SouthWest Communities Resource Centre

#42, 2580 Southland Dr. S.W.

Calgary, Alberta T2V 4J8

www.swcrc.ca

ANNUAL REPORT 2016- 2017

Building the strength of people with the power of

community

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 – 2017

Contents

President’s Message _____________________________________________________________________________________ 1

SWCRC Mission __________________________________________________________________________________________ 2

Strengthening Families __________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Additional Programs and Services Offered ____________________________________________________________ 5

Building Communities ___________________________________________________________________________________ 6

Volunteers ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7

Financial Statement ______________________________________________________________________________________ 8

Donor Appreciation ______________________________________________________________________________________ 9

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 1

President’s Message

It has been another rewarding and productive year at the SWCRC!

Since our last AGM, our Executive Director, Debra Armstrong, has spearheaded fundraising efforts for the

SWCRC. For instance, in the months leading up to December 2016, Debra organized a Christmas

fundraising drive and was able to raise donations from supporters of more than $ 8,000, and such funds

have gone directly to supporting local families.

The SWCRC has also continued its focus on providing prevention and early intervention programs and

services to families, children, and new immigrants in our neighbourhoods. In particular, the SWCRC, under

Debra's leadership, has brought in new programs and workshops, including Living Life to the Full for stress

management and Employment and Life Skills for individuals who remain impacted by current economic

downturn. By fostering key partnerships with other non-profit organizations such as the Calgary Public

Library and Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, our organization is able to bring services into the

local community for those who need them most.

The staff, Mary Lou Breig and Aynsley Walsh, have also been fantastic in executing in-house programs, such

as delivering for a second consecutive year the "Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting”, an educational

program to provide all parents with strong skills and a social network to assist with parenting. This

program has remained successful since its inception and we will be considering options to expand it next

year given its popularity.

The SWCRC Board of Directors has also continued its work throughout the year, including revising the

SWCRC's prior Strategic Plan that was prepared in 2014, and which required updating to reflect the

changing needs of those in our local neighbourhoods.

Ultimately, many of our successes as an organization would not be possible without the dedication and

staunch support of our funders, staff, volunteers, and local community members. It has been an honour and

privilege to serve as Chair for the past three years, and I hope you will all continue to show support for the

SWCRC and its meaningful work in our local communities.

Sincerely,

Wendy Zhu

Wendy Zhu

Chair, Board of Directors

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 2

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE:

WENDY ZHU – BOARD PRESIDENT

GARY BOBROFF – TREASURER

BRENNEN JACQUES – SECRETARY

STAFF:

DEBRA ARMSTRONG, EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR

MARYLOU BREIG, COMMUNITY

RESOURCE WORKER

AYNSLEY WALSH, COMMUNITY

RESOURCE WORKER

DIRECTORS:

MAUREEN FLOATE NOREEN SAMRA YEE HO TAN LOU-ANNE REGNIER JANNE DUNNION

SWCRC Mission

The SouthWest

Communities

Resource

Centre

provides

programs and

services to

strengthen

capacity,

inspire positive

change and

enrich the lives

of southwest

community

members.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 3

Strengthening Families

The SouthWest Communities Resource Centre (SWCRC) is a welcoming and engaging community hub located in the Co-Op shopping plaza in southwest Calgary. We offer a wide-range of programs and services for families and residents in 28 communities and believe that a stable and secure family life is vital for children, youth and communities to thrive. Our Community Resource Centre helps families find information on programs and services and we understand the uniqueness of the communities in the south west. Over the last year, the SWCRC’s three full-time employees and an army of community volunteers touched the lives of more than 1,500 community residents. There were over 1,100 face-to-face contacts and we have added a number of new programs and services offered through community partners that have increased the number of people visiting our Resource Centre by 25% in 2016-2017.

PARENTING EDUCATION: Our Community Resource Workers help parents by providing information and resources that are designed to decrease daily stress, help families problem solve, and provide new information and parenting strategies to better deal with the day-to-day challenges.

Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting: This is the SWCRC’s signature parenting program facilitated by our trained Community Resource Workers. This popular parenting program fills up quickly and is offered 3 times per year for 8 consecutive weeks. It supports parents raising children of all ages and we partnered with the Southwood Public Library to read stories to pre-schoolers during the parenting course. Look for new times and locations to be developed in 2018.

Chat and Play: This is an informal gathering for parents and children on Monday afternoons. In 2016-2017, we had more than 30 parents register and 48 children for social gatherings and play time. New friendships were formed and remain a source of support for many families today. This program will be offered again in 2017-2018.

Parent Talk: The SWCRC partners with the Further Education Society (FESA) to bring this Literacy and Parenting Skills (LAPS) program to the families in our area. It is designed for parents of pre-school and allows for dialogue and conversations with other parents each Thursday morning.

The Mosaic Family Literacy Program: In 2016-2017 the SWCRC partnered with Immigrant Services Calgary to bring the Multicultural Family Literacy Program to families in the south west. Each week parents and children could play and learn together, read stories, sing songs and go on field trips. Parents had the opportunity to learn new parenting skills and practice their English while the children participated in play-based activities that would prepare them for Kindergarten.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 4

95% of our parents taking a parenting course

surveyed had a positive change in their knowledge of parenting skills. “The resources and information have helped a lot.

“I can just manage things better than before”. “It helped me understand the ages and stages issues”

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

Youth Tutoring: Our Youth Tutoring Program is another program that continues to experience tremendous popularity despite having less funds to meet all the demands. We work with students from the age 12 – 17 who require additional support with their academics. The reason the SWCRC can continue operating this program is the result of amazing volunteer tutors. Each Wednesday evening adults living in our communities with specialized knowledge spend 1 ½ hours with local youth. They become friends and mentors with the students and care about their success. From new Canadians, to students who are experiencing challenges at school or home, our volunteers are there for them.

Youth Employment: In 2016-2017 the SWCRC partnered with the Youth Employment Centre (YEC) to address the growing number of youth we were seeing who expressed frustration in obtaining a job. The YEC helped young people learn how to job search, develop a résumé, cover letter and provided opportunities to practice their interviewing skills.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 5

Additional Programs and Services Offered

Living Life to the Full: When our resource center looks at the issues that bring individuals into our office for the first time, we often identify stress as one prevailing symptom of their situation. As a result, a new partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association was developed over the last year, and we now have the ability to offer an 8 week stress management course free of charge for our residents. This program will be offered at the SWCRC again in fall 2017.

Free Computer Classes: Four sessions of a beginner computer class was offered in partnership with the SouthWood Public Library. This free program had many older adults and new Canadians attend and each session was filled to capacity.

Adult Employment and Life Skills: Over the last year the SWCRC saw more adults come through our office who were dealing with job loss, EI running out and unprecedented financial stress for the middle class. They didn’t know how to find new jobs or switch careers. In partnership with Columbia College we provided workshops on employment and job search and heard how this helped increase the participant’s confidence and skills required to be competitive in the changing market.

Internet Safety for Parents: In partnership with the Calgary Police Service, the SWCRC provided a workshop on Internet Safety for the first time. Calgary Police Services facilitated the workshop for local families and presented information on cyberbullying, theft identity, malware, and how to identify scams.

ESL Conversation Group: In 2017, we partnered with the Calgary Public Library to bring together new Canadians who would like opportunities to practice English. With more than 12 different languages spoken, new friendships were developed and we hope to offer more of these opportunities in 2018.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 6

Building Communities

Our clients come from all backgrounds and visit our resource centre for many reasons. Our Community Resource Centre has become a vital part of their support system and our staff can provide important information and referrals for those experiencing various life challenges. The work is never done in isolation and it takes strong and healthy connections to meet the needs of many. You will find our doors are open to everyone who seeks help and information, and together, with our partners, we will help people build on their strengths and get back on their feet again.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN 2016-2017:

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association: Provides a family counselor each Wednesday at the Resource Centre to meet the diverse needs of women, children and families.

Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention, NEFC: This program is offered free of charge to Aboriginal families living in southwest Calgary.

Homebridge - Homeless Prevention Program: A support program that works with families at

risk of losing their housing and could possibly lead to homelessness.

Aspen Community Connections: For those ready to move forward and need the weekly support

to achieve their personal goals. Their community worker is on the office each Thursday afternoon.

“Great programs for south communities!”

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 7

With the generosity of Councillor Brian

Pincott, the SWCRC obtained 50 Calgary

Zoo passes to take many of our families on

a trip for the day. For some children this

was this first time there and for others the

cost was prohibitive without such

generosity from the community.

Your contributions put a smile on the

faces of all the children and fun was had

by everyone.

Volunteers

Volunteering is fundamental to a healthy community, and everyone can contribute to the

betterment of their community in a manner that works for them. This past year, we had

just over 75 volunteers who gave their time to support our local resource centre.

Whether it was from our committed Board of Directors, tutors, front desk volunteers,

casino workers, child care attendants, or our marketing and communication committee,

everyone had an important part to play. With over 2,900 hours of volunteer time, they

brought their talents, interests, professional skills and education to respond to the needs

of south west Calgary.

We couldn’t do this work without you.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 8

Financial Statement

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Page 9

Donor Appreciation

We are so grateful for the contributions from all our corporate and philanthropic sponsors, government,

and individual donors. Because of their support, all our programs and services are free to participants,

ensuring no one is turned away due to financial barriers.

All our community donations go directly to benefit local families.

2016-2017 DONORS AND SPONSORS:

Key Funders:

Alberta Child and Family Services

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS– City of Calgary)

Community Investment Program

Alberta Gaming and Liquor Control (AGLC, Casino)

Corporate Sponsors:

Spectra Energy

Communities of Caring:

Rotary Club of Calgary Heritage Park

Woodcreek Community Association

Haysboro Community Association

Southwood United Church United Way – Donors Choice Chaitable Foundation of the Family

J-DAC Frat Society

Individual Donors:

Brighid Cohen Johanna Everett Lloyd Byers

Ken Mills Shirley Tomochko Jim Dillon

Dave Rodney Darlynn Linn Ken Bond

Dave Tratner Kim McLean Gary Bobroff

Fanny Oliphant Evelyn Gardner Maureen Floate

Rosemary Bussie Anonymous Donors Thomas Story

SouthWest Communities Resource Centre #42, 2580 Southland Drive S.W.

403 238-9222

www.swcrc.ca