Writers' Exchange Annual Report 2016-17

Annual Report 2016/2017 MISSION Mission

The Writers’ Exchange gets inner-city kids excited about reading, writing and their own potential.

VISION Vision

The Dragon Fight Once there was a dragon fight, It was equal with a right.

They were frightening with a frown.

They both had dragon breath.

They travelled across the land.

Searching for a fight.

When the battle ended, they heard a boom, But the eruption was very big.

It blew the entire world.

All kids will know they’re awesome, capable and can achieve anything!

—Nick, age 8 From “V.I.P.s Wear Sunglasses and Tell Legends”

Year Highlights

692

234

unique kids

26% M

ORE !

volunteers

16

MORE

FR IEN DLY FAC E S!

books created

14,871 program hours THAT ’S

ALM OS T 2 YE ARS!

“Being able to help a student navigate through something that they find challenging, and be part of their joy in achieving something they didn’t believe they could do is an energy-high that keeps me going through the rest of the week.”

—Stacey, volunteer

Annual Report 2016/17 Program Highlights

99%

After-School Programs 192 awesome kids attended programs at our two after-school locations last year.

of kids loved our after-school programs!

After an in-school project,

96%

Games, snacks and reading and writing fun with their volunteer mentors got the kids excited to come to our after-school programs. Wacky activities like tiny and colourful magic bubble jars that predict the future engaged the kids while staff and their volunteer mentors gave them a safe and supportive space to be creative. Stories created and chosen by the kids were published in four chapbooks, then launched at parties filled with friends and family, which made for plenty of cheering and support for the kids and showed them how proud everyone was of their accomplishments.

In-School Programs

24 8 K

96%

These classes were all located at schools categorized by the VSB as being the neediest schools in the city. During these programs we worked closely with the teachers to create projects that furthered their curriculum goals along with getting the kids excited about reading and writing. At the end of each project the kids all took home their very own copy of the book their class made together.

“During the Writers’ Exchange program in my classroom, students that I had not been able to get to write much were inspired to do their best due to the positivity and caring of all members of their team...The positive learning influence of the Writers’ Exchange is still evident in my classroom.”

—Mrs. Parry, teacher

Summer Programs During the summer we ran fun and creative programs at our home base as well as with partners at their locations across the city. In working with partners we were able to reach the kids who need support the most during the summer, when their literacy skills are known to decline.

of kids said they were excited to do the writing activities during our summer programs.

—Tina, parent

I DS IN 12 INNER- CITY CL ASSROOMS

Last year we worked with 12 awesome inner-city classes!

of kids said they felt positive about their writing skills!

“My son has always been shy and reluctant to write. After coming to the Writers’ Exchange, it wasn’t just his reading and writing that improved. He has much more confidence to read and write, and gets less frustrated with his work. He loves coming to Writers’ Exchange so much that I would send him there every day if I could!”

SE

•

at 7 KidSafe locations plus 387 kids A 70% INCRE A Ray-Cam and the DTES Neighbourhood House

•

25% of the new kids we met through our partnership with Ray-Cam signed up for our Fall 2017 programs!

“I like Writers’ Exchange because I get lots of ideas from lots of wonderful people that support me and help me a lot. I think because of Writers’ Exchange I’m better at writing. A lot better.”

—Leo, age 9

Annual Report 2016/17 Our Goals for 2016/17 Were

GOAL 1

GOAL 2

GOAL 3

Increase in quality of programs

Work with inner-city kids in the most high-needs locations

Deepen our impact by working with kids over multiple programs

97%

83%

Brittania Elementary Grandview/¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary Lord Strathcona Elementary Admiral Seymour Elementary Thunderbird Elementary Queen Alexandra Elementary Macdonald Elementary (now Xpey')

of kids said there is an adult at Writers’ Exchange who cares about them

98%

of kids love Writers’ Exchange!

of kids in our after-school programs participated in more than one program over the entire year!

Kids in after-school programs received an average of

55

hours of extra literacy support

2016/17 Financial Review

Revenues

Expenses $8,487

$14,000

$38,037

$114,315

$57,593 $218,179

$170,243 $75,714 $81,571

53%

42%

3%

2%

31%

22%

21%

16%

10%

Generous Individuals

Foundations & Corporations

Government (Municipal)

Other (Earned Revenue)

AfterSchool Programs

AfterSchool Programs

Summer Programs

In-School Programs

Admin

at 881 East Hastings

at the Writers’ Room

TOTAL REVENUE

TOTAL EXPENSES

$410,909

$367,230

PLUS $102,342 of in-kind support, including book printing, writing supplies and 5418 volunteer hours

Annual Report 2016/17

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered, donated and provided countless means of support throughout the year.

All of this magic wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of you. Thanks for making the 2016/2017 year such a success. With supporters like you, 2017/2018 is going to be another exciting and successful year for the kids!

Coming soon!

GOAL 1

GOAL 2

GOAL 3

GOAL 4

Increase opportunities for kids

Always increase quality of programs

Deepen support for kids by supporting families

Create strong systems to support the staff, volunteers and kids

Deepen impact by providing current kids with more hours over evenings, weekends and professionaldevelopment days.

Enhance emotional and behavioural support so all kids can participate.

Build family programs to help kids, caregivers, siblings and extended family members do more reading and writing together.

Design evaluation tools that better indicate program successes and ways to improve impact.

Get involved!

Stay connected!

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Design: Natalina Percival