Annual Report. Changing Health. Changing Lives.

Transcription

1 Annual Report Changing Health. Changing Lives.

2 Message from the CEO The vision of The Alex is A Community of Healthy Individuals and every day over 200 staff work towards that goal by delivering health and social services to Calgarians who need it most. Our health, housing and food programs are bringing real change to the lives of thousands of people who walk through the doors of our medical clinics, our health buses, and our community spaces. When a Calgarian in need comes to The Alex, they know help is within reach. Our teams use a whole health approach to meet an individual s immediate needs and then provide wraparound physical and mental health care and social supports that address the whole person. We can do this work by being responsive and nimble, allowing our team of doctors, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists and social workers to spend as much time as required to address the root causes of our clients physical and mental health challenges. And we stand at the forefront of these issues, making our voice heard, and amplifying the voices of those who are so often marginalized. This year The Alex joined in the conversation on fluoridation, speaking nationally on the benefits of fluoride for vulnerable populations, as well as the need for dental health to be part of our primary health care system. In early 2017 we were selected to be part of a pilot project through Alberta Health providing funding for more nurse practitioners, allowing The Alex to expand our hours and services, and to support more clients. These strong partnerships demonstrate our commitment to delivering high-quality, costeffective, innovative care. As I reflect on our past year, I recognize our incredible growth. Our Community Food Centre is now fully operational, and is welcoming hundreds of community members through its doors daily to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food. Our Seniors Health Centre opened The Seniors Space, a place for low-income seniors to meet and mingle, helping address social isolation and provide resources and friendship. We have also laid the foundation for our largest, and most exciting new venture: the development of The Alex Community Health Centre, a 60,000 sq ft medical and social centre in the heart of northeast Calgary. We will be moving into this new space in the next year, opening in the summer of We are The Alex. We are changing health and changing lives, and we could not do it without your support. Thank you. Shelley Heartwell, CEO Page 2

3 Health Family Health Centre The Alex believes in preventative care in an open, judgment-free environment. Our Family Health Centre is a welcoming space for vulnerable Calgarians of all ages to meet with doctors, nurses, and psychologists, (as well as nutritionists, chiropractors, and massage therapists and more). We build on-going relationships with our clients and are never just one issue, one visit. Our staff take the time to really understand our patients, and develop treatment plans that work. This year The Alex was one of three programs selected to participate in an Alberta Health initiative to use nurse practitioners as a cost-effective and responsive way to meet the medical needs of our clients. Community Health Bus Launched in 2001, The Community Health Bus continues to provide medical care to those who may otherwise have no contact with health services. Visiting shelters and social agencies, the CHB delivers innovative health on wheels. Every time I see the bus roll up, I know that help is within my reach - Community Health Bus Client Visits for all Family Health Centre services including: Seniors Health Centre Our Seniors Health Centre serves low-income seniors with complex health and social needs. We break down the barriers of social isolation, and address chronic disease management with gentleness, humour and caring. Our goal? Increase the well-being and quality of life of seniors by providing quality, one-on-one, comprehensive care saw the launch of The Seniors Space, a community hub in the heart of the East Village, providing social inclusion for low-income and socially isolated seniors. Dental Health Bus The Dental Health Bus fills a significant gap in dental health services for the working poor and their families. We visit elementary schools for oral screenings, fluoride applications and sealants, and also partner with local dental offices to provide more in-depth restorative care visits for social support and system navigation 1086 Visits with a Diabetes Educator 8877 Visits with a Physician or Nurse Practitioner 7188 visits to a client resource specialist By providing low-barrier dental care on wheels, The Alex is dramatically improving the quality of life for Calgary s most vulnerable youth. $507K in dental treatment provided in 2016/17 at no cost to participants Page 3

4 Youth Health Centre The Alex Youth Health Centre provides a safe and supportive space for youth to connect with a caring and trust-inspiring team of health care and social support professionals. We invite youth aged from all backgrounds into our friendly, relaxed atmosphere to access a variety of free services on a drop-in basis. Upholding the principles of non-judgment, compassion, and confidentiality, we guide youth in the process of reclaiming their lives, working through challenges, and cultivating healthy and successful futures. New initiatives in included: The growth of our of our Graffiti Art Program. Working with Youth Justice, The Alex YHC redirects youth in the justice system for graffiti & tagging, providing a creative outlet. This year our artists organized their first professional show to great acclaim. Our Queermunity LGBTQ2S+ support group has created a safe & secure environment for youth to discuss and share their experiences. Youth Health Bus The Youth Health Bus goes directly to 8 partnering high schools, as well as the Tsuu T ina Nation, where youth receive health and social supports to improve their overall health in order to function more successfully in school. This unique program provides students with confidential visits to doctors and nurses without missing school. 35% identify as Indigenous 56% don t have a 5147 permanent place to call home Youth came through 18.7 our doors in 2016/2017 Average age of YHC participant To me the Alex symbolizes safety, love, family, and healing. - Joseph, YHC Client Physical Health Support 27% 305 YHC participants children served in our parenting groups I visited the bus today for Sexual Health Support 22% Social Support 36% Mental Health Support 27% 63% of YHB visits were for mental health and social supports Page 4

