Annual Report 2014

The right to learn, the power to achieve

The Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region would like to thank the United Way of Peel Region their generous support over the past year. Our successes could not have happened without their ongoing commitment to the communities of Peel Region: Brampton, Mississauga and

We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Region of Peel for their support of our new grant through their Community Programs Fund. We are delighted to have the support of the Region of Peel in extending the reach of our services to at-risk youth and their

i

ii

*Excerpt; see full financial statement for details and notes.

Board of Directors ······································ 1

President’s Report ······································· 2

Treasurer’s Report ······································· 3

Statement of Operations ····························· 4

Executive Director’s Report ························ 5

2013-2014 Highlights ·································· 7

Table of Contents

iii

Marvin Bavcevic

President

Terri LeRoux

Vice-President

Gayatri Kuarsingh

Treasurer

Leslie Silvestri

Director / SEAC Rep.

Lorraine Yuill

Director / SEAC Rep.

Roopnauth (Paul) Sharma

Director

Board of Directors 2013-2014

1

2

President’s Report

Another year has passed and Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region (LDAPR) continues to grow. Our first full year as LDAPR has seen us change from a newly formed entity, trying to assimilate past practices and approaches from our predecessors into one new organization, to an entity leaving behind our past and forging ahead with our new future. Plans to streamline and improve operations are already in place. Although it is always difficult to refrain from looking backwards, we’ve begun to learn to move forward and not use past practices as rationale for future action. One of the exciting initiatives we’ve engaged in to help us achieve this goal is the commencement of a Strategic Planning initiative. Although this formal process will be completed over the next year, I wanted to make you aware of our actions. We’ve assessed the needs of our communities and are moving towards fulfilling those needs (in the short term) in the most efficient way possible. Over the longer term, our Board members, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders have contributed (and will continue to contribute) to helping shape the direction of our organization. We are excited about our future potential and are seeking to make LDAPR a model organization for other charitable organizations to follow. Stay tuned and follow our progress over the coming months and years! There are a number of groups that require their efforts within LDAPR acknowledged. A heartfelt “Thank You” goes out to:

Our funders. The continued support from the United Way and the Region of Peel is without question, critical. Our funders continue to provide us financial stability which enables us to focus on delivering our programs and services. The continued support we receive shows how valuable our contributions are perceived in our communities.

Our staff. They have shown enthusiasm, initiative and commitment. Their continued efforts are our strength. Those serviced by our staff commend the results achieved.

Our Board of Directors. This volunteer group consistently take time out of their busy lives to ensure enough resources are devoted to the proper stewardship of this organization. After hours’ meetings (formal and informal), phone calls, e-mails…the amount of communication exchanged amongst the Board is astounding. Even when the group doesn’t agree on issues, the result achieved and the decisions made always ends up being in the best interest of the organization.

The upcoming year promises to be full of growth and change. Some of those changes are occurring as we speak while many more are to come. We have a large responsibility to those impacted by LD in our community and we continue to strive to improve our position in the community and the manner in which we aid those seeking our assistance. Respectfully.

Marvin Bavcevic President

3 3

The fiscal year 2013-2014 was the first year of operations for the organization as

Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region (LDAPR). Our commitment during the

year extended to families in Caledon as well as Brampton and Mississauga. We continue

to assess the needs of families through various strategic initiatives and will continue to tailor

our programs and resources to meet the needs within these communities.

For Fiscal 2014, LDAPR ended the year with an operating deficit. This deficit,

increased from prior year’s combined deficit by approximately $6,000 which was lower than

budgeted. As a result of the amalgamation, there was a reduction in funding during fiscal

2014 of approximately $85,000. This decrease in funding was offset by a reduction in

amalgamation costs of approximately $35,000 and a decrease in salaries and benefits of

approximately $45,000. However, given the organization’s continued efforts to make these

programs affordable to parents of children with learning disabilities, our programs continued

to break-even or operate at a deficit.

The organization continued to receive funding from United Way of Peel and the

Region of Peel, and at the end of the fiscal year, the organization deferred revenue in

excess of $230,000 received from our various funders to assist in the growth of the

organization and improvement and expansion of our programs available to the Peel

Region. Consequently this placed the organization in a healthy cash position in the amount

of approximately $225,000 at fiscal year-end. The organization continues to maintain

approximately $20,000 in investments derived from charitable Bingo events held in

Brampton and Mississauga.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of Peel

Region, we are confident that with our continued commitment to the organization and fiscal

responsibility we will be able to continue serving families of children with learning

disabilities in the Peel Region. All the best to all our members and their families and we

look forward to your continued support and partnership for many years to come!

