ANNUAL REPORT
April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2017
Every day, WAYS’ staff and foster parents commit to going above and beyond, to ensure the best support and care is available to local youth. Each child, youth and family is unique, and we take pride in customizing our services to meet an individual’s needs. Over the past year, WAYS Mental Health Support continued to build on a solid base of high-quality services, while embracing new innovations and partnerships. Through a unique collaboration with Family Service Thames Valley, Craigwood Youth Services, Vanier Children’s Services, Women’s Rural Resource Centre and the Sexual Assault Centre of London (now Anova), we received one of the largest grants awarded by the London Community Foundation to create mental health walk-in clinics for people of all ages. This exciting new program will launch in the months to come. We also worked with our Lead Agencies and core service provider partners to strategize an improved system of child and youth mental health services that will facilitate easier access for clients to much-needed supports. Additionally, WAYS implemented interRAI; the evidence-informed, standardized tool helps our teams demonstrate the impact of services through more effective assessments and measurable outcomes. This allows staff to more efficiently respond to the needs of children and youth and track their progress. The incredible community of London came together in the spring of 2016, with more than 200 people attending the first-ever ONSTAGE FOR WAYS, raising funds for the Youth Empowerment Team. This inaugural event increased our local profile substantially. We engaged in a new way with long-standing supporters, and we reached out to new supporters with gratitude. Lastly, during the past year, the Board of Directors said farewell to Mary Gillett, a founding member and Past President of WAYS’ Board. Mary’s years of dedication to the community and WAYS will long be remembered and appreciated. As we look to the coming weeks, months, and even years, we know it is because of our exceptional staff, foster parents, board members, volunteers and donors that WAYS Mental Health Support can continue to deliver the residential and community programs that empower clients to lead happier, healthier lives. Thank you for your commitment to going above and beyond for the communities WAYS serves. Sincerely,
Joanne Johnston, Executive Director
John Pare, Board President
Annual & Financial Highlights
29
FAMILIES
The number of WAYS foster families
14,765 Total days children and youth spent in WAYS’ Residential Care
2.2%
0.6%
0.1%
7.0%
61
568
48.2% 41.9%
Parent/Client contributions
CLIENTS
Number of clients served through WAYS Mental Health Support
9.0%
11.3%
The average length of stay for a WAYS residential client
368
Salaries and benefits
CLIENTS
Number of clients served through WAYS’ Community Programs
EXPENDITURES BY TYPE
1.0% 6.0%
MCYS Operating Grants Other revenue
197
DAYS
The number of beds at WAYS’ residences
REVENUES Fee-for-Service Operations
BEDS
EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM
2.4% 9.1%
Group Care
9.5%
Central Administration
Building occupancy 72.7%
Charitable donations Other government grants
Client-related costs
10.5%
Other costs Capital amortization
12.0%
56.5%
Community Programs Foster Care Justice Programs Capital Amortization, Scholarships and Other
New for WAYS: interRAI WAYS and several other community mental health organizations have adopted a new assessment tool, the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health assessment system (ChYMH). This internationally recognized tool allows WAYS’ staff to better evaluate the risks and needs of the children and youth accessing programs and services. A key element of the assessment flags potential problem areas that require specific interventions or further investigation. Over the past year, WAYS Mental Health Support completed 108 initial interRAI assessments and 35 subsequent or final assessments. InterRAI has already begun to provide valuable information about the youth WAYS serves, including findings from the organization’s residential and transitional homes.
WAYS’ interRAI assessments have shown that, of the youth clientele in residential programs: −− 74% struggle with interpersonal relationships −− 66% have experienced traumatic life events −− 69% have challenges with social and peer relationships −− 46% experience weight issues and problematic eating behaviours −− 43% are at risk of suicide and purposeful self-harm Moving forward, staff will begin to see outcome measures for children and youth as interRAI continues and milestones for client reassessments are met.
Developing empathy Research has confirmed numerous mental and emotional benefits to bonding with animals, including alleviation of depression or anxiety, improved empathy skills and better socialization. New for the year
was the addition of pet therapy to WAYS’ residential programs at Belton House.