5 Changing Health: Trevor and Dr. Berlin Dr. Randall Berlin, one of our long-time Family Health Centre physicians, wanted to share a success story about Trevor*, one of his patients. What compelled Dr. Berlin to share the story was a recent phone call he had received from Trevor s mother, thanking him and The Alex for never giving up on her son over the past 15 years. She is learning about the son she has missed for so many years, and is so grateful for his return to the family. When Dr. Berlin met Trevor on our Community Health Bus he was experiencing a severe dependence on cocaine, and had other serious health issues. As Dr. Berlin began to address his immediate physical needs and connect him to long-term solutions for his addiction, Trevor s recovery improved, and he was longing to go back to visit his family in Ontario. An outstanding criminal charge was keeping him from traveling, so Dr. Berlin wrote a letter on Trevor s behalf to the lawyer handling his case, the charge was dropped, and Trevor was reunited with his family. Trevor s story is like so many here at The Alex, and his success is in no small part due to the commitment and care he received as a patient of Dr. Berlin s. I ve always had something inside me that has drawn me to the patients that use The Alex - it s what is really rewarding. Medical care, the diagnostic stuff, that s all kind of an intellectual challenge, which is fun, but connecting with people is what really enriches your soul. The stories that come out of working with the patients at The Alex is what is so rewarding about it reflects Dr. Berlin. Me giving out a prescription that s not health care that s not how we make people well. The Alex s approach to health care allows for much more than one issue per visit and through our unique model we releases doctors from the billing cycle, allowing them the time to provide whole health care, and really understand their patients and the root causes of their physical and mental health concerns. I would not be able to provide this type of care under a different platform. If it was fee for service and my income was based on patient visits you end up primarily focused on the medical problem and the social stuff gets brushed aside, but here I have lots of time to do complete care. It s awesome. Compassionate care helped Trevor restore his dignity, address his addiction and rebuild his support system. Dr. Berlin recognizes the importance of this model of wraparound care and the impact it has on our most vulnerable neighbours. Me giving out a prescription that s not health care that s not how we make people well. * Name changed to protect privacy Page 5

6 Housing Housing First We know that mental illness, addiction and poverty cannot be solved on the streets. Using the Housing First model, we give our clients a safe and stable environment so that they can address the complex issues related to their physical health, mental health and addictions all barriers which can lead to homelessness. Our wraparound care provides clients with physicians, counselors, and resource specialists, who work in small teams to help set goals, and move people from surviving to thriving. The Alex was the first agency to join with the Calgary Homeless Foundation in its commitment to ending homelessness in Calgary, and we continue to work with a growing group of agencies dedicated to providing upstream approaches to the physical, social and economic issues that are the root causes of homelessness. 80% of Pathways To Housing clients had a reduction in public system use after 1 year in the program Scattered-Site Housing Our HomeBase and Pathways to Housing programs provide safe and stable housing for over 300 Calgarians who have experienced chronic homelessness. Each client is set up in an apartment, and provided with a team who work closely with them through site visits and medical and social outreach at our Community Health Centre. Place-Based Housing Abbeydale Place is a multi-unit housing facility that includes 24 hour support and intensive case management for clients for whom independence is out of reach due to complex physical and mental health needs. Our staff work alongside clients on their path to healing, helping them reclaim dignity and providing hope and wellness to those who have experienced major traumas. 63% decrease in substance use reported using after 1 year in Abbeydale Pathways to Housing photography club - Photo by Danny Page 6

7 Food The Alex Community Food Centre The Alex CFC offers food access, food skills, and education and engagement programs in a dignified and welcoming space that brings the community together to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food. As a partner program of Community Food Centres Canada, we are working on a local approach to a national issue: food security and food access for low-income Canadians. In the heart of Greater Forest Lawn, The Alex CFC has been listening to its community members and developing programs that are meaningful to its participants. Supported by a strong group of community volunteers, the Community Food Centre increases access to healthy foods and brings neighbours together to break bread and build strong bonds. So much more than just good food, the CFC increases social supports for isolated community members and increases community engagement. Spotlight on FoodFit FoodFit is a 12 week program to help improve well-being through healthy cooking and gentle exercise in a positive, supportive environment. It s gotten me able to control my depression and anxiety. This is my safe place. I feel far less anxious and sad when I m here. 88% of people surveyed say The Alex CFC provides an important source of healthy food - CFC survey respondent 66% of people survey are eating more fruits and vegetables 12,605 healthy meals served and sent home With a committment to healthy cooking and eating, FoodFit participants have seen indredible results, and have been able to reduce use of insulin, increase their mobility and have an overall more positive approach to living a healthy lifestyle. "I ve seen amazing transformation in the client[s] from our clinic they have an increased confidence in grocery shopping, cooking, and a willingness at trying new recipes and healthy foods." - Yolanda Smith BSW RSW Endocrinology & Metabolism Program Calgary Adult Bariatric Specialty Clinic Page 7

8 Financials Revenues Calgary Homeless Foundation $8,850,042 Alberta Government $7,976,447 Fundraising $1,049,532 Interest and other income $794,219 United Way $411,516 City of Calgary FCSS $233,443 Total Revenue $19,315,199 46% Calgary Homeless Foundation 41% Alberta Government 5% Fundraising 4% Other Income 2% United Way 1% City of Calgary FCSS Expenses Health $8,719,924 Housing $8,101,334 Food $625,517 Administration $1,516,142 Total Expenses $18,963,916 46% Health 43% Housing 3% Food Audited financial statements are available on our website, and on request. 8% Administration Page 8