ANNUAL REPORT April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018
Welcome,
This year marks the end of a strategic period for WAYS Mental Health Support and looking back it’s been a time of remarkable change and progress for the organization. Between 2015 and 2018 WAYS embarked on thoughtful strategies that included: • An increased focus on philanthropy and the launch of the annual ONSTAGE FOR WAYS event. • Implementing a standardized assessment tool to better understand the needs of our children and youth, and a way to effectively measure outcomes achieved. • Re-naming and branding of the agency. • The creation of the Staff Health and Wellness Committee to ensure our teams are empowered in their roles to support our children and youth.
Lastly, starting in January 2018, WAYS began planning for the new strategic term, consulting with our youth, their parents, foster parents, staff, community partners and donors to gauge what is most important to meeting their needs moving forward. It is through their insights that we have set course for the future and launch our new strategic plan in September 2018. This annual report celebrates the accomplishments and steps taken in 2017-2018 to best serve WAYS communities in London-Middlesex and ChathamKent. These communities are strong and vibrant, and together we will continue our efforts to support them in achieving healthy, independent lives and positive self-esteem. Sincerely,
Joanne Johnston, Executive Director
Brian Klassen, Board President
Measuring Progress with interRAI WAYS implemented the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health Assessment system in 2016, and as of March 2018, staff have completed 250 initial assessments that provide measurable profiles of the children and youth that access the organization’s programs. It is from these profiles that WAYS builds its customized plans for children and youth and can better monitor progress or changes throughout an individual’s involvement with the organization. From these initial records, almost 80 outcome assessments have been completed with improvements indicated in six of the top ten issues impacting WAYS’ children and youth. These percentage increases and decreases are based on the actual number of children and youth indicating change.
31%
34%
10%
24%
17%
18%
REDUCTION
IMPROVED
REDUCTION
IMPROVED
IMPROVED
IMPROVED
In feelings of suicidality and purposeful self-harm.
Sense of safety and fewer symptoms of trauma.
In youth at-risk of dropping out of school and therefore an increase in meaningful engagement in school.
Sleep which would lead to improved quality of life and daytime functioning.
Interpersonal relationships, social cognition, reasoning ability and impulse control.
Caregiver capacity to manage stress and enhance their wellbeing.
2017-18 Financial Highlights YEARLY REVENUES 2.5%
3.2%
0.1%
EXPENDITURES BY TYPE
EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM
1.4%
0.4%
1.9%
6.8%
12.3%
8.4% 39.8% 54.0%
11.9%
10.4%
Fee-for-Service
54.6% 73.0%
MCYS Grants
Salaries and benefits
Other revenue
Building occupancy
Parent/Client contributions
Client-related costs
Charitable donations
Other costs
Other government grants
Capital amortization
Group Care Central Administration
11.8%
Community Programs 7.5%
Foster Care Justice Programs Capital Amortization, Scholarships and Other
AJ & Beth’s Foster Story When you hear AJ and Beth talk about their kids, there’s no question of the devotion to their four children. The Shepleys have always known they wanted a big family and their home bustles with the activity of three young boys and a teenage daughter. Two of the four children AJ and Beth have adopted came to their home through the WAYS Enhanced Foster Program and two of the younger children were adopted through Toronto Children’s Aid Society. Even with their already-big family, the couple continues to foster through WAYS as they see firsthand the difference it makes for kids in crisis. “We understand the tough circumstances these families are in,” says Beth, referring to the relatives of foster children. “So, if there’s anything we hope to do, it’s give these kids a safe, stable home and ways to cope with the hardships life throws at them.” Since signing up as WAYS foster parents in 2010, the Shepleys have provided relief foster care and full-time foster care for 20 children, welcoming siblings, babies, toddlers and teenagers into their home. AJ and Beth both agree they love fostering with WAYS and the couple says that’s due in part to the support the organization provides. “WAYS just gets it,” explains Beth, “working with them as we welcome kids into our home has been easy for us, which is pretty amazing because the foster system isn’t without its challenges.” Part of that ease, AJ adds, comes from the personalized approach WAYS takes with each foster child and their individual needs. “Everyone’s story is different and WAYS understands that.”
WAYS Mental Health Support is extremely grateful for incredible foster families who open their hearts and homes to children and youth in our communities. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please contact Linda Shields at 519-432-2209 ext. 3352.
The best is YET to come The Youth Empowerment Team (YET) is a collaboration of current and former WAYS youth and staff adult allies who meet every single week of the year (and sometimes in between!). The group, first established in 2015, is a member of The New Mentality youth engagement network and focuses on mental health advocacy and raising youth voices in the mental health system. It is the cornerstone and a prime example of the youth engagement philosophy in action at WAYS. YET also serves as a community resource for several partner agencies, who turn to YET members for support and guidance in organizing and planning their own program efforts.
“
To me, YET is an opportunity to voice my opinions, in a safe space; YET Member, to be myself and grow in my leadership skills.
”
anonymous
Through YET, youth and adults work together to create meeting agendas, chair meetings, develop, plan and host community events, provide feedback to management and government, and create deep bonds and a strong, enduring community. Youth are challenged to lead and contribute beyond what their life experiences have taught them, and adult allies share their power as adults and as WAYS employees by helping youth access key resources, such as funding and platforms to share their needs, hopes and ideas. YET highlights the positive impact that co-created initiatives have on the lives of young individuals and underscores WAYS’ enduring belief in youth-led change.
In 2017-2018, YET members took part in many diverse activities, including: • Organizing the 2017 Youth Dodging Stigma event featuring former WAYS client, motivational speaker and author Erica Humphrey and a 40-person dodgeball game with youth participants from several local agencies. • Attending Disable the Label leadership camp for members of The New Mentality network. •
Hosting a day-long, community-wide youth conference called Live to Tell, Learn to Rise: Raising Youth Voices in London’s Mental Health System where a Collective Statement was written by the youth group and sent to all levels of government, resulting in a meeting with London Mayor Matt Brown to discuss youth mental health issues and needs.
• Leading the planning of a large-scale regional youth empowerment conference during Children’s Mental Health Week 2018.
Building strong futures with Home Depot In 2014, the London East Home Depot chose WAYS as its charity of choice for the company’s Orange Door Project, a national fundraising campaign where local stores select a non-profit organization near to their hearts that works to address youth homelessness, its root causes and related issues. Since that day, WAYS and Home Depot associates have been working together to raise both awareness and funds to help support youth in our community. Thanks to the strong team effort of London East Home Depot associates and the generosity of their customers, Orange Door donations have helped WAYS with such initiatives as the launch of the Youth Empowerment Team and most recently, the early 2018 opening of the Fresh Start Laundry program for homeless youth. This store’s tremendous team has raised more than $35,000 for WAYS youth programs through the sale of their $2 orange paper doors, 50-50 raffle tickets and a grant from The Home Depot Canada Foundation. Graham Brand, the London East store manager, explains that making WAYS their location’s charity just made sense. “We know that some of our associates face mental health challenges or come from difficult family situations similar to the kids that WAYS supports. By dedicating our fundraising to WAYS, it shows we recognize the impact these experiences have on individuals and those around them, and most of all, that we care.” Another element that makes a real difference for his staff, Graham adds, is that the dollars they give to WAYS stay in this area, since 100 per cent of their funds go directly to London-Middlesex and Chatham-Kent youth. “Knowing we can make real change here, where we live and work, is so meaningful.” WAYS is proud of the strong partnership developed with the caring and committed associates at London East Home Depot and are truly grateful for their continued support of our local children and youth.