In partnership with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, Georgia the Great Dane visits the children and youth at Belton, helping nurture not only their compassion but also the absolute joy of getting to play with a dog – a simple pleasure many of the youth would not otherwise experience.
Therapy through music People often use music to self-soothe, and studies show that music can provide solace and comfort, release anger, activate positive emotions, and facilitate connections with others and oneself. What started with a piano at one of WAYS’ residences has now grown into a comprehensive, therapeutic activity. So often, kids at-risk do not have the means or access to take music lessons, but through WAYS, these barriers are removed. Designed to give participants the opportunity to try out different instruments and find their own musical passion, the youth who join WAYS’ music programs learn new skills and develop their selfesteem. For Brian Nelles, who owns Britown Music and partners with WAYS, working with the organization’s youth has been truly rewarding.
“ The thing I love most is how big these kids’ personalities get when they play. You see how through music, the kids overcome their challenges, emotional or physical, and not only immediately but also in the future, they benefit from the discipline and regular practicing that is part of learning music. ”
Over 325 music lessons were provided to WAYS’ youth last year.
Building confidence
Finding hope At WAYS Mental Health Support, every client is empowered in their own care and recovery. WAYS’ Clinical Support team provides treatment and support for the needs that children and youth themselves want to address, formed through a trusting, consistent relationship. This attachment-based care continues for as long as it is helpful and meaningful to the client, and takes place wherever the client is most comfortable. Often, it is through these therapeutic relationships that our children and youth learn it is possible to be cared for and about.
“
I could count on my Clinical Support Worker to tell me how it is, not how it should be. Instead of telling me what to do, they listen and talk to me, to let me figure out what to do on my own. Quote from youth participant
”
Learning healthy skills When you hear Chef Dave (pictured right) talk about WAYS’ Supper Club, possibly the longest-running community program for the organization, his energy is undeniable. During this past year, Dave, a product development manager at The Original Cakerie, took time out of his busy schedule to craft the menu and help cook the meal for each month’s Supper Club. Most importantly though, Dave says, is the chance he gets to teach youth and families about the joys of healthy eating.
“ In all honesty, when I was 17, I hit a fork in the road, and for me,
cooking changed everything. I’ve seen that same spark when I’m in the kitchen with the Supper Club – the confidence the kids find when they cook themselves a meal, prepared by their own hand, it just blows me away. ”
More than 200 participants attended WAYS’ Supper Club this past year.
You can transform the lives of local children and families. Find out how you can help by contacting Dawn Fulmer at 519-432-2209 ext. 3363 or dfulmer@ways.on.ca.
WAYS Mental Health Support is profoundly grateful to our donors and sponsors. Your commitment to going above and beyond for the region’s youth and families is remarkable. Thank you for your generosity. $5,000+ City of London Siskinds LLP Home Depot Canada Foundation $2,000 - $4,999 Chris Collins & Elana Johnson Frank Cowan Company Ltd. Gloria Anne Price Industrial Alliance Securities Inc. $500 - $1,999 Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741 - ECCO Fund - LTC Brose Canada Inc. Catherine Wolfe Bill & Gail Rogan Concept Millwork & Cabinetry Inc. David Richardson