Annual Report 2015/2016 -...
Transcript of Annual Report 2015/2016 -...
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Wawa & Area
Annual Report
2015/2016
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Message from the Chairperson
2014/15 was a year of great change for the Wawa and Area Victim Services
organization. I can honestly say for myself that it has been a year of learning and
growth. We have welcomed new staff, new volunteers, new policy and new
standards. Throughout the past year, under a unique and fully supportive team of
Board of Directors, the organization has persevered in the face of challenge with
dignity and a strong desire to keep the purpose of Wawa and Area Victim Services
a respectful one and one that continues to be strong in the areas we serve. The
Wawa and Area Victim Services organization is one that I am truly proud to be a
part of and strive to keep successful in remaining a vital service provided to our
community.
I’d like very much to thank each and every one of our staff, volunteers, community
partners, funding Ministry and area stakeholders for their support and hard work in
our day to day (and sometimes night) operations. The dedication that it takes to be
involved in our organization is greatly recognized and appreciated beyond words.
Wawa and Area Victim Services would not be the service that it is today without
each and every person who gives of their time and commitment to ensure that our
organization succeeds.
Looking forward to the coming year, I feel excitement and anticipation as we
endeavor to find creative ways to enhance our services. We will embark on our next
round of strategic planning and make every effort to accomplish the goals identified
therein. I am confident that with the individuals that the organization of Wawa and
Area Victim Services has on its side, we can accomplish all that we set out to do.
Kind Regards,
Jody Tait
Wawa and Area Victim Services
Board Chair
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Proud member of:
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“I would like you to know that Victim Services made a real difference for our situation and
helped us move from the trauma to getting better. An underappreciated dimension of the
help you provide is the alleviation of anxiety and the protection of mental health which I
believe is vital for getting well physically”
“The support and assistance we received was unexpected but made an enormous
difference…”
Our greatest thank you will always be to our volunteers
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The 2015-2016 was a year of much upheaval and change for Wawa and Area Victim Services. It
began with the resignation of long time Sexual Assault Counsellor Allison Rousseau and then in
early 2016 the resignation of Danette Mathias. Danette was the much loved Executive Director
since the inception of the organization back in 2007. Change is not always easy, but with the
strength of our volunteers and board we were able to maintain and deliver a service based upon
compassion, knowledge and the willingness to go the extra mile.
As the new Executive Director I had to jump in at the deep end and familiarize myself with the
organization, our staff, our volunteers, our partners and program standards. I enjoy a challenge so
the last three months of the fiscal year were very enjoyable!
I can’t say enough about our volunteers – they truly care about their fellow citizens and willingly
expend some of their free time being ‘on call’. They organize themselves around the schedule
making sure that if the need arises they are able to answer the call. Our clients appreciate the
service provided to them, and this is obvious by the many comments we have received from
various clients “Thank You – you made a difficult situation, much easier to manage”, Thank you for
being there and being so helpful with your time and resources”. As a rookie I depended upon our
team leaders to make sure that situations were handled in a professional and caring manner even
when I was uncertain as to the next steps. They gently prodded me in the right direction. Thank
you to each and every front line volunteer.
Our board members have taken the time to work with me ensuring that we were all aware of and
understood our various policies. They are also a dedicated group of individuals who believe in the
mission of the organization at their very core – assisting and empowering victims of crime and
tragic circumstance. Another huge thank you goes out to these individuals who give of their time
and expertise laying the groundwork for consistent, professional service delivery in keeping with
our vision and values.
And lastly, a heartfelt thank you to Kaitlin and Yvonne for working through the challenges that came
in the last quarter of the 2015-2016 year and will continue on throughout this next year.
Thank you to everyone who has in any way impacted Wawa and Area Victim Services , in
particular our partners-the Superior East Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, Lady Dunn
Health Centre, Chadwic Home, and Michipicoten First Nations.
I am looking forward to the 2016 – 2017 year and strongly believe that we will continue to be a
strong, relevant organization always adapting to the changing needs of the people we serve.
Respectfully submitted,
Executive Director
Message from the Executive Director
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Sexual Assault Program
This year brought new changes, challenges and also
successes for the Sexual Assault program. I was faced
with the task of maintaining strong community
partnerships and facilitating an already flourishing
program. I think we were able to do just that!
The partnership continued with Pam Carruthers from
CHADWIC home and the Sexual Assault Program to
continue “Food for Thought” at Michipicoten High school.
Pizza lunches were brought to the school every Friday to allow a safe space for
students to eat lunch and have conversations about healthy relationships, sexual
assault, sexting and more while gaining advice and guidance on these issues. We
saw increasing numbers of students every week, a great marker for the success of
the program.
In a continued collaboration with Pam from CHADWIC home we also hosted a
morning workshop for Michipicoten High school's grade 11 and 12 girls. This
workshop highlighted healthy relationships and focused on empowerment of not only
the girls themselves but the females around them. This was met with positive
feedback and we plan to offer similar workshops and extend the invite to the
remaining grades as well.
Our program continues to be a partner at the tables of North Algoma Committee on
Woman Abuse, the Glad Grad Day Committee and the Sexual Assault Advisory
Committee in Sault Ste. Marie. These committees allow me to network with
professionals in similar fields that share the commonality of wanted to bring the most
up to date, helpful and informative resources to our clients.
As our program looks towards a new year I am excited to continue to have the
opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community and build upon new
and existing partnerships.
Organizational Vision
Wawa & Area Victim Services is a
uniquely hybrid program
delivering innovative responsive
services to victims of crime &
tragedy & survivors of sexual
assault, within a strong network
of volunteers and partnerships
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Mission Statement
By offering coordinated services & volunteer support, WAVS
assists and empowers victims* of crime & tragedy
& survivors of sexual assault and abuse- resulting in stronger
and safer communities.
*WAVS clients are 16 years and older & live within a 1/2
hour radius from Wawa.
Support is provided to
Victims of Crime:
Assault
Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault
Break and Enter
Homicide
Elder Abuse
Robbery/Theft/Fraud
and Tragic Circumstance:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Sudden Death
Fire
Family/Personal Crisis
Board of Directors
Jody Tait – Board Chair
Carole Robert– Treasurer
Irene Grusys – Secretary
Renée Mellish
Aldona Mitrikas
Jennifer Pine
Amanda Huff – OPP Advisor
A Sincere “Thank You”
To Our Partners!
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police
Lady Dunn Health Centre
Wawa Volunteer Fire Department
Wawa & Area Victim
Services is a nonprofit
registered charitable
organization funded by the
Government of Ontario.
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Volunteer Appreciation Evening
On November 25th, 2015 Wawa and Area Victim Services held their annual
Volunteer Appreciation Evening at Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Judy Moore prepared an absolutely delicious meal which complimented an
evening filled with laughs and sincere appreciation for each one of our
volunteers.
Invited to the celebration were our always supportive community partners.
Certificates and tokens of appreciation were given to all volunteers
recognizing their continued commitment and dedication to the organization.
We would like to take this opportunity to genuinely thank our volunteers for
their time and commitment to Wawa and Area Victim Services. Thank you!
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Sexual Assault Program Stats
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Financial Snapshot
Year ended March 31st, 2016
Revenue
Ministry of Attorney General $ 187 588
Victim Quick Response Program ----
Justice Grant $ 3000
Donations & Other $ 9 952
Total $ 200 540
Allocation of Expenses
Salaries $ Benefits 120 663$
Staff Expenses $ 6277
Volunteer Expenses $ 6875
Board Expenses $ 1 483
Office $ Administrative Expenses $ 15 222
Telephone and Communications $ 9 787
Insurance $ 4 163
Professional Fees $ 3 500
Office Program Equipment $ 8 581
Client Expenses $ 2 471
Building Occupancy $ 13 096
Public Education $ 2 953
Association Fees $ 1 600
Other Expenses $ 2 000
$ 198 778
Excess of revenue over expenses $ 1 762
Payable to the Ministry of Attorney General $ 0
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9th Annual William Rose Golf
Tournament
On Friday July 24th, 2015 Wawa and Area
Victim Services hosted the 9th Annual William
G. Rose Golf Tournament.
We couldn’t have asked for better weather, the
sunny day saw 130 golfers. After 9 holes of golf,
the participants were treated to a wonderful
turkey dinner prepared by the staff of the
Clubhouse.
Once again, Mission Motors of Wawa graciously
sponsored the chance to win a car on Hole #7 if
the lucky person could get a hole-in-one.
Unfortunately, no one walked away with a car
this year but there’s always next year!
Wawa and Area Victim Services would like to
take this opportunity to thank the Michipicoten
Golf Club, all participants, volunteers, and
especially our local businesses who continue to
support this annual event.
Thank you!
Proceeds from the tournament support a bursary to
a graduating student who is entering the field of law
enforcement as well as our Victim Services
program!
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Volunteer Hours
Volunteer Appreciation Week
Volunteer appreciation week was celebrated April 15, 2015. A wonderful meal was had at the Lai’s Restaurant. Community partners were invited to participate in the celebration of our volunteers and the evening concluded with tokens of appreciation being given out to the Volunteers for their dedication and contributions to Wawa & Area Victim Services. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteers and community partners for their continued support. You all make a difference in our community!
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Program Stats for 2015/2016
Number of Victims by Incident Type
Number of Victims by Category
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Incident Referral Source
Referrals Provided
Program Stats for 2015/2016
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Program Stats for 2015/2016
On Thursday November 19th, 2015 Wawa
and Area Victim Services, in partnership
with the Ontario Provincial Police and RBC
Royal Bank, hosted a “Keep Safe from
Fraud Event” for Wawa’s Seniors.
The day saw a great turn out despite the
weather forecast. The presentation offered
both a police and bank perspective on
identifying and protecting yourself from
fraud. The response from the seniors was
of great appreciation for hosting an
informative and beneficial event, so much
so that a follow up one was requested!