Table of
Contents
Message from the President and
Interim Executive Director
Julia: a Counselling
Centre Client Profile
Community Visions Program for
Adults with Disabilities
Family Services for Children with
Disabilities
Family Services for
Children with Disabilities - Making the Difference
YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre
Fund Development/Communications
2004 Audited Financial Statements
YWCA Edmonton
Message from the President and Interim Executive
Director
In 2004 YWCA Edmonton began its 98th
year of actively supporting women and girls who want to make change, whether in
their own lives or in the community. The organization is part of a national and
international movement uniting over 25 million women in over 100 countries
around the world. In Canada, there are YWCAs in over 40 cities and
communities. The National YWCA
designates as “Turning Point Programs” those services which provide supports to
women who are at a critical juncture, or turning point, in their lives. The YWCA Edmonton has achieved this
designation for a number of its programs, in keeping with both its history and
its vision for the future.
During 2004 YWCA Edmonton itself
experienced a number of turning points, not of crises but of growth and change.
Not least of the changes was the June departure of Kelly Sloan, Executive
Director, as she began her year long Muttart Fellowship, and the designation of
Paula Hayduk, Manager of Community Visions Program for Adults with
Disabilities, as Interim Executive Director. Both Board members and staff have
been unstinting in their support over the course of this transition.
Program growth continued over the course of the year, but the most literal and unexpected growth came through the generous donation of a parcel of land near YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre by Mr. Stan Franklin and Northern Marine Limited. This extraordinary gift provides the YWCA Edmonton its first ever piece of freehold property in decades.
Through the development of
evaluation criteria for all new and existing programs, the organization
strengthened and assured the focus on its vision of being a strong voice and
support for equality, and a resource for women and girls at critical turning
points in their lives. In addition, a
three-year strategic plan was developed, and the first year’s goals and action
plans were successfully implemented in 2004.
As responsible stewards of the
organization’s resources, we have maintained a strong financial position for
2004 with annual revenues of $4.6 million.
In accordance with our vision of
providing resources to women and to their families we have expanded or enhanced
services to include:
- The creation of the ‘Community Visions Program
for Adults with Disabilities’ and the ‘Family Services for Children with
Disabilities’ from the division of Family Support Services;
- Providing 24-hour supports to medically fragile
young adults in Jenn’s Place, a shared living home
- Providing Extended Host Family services to
numerous children under the care of Child Welfare;
- Proposing and receiving initial approval for the
development of an after-school care facility for children with
disabilities who are over twelve years old; and
- YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre proceeded with
extensive renovations to the site, and posted a profit due to successful
marketing of its many programs, including the Adult Adventure Challenge.
On an international level the
International Cooperation Committee partnered with YWCA of Guyana, and sent
Kathie Gavin (Board Member) and Sher Hiller (Executive Assistant) to Guyana for
two weeks to assess the mutual needs and future direction of the partnership.
Future plans include securing funding for sending an intern to Guyana to assist
them through providing training in financial management and business planning,
in order that they may grow their organization.
The Fund Development Committee developed a detailed and
ambitious marketing plan to enhance the organization’s community profile and
diversify revenue. Plans include a new
annual event, the International Women’s Week Reception. Fundraising and
awareness initiatives through yearly events continued in 2004. The YWCA Tribute
to Women of Distinction awards gala netted $35,000.00 and highlighted the
achievements of women in Edmonton and surrounding areas, and the Society of the
Friends of the YWCA in Edmonton raised $79,000.00 for renovations at the
YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre.
The One Woman One Vote Initiative hosted a successful Women’s Political Action Forum, from which was developed an education package which was presented in workshops across Alberta. Committee members were consistently present at forums and debates for the federal, municipal, and provincial elections respectively, and an ‘issues matrix’ for both the federal and provincial elections were developed and posted on the website (www.onewomanonevote.org) , as well as being distributed throughout the public school system.
