarten. • More children be able to read at or above grade level by Grade 3.
Christopher Lever, M.D., F.R.C.P.C. Pediatrician
• More youth succeed in high school and successfully transition
Geraldine Farrelly, M.D., F.R.C.P.C. Developmental Behavioural
to post-secondary education and/or to satisfying work.
Paediatrician, Medical Director
• More children, youth and adults learn to regulate their emotions and behavior in order to form and keep healthy relationships.
Mission
• Every child, youth and adult receive support to overcome their learning and attention difficulties.
We create, use and share knowledge to remove learning barriers and support life long learning.
Assessments •
A Psycho-educational learning assessment: Is conducted when a child, youth or adult is experiencing barriers to learning (e.g. reading, writing, math or memory). Our team provides an assessment report with recommendations that can be used at home and by school staff.
•
CanLearn also provides assessments for social/ emotional needs and giftedness.
•
Attention Assessment: A psychologist and pediatrician work together with clients to assess attention difficulties. After the assessment, parents are given strategies and recommendations for home and school. The pediatrician educates parents about different ADHD medications. For adults, an attention assessment usually involves two psychologists who work together to assess difficulties.
We did not do it alone… +120 volunteers = 1,000 hours of support
Our Board Gerry Meek – Chair Greg Michaud – Past Chair Richard Maki – Vice-Chair Joey Brunel – Treasurer & Secretary Catherine Ford – Director Dawn Kelly – Director Diane Rennie – Director Gordon Goodfellow – Director Jeff Peterson – Director Munira Jivraj – Director Shan Robertson - Director
At Our Core 268 Learning and/or Attention Assessments for Children and Adults 64 Participants in our Clinical Groups 2354 Children benefited from our Family Literacy Programs. 6000+ Resources on-line to help those with learning and attention issues 286 Participated in our Professional Development Opportunities
What Our Clients
Say... “In many ways, my life has changed because of you and sincerely, I would not be where I am had it not been for you.” From a client upon receiving their Charted Accountant designation. “Since attending your self-regulation group my student is putting the strategies he learned into action in the classroom. The difference in behaviour is appreciated both at school and at home.” A Health care worker with the Calgary Board of Education “Magic Carpet Ride has been a huge support system. I have formed close relationships with mothers in the program, built my skills as a parent and addressed the learning concerns I had with my son. I’ve been involved for two years now and I wouldn’t have had this connection to the community without it.” Magic Carpet Ride Participant
Clinical Services Programs Self-Regulation Group Children with attention difficulties often have trouble managing their emotions and behavior. Self-regulation is critical for getting along with others and for success in school. This program helps participants to recognize emotions, practice strategies for taking charge of their own behaviour and develop strategies for relaxation.
18 Children 3 Groups
CanLearn Friends
CanLearn Friends - Social Skills Group Provides children in grades 4 to 6 at local schools, with an opportunity to learn and practice social skills such as communication, problem solving, and dealing positively with their emotions using engaging activities and thoughtful discussion.
“Group makes me happy every time I come here.”
12 Children Pilot Group
Parent Feedback: “The program helped my son and will be significantly beneficial in the coming years.”
More Than Just Making Lists - Adult ADHD Group In this Social Cognitive Group, participants learn skills to improve organization, time-management and interpersonal relationships. As a result, participants develop mindfulness, confidence and selfawareness.
24 Adults 3 Groups
“The program was fun and understandable at the same time.” “Thank you for caring and making a big difference in our school by offering the social skills sessions to our students.” - School Principal
Camp CanLearn Camp is for 8 to 11 year olds with learning difficulties and/or ADHD. The camp provides small group opportunities to practice literacy skills and develop social skills using fun and engaging activities combined with adult modeling and feedback.
“Thank you for teaching me how to be a friend and how to relax your body and watch my body language.”
10 Campers
We collaborate with: The Centre for Family Literacy Regional
64 Group Attendees
Network, the LD Stakeholders Group, the Post-Secondary Accessibility Service Providers and the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada.
We share knowledge, skills and resources with:
The University of Calgary, Ambrose University, Annual Family Literacy Training Institute, Literacy and Learning Symposium, The Calgary Teacher’s Convention and at schools across Alberta.
Family Literacy Programs Results 86% of children reported and demonstrated increased interest in and motivation for reading 89% of parents report that the WordPlay program has helped them learn how to support their children’s reading development at home.
203 Children
Results 87% of parents report increased knowledge of child development. 83% of parents report enhanced ability to support their children’s learning and development. 86% of children between ages of 3 and 5 demonstrate age appropriate early literacy skills. 90% of parents report that the program has helped them become familiar with the resources available in the community.
78 Families 104 Children
Results 83% of parents increase their own basic skills including interest in participation in adult learning opportunities. 86% of parents and children improve their daily communication and interaction through learning and literacy activities. 84% of children demonstrate enhanced language, literacy and social interaction skills needed for success in school.
Learning Starts at the Inn Our partnership with Inn from the Cold Emergency Family Shelter began in 2011. A family literacy program facilitator visits the Inn once a week and works with parents and young children facing homelessness. Our goal is to plant the seed of family literacy and, once families have permanent housing, transition them into the Learning Starts at Home program.
117 Families 187 Children
We helped...
Results 533 volunteer hours. 95% of early childhood education practitioners rate the quality of the give-away books as excellent or good. 97% rate the story times delivered by Share the Magic volunteers as excellent or good 95% believe that Share the Magic will greatly contribute to the children’s enjoyment of books.
132
4224 Books
Families
1701 Children
159
Children
Our Donors 1Up Print Solutions Addison Hooley Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education Alberta Central Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Alberta Government Hong Kong Office Ambrose University College Andrea Arellano Andrea B. Jonasson Anne Price Anonymous Anonymous AON Reed Stenhouse Inc. Apple Fitness Store Ltd. Aspen Family & Community Network Society Aspen Properties Ltd. ATB Financial Barb Fallis Barbara Williams Barry and Cathy Dorin Bearspaw Golf Course Big Hearted Mavericks Bill and Laura Godfrey Blue Era Bonnie Blankert Bonterra Trattoria Bow Valley College Brenda Lane Britannia Wine Merchants Buchanan’s Chop House and Whiskey Bar Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP Burns Memorial Fund Calgary Board of Education Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Calgary Catholic Teachers Charitable Assoc. Calgary Flames Limited Partnership Calgary Herald Calgary Opera Calgary Zoological Society Canada Safeway Limited (Garrison Gate) Canadian Olympic Committee Canadian Online Giving Foundation Cardel Homes Inc. Carolyn and Bruce Patterson Carolyn Hammett Catherine Ford
ÇaVa Bien Hair Studio and Day Spa CBC Cenovus Employee Foundation Centre for Family Literacy Chris Hampshire CIBC Private Investment Counsel Cindy Neufeld City of Calgary Clare Pludek Committee of 10,000 Cookies by George Country Hills Golf Club CREB Foundation Dan Good Dan McDonald Danza Dance Academy Dave and Marilyn Martin David Busheikin David Harper Dawn Kelly Deborah Walchuk Diane Mann Diane Rennie Dietlinde Wall Don and Audrey Cameron Doris Herman Dorothy Russell Dunfield Family Fund Elbow Springs Golf Club Elegant Glass Nails Elisabeth Woolner Ellen Dungen Excellence in Literacy Foundation Fairfield Watson & Lewis Inc. Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Resort FCSS - City of Calgary Fine Line Organizing Inc. First Book Canada Folklore Publishing G. H. Friesen Exploration Frontier College George and Sheila Watson Gerry Meek Good Shepherd School Gordon and Shirley Goodfellow Great Events Rentals Inc. Green Drop Lawns Ltd. Greg Michaud Hamilton + Partners Harold Wyatt Heather McDermid Heritage Chapter NSDAR Hilary Munro Holly Meyer Hopewell Residential Humaira Kanwal
Image Artist and Photography In Memory of James Palmer Irene Notermans Ironwood Stage and Grill James Fehr Jamie Gelfand Janet Horbacio Photography Janssen Inc. Jason GoGo Fine Art Jeanette Nicholls Jeff S. Peterson Jenny Leigh Solomon Jill Sugars Jock Osler Joey Brunel Joey and Joan Stedman John McKerlie Joye Hardman Julie McFadyen K. Glenn McArter Kelly Shields and Murray Amirault Kensington Clinic Kids Up Front Foundation Kim Parke KinderMorgan Kinette Club of Calgary Kinsmen Club of Calgary Kirk Miles Krista Poole Laura Mann Bednar Laureen MacKenzie Laurie and Bob Robinson Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta Linda Johnson, MLA Calgary-Glenmore Literacy Alberta Luke Reuter Lululemon Athletica Lydia McDonald Lyndsay Mann Malcolm and Theresa Lyle Margaret E. Southern Margaret Kemp Marguerite McVicor Marilyn Samuels Martin Doyle Masuch Albert LLP McCarthy Tetrault McLeod Law LLP Megan Williams Michael and Ann Dyer Michael L. Zwiers Millar Foran Millennium Dental Douglas Glen Minerva Foundation Miriam Mitchell-Banks Mount Royal University Munira Jivraj
Our Donors N. Murray Edwards Charitable Foundation Nada Jerkovic Nancy Maguire Neil A. Hutton Neil Stevenson Nelson Lussier Nevin Thompson Nickle Family Foundation Nicole Menard Norm Hodgins North Cariboo Air NuSkin Old Dutch Foods Optimal Pet Foods Osteria de Medici Parlee McLaws LLP Patty Benjamin Peace Hills Insurance Peter Thorpe Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy Pirie Foundation Prairie Merchant Corporation Premier Alison Redford Prime Minister Stephen Harper Prosser Charitable Foundation Purdue Pharma Q’Max Solutions Inc. Rasma Muiznieks RBC Foundation RBC Royal Bank RCAP Leasing Inc. Richard and Lois Haskayne Robert and Pamella Simpson Rodewalt Cartoons Rotary Club of Calgary South Roy D. Boettger Russell Kane Sage Bistro SAIT Polytechnic School of Hospitality & Tourism Sally O’Rourke Sandy Ireland Sean Dunnigan Shan Robertson Shannon Kelly Art Sheila Homeniuk Shire Canada Inc. Shirley Turnbull Shirley Valentine Simple Square Productions Spolumbo’s Fine Foods & Deli Spruce Meadows Ltd. St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Starbucks Coffee Company Stephen Ames Stephen Raby Steve and Jayne Clarke Steven Rempel Stu Reid Sunwest Aviation Ltd. Sybil Pridmore Talisman Energy Inc. TD Bank Group Ted Cooke Telus Community Foundation Teresa Woo-Paw, MLA Calgary-Northern Hills Terry Dorward The Arthur J.E. Child Foundation The Calgary Foundation The Living Room Theatre Calgary
Thomas J. Ranaghan Foundation Tom and Alison Jackson Tom and Katherine Pinder Trico Homes United Way of Calgary & Area Van Ginkel Art Gallery Vero Veronne Smallwood Walter Chayka WearIt Wendy Cameron Western Management Consultants Willow Park Golf & Country Club WordFest YMCA Calgary Young EnergyServe Inc.
The individuals and organizations listed here provided cash and in-kind donations, grants and services to the CanLearn Society during the fiscal year of 2013-2014.
Thank you to all our Scotia Bank Marathon runners and donors Thank you to all our donors who helped us move: Prosser Charitable Foundation Kinsmen Club of Calgary Avison Young Lyn Archdekin Robert Simpson
Thanks to your support of Financial Assistance...
90
individuals and families were able to access our services.
Thank you Dunfield Family for your generosity and support!
Statement of Financial Position
CanLearn is pleased to present our financials reflecting a position of strength and stability, with a surplus to see us into the future.
ASSETS Current Cash Accounts receivable Goods and Services tax recoverable Prepaid expenses Restricted cash
2013 Adjusted for Heading changes
Property and Equipment
0 35,251 6,044 18,845 168,161 228,301 60,298
6,055 64,560 7,092 0 205,926 283,633 68,848
Endowment Fund Investments
441,604
416,179
730,203
768,660
4,753 20,543 168,161 42,611 236,068
95,000 36,465 222,406 25,064 378,935
33,393 269,461
44,848 423,783
19,138 441,604 460,742
-71,302 416,179 344,877
730,203
768,660
497,966 306,519 178,961 168,288 84,971 82,418 32,581 15,000 9,865 9,143 1,385,712
681,640 217,263 298,959 123,743 145,180 82,340 34,392 0 5,980 107,423 1,696,920
738,429 171,330 93,064 90,792 64,819 49,994 22,256 15,845 13,251 13,073 12,290 7,070 1,541 1,518 1,295,272 90,440
1,012,546 208,220 83,584 114,152 84,721 81,860 12,354 19,134 15,852 12,319 8,963 17,520 1,505 70,889 1,743,619 -46,699
LIABILITIES and NET ASSETS Current Bank indebtedness Accounts payable and accruals Deferred contributions - externally restricted Deferred contributions- other
Unamortized Capital Contributions
Net Assets Unrestricted fund Restricted fund
Statement of Revenues and Expenditures REVENUES Fees for service Family Literacy program Special projects Contributed goods and services Donations PGI golf tournament Investment income Capacity building Amortization of capital contributions Fundraising Events
This information has been summarized from the 2013-14 audited financial statement, for a complete copy please contact the CanLearn Society.
2014
EXPENSES Salaries and wages Sub-contracts Rental Projects Fundraising Office Amortization Interest and bank charges Travel Insurance Professional fees Advertising and promotion Board Expense Bad debts Deficiency of Revenues over Expenses
CanLearn 365 September Peter Gzowski Invitational (PGI) Raised over $54,000!
January Family Literacy Day Rick Green Event Thank you to Rick and Ava for a wonderful evening and your ongoing support.
October We are proud to say our Clinical services helped 300+ clients better live with LD and/or ADHD.
Did you know? We work with our partners at TD Bank to bring you Money Matters.
We welcome our Board and celebrate our members.
February
March
April
We celebrated our 35th Birthday!
16 Professional Development Workshops were held.
Volunteer Appreciation Month
July
August
We moved to our new location on Macleod Trail.
Camp CanLearn
Thank you for loving CanLearn!
June
Right to Read
Self-Regulation Group
from this training on early identification of reading readiness.
December
Financial Literacy Month
May 14 Workshops delivered and 257 teachers benefited
November
Learning Disabilities (LD) and ADHD Month
This group helps kids learn skills to manage their emotions and leads to better success and life in school.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Thank you to all our 120+ volunteers!
10 campers with learning disabilities or ADHD joined us.
This is a fantastic new website for the most up-to-date information and resources on ADHD. ADHDFamilies.ca looks at a variety of topic areas on ADHD and includes credible print and non-print materials. Find information about home management, school strategies, myths, transitions, treatment and much more. The website also has an area dedicated to assistive technology supports. Find out about apps, software, fidget toys, etc. Families who need more information about assistive technology can come in and talk to us. Generously supported by the Owerko Family Fund through the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, this unique on-line resource is designed to capture the latest and greatest information on ADHD for families everywhere.
100, 1117 Macleod Trail SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 2M8