Elaine Doey General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada Janet Frood Larry Brennan LeeAnn & John Pare Lerners LLP Linda Armstrong MA Dunlop & Associates Inc. Marcus & Associates Hoare Dalton McNamara Pizzale Mercer Canada Limited Miller Thomson LLP Optimist Club of Byron Ryan Done St. James Westminster Anglican Church Suren Swaminathan Tom Sheidow Tony O’Callaghan Wendy Thompson Westman Collision $100 - $499 A Former Resident of Hardy Geddes House Ali Greenhow Andrea Bishop Andrea Dulong Arlene O’Neill Austin Fulmer Blythe Academy Brian Klassen Caitlin Villeneuve-Morel Canadian Commercial Development Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute Carolyn Jensen Carrie Charters & Eric Enright Cathy Highfield Cecilia Henderson Christine Panyi Christy Hawley Damien & Michelle De Roux Denise Cook
Don & Lezlie Wolfe Douglas Bundock East Nissouri Union Church Mission Circle Edge Information Management Solutions Employee Wellness Solutions Network Farah Rohoman Frank Kennesmesc Gary Wood Geoff & Wendy Francolini Graham Scott Enns LLP, Chartered Accountants Grant Hopcroft Green Gold Farms Hayden Marks Jaime Temple Jana Verbakel Jennifer McIntosh Jenny Schreff Jim & Karen MacDonald Joanne Johnston Joanne Sherin Jodie Campbell John Craenen Karen Davies Kelsey’s Roadhouse London Ltd. Kevan Thompson Kevin Robertson Kim & Charles Miller Kristi Sargeant-Kerr Leith Passmore Leroy Innanen Libro Credit Union Linda Greenhow Linda Mescia London International Airport Lori Sheidow Louise Pitre Marian Atkinson Marina Knox Mary Gillett Mary Ann Charters Mary-Helen Adams Matt & Abby Bradacs Matthew Brent Michael Crusz Michael & Alexandra Harkins Nancy Poole Pamela Beedle Pat Kadlecik Patricia Telfer Philip Griffin Rachel Pender Randy Lucas Richard Doyle Robertson James Development Inc. Sara Francolini Sarah McCallum Sarah Stachura Scott Ritchie Sonya Corson Spriet Associates
St. Justins Catholic Women’s League Stephen Drake Sunali Swaminathan Suzanne Fratschko Elliott Tracey Jones Vicki Westman Vicki Baulk Wes & Louise De Shane $10 - $99 Abilita of London Adela Gorodzinsky Aindrea Cramp Alison Buchanan Amanda Van Deven Andrea Emery Andrew Schleichkorn Anna Krupstek Anonymous April Chappell Barb Prowse Ben Dalupan Beth Roberts Brenda Tipping Cadillac Industrial Cleaning Inc. Carol Feddema Spivak Carol Dickson Cathy Veretta Cheryl Burt-Di Nino Chris Johnson Christian Bruckschwaiger Dan Dearlove Dannielle & Glenn Allaire Darlene Wallance Dave Lauzon Dawn Horst Dawn Fulmer Debbie Kirschner Denise Saylor Dolores Bryant Don & Sandra Allaire Dorothy Gryszczuk Elana Whelan Erin Hartley Ethan Jones Gail Walsh Geoff Narren Geri Juurlink Gregory Corriveau Heather Matheson Ian Gibb Israel Davila Jack Smit Jane Tillmann Jane Callon Janic Gorayeb Jeanne Wood Jennifer Bernardo Joan Smith Judy Carmichael Karen Barnes Karen Versteegen Karin Weir Katharina Klambauer
Kathryn Goddard Kevin MacDougall Kim Hall Kimberly Buckley Larry & Linda Round Lauree Taylor Leanne Pritiko Leesa Round Leslie Nye Life Navigator Linda Eligh Linda Wharton Linda Shields Liz Evanski Lorna Morgan Maribel Ayala Mary Cherniak Mary Hatt Mary Ann Colihan Mary-Ellen Willard Maureen Gill Meaghan Hurley Megan Cornwell Melissa Taylor-Gates Michelle Parkin Mike Hagarty Monica Roter Morgan Hart Nicole St. John Pam Bushell Patsy Ste. Marie Penny Lawlis Rachel Woolmore-Goodwin Randy & Bernice Hull Rhea Lajoie Robert Wong Robert Sullivan Robert Thuot Robin Bell Robin Goetz Rose Nasswetter Rosemary Stevens Rosy Pellarin Ruth Sells Sally Matthews Samko & Miko Toy Warehouse Sarah Hilton Shannon Jamieson Shari Guttman Simone Moreau-Rodgers Sofia Nasswetter Stephen & Jess McDonald Steven Creery Susan Oster Suzanne Hatchette Tami Kingdom Tammy Lucas Thomas & Suzanne Morton Tracy Fawdry Vladimir Tumanov Zannah Brown Donor Recognition continued on next page...