Gayatri Kuarsingh

Treasurer

Treasurer’s Report

4

Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region

Combined Statement of Operations

2014 Feb 7, 2013 June 30,2013 June 30,2013

LDAPR LDAM LDANP LDAPR Combined

Revenue

Bingo/Nevada $ 62382 $ 22,022 $ 23,640 $ 24,796 $ 70,458

United Way Grant 110,000 16,629 64,167 44,119 124,915

Region of Peel Grant 83,482 61,200 36,250 47,500 144,950

Summer Camp fees 23,654 11,480 10,303 - 21,783

YMCA Grant 4,162 2,081 2,081 - 4,162

Summer Career Placement( HRDC) 21,416 9,602 10,423 6,460 26,485

Conference/Workshops 620 6,163 65 (40) 6,188

Academic Support 37,620 5,675 13,435 13,090 32,200

Computer Skills/Assistive Technology 9,485 3,350 3,855 3,918 11,123

Donations 8,987 4,978 1,748 4,626 11,352

Social Skills/Positive Conflict 11,619 2,325 6,485 7,705 16,515

Membership 3,711 1,606 1,732 2,387 5,725

Rental income 2,400 1,600 - - 1,600

Fundraising 12,624 - - - -

Other - 51 1,537 4,935 6,523

$ 392,162 $ 148,762 $ 175,721 $ 159,496 $ 483,979

Expenses

Salary and benefits $ 195,542 $ 68,485 $ 88,366 $ 82,288 $ 239,139

Rent 81,171 26,706 23,766 29,618 80,090

Summer Camp 17,434 20,595 8,390 2,706 31,691

Office and General 30,900 11,459 13,155 14,110 38,724

Academic Support 38,129 2,400 10,940 15,146 28,486

Fundraising/Volunteer Expense 18,841 5,750 - 3,527 9,277

Conference/Workshops 4,135 3,229 124 163 3,516

Computer Skills/Assistive Technology 8,872 1,517 1,244 4,635 7,396

Legal and Audit 7,217 2,330 1,873 3,725 7,928

Membership fees 100 1,052 - - 1,052

Social skills/Positive Conflict 8,832 425 2,082 6,025 8,532

Bingo/Nevada 733 1,495 2,803 5,031

Amalgamation expense 2,660 15,977 16,143 6,195 38,315

$ 413,833 $ 160,658 $ 167,578 $ 170,941 $ 499,177

Deficiency of Revenue over Expenses (21,671) $ (11,896) $ 8,143 $ (11,445) $ (15,198)

Statement of Operations

5

November 2014

LDAPR has been making steps towards their regional expansion of services and programs. This has been no easy task but we are on our way to providing programs throughout the Peel Region. We have worked very hard to get to where we are now and with a little more hard work we will be able to achieve our vision. As we charter through new waters to achieve a unified and cohesive regional identity we must always keep in the back of our minds the reason we provide our programing and supports. I would like to thank all the board members who have put in their time in regards to restructuring LDAPR’s future. I would like to thank our SEAC reps for their support in the fighting for the rights of students with learning disabilities. Your drive and commitment for equality is truly noted. Thank you to all the staff that make it possible for us to deliver our direct programs and services including Resource Counselling, Social Skills Training, Academic Tutoring, Positive Conflict Resolution Training, Computer Training , Summer Camp Programs, Assistive Technology, Stay In School Program, Adult and Parent Support Groups and Educational Workshops. Much gratitude to our funders United Way of Peel Region; The Region of Peel, YMCA of Greater Toronto, Canada Summer Jobs and our donors and volunteers. It is with your generous support we are able to do what we do. Thank you for acknowledging our dedication to serve the learning disabled community of Peel Region. We encourage all to continue to support our efforts to provide our clients with essential services and programs, which improve and enhance the lives of people living with learning disabilities. LDAPR still has a lot of work to do in 2014-15 but with the proper vision and supports I’m sure we can get there. Remember “The Right to learn, is the power to achieve” Sincerely, Carla Warwick, BSW Executive Director

Executive Director’s Report

6

7

Office Staff

Carla Warwick

Executive Director

Tamara McEachern

Manager of Programs and Services

Unblind Tibbins

Manager of Community Engagement

Amber Low

Resource Counsellor

Jey-son Edwards

Project and Community Events Coordinator

Lilia Mastrocola

Client & Services Coordinator

Michael Collens

Assistant Executive Director

Sandy Gordon

Bookkeeper

(Continued on page 8)

2013-2014 Highlights

* 8

Azielee Gregory

Academic Tutoring

Beverley Manikoth

Academic Tutoring

Farah Jolag

Academic Tutoring

Molly Jain

Academic Tutoring

Anton Winn

Academic Tutoring and Youth Group

Abigail Iseyemi

Academic Tutoring

Natasha Fearing

Academic Tutoring

Kelly Robins

Academic Tutoring

Amanda Mastrocola

Academic Tutoring

Rachna Uberoi

Academic Tutoring

Carl Warwick

Academic Tutoring

Tina Si

Academic Tutoring

Tania Hayek

Academic Tutoring

Emeline Van Bodegom

Assistive Technology

Jennifer Armstrong

Orton-Gillingham Program

Mandeep Gill

Computer Skills

Tasha Warwick-Fletcher

Positive Conflict

Stacy Johnson

Social Skills

Krystal Petty

Computer Skills

Program Staff

9

PROGRAM FREQUENCY ENROLMENT

Adult Support Group

6 meetings per year

8 per meeting

Computer Mastery Levels 1

and 2,

Assistive technology

Three 10 week programs

6 week sessions recurring

68

14

Parent Support Group

9 meetings per year 9 per meeting

Social Skills

Three 10-week programs 82

Summer Support Program

6 weeks

133

Academic Support

Ongoing 114

Positive Conflict Resolution Three 10-week programs 37

Youth Group 13 Sessions 33

Orton-Gillingham 6 weeks sessions 18

SERVICES FREQUENCY ENROLMENT

Resource Facilitation

Business Hours

Over 3930 documented +

25% error rate = 2950

Information Display at com-

munity events

As scheduled 50 events

3633 individuals & families

reached

Resources Fair & Speakers

Corner

November 2013

90

Library Business Hours 12 (avg. 1 users per month)

Newsletter Quarterly

1384 (Membership +

schools)

Volunteers

Ongoing 32 volunteers / 175+ hours

10

W e would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our many members and volunteers for the outstanding leadership and commitment they have shown over the past year. Your generosity helped us to raise awareness and provide support to the Learning Disabilities communities within Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon, Orangeville and neighbouring communities. We are excited about starting the next chapter in our story and we are looking forward to your continue involvement

© 2013, Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region