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. BUSINESSES & GROUPS Abundantly Blessed & Valerie Hibbert Ministries Active Minds Western Agape Foundation Baby And Rojas Orthodontic Specialists Budweiser Gardens Byron Pizza Caressant Care Nursing & Retirement Homes Ltd Cirque du Soleil
Costco London North Drayton Entertainment East Nissouri Union Church Mission Circle Ernst & Young LLP Fanshawe College Reputation & Brand Management Dept Fanshawe College Strategy & Business Dept Frank Cowan Company Ltd Global Industries Tilbury Graham Scott Enns LLP, Chartered Accountants
Grand Theatre Joyful Socks Lerners LLP London Community Foundation London Hydro - ECCO Fund London Lioness London Public Library LTC-ATU 741 ECCO FUND Mayne Outdoor Products of Distinction Marcus and Associates/ Hoare-Dalton McNamara Pizzale
Mercer Employees Mercer (Canada) Limited Miller Thomson LLP Nestle Canada North Star Vinyl Windows & Doors O’Neill Academy of Dance – Company Dancers OPSEU and Local 131 Optimist Club of Byron Phil Mcnamee Charitable Foundation Purdy Naturals
Donor Recognition continued from previous page... Remax Advantage Realty Inc Revkor Rick & Carol Richardson Family, a fund within London Community Foundation Rowbust Dragonboat Racing Team Russell Hendrix Sam Kotzer Limited Toys Silver Chef Spriet Associates St. James Westminster Anglican Church ACW St. Justins CWL Startech.com Stihl Ltd The Agency Real Estate Brokerage The Home Depot - London East The Home Depot Canada Foundation The Jack And Barbara Hay Foundation The Lawson Foundation The London Shoebox Project The New Mentality Disable The Label The Original Cakerie Toys for Tots United Way of London & Middlesex Westminster College Foundation INDIVIDUAL DONORS Ahmer Chowdhery Aina DeViet Ali Greenhow Alisa Willett Alison Buchanan Aly Lalani Amanda Van Deven Amy Brennan Amy Levesque Andrea Dulong Angela Egan Angela Revell Anne Shatkin Anonymous Donors Archana Prasad Austin Fulmer Bill & Gail Rogan Blaine Beaubien Brenda Hall Brendan & Karen McNicol Brian Klassen Carolyn Barbon Carolyn Jensen Carrie Charters Catherine Burr Catherine McClure Catherine Wolfe Cathy Veretta Cheryl McLachlan
Christian Bruckschwaiger Christine Jeffery Christine Panyi Christine Radford Christine Wheeler Colin Haskett Colleen Griffioen Cynthia O’Neill Dallas Jaremchuk Damien & Michelle De Roux Dan McNamara Dannielle & Glenn Allaire David Black David Ennett Dawn Fulmer Dolores Bryant Don & Lezlie Wolfe Don & Sandra Allaire Doris Granger Eric Enright Erica Humphrey Erin Hartley Ethan Jones Florry Foster Francesca Wright Francisco Oliveira Gail-Lynn Gastaldi Gemma Charlton Grant & Lily Hopcroft H. Gosney Harsha Raghuraman Hayden Marks Heather Luimes Heather Weitzel Ian Gibb Jakub & Mia Polakovic Jan Rollins Janet Haslett-Theall Janet Johnson Janet Schlitt Janice Agnew Janine Charters Jason Wills Jeanette Lewis Jeanne Wood Jennifer Bernardo Jennifer Denys Jennifer McIntosh Jennifer Wain Jessica Jaremchuk Joan Smith Joanne Johnston Jocelyn Riopelle John & Dianne Hanbidge John & LeeAnn Pare John Mackinnon John Scott Judy Parsons Katherine Symons Kathryn Eggert Kathy Burns Katrina Fortner Katy Allman
