The right to learn, the power to achieve. Annual Report 2011

Transcription

1 ldanr Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region The right to learn, the power to achieve Annual Report 2011

2 Our Vision LDA-Niagara Region s vision is that of a strong and inclusive society where individuals living with learning disabilities are confident, successfully educated, resilient and self-sustaining. Helping individuals reach their full potential Our Mission Our purpose is to provide resources and support to individuals who are affected by learning disabilities within the Niagara Region. We provide leadership in learning disabilities advocacy, research, education and services, and advance the full participation in society of children, youth and adults with learning differences. 2

3 in Review Over the past year the LDANR has experienced tremendous growth. This growth includes a significant increase in the number of programs, membership, funding partnerships, community partnerships, volunteers, and many other components of the agency. Our growth is a result of the tireless effort and hard work of the staff, volunteers, facilitators, and board members. The LDANR is supported by a dedicated group of individuals who strive continuously to support individuals with learning disabilities from across the Niagara Region. Over the last year LDANR has offered over 20 programs serving over 200 children at 10 different locations across Niagara. LDANR programming centers around its flagship, Reading Rocks a language and literacy program that supports children through one-to-one tutoring. LDANR also offered the Better Emotional and Social Times (BEST) and Social Teen Empowering Program to Succeed (STEPS) programs as well as an Adult Support Group. Led by our Executive Director Ashley Short, the LDANR staff develops programs based on the most up-to-date research and best-practices from the field of learning disabilities. I offer congratulations to the LDANR staff, facilitators and volunteers for a year of outstanding programming that has touched the lives of many children and youth from Niagara. The LDANR has also seen a significant increase in funding partnerships. Over the past year, the LDANR has received grants from the United Ways of St.Catharines, South Niagara, and Niagara Falls, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Branscombe Foundation, and the Niagara Community Foundation. LDAN also received funding from a number of local organizations and individuals. All of these funding partnerships are essential to the operations of the LDANR. As a non-profit organization, our funding partners are a vital component to the LDANR s service to individuals with learning disabilities. The successes from the past year begin with the LDANR staff led by our Executive Director, Ashley Short. Ashley is a dedicated leader who has been instrumental in developing LDANR programming and securing grants to support the agency. Ashley s staff also works incredibly hard to support programs, members, and office operations. The LDANR staff over the past year included Sarah Farrell, Naomi Gutknecht, Annette Cotè, Amanda Leonard, Lisa Humphreys, and Greg Jones. The LDANR also relies significantly on volunteers, facilitators, and intern students. Without all of these individuals, our programs, events, and community activities would not be possible. The LDANR also has a dedicated Board of Directors. Each member of the board volunteers their time to guiding the direction of the LDANR and supporting Ashley and her staff. Over the past year, the LDANR Board of Directors has included Bill Booth, Nicole Dumais, Carole Furher, Keri-Lynn Lee, Yvonne Diodati, and Lisa Linders. It has been my privilege to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the past year. The LDANR has experienced a very successful year and this is due solely to the hard work of a very dedicated group of individuals. As we move into our next year, I look forward to continued success as we strive to support individuals with learning disabilities from the Niagara Region. John McNamara, LDANR Chair

4 4 Chair: Dr. John McNamara Secretary: Angela Marinelli Treasurer: Bill Booth Director: Yvonne Diodati Director: Melissa Legros Executive Director: Ashley Short Program coordinator: Sarah Farrell Admin/program support: Sherri Raso Project Coordinator: Chantelle Keay Bookkeeper: Annette Cote 2011 in Review We all learning differently! This is something we say a lot around the LDANR office and I found myself saying it often in the 2010/11 year. It is hard to believe a full year has gone by since I started with LDANR in May of Our mission states: Our purpose is to provide resources and support to individuals who are affected by learning disabilities within the Niagara Region. We provide leadership in learning disabilities advocacy, research, education and services, and advance the full participation in society of children, youth and adults with learning differences. During the 2010/11 year the LDANR board of directors, staff, facilitators and volunteers worked towards achieving this mission. Throughout the year, LDANR increased direct-service programming to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities in the Niagara Region. LDANR provided more informational presentations and event information booths, grew the volunteer program and most importantly expanded our programming to reach more individuals and families. The agency s decision to increase direct service was in response to the Niagara community s inquires about tutoring programs, self-advocacy and social skills training to further assist those living with learning disabilities. All three Niagara United Ways provided support allowing LDANR to offer services and programming across the region. LDANR also started receiving support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation allowing families to access Reading Rocks, B.E.S.T. and S.T.E.P.S. at little to no-cost starting Winter 2011 and continuing until It was also during this year that the agency received news that a grant proposal was successful with the Branscombe Family Foundation. This will allow LDANR to offer Sunshine Learning Achievement & More, a full day summer program for three summers. SLAM offers children with learning disabilities an opportunity to avoid the summer learning gap by attending a program that is enriched with academic support, self-advocacy and social skills training all while having fun. SLAM will continue to partner with the YMCA, to include a powerful recreational component to the program. After much hard work in 2010/11, this year will offer an Adult Support Program as well as, Parents Advocating Children Excelling, a weekly program for parents of children with learning disabilities starting in Oct LDANR is also happy to have received funding from the Niagara Prosperity Initiative to provide an early intervention literacy program in Niagara Falls for vulnerable JK-Gr.1 children. We want to remind all LDANR members and partners that we continue to evaluate our services and programs to ensure all involved are receiving effective support. This year LDANR will have a number of Brock University students studying LDANR programs for their honours and Masters theses. We welcome current members to continue accessing our supports and encourage new members to come see what we have to offer. Lets continue to work together to help reach the vision of a strong and inclusive society where individuals living with learning disabilities are confident, successfully educated, resilient and self-sustaining. Ashley Short, Executive Director

5 Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31 st, 2011 Revenues United Way 62,808 73,607 The Branscombe Family Foundation - 32,850 Niagara Community Foundation Ontario Trillium Foundation 27,100 - Bingo Revenue 7,171 9,543 Donations 13, Membership fees 890 1,565 Nevada income (schedule 1) Other revenues 1,102 4,975 Program fees 11,615 12,580 Total revenues 125, ,246 Expenses Accounting and Bookkeeping 7,237 10,823 Bank charges and interest Bingo expenses Capital asset purchases 3,949 - Insurance 2,105 2,120 Memberships Office supplies 899 2,261 Permits and rental fees 4,209 2,841 Photocopying expenses 3,947 3,390 Professional development Program facilitator fees 7,350 8,525 Program supplies 335 1,885 Public awareness and advertising 7,809 3,268 Rent 6,000 7,200 Resource materials 401 2,056 Salaries and benefits 81, ,596 Telephone and internet 3,024 3,514 Travel 2,160 1,077 Total expenses 133, ,922 Excess of Expenses over Revenues for the year (8,722) (16,676) 5

6 The Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region is supported financially by grants, individual and corporate contributions, partner support, membership and program fees. Continued financial support is important to maintain LDANR s programs and services across the Niagara Region. Monetary donations can be made in cash, by cheque, credit card 5 10% of children live with a learning disability. Many of these children are not identified or diagnosed, but still require support services and programs or visit to donate online. Cash and cheques are preferred, as it does not cost the agency processing fees. You will receive a donation receipt and recognition as a donor. Please visit our website to see what items are in need. Signing up for a program? We ask families to make donations when involved in programming to help keep the programs low to no-cost. Thank you for your ongoing support! 6

7 My children enjoyed and looked forward to coming to Reading Rocks. Their tutors were very kind and worked on their areas of difficulties. My daughter moved up several reading levels. - Reading Rocks parent, 2010/ Programming and Services LDANR is happy to continue offering the following programs: Reading Rocks!, B.E.S.T. & S.T.E.P.S. as well as introduce P.A.C.E. for parents of children with learning disabilities, Reading Rocks Junior for children 4 6 at risk of future reading difficulties and a weekly adult support group program for adults with learning disabilities and ADHD. 7 A few things to note Our two self-advocacy and social skills program, B.E.S.T. and S.T.E.P.S have an additional half hour to allow children/youth to apply their new skills through hands-on games/sports. Reading Rocks is now being offered in Niagara Falls thanks to a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara. Reading Rocks Junior is a pilot program funded by Niagara Prosperity Initiative and therefore only offered to families in the Victoria/Drummond neighbourhood at this time.

8 Thank you to the following Volunteers Alison Balind Lindsay Bowler Rachel Brown Ashley Bruce Nikki Cameron Lindsay Campbell Stephanie Choi Martine Coyne Violetta Cupial Lauren Curtas Taylor Dark Janine Deschenes Janelle Davey Melissa Doornekamp Laurel Etikin-Spiegelman Natalie Easson Ashley Fox Kelsey Gleason Stephanie Guest Melanie Grice Hilary Grieve Jessie Geve Grant Hanna Grant Hanna Ashley Hatt Jamie Haasnoot Samantha Helmeczi Caitlin Heit Ryan Huxley Jessica Ip Carly Jones Jessica Jones Chantelle Keay Lauren Kemp Ashley Kingsburry Jill Knight Karyn Kolkka Melissa Larter Nicole Latos Erica Lewis Jordan Marshall Larissa Mazzarella Wendy McIntyre Ashley Miller Stacy Meech Grace Mehlenbacher Heidi Mori Jennifer Musca Laurel Myers Paula Nardone Jennifer Newman Maddison Neate Hayley O Hagan Nicole Oliveira Caitlin Price Irabhim Qureshi Sherri Raso Adele Rogano Hilary Rogers Paige Ruelens Heidi Samuel Natalie Schmitt Ruth Schwendinger Kimberly Seed Samantha Sendzik Emily Shermeto Kristina Sielicki Robyn Singer Samantha Sendzik Emily Shermeto Kristina Sielicki Robyn Singer Jamielee Spicer Brittany Stoneman Michael Teeuwsen Heather Thomson Sarah Timmers Rochelle Tkach Victoria Tribbutt Lauren Tripp Carly Van Cleef Samantha Waters Nelly Weaver Erika Wheeler Andrew Williamson Leigh Williams Lesley Wright Sophie Wright Christina Ykema Volunteer intake form at 8

9 Thank you to our Funders Reading Rocks B.E.S.T. S.T.E.P.S Adult Support SLAM St. Catharines South Niagara Niagara Falls/Greater Fort Erie Sunshine Learning Achievement & More! Reading Rocks Junior 9

10 ldanr Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region The right to learn, the power to achieve LDANR Office 366 St. Paul Street St. Catharines, ON, L2R 3N