Writers’ Exchange Annual Report 2020 - 2021
What We Do
How We Do It
The Writers’ Exchange is a community that supports under-resourced kids and youth to build their confidence and get excited about reading, writing and their own potential! Our vision is that all kids will grow up with the power to make their own choices, achieve anything and be happy.
We value the voices of the kids, youth and families who we work with, and we celebrate and share the work that the kids create in our programs. Having confidence with reading and writing gives kids and youth a greater ability to be heard, and to share their thoughts, feelings and knowledge. That’s why everything we do is always: • fun • physically and emotionally safe for all • and overflowing with positive and encouraging people We don’t just work with our community, we are a part of it. And as a member of that community, we promise: 1. To always be an anti-racist, anti-oppression, decolonial ally. 2. T o build trusting, long-term relationships with kids, youth, their families and their communities. 3. To listen to and partner with our community to guide our work. 4. To remove barriers to participation. 5. And to always follow through on what we say we will do.
All of our programs take place on the traditional and stolen territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm, Sḵḵ wx̱ wú7mesh and Səl̓ ílwətaʔ nations. We recognize our privilege and continue to learn and listen to our Indigenous friends so that we can be allies who amplify their voices.
Family Events
We hosted 3 safe and fun family events this past year where we celebrated and connected with families over ice-cream, fun activities and cultural events. Thanks to all of the families and volunteers who participated and trusted us to make sure everyone felt safe and welcome!
Our Programs Run in These Neighbourhoods:
The Four Seasons By Aisa, age 11
Apples in Autumn There are apples in autumn With a sweet juicy crunch And on school days They’ll be in your lunch There are pumpkins as Round as a ball And if you look closely You can see the leaves fall From September to December we ran 11 programs for 91 kids and youth at 7 sites. Playing in puddles and decorating mini-pumpkins were highlights of this season.
“I am forever grateful that the Writers’ Exchange has given me the opportunity to make meaningful connections with the kids in programs during a year filled with a lot of uncertainty. Being able to show up for them every week and be a positive influence was extremely beneficial for their emotional wellbeing. My favourite memory was the blind food taste test challenge that we did at the park—it was so funny seeing everyone’s reactions!”
- Sheena
White Winter Winter is white Shining bright You can eat snowflakes And skate on frozen lakes Eating gingerbread With a gingery taste Comfortably at the fireplace
Grandview-Woodlands
“When programs returned in 2020, I think I was just as happy as the kids at Writers’ Exchange. I know how important the Writers’ Exchange is for under-resourced kids. But it was a lifeline for me too. The relationships I established with both kids I knew and kids new to me kept me connected to my community and fed my soul every week.”
Kensington-Cedar Cottage Renfrew-Collingwood Strathcona
- Nicole
Sound of Spring “Chirp chirp,” birds sing As flowers bloom Spring showers For hours Not a thought in mind
Summer is Sweet
From March to the end of June we worked at 8 sites, running 12 programs for 123 kids and youth. Even the spring showers couldn’t keep our excitement for our end-of-the-year chapbook parties down!
Summer is sweet Because of the heat Picnics are neat And barbeques with meat Let’s pretend It will never end 92 kids and youth in 17 programs at 7 sites spent lots of time outside enjoying scavenger hunts and getting inspired by nature during our July and August programs.
From January to Spring Break, 117 kids and youth in 12 programs at 8 sites had fun trying out new activities and creating new pieces for their chapbook!
79%
of kids and youth feel good after their program most or all of the time.
32 virtual volunteers logged on every week to play games, chat and read with the kids. The ongoing connection made a huge impact on programs and created a really fun way for volunteers and kids to keep in touch during disconnected times.
32 in-person volunteers
A dedicated group masked up to connect and support the youth and kids and remind them of measures to stay healthy and safe.
Ongoing Jedi Goals In March 2021 we started working with with Eman Salem of IronSelf on our JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) goals. Over the past year our staff and volunteer teams took the time to reflect and examine what we’re doing well and what we still need to work on as we continue on our JEDI journey. We will keep supporting and learning from each other and the communities we work in as we set new goals and work towards them. Part of our work over the past year included an updated description of what we do and how we do it, the final version of which is on the cover of this report. We will keep you all informed of our JEDI goals by creating an ever-updating document on our website. There you’ll find what projects we’re currently working on and what stages we’re currently in. We hope this gives everyone a better understanding of our ongoing JEDI commitments and activities, such as our new Volunteer Plan!
Revenues $63,500
Government Grants
New Volunteer Plan! Those who share lived experiences with the kids, youth, and families we serve often face many barriers to volunteering. As a result, the kids and youth at the Writers’ Exchange don’t always recognize themselves in the volunteers they see every week. A new initiative at the Writers’ Exchange is seeking to change that. In 2020/2021, we began addressing some of the most common barriers to volunteering for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Colour (BIPOC). Now, BIPOC volunteers are the first to be placed in programs and can access transportation subsidies, if necessary. Our goal is to create a community of BIPOC volunteers who make the kids and youth feel centred and understood, and in the process, create opportunities for volunteers to build skills and experience for their own future school and career pursuits.
Thank you to all of the volunteers, partners and donors who have supported the kids, youth and their families over the past year!
10% 52%
Foundation & Corporate Grants
$346,785
38% $251,502
Individual Donors
$559
Other Revenue Total
<1%
$662,346
Plus $74,379 in in-kind support, including book printing, program space, food, and materials, and hours of volunteer time!
Expenses 53% After-School
$331,739
High School
$56,249
Summer Admin Total
$172,660 $67,265
$627,913
9% 27% 11%