SCRI Society: ‘The Club’ Social Cultural Recreational Inclusion for all

Annual Review: 2011

What is the SCRI Society? We are a group of professionals, parents, and family members, who are working with people who have special needs and partners throughout the community to provide activities and opportunities. Our focus is on providing social, cultural and recreational activities that empower and enable people who have disabilities and their families. The majority of members in our programs are aged between 12 and 35, and have disabilities or difficulties that affect learning or communication, but everyone is welcome. It is our members that make us special.

The Drop In Club We are delighted to be able to celebrate our first full year of Drop In Club, with a growing membership and volunteer team. This year has been a year of friendships, exciting adventures, fun, and creativity. “Before learning about the Club my daughter was very much a loner with her best friends: the TV and the computer. Since finding out about and attending the Club, she has made many friends and very much looks forward to attending whenever she can. It gives her a chance to socialize with people she can relate to, as well as something to look forward to. She feels very comfortable at the Club and does not feel she is being judged.”

Every Day at The Club Daily activities include games, air hockey, movies, music, dress-up, arts and crafts, wii, snacks, and lots of social fun. The Drop In is aimed at young people and adults over 12 years of age. A session leader and volunteers are on hand to direct activities and help members where needed. Members who require one-to-one support bring a support worker. Our members’ enthusiasm, friendliness, ideas and natural talents, make the Drop In Club a very special place for all involved. Their feedback shows some of the changes they have found since joining: “I love it at the Club so much, I am so sad if I can’t come” “It has been a great experience for me. I have met many people and made many new friends that will remain for a long time. Every week I see familiar faces and I look forward to going to events at the Club.” “The Club is where I am able to meet people and develop friendships. It's not difficult to fit in because by just being there means I'm accepted. The volunteers and members are always there to listen and cooperate, and offer advice for any problems.” “One thing in particular I like about the Club, is if you want to do something independent you can, but if you want to do something as a team because you’re in a social mood that day, well that’s good too. It’s what works for you on that given day. There is no pressure.” “I like the baking and being with friends. It’s always fun and we just hang out and have fun all the time.”

Programming and Events at The Club As well as daily activities, members and families help to choose a range of special events and programs at the Drop In Club. There was a special focus on cultural activities this year, with music, visual arts, dance, and theatre workshops from a range of professionals and volunteers. Big hits included our Music Nights, large-scale parties such as our Halloween Party and the Winter Ball, and spur of the moment activities like scavenger hunts, afternoon teas, and parachute games. We also had visits from some friendly geckos, Daisy the therapy dog, a Kiss tribute band, and even Miss Canada! This year saw the success of the Club’s first four week Summer Camp, our on-going life-skills program ‘The Lunch Club’ in partnership with Sobeys Supermarket, and our first Annual Appreciation Day, celebrating the anniversary of Drop In Club operations with our members, partners, funders, supporters, volunteers, parents, caregivers and friends. “That camp was just awesome. My daughter said to me "I am the same at the Club", "Mama, at the Club I can do everything." She loves to be with other people with disabilities, and now that she is 13, she needs an older peer group. The Club met these needs for her. This is the best summer she has ever had.”

Supporting families and respite workers Parents of Drop In Club members report that they themselves feel more a part of a community, are less isolated and have more time for themselves: “The Club enables my daughter and I to have some time apart which is great for both of us. She has a life now because of the Club. It gives us some time apart so that we appreciate each other more when we're together.” Respite workers feel less isolated and have somewhere to take their clients: “As a support worker I have made friends at the Club; found support from other people who want to make a difference in people's lives, as I do. Also my client has made new friends and a chance to reunite with old ones.”

Membership Options Membership includes unlimited access to the Drop In Club and social events, 6 days a week, for just $50 a month, or you can use our Pay as you Go option, which gives you 6 sessions for $50 anytime throughout the year. Members of group homes and those living independently in the community are encouraged to talk to us about special options, bursaries, and reduced membership fees.

Volunteering at The Club We are very lucky that many students from Dalhousie University, St Mary’s University and Mount St Vincent University, and Nova Scotia Community College have chosen to undertake their practicum at The Club. Family members, friends and community members have also lent their time and input, helping to make the SCRI Society a vibrant organisation, with a wealth of specialist knowledge and expertise. Feedback from our volunteers demonstrates how valuable being part of a community and sharing your time can be for all concerned. “The members are my friends now. Everyone is so accepting here and you make friendships you’d never expect. I know some members miss me when I’m not here and it makes such a difference to know that I matter” “It’s a really nice environment. The social aspect is probably the best thing. I love The Club. I know that no matter how stressed out I am, I’ll go in there and be able to let that go and relax. It’s been really beneficial. When I’m at school or work I worry about how I look and what people think of me, but when I’m here I’m just totally goofy. You can just be yourself at The Club. I laugh the whole time”

Volunteers, Session Leaders, and Summer Camp Staff 2011 to 2012 Adelaide Merchant Alisha Gaudet Alex Wolf Andrew Bilz Anne McCrae Alison Sanford Alyshia Herritt Amber Allen-Boulet Andrea McMillan Angela Sharbell Annie Xie Ariel Van Tassel Ariannah Yanishevsky Audrey Samson Austin Zhang Brett Bartlett Brittany Rankin Christine Jamieson Courