2021 Excel Society Annual Report

Excel Society

2021 Annual Report House | Support | Enrich

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2021 Annual Report

2021 was a year of challenges as we continued to face the consequences of living with COVID-19. Yet, through focusing on our purpose and the Excel Advantage, I believe we have had an incredibly successful year. Together, we focused on our objectives, we cared for each other and we made a difference.

The team deserves the credit. Our Direct Care Team have faced this virus for two years now and they did not have the ability to work remotely. They faced the incredible challenge of their roles and with unmatched commitment and bravery beyond description they did not allow COVID to get in their way of providing exceptional care. I am truly humbled to work with this group of heroes.

The burden on our Management Team throughout the pandemic has been enormous and we have been faced with having to find new and innovative means of supporting our teams and clients. Change creates uncertainty and uncertainty can either cause a person to act or not act. Our management team chose to act and act they have. Our care and commitment did not take a step backwards in 2021 in spite of the emotional and actual waves of COVID and in spite of the uncertainty of COVID. This is thanks to our amazingly talented and dedicated leaders.

I cannot look back upon the leadership everyone at Excel has demonstrated without thanking the Senior Leadership Team of Excel. I simply cannot imagine a better team that is more committed to our purpose.

While we lived with COVID daily in 2021 we also began to look forward and started the process of Strategic Planning with the Board. I am so grateful for the forward thinking of the Board of Directors. Together as a team, with the guidance and support of our Board of Directors, I am beyond excited about 2022.

Brad Perkins President/CEO

I would like to thank Colleen Scott for her many years of work as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Excel Society. I feel I have no small task taking over for her and am honored to have been chosen as your new Chair. In my first year as the Chair, it may have been my most challenging year as a member of the Board and at the same time my most gratifying.

The implications of COVID-19 to Excel presented many challenges and with the reality of more contagious variants, as a Board, our primary focus was on the safety of our clients and our team. We worked together with this focus and together we were able to move forward with a number of initiatives to assist management in implementing policies and procedures in alignment with best practices. This was some of the most important work we have accomplished as a Board of Directors and I want to thank each of the members of the Board for their contributions. Together, we were not afraid to challenge each other and together we stayed focused on our objectives.

Thank you to members of the Board for all of your efforts and commitments in 2021.

Our work as a Board in ensuring the safety of our clients and our team did not start or end with the implementation of Policy. It starts and ends with the dedication of the Team at Excel and management’s commitment. It is no small accomplishment to create a caring culture within an organization let alone to further that culture in the face of a pandemic.

Yet, that is exactly what we see happening within Excel where providing exceptional care is everyone responsibility and this is accomplished by treating each other with meaningful engagement.

Whether it is creating virtual events to bring the clients together, delivering tokens of appreciation to the team or ensuring day to day operations are not interrupted, by any measure or account, the Excel Society had a very successful year. The work they have done to enrich the lives of our clients truly makes me feel thankful to witness the care our team has for the clients we serve.

As I look forward to 2022, I am excited about the Strategic Planning work we are doing and the plan we will be building to ensure the important and meaningful work of the Excel Society will continue.

Michael Walesiak Board Chair

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2021 Annual Report

Table of Contents Our Clients & Supports - 5 Our Excel Advantage – 7 Mission Vision Values Pillars

Our Accomplishments – 9 The True Northern Oil Kings Fundraising Kingsway Holiday parade

Our Traditions – 11

Party in the Park Excel’s Got Christmas Angel Tree Gifts Hot Chocolate Drive-By

Our Impact – 13 Our Future – 14

Lyon Browning LADDER Project Volunteer Program

Our Enrichment Fund - 15

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2021 Annual Report

Our Clients & Supports Clients At the Excel Society, we care about the people we serve, our teams and their families, and the broader community.

The Excel Society cares about people, and we want people who come to the Excel Society to feel accepted, valued, cared for, and connected to a meaningful community of support. Over the past five decades, we have developed a broad range of programs and services to better support the people in our care. Our unique approach to exceptional care through meaningful engagement enable us to provide services to the highest standards of quality, safety, and service excellence.

At the Excel Society, we House, Support, and Enrich the people in our care. By providing the people in our care with access to engaging opportunities, we can enrich their lives and help them reach their full potential at the pace that is most comfortable for them.

House We believe everyone needs a safe, comfortable, and practical place to live and call home. We work with our residents and their care partners and family to identify person-specific housing needs, and then provide a long-term housing solution that best serves the individual in our care.

Support We believe everyone needs comprehensive care and personal support for a developmental disability or complex mental health diagnosis. We start from the perspective that every person is unique and has their own individual needs and goals, and we collaborate with our team to help them achieve their own physical, emotional, and psychological wellness on their terms.

Enrich We believe everyone needs to express themselves, create meaning in their lives, and feel connected to their community.

We strive every day to make this a reality for people that come to the Excel Society by enabling them to participate in activities that make life rewarding.

Supports At the Excel Society, we work together to safely achieve superior results. As we strive to remain at the forefront of everyday excellence and innovation in Community Living and Supportive Services, it is our duty to provide our clients with the highest standards of quality, safety, and service excellence.

By working in partnership with Alberta Health Services, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and the NorthWest Territories, we are able to provide several living and recreational solutions so that the people in our care may engage their minds, grow as individuals and enrich their lives.

Edmonton

Our story began in Edmonton from as far back as 1923 when our team started a community integration project to improve patient outcomes. Since then, we have grown into an industry leader in Community Living and Supportive Services that offers several living and programming solutions to people with disabilities and complex mental health needs.

• • • •

42 Community Living Residences 2 Designated Supportive Living Sites A Day Programs Facility Supportive Roommate & Respite Programs

Calgary

In 2005 we expanded our operations to include services to the residents of Calgary. Individuals come to Excel to live in one of our residences or to enjoy our community-based day program where our team provides person-centered support to these individuals during any given activity. These supports are provided not only to our clients, but also to those who live independently, with their family, or with other support agencies.

• 4 Community Living Residences • A Community-Based Day Program • Respite Program

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2021 Annual Report

Our Excel Advantage At the Excel Society, we do what is right and our values help guide us during our important work to ensure our actions reflect the commitments in our mission. With the help of The Excel Advantage, we are able to realize our vision through our mission, guide our behaviours, set our priorities, and align our collaborative efforts. This new strategy recognizes that we each have a role in making the difference to our clients, team members and the community as a whole.

Mission Excel Society is committed to providing exceptional care through meaningful engagement and adherence to the highest standards of quality, safety, and service excellence.

Vision Excel Society is at the forefront of everyday excellence and innovation in Community Living and Supportive Services.

Values We are all connected to something special, and a lot of that has to do with our common values. These values enable us to achieve superior results in providing exceptional care to our clients through meaningful engagement, and by working together, we are able to create innovative ways to bring joy, excitement and meaning to our clients lives each and every day.

People

Integrity

Excellence

Creativity

Collaboration

Pillars Just as our shared values help to bring us together, our pillars help us identify they was we can implement the Excel Advantage in our work, and further enrich the lives of every member of the Excel Society.

Exceptional Care

Meaningful Engagement

Being at the Forefront

Organizational Stewardship

We partner with our clients, their families, and our funders, to provide the best possible care to be the Service Provider of Choice.

We foster a culture of appreciation and recognition that achieves the highest possible employee engagement and satisfaction.

We are recognized as a partner & employer of choice and an industry leader in community living and supportive services.

We are accountable to our stakeholders for executing our mission faithfully and managing our resources effectively.

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2021 Annual Report

Our Accomplishments The True Northern At the Excel Society, we care about the people we serve by collaborating with one another to bring joy and connection to their lives. Back in March, an individual in our care was interested in organizing a video call with their fellow Northwest Territories (NWT) peers.

Since then, the group has named themselves The True Northern and have connected both virtually and in person to share updates in their lives, discuss upcoming festivals or celebrations, and even plan a group vacation once restrictions are fully lifted.

Each of the True Northern members have been residing in Edmonton for the past few years and by meaningfully engaging with one another, they have been able to create a deep sense of community in their home away from home. They have had to leave their friends, family, and traditions to move here, and now also deal with the feelings of isolation that come with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, this group has been able to dissipate these feelings of isolation by regularly connecting with one another and developing a strong bond that will last for years to come!

Oil Kings Fundraising At the Excel Society, we work together to develop partnerships that ensure the long-term success of our organization.

Near the end of 2021 we were fortunate to work with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and participate in an Oil Kings 50/50 raffle! The 50/50 raffle stood out as we would also receive several discounted Oil Kings ticket vouchers for us to either increase our fundraising revenue or treat our clients to a home game!

Our Communications team worked closely with the Oilers Community Foundation to iron out the details for the fundraising event and updated our volunteers on any changes that were made due to COVID-19. On the day of the event, we had nine fantastic volunteers participate in the 50/50 raffle and helped us raise $2500 in just a few hours!

Kingway Holiday Parade This year marked the first float Excel has entered in the Kingsway Holiday Parade, but hopefully not the last!

First, we needed a float. Using an Excel van as our canvas, we left the decoration in the capable and creative hands of our clients at the GRC! Using washable paint and various colours, the artists had a great time painting vibrant pictures on the once-white van. GRC staff also crafted beautiful strings of stars that we draped across the colourful float. As the cherry on top, we secured (with some difficulty) an inflatable baby Yoda which was given away through a social media contest.

This event was an opportunity to bring our team together to work towards a common goal in addition to meeting other participants in the parade from various Edmonton organizations.

It was also a great chance to bring some community awareness to the Excel brand and the kind of amazing care and support services that we offer.

The parade was an awesome team building experience and we appreciate all those who participated and helped out!

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2021 Annual Report

Preserving Our Traditions Party in the Park Despite not being able to physically gather this year, the Party in the Park committee was determined to make this year’s Virtual Party in the Park as successful as last year.

On August 26th, the committee coordinated with Community Services to deliver hundreds of meals to the residences in both Calgary and Edmonton so that our clients and direct care team members could enjoy a meal together to begin the event.

While this was occurring, additional members of our team visited the homes to drop off treats for them to enjoy after their meal!

Last year many clients and team members enjoyed the Zoom call, so the Party in the Park committee hosted another Excel All Microsoft teams meeting!

The call began with a message from Brad, and then provided the homes with an opportunity to see some familiar faces and connect with one another.

Excel’s Got Christmas Excel’s Got Talent has been a long time tradition within Excel. This year, the Recreation Team knew that it was more important than ever to find a way to bring us “together” after years of being apart (not to mention that this is also a great excuse for a song and dance number).

With the help of numerous team members we were able to pull off something that was truly magic. The event formally known as Excel’s Got Talent was transformed into Excel’s Got Christmas and we had more participants than ever!

Many music-filled videos were recorded and uploaded for all of Excel to enjoy. The submissions made us laugh and cry, and we are so proud of everyone who participated and everyone who cheered each other on! The incredible enthusiasm and energy in each entry was enough to melt even the coldest heart and we absolutely love the fun-filled attitude that each group embraced.

Angel Tree Gifts Every year, we make sure each of our clients have an opportunity to answer that very question with our Angel Tree campaign that provides presents to those who may not get any otherwise.

This year, the Angel Tree was completely funded by AutoCanada with a donation over $3,000! 93 clients received a gift thanks to the generous support of AutoCanada and the staff, many of whom contributed personally to purchasing gifts.

My favorite reaction was from one of the residents that received card making materials from the Angel Tree. She was so happy and I could tell she felt very special, stating “this is the best gift I have ever gotten,” and “oh wow Santa hit the nail on the head!"

Hot Chocolate Drive-By During the pandemic, we know it has been a struggle to be distant from colleagues, clients, friends, and family. To spread some love, Grand Manor attached inspirational tags with a Hershey hug for the staff and clients. Inspired by that amazing GM initiative, the idea of the treat-filled mason jars was born! After all, can anyone resist a good cup of hot chocolate?

A budget for this project was prepared and we were very fortunate to be able to gather a team of 10 people to help create the mason jars. Each one not only contains the contents required to make hot chocolate, but is also full of love, sweat, and some serious arm strength to make over 700 jars!

The Senior Leadership Team was excited to hand deliver the hot chocolate to our staff members. Having the opportunity to design and distribute the mason jars brings us a step closer to each other, and many preferred the face-to-face interactions were preferred over another video call.

We are so thankful for our teams’ dedication to everyday excellence, and we were pleased to see many happy faces during our deliveries!