Katy Boychuk Kevin Cross Kevin MacDougall Kim Caulfield Kim Miller Kimberley Hare-Leggett Kirsti Sargeant-Kerr Klaud Czeslawski Kofi Owusu-Ansah Larry Brennan & Moira Burke Laura Dunlop-Dibbs Laura Owen Laurie McDonald Leanne Amaral Leesa Round Leigh Hamacher Leroy Innanen Linda Armstrong Linda Eligh Linda Greenhow Linda Kuska Lorna Morgan Maggie Logan Margaret Wooden Margeret Woolcock Mariana Estabrooks Marilyn Lazenby Marina Knox Martina Krutisova Mary Flannigan Hockin Mary Hanley Maureen Coleman Meaghan Kennedy, RMT Michael Crusz Michael Harkins Mike & Diane Cowan Mike Hagarty Mohammed Baobaid Muriel Haddock Nancy Helm Nancy Michienzi Nancy Miller Nancy Poole Natalie Bowden Norma Sanchez Pat Wocks Paul Seed Rachael & Dan Polakovic Randy Hull Rhonda Smith Richard Doyle Richard Pincombe Robert Krizanec Robert Michelussi Robert Thuot Robin Bell Robyn Anderson Rose Nasswetter Rosemary Stevens Rosy Pellarin Ruth Oosterhuis Ryan Done Saida Ibrahim
Sandra Carey Sandra Safran Sandy McTavish Sara Francolini Sara Gaudet Shannon Evans Sharon Rogers Sharon Wimperis Shawn Gilhuly Sheryl Swan Simone Moreau-Rodgers Sue Tuer Susan Marshall Susan Oster Susan Ruhe, RMT Susan Smith Suzanne Fratschko-Elliott Suzanne Hatchette Suzanne ten Haaf Tanveen Dhawan The Castelhano Family Tim Johnson Timothy Marks Tina Martin Tom & Monica Bevil Tracey Jones Vesna Ljubuncic Vicki Baulk Vivian Hicks Wendy Thompson Wes De Shane Zannah Brown
Your continued commitment is needed to transform the lives of local children, youth and families. Find out how you can help by contacting Dawn Fulmer at 519-432-2209 ext. 3363.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2017 ONSTAGE FOR WAYS! ~ HEADLINER ~
WAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Klassen, President John Pare, Past President Ryan Done, Vice President Ali Greenhow, Treasurer Prini Dhawan David Ennett Derek Ineson Abdullah Mir Rachael Polakovic Dylan Richardson Sunali Swaminathan
This past year, five board members completed their volunteer time with WAYS. Our deep gratitude extends to Jennifer Bernardo, Joe Henry, Jenny Schreff, Sarah Stachura and Valerie Van Hooren for sharing their time and talent with us.
~ ENSEMBLE ~
WAYS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM Joanne Johnston, Executive Director Don Wolfe, Director of Finance & Administration Dallas Jaremchuk, Program Manager Linda Shields, Program Manager Dawn Fulmer, Fund Development & Communications Manager Laura Dunlop-Dibbs, Manager of Training & Quality Improvement
~ CHORUS ~
WAYS STAFF MILESTONES
Myra Hueniken & Christine Panyi RE/MAX Advantage Realty Ltd.
WAYS staff truly put the “extra” in extraordinary! Without their sincere dedication to the children, youth and families in our communities, the future would not be as bright. Thank you to the following staff who reached or surpassed a milestone WAYS anniversary as of March 31, 2018: 30 Years 25 Years 20 Years
Paul Barrett, Mary Flemington, Frances Henry, Barry Yungblut Janette Boris, Jean Gieber, Dallas Jaremchuk Kim Caulfield, Cindy Crow, Christine Cunha, Julie Ellison, Bob Flemington, Misty Gray, Derek Muir
WAYS Mental Health Support 714 York Street London, ON N5W 2S8 T: 519-432-2209 E: ways@ways.on.ca WAYS Inc. charitable number 89266 6934 RR0001
WAYS.ON.CA
WAYS Foundation charitable number 86954 6127 RR0001