Oh, what a night! For the first time, in May 2016, ONSTAGE FOR WAYS brought together local celebrities, hometown talent and the London community for an incredible night of fun, food and fundraising for WAYS Mental Health Support and the Youth Empowerment Team. Through the generous support of donors and sponsors, proceeds far-surpassed our goals and ONSTAGE FOR WAYS is now a signature event that welcomes guests for a unique evening of entertainment.
A special thank you is extended to the judges, volunteers and performers who donated their time and talent, as well as Layne “The Auctionista” and the 250 attendees who raised an astounding $14,000+ in only five minutes at the inaugural ONSTAGE FOR WAYS! Donor Recognition continued from previous page... IN-KIND DONATIONS adHOME Amaral Family Auto Repair Inc. Budweiser Gardens Byron Pizza Carrie Charters Chris Hurley Cirque du Soleil Cito Pizza Corus Radio Dallas Jaremchuk Dawn Fulmer Daypuck Karate Debbie Lipskie Don & Lezlie Wolfe Don & Sandra Allaire East Nissouri Union Church Mission Circle Elan Dance Arts EY (Ernst & Young) Global Vehicle Systems Janet Haslett-Theall
Jessica Grison Joan Caulfield Joanne Johnston Jockey Canada Company Joyful Socks Julian Restivo Julie Ellison Kelsey’s Roadhouse London Ltd. LAF’s Professional Photography Laura Dunlop-Dibbs London Lioness London Public Library Lynda Lalich Maggie Logan Mark Freeman McDonald’s Mellissa Pintao No Frills Pat Kadlecik Positive Identity Rachael & Dan Polakovic
RBC Group Advantage Royal Bank of Canada Real Canadian Superstore Revkor Roberta Kerwan Rowbust Dragonboat Racing Team Saffron Road Stressed Out Solutions Susan Ruhe, RMT The Agency Real Estate Brokerage The Grand Theatre The London Shoebox Project The Original Cakerie Toys for Tots Transcription Support University Hospital Vivid Rouge Wenner Family Yaz Elshurafa Zannah Brown
St. James Westminster Church has offered their kitchen and facilities for over 20 years to WAYS’ Supper Club! The church also makes generous donations to the meal program, each and every year. A heartfelt thank you goes to our friends at St. James Westminster Church for their dedication and support.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2016 ONSTAGE FOR WAYS! − HEADLINER −
− OPENING ACT −
− ENSEMBLE −
STRESSED OUT
− CHORUS −
WAYS’ BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Pare, President Brian Klassen, Vice President Sarah Stachura, Treasurer Jennifer Bernardo Ryan Done Ali Greenhow Joe Henry Jenny Schreff Sunali Swaminathan Valerie Van Hooren This past year, four board members completed their volunteer time with WAYS. Our deep gratitude extends to Matthew Bradacs, Carina Corradi, Mary Gillett and Greg Lavoie for their enthusiasm and expertise.
WAYS’ MANAGEMENT STAFF Joanne Johnston, Executive Director Don Wolfe, Director of Finance & Administration Dallas Jaremchuk, Program Manager Linda Shields, Program Manager Laura Dunlop-Dibbs, Manager of Training & Quality Improvement Dawn Fulmer, Manager of Development & Communications Following a 42-year career in child and youth services, Michael McQuiggan, a former Program Manager at WAYS, retired in October 2016. Michael truly made a difference in the lives of hundreds of children and youth in this region. Everyone at WAYS wishes Michael all the best in this next stage of life.
MISSION WAYS Mental Health Support engages with at-risk children, youth and families through counselling, learning, skill development and advocacy to achieve healthy, independent lives and positive self-esteem. WAYS Mental Health Support 714 York Street London, ON N5W 2S8 T: 519-432-2209 E: ways@ways.on.ca
ways.on.ca
SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES! DONATE TODAY AT WAYS.ON.CA
WAYS Inc. charitable number 89266 6934 RR0001
WAYS Foundation charitable number 86954 6127 RR0001