2021 Annual Report

Our Impact In 2021 we continued to be challenged with the COVID-19 pandemic, and what effects it had on the Excel Society as a whole. Our team did a great job of remaining diligent and committed to everyday excellence. They worked with one another to ensure that we were managing our resources effectively and continued to provide the highest level of care to our clients.

230 507 REVENUE

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Number of organizations we did business with

Number of people we provided care for

Alberta Health Services

39%

Persons with Developmental Disabilities

27%

Rent & Food Services

17%

NorthWest Territories

15% 2%

Other Grants & Fundraising

897

Number of People we employ across Alberta

We Supported over

456 individuals with their spending accounts

EXPESNES

By Structure

By Category Service Delivery Manpower

52%

Community Living & Supportive Services

Facilities

35%

Administration

7%

Excel Academy

1%

Administration

7%

Programs

5%

Education & training

1%

92%

Our Future Lyon Browning LADDER Project For over 55 years, the Excel Society has been collaborating with our clients, their families, our team, and our partners to provide the best possible care. Over this time, we have become advocates for the people in our care and while we do not directly represent every person with developmental disabilities in Alberta, we believe every person should receive the highest level of care regardless of the disability or cognitive impairment.

Therefore, we developed a project to help lead adults with developmental disabilities to equitable & effective emergency rooms. By creating a unique environment for individuals with developmental disabilities to receive tailored care based on their needs, we can reduce the number of misdiagnosis and points of contacts which reduce costs, improve hospital wait times and ultimately improve the care for these individuals.

For more information on this amazing initiative, please visit ExcelSociety.org/ladder-project/

Volunteer Program Excel Society believes in volunteerism. We are currently working to create the Excel Society Volunteer Program as part of our Excel Advantage.

The purpose of the Volunteer Program is to meaningfully engage the broader community to get involved in the work Excel Society does – to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and complex mental health needs.

For more information, please visit ExcelSociety.org/our-volunteer-program/

Our Progress In 2021 we were able to raise over $10,000 for this project and have been developing a research plan to help us understand the service needs of people with developmental disabilities, identify current service gaps, and develop a plan to increase capacity and effectiveness when attending to individuals with developmental disabilities and other cognitive impairments.

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2021 Annual Report

Our Enrichment Fund The Excel Society cares about people, and we want people to feel accepted, valued, cared for, and connected to a meaningful community of support. As many of our clients come from different walks of life, not all of them are able to afford certain activities or experiences that most of us take for granted.

This is why we created the Excel Society’s Enrichment Fund.

By introducing this donation framework, we are able to provide the people in our care with more opportunities for them to express themselves, feel connected to their community, and create meaning in their life.

Why Did We Create The Enrichment Fund?

At the Excel Society we are committed to providing exceptional care through meaningful engagement. Many people in our care have approved funding from the province that covers their housing and support needs but leaves a small amount for enrichment. Opportunities to focus on their wellness, learn to play a musical instrument or even enroll into summer camps are just out of their grasp. Therefore, we created the Enrichment Fund to ensure that all the people in our care have the opportunity to grow as individuals and pursue their own personal goals.

How Much Of Each Donation Goes Directly To The People In Our Care?

The Excel Society is recognized as a partner & employer of choice in the Community Living and Supportive Services industry due to our ability to provide exceptional care to our clients while also operating a highly efficient and effective governance. In addition to this, we are fortunate enough to receive generous donations from our partners in the community to offset our fundraising and administration expenses.

Because of this, 100% of the amount donated is directed towards enriching opportunities for the people in our care.

This means that your donation will go directly towards enriching the lives of our clients by providing them with access to greater opportunities for them further develop their skills, enjoy themselves, and connect with the community.

Our Funds The Enrichment fund also enables our donors to directly support client enrichment by selecting one of the four enrichment funds: Artistic Enrichment Help a client access artistic supplies and experiences.

Musical Enrichment Help a client access musical instruments and experiences.

RecreationalEnrichment Help a client access sport, leisure or recreational activities.

Holiday Enrichment Help a client have a simple holiday or celebrate a special occasion.

Enriching a life is simple and rewarding when you take the first step and join the Excel Society with a gift to the Excel Society Enrichment Fund!

1 (780) 455 2601 | info@ExcelSociety.org | ExcelSociety.org Ledgeview Buisness Centre Suitee 500, 9707 110 Strret NW Edmonton, AB T5K 2L9