None of the above achievements
would have been possible without the exceptional team which makes up our
organization. Dedicated and skilled staff and volunteers, strong community
partners, generous donors and event attendees are the only avenues through
which our vision can be realized, and we are extremely fortunate to have all of
these resources dedicated to furthering our work. Further, we are gifted with
an exceptional Board of Directors to guide the organization through another
year of pursuing our Strategic Plan. These are women who will bring truly
exceptional enthusiasm, talent, and dedication to the achievement of our goals
for 2005.
The YWCA Edmonton is committed to
the continuing use of all of its resources for the betterment and support of
women in 2005; this has been our service heritage since 1907.
Barb
Gordon Paula
Hayduk
President,
Board of Directors Interim
Executive Director
Board of Directors 2004/2005
President
- Barb Gordon
Vice President - Brandy Luedemann
Treasurer
– Donna Wickins
Past President – Lina Cosentino
Directors –
Colette Eddy,* Karen Fantin, Kathie
Gavin, Peggy Gilchrist,
Marilyn Kingdon,
Mai Anh Le Van, Si Liew,* Bauni Mackay,*
Kerry (Diedrich) McKinstry, Lori Orchin,* Debbie
Theuss
*resigned prior to completion of term
Treasurer’s
Report
Introduction
The purpose of this
report is to provide a brief overview of the financial results of the YWCA for
the year ending December 31, 2004, as reported in the annual audited financial
statements.
Auditors’ Report
The auditors’ report
as submitted by PricewaterhouseCoopers contains an unqualified opinion on the
2004 financial statements of the YWCA.
In other words, after conducting their audit of our financial
statements, they conclude that, in their opinion, the financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Association as at December 31, 2004, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles.
Statement of Financial Position
(or “Balance Sheet”)
Total assets of the
Association as at December 31, 2004, were $2,419,000. This represents an increase of about $234,000 or 11% from the
previous year-end. Some of the items
that have contributed to this increase include:
- Cash holdings
have increased by $83,000
- Accounts Receivable
have increased by $277,000
- Marketable securities,
which consist of bank term deposits and our investment portfolio, have
decreased by $156,000.
Total liabilities of the
Association as at December 31, 2004, have increased $30,250 to $835,000.
Statement of Operations
(or “Income Statement”)
Net revenue in excess
of expenditures for the year was $203,000 as compared to $53,000 for the
previous year.
Total revenue for the
Association for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $4,643,000. The corresponding amount for 2003 was
$3,530,000.
Compared to the previous year, total revenue for 2004 has
increased by $1,113,000, over 31%. Some
of the notable changes in revenue from the prior year include the
following:
- Fees for service
were up $836,000 or 39%. The
Intensive Support Program revenues were up $327,000 from 2003, Adult
Services revenue increased $271,000 and the introduction of Jenn’s Place
increased revenue by $207,000.
YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre revenue increased $39,000.
- Government Contracts, Grants and
Subsidies increased $234,000 to
$855,000.
- Fundraising revenues were up
slightly to $80,000 for 2004 with $70,000 coming from the Tribute to Women
of Distinction Awards Gala including ticket sales, corporate sponsorships
and the silent auction.
On the expenditures
side, the total for the year was $4,594,000.
Compared to the previous year total expenditures for 2004 have increased
by $1,107,000 or 32%. Significant
changes from the prior year include:
·
Purchased (contract) services
were up $498,000 or 49%. This increase
corresponds with higher fees for service provided in the Adult Services Program
for Persons with Developmental Disabilities as well as for Intensive Child
Service for Children with Disabilities as more hours of service were provided.
·
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
were higher by $474,000 from the prior year, which is consistent with the
increase in revenues from fees for Adult services for Persons with
Developmental Disabilities, Jenn’s Place and Intensive Child Service for
Children with Disabilities.
Other Donations
of $260,000 was received as an anonymous bequest. In 2003, $105,000 was received from the same source.
A donation of land
adjacent to YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre valued at over $50,000 was
received from Northern Marine Limited, Mr. Stan Franklin.
Summary
In summary, the YWCA
Edmonton continues to have a healthy financial position, meeting needs of the
community by building on our strong core programs and expanding the ways we
support women and their families in our ever-changing environment.
Donna Wickins
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Counselling
Services
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The YWCA
Counselling Centre provides a multi faceted approach when working with
individuals, couples and families. The therapist acts as a supporting guide
and companion for the clients to help them clarify issues and explore ways of
moving forward in their lives. Our various groups offer additional support,
encouragement, and information that will assist individuals in gaining
personal insight, self-esteem and empowerment. In 2004, YWCA
counsellors saw a total of three hundred and fifty-eight (358) individuals.
There were two hundred and ninety-five (295) assessment interviews and one
thousand one hundred and twenty five (1,125) counselling sessions provided.
Eighteen advocacy and twenty-six support calls were also provided for
clients. In the Three-Phase Support
Group for women recovering from the effects of abuse, twenty-four
women completed phase one and nine completed phase two. Seventeen youth and
ten adults completed the Silent
Witness – Ending the Cycle of Abuse program to assist moms and
children heal from abuse. Five adults participated in the Many Faces of Loss support
group for adults who experienced a death loss. Two youth completed the Time
to Talk Program designed to help youth develop healthy
grief coping skills. Forty-five children participated in the RAINBOWS
and twenty-four parents in the PRISM programs to work through
issues regarding parental divorce. Fifteen women used movement therapy as a
way to explore depression in the Looking
Back and Moving Forward group. The partnership with Lurana Shelter
continued providing onsite counselling to meet the unique needs of their
clientele and to provide support for staff. The Choices for Chicks
program was offered in partnership with Edmonton Community Services. This
group offered five young women an opportunity to gain increased awareness of
factors that impact the development of healthy relationships. The Building
Healthy Families program was offered in partnership with Catholic
Social Services, Ben Calf Rope Society, and Alberta Children’s Services
Region 6 Southwest Office. Six families participated in this eight-week
program aimed at increasing awareness and developing skills to help families
prevent abusive behaviours. The Client Satisfaction Survey conducted
in the summer of 2004 indicated: §
90% felt
that they received the kind of help that they needed, §
90% reported
that they learned at lot about how to deal with problems’ §
94% agreed
that an important part of what they learned was to help themselves’ §
90% felt
better than before receiving services at the YWCA, and §
81% agreed
that they were given information about other resources. One client’s
comment was, “The positive support
has gotten me through so much. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t
for them. I left a 22 yr. abusive relationship and I haven’t gone back and I
attribute that to the YWCA. I can’t say enough about how much they have
benefited me.” Overall, clients felt that the YWCA Counselling
Services program had been successful in helping them learn how to deal with
their problems. Through
written evaluations and post-group interviews, women who participated in: §
Phase One indicated
that they gained knowledge regarding abuse and the impact on themselves and
their children; on safety planning; on boundaries and their importance; power
dynamics within relationships; and what healthy relationships look like – “I
have become stronger in knowing what I want.” ·
Phase Two indicated
that they gained an understanding of how change occurs; concepts of
self-care; emotional and environmental blocks to change; and the importance
of attending to personal needs, wants and strengths - “I have reasons for all I feel; I am
getting over the past stuff.” ·
Phase Three gained
knowledge of the impact of anger on themselves and others; skills in anger
management; and effective non-violent conflict resolution – “ I feel that
I learned new ways of coping with and controlling anger.” “ I learned to say
no without as much guilt.” The
children/youth participating in the Silent Witness program were
able to articulate that abuse of any form is ‘not okay’ and learned ways to
assist in protecting themselves. The parents indicated that they gained a
better understanding of the effects on children of growing up in an abusive
environment, and the impact of their parenting on children’s behaviour. Children/youth participating in the RAINBOWS
program were able to explore their thoughts and feelings in a supportive
environment and not feel alone. The parents participating in the PRISM
program gained insight into how on-going parental conflict has
devastating effects for children. Working in
partnership with other community organizations to address issues impacting
our community continues to be a major focus of our services. In 2004 we were
members of the Legal Action Coalition, Bereavement Interagency, Children
Impacted By Family Violence Committee, and various committees within the Community Initiatives Against Family
Violence. On a national
scale we were involved in local activities relating to the Week Without
Violence and part of the Steering Committee for a National Shelter Project.
This national project will look at the development of best practice
guidelines for YWCAs across the country working on family violence
initiatives. Thanks to the
United Way – Alberta Capital Region and to the City of Edmonton - Family & Community Support Services
for funding received that enabled the Counselling Centre to provide some
subsidized counselling services for women and children. |
Julia: a Counselling Centre Client Profile
Julia’s spouse, over the nineteen years of their marriage, had always been emotionally abusive: first subtly, then more blatantly. When the abuse escalated to the point of physical violence, Julia feared for her children’s safety; she “packed up the kids and ran.” During her stay in a women’s shelter, she was referred to the YWCA’s Silent Witness: Paths of Change program. Designed for children impacted by domestic violence, the program also provides a group for the participants’ mothers, to help them understand and work with their children’s experiences.
When
she entered the moms’ group, Julia admitted she was flying blind – she didn’t
really have an understanding of everything she’d been through, and she had no
idea what to expect from the YWCA. The
program “was a huge eye-opener” to her, affirming her decision not to let
herself and the children remain in an unhealthy situation, and giving her a
greater understanding of the impact of the abuse on her children. Because living in an abusive situation can
be very isolating, it helped to talk with other women dealing with the same
challenges.
Julia
has since attended the Three-Phase Beyond Abuse program, individual
counselling, and, with her children, the RAINBOWS program for kids who have
experienced parental separation/divorce.
When asked what stood out for her, she mentions the staff: “They are
motivated and personable – really there to help. They are completely non-judgmental; I am free to be totally open
with them. Every time I come to the
YWCA, I have a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
All
these experiences with the Counselling Centre helped her to understand herself
and her children, and affirm their right to healthy, happy relationships. As a result of her hard work, with the
assistance of YWCA counsellors and facilitators, she feels “150 percent” better
about herself. She now understands how
her childhood experiences of being controlled may have led her to endure the
abuse in her marriage for so long. She
now knows that she has the right to say ‘no.’
She now has more insight into her children’s concerns, and the skills to
really listen to what they need to say.
Rather than dreading the future, she now looks forward to the rest of
her life, knowing she has the right, and the tools, to make her own best
choices.
So what does she say to
others about the YWCA Counselling Centre?
“Go - it’s life-changing!”
Community Visions Program for Adults with Disabilities
YWCA Edmonton’s services to adults with disabilities
‘came of age’ in 2004, with the division of Family Support Services into the
separate programs of Family Services for Children with Disabilities and the
Community Visions Program for Adults with Disabilities. In partnership with the
Edmonton Community Board of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD), our
provincial funding body for this program, we provided respite and Support
Home Services to sixty-two clients over the course of the year. We increased our
administrative contract with PDD in 2004 in order to expand our capacity for
service provision, so that by the end of the year we were providing 40, 619
hours of staffing and 5,840 days of Support Home Services. We eventually outgrew the
available office space, and currently the Community Visions Program is housed
in a new office suite just off the main lobby in the 124th Street
building. This allows us to accommodate our five Program Coordinators and
Program Assistant as well as providing office space for the Program Manager.
In February of
2004 we were approached by the C.A.R.E. Housing Society with a request to
provide twenty-four hour staffing in a gorgeous new house built by the Society
to accommodate medically fragile young adults with developmental disabilities.
This is a model of service we have not previously delivered, and the challenges
for the YWCA, the C.A.R.E. Society, and the residents and their families were
immense. For five months we worked in an intense partnership effort with the
Society, families, and PDD, and on July 01 2004, Jenn’s Place was
opened for tenancy. On that date, we embarked on an experience to rival the
most exhilarating and most terrifying of roller-coaster rides. The four young
tenants of Jenn’s Place presented us with medical support challenges
we had never dealt with, the staffing model was revised and then revised again
to meet intense 24 hour support needs, families watched like nervous hawks as
their very fragile children lived away from home or an extended care setting
for the first time in their lives…..and the basement flooded. Our skilled and
dedicated staff were exemplary in their perseverance, as the families were in
their patience and PDD was in their support. As of now, we have four very happy
young people living in a beautiful, fully accessible home with devoted staff,
and our efforts are concentrated on helping realize their dreams and hopes for
now and for the future. A chance visitor might find the place jumping with
activity (and loud music) as everyone participates in a ‘spa night,’ or they
might find no-one home because everyone’s at the hockey game. Jenn’s
Place is becoming what it was
intended to be: a true home, with roots in the community and lots of
opportunities for living life to the fullest.
The YWCA Edmonton’s
reputation for excellent, innovative service provision has reached even beyond
the provincial borders, as we were invited to enter into a contract with the
Northwest Territories for service provision to one of their clients residing in
Edmonton. We welcomed the opportunity to extend not only our services but our
community partnerships, and have since been asked to serve three more Northwest
Territories clients.
Family Services for Children with Disabilities
The
year of 2004 was one of significant change and growth for Family Services for
Children with Disabilities. The demand
for Host Family, Extended Host Family, and In-Home
programs increased from 2003. The Children’s and Adult Program divided and
went under the leadership of two managers from that of one. The Behavioral
Consultant was hired in March and was very much in demand.
The Host Family Program offers short-term out–of-home respite support to parents. This program served an average of 52 children per month throughout the year. The Host Family Program found that the clientele were in need of a more intense supports component, thus the average daily rate was higher than the $100 allotted by the provincial Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD). Negotiations led to cutting back on the number of days served for 2004 (1180) to accommodate the need for a higher daily rate, and an increase of 1400 days at a rate of $110 per day for 2005.
In-home respite allows
the parents to leave the home while a staff member cares for the child with the
disability and his/her siblings. This program experienced similar demands for
higher qualified staff. FSCD allotted
900 hours per month over the regular staffing component for higher needs
staffing. The program used these hours to the maximum, still leaving 50
children unserved. The In Home
Program had approximately 14,000 hours of service, up from 2003 by
about 1500 hours. Approximately 130 children are served through this program on
a monthly basis.
The
Intensive Support Program (ISP) offers in-home support and
training to parents with a child/children who have high needs. There was a
constant demand for staff. The staff are required to be highly qualified in
behavior management. This program averaged 35 children per month on its
caseload, supplying approximately 16,500 hours of in-home support (down from
2003 by about 1500 hours).
The
Extended Host Family offers long term out-of-home support to
children with disabilities. The program experienced an increase in the number
of Child Welfare referred children. The program served an average of 18
children per month whereas in 2003 it served an average of 12 children per
month.
The
Family Consultation and Training Network Program had a successful
year. The consultant offers behavior consultation, assessment, and education,
along with providing behavior guidance techniques to families with children
having skill acquisition or behavioral challenges. The Behavioral Consultant saw approximately 60 children from
March to the end of December.
The
crucial need for additional qualified staff led to the development of a new
position Recruitment Coordinator. This person performs interviews, completes
the personnel paper work, and completes the Outcome Measures, thus allowing the
coordinators more time to complete their supervision duties. The goal of this
position is to increase staff recruitment and aid in retention of staff.
The
Logic Model of Outcome Measurement for the In-Home Program ran a
survey bi-monthly. Approximately 90% of all surveyed felt the in-home respite
maintained or increased positive interactions between family members and had a
positive impact on their ability to maintain their child within the family
home.
Overall
Family Services for Children with Disabilities delivered 8050 days of Host and
Extended Host Family Services, and 30,950 Hours of In-Home Respite to more than
200 families.
Special thanks and acknowledgement of the agencies and organizations who continue to financially support the YWCA Edmonton’s Family Service for Children with Disabilities – City of Edmonton’s Family and Community Support Services; and the Province of Alberta’s Family Support for Children with Disabilities and Child Welfare.
Family Services for Children with
Disabilities - Making the Difference
One
of the Extended Host Family clients had a “dream come true” in December
of 2004. After the host family
contacted “Make a Wish Foundation,” the Foundation acknowledged the difficult
time this young man was having and decided to bring some happiness into his
life. Not only did they supply an electric bed but also they sent him and his
entire extended host family to Disney World in Florida from December 19th
to December 27th. The whole
family had an incredible Christmas, full of memories to last a lifetime and
stories to be repeated over and over with great joy and laughter.
One of the YWCA’s young female clients was a “first.” She became the “first” after many setbacks, emergency medical procedures, hospital stays, tears and above all, lots of tenacity and perseverance. The extended host family she lives with has gone above and beyond the normal expectations of caring for a child in their home. It is partially due to their compassion and love that she became the “first.” What is the first you ask? She became, at the age of three, the youngest female in Canada to receive a kidney transplant. She is doing marvelously well. The very first thing she wanted after the transplant was a swim suit. Dialysis and other procedures had made it impossible for her to go swimming. So the YWCA hastened to find her the prettiest swim suit that they could. “You go girl!”
In
2003, an extended host family used to go for group bike rides – a family
event. The child in this extended host
family rode behind his host mom in a bike trailer. In the spring of 2004 they found that he had grown too big for
the trailer, and were unable to go for the family bike rides. The YWCA staff were able to connect the family
with Bikes for Tikes. He received a
modified bike that he can drive on his own.
The family is once again able to enjoy their group outdoor activity
together.
The
YWCA staff, contractors and volunteers have enriched many individuals lives by
going the extra mile.
Volunteer
Services
Volunteers
are the foundation of the YWCA Edmonton since its inception in 1907. Through their expertise, passion and
support, the volunteers are integral to fulfilling the agency’s mission and
mandate. We gratefully appreciate and
sincerely thank all the YWCA Edmonton volunteers’ contributions!
In
2004, there were 139 active volunteers plus 10 staff volunteers involved with
the agency’s programs, services and special events. Some volunteers held two or more volunteer positions. They were involved in program delivery
including facilitating groups and knitting for disadvantaged groups as well as
providing administrative support to staff and assisting with special
events. This figure (149 individuals),
and the hours listed below, do not include practicum students; individuals who
received honorariums; individuals who provided clerical support to Community
Visions for Adults with Disabilities Program; or community volunteers recruited
by Tribute to Women of Distinction committee members to assist with the Awards
Gala on June 17.
·
Board and committee
work: 32 members contributed 1,755.75
hours.
·
Counselling
Services: 13 individuals contributed
448.5 hours in group facilitation.
·
Family Services for
Children: 4 members contributed 304.75
hours in clerical tasks.
·
General administrative
services: 12 individuals contributed
447 hours in clerical tasks.
·
Special events: 22 volunteers contributed 159.25 hours.
·
Y-Knit Program: 81 members contributed 47,794.75 hours to
knit/crochet, sort, pick‑up and deliver supplies/finished items.
Total
Volunteer Hours from January 1 – December 31, 2004: 50,910 HOURS
On
Wednesday, April 28, 2004, YWCA Edmonton and the Board of Directors honoured
staff members and host family providers.
Collene Finkbeiner, Cook at YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre,
was recognized for her fifteen years of service. Sher Hiller, Executive Assistant, and
Marjorie Scott, Program Assistant of Counselling Services, were ten-year
recipients. Sara Friar, Program
Coordinator at YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, Pegi Gunn-Graham,
Group Facilitator of Counselling Services, and Sara Middleton, Manager
of YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, were each recognized for their five-years
of service.
Three-to four-year
recipients were Talat Ahmed, Sandra Beggs, Grace Bell, Erin
Brohman, Shannon Churko, Arlene Desmond, Sherrill Dowling,
Valerie Gagnon, Deanne Gerhardt, Matt Goulet, Melissa
Gwinner, Janelle Hansen, Caitlin Holtby, Lynn Klymchuk,
Shannon Koreman, Dayna Lefebvre, Sandy Lefebvre, Holly
McNabb, Dorothy Meisner, Debra Melin, Bonnie Morrison,
Carolyn Pounder, Alicia Rowden, Karen Shaw, Jeremy
Stewart, and Joyce Thomas.
Leslie
Struck, Volunteer Services and Special Events Coordinator, completed her term
in early July as interim replacement for Polly Mah while Polly was on maternity
leave.
YoWoChAs
Outdoor Education Centre
Fundraising
The YWCA of Edmonton continues its
ongoing campaign to raise the funds required for programme operations and
facility renovations at YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre.
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In 2004, a campaign was
introduced to raise funds for the campership fund. The campership fund is
used to send children from low-income families to summer camp. This campaign involved businesses selling
paper canoes to customers for $1.00.
Thank you to |
the following businesses for their
participation: Fallis Country Store; Spruce Grove Vision Care, Arby’s, West
End, Heritage IDA Drugstore; Dr. Bueckert, Drayton Valley; and Head of Time
Hair Design.
We would like to thank everyone
who contributed to our fundraising efforts in 2004: Edmonton Community
Foundation, Society of the Friends of the YWCA in Edmonton, Betsey & Murray
Reid, Pauline & Joe Chambers, 1st Fallis Sparks & Brownies,
TransAlta Community Transformers, Alberta Recreational Canoeing Association,
Human Resources Development Canada – Summer Career Placement Program,
Weyerhaeuser – Jobs For Youth, Hughson Family Reunion, Associated Canadian
Travelers, Daughters of the Nile, and Jeff’s Plumbing.
Facility Improvements
A number of facility improvements
were completed in 2004 including: installation of a gas fireplace in the Dining
Hall lounge, cement playing court south of the lodge, blinds and wainscoting in
the dining hall and a walk-in freezer in the kitchen expansion; finishing the
interior of the kitchen expansion including ceiling, flooring and windows;
replacement of furnace in the lodge; construction of picnic tables for
waterfront picnic shelter; repair of damage done by August 2003 hailstorm, and
purchase of new gas stove, oven and grill.
Programmes
Summer Camp ran at 93
per cent capacity with 592 campers attending.
Approximately nine percent of summer campers received fee assistance
through our campership fund. The total
amount of campership given out to low-income families in 2004 was
$11,974.76.
Outdoor education programmes
brought over 5,249 visitors to the site.
We led outdoor leadership courses in canoeing and challenge
course operations for 12 participants and Adventure Challenge
corporate retreat programmes for three businesses. We ran two successful Women’s Escape Weekends this
year with 44 participants in total and our winter and spring open houses
brought 95 people to the site for an afternoon of outdoor activities.
In addition, one Lakeside
Haven retreat was held with 55 women and children participating. Lakeside Haven is a retreat for
women and children who have experienced family violence. This important recreational opportunity was
made possible in 2004 due to funding from Associated Canadian Travelers and
Daughters of the Nile.
To the Gang at YoWoChAs
Fund Development/Communications
2004 was an active year for the Fund Development / Communications department with $127,356 being raised through fundraising events and donations.
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Early
in the year, the YWCA Week Without Violence (2003) Poster Contest for School
Aged Children was judged by Mary Ann Scott of Scott Galleries. The winning entry was from Daly Grove School
in Edmonton, Grade 4. Congratulations
to all who participated.
The YWCA Tribute To Women of Distinction Awards Gala, which is the YWCA Edmonton’s major fundraising event, was held on June 17th, at the Northlands AgriCom. The event recognized the accomplishments of 42 outstanding women from the Greater Edmonton area. Over 500 guests attended the gala in support of the nominees. Prior to the gala, nominees, nominators, sponsors, staff and the volunteer Steering Committee had the opportunity to meet at the Crowne Plaza-Chateau Lacombe Edmonton at the Nominees Reception. The 2004 award recipients in the eleven award categories included Linda Wedman – Arts & Culture; Laura Ulmer – Athletics, Recreation & Fitness; Valerie Campbell – Business, Management & The Professions; Shawna Walsh – Community Service; Lynne Jones – Education; Barbara Lockert – Entrepreneurs; May Kennedy – Health & Medicine; JudyLynn Archer – Industry, Construction & the Trades; Dr. Suzanne Kresta – Science & Technology; Dr. Indira Gajraj – Social Sciences, Social Services & Advocacy; and Jennifer Fearon – Youth: 18 & Under. In addition, The Honourable Thema J. Chalifoux, Senator (Retired), Senate of Canada, was the recipient of the YWCA Lifetime of Achievement Award.
The
Steering Committee included Marlene Smith (Honorary Chair), Donna Zazuluk
(Chair), Teena Giroux (Co-Treasurer & Silent Auction), Asma Qadri (Co-Treasurer
& Silent Auction), Debbie Theuss (YWCA Board Liaison), Audrey Bell-Hiller
(Nominations), Brenda Burton-Jones (Nominees’ Reception & Sponsorships),
Donna Roth (Print), Linda Wilde (Selections), Leslie Struck (YWCA staff), and
Jeannette Guertin (YWCA staff).
A
special thank you is extended to all those individuals and companies who
contributed to the success of the 2004 Tribute to Women of Distinction Gala.
Also
in 2004, the Paper Canoe Campaign was launched as a fundraiser for the
campership program at YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre. Camperships are available for children who
would not be able to attend camp without financial assistance. A note of appreciation to all those
companies and businesses that so generously assisted in the 2004 campaign:
Fallis Country Store; Spruce Grove Vision Care, Arby’s, West End, Heritage IDA
Drugstore; Dr. Bueckert, Drayton Valley; and Head of Time Hair Design.
A
thank you to Donovan’s Fashion for Women Ltd. for their invitation to
participate in Donovan’s Fashion Event for Women that was held in
recognition of International Women’s Day.
This event raised over $500 for the YWCA Edmonton, their charity of
choice. In April 2004, the YWCA
Edmonton was recognized by EZ Rock through the presentation of the Administrative
Professionals Luncheon held at the Mayfield Inn.
In
November, the Fund Development/Communications Department was restructured to
better meet the needs of the organization.
The communications functions remain in house. Fund development activities are being spearheaded by the Board of
Directors Fund Development committee.
Large undertakings will, as needed, see the hiring of a Fund Development
consultant.
One Woman One Vote
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In 2004, the YWCA One Woman One Vote Initiative received project funding from Status of Women Canada and the Alberta Community Development Human Rights and Multiculturalism Education Grant. The |
One Woman One Vote Advisory Committee worked with women and women’s organizations on a
number of exciting non-partisan initiatives, including three elections in the
calendar year:
- February 26-28, 2004 the YWCA One Woman One Vote hosted the Women’s
Political Action Forum in Edmonton at the University of Alberta Lister
Conference Centre. The forum
brought together, for the first time, women and women’s organizations from
across Canada that were working independently to increase women’s
participation in the political process. Consensus was reached that
national strategies be developed from the discussion and priorities identified
at the Forum in order to mobilize collective action in addressing
obstacles to women’s participation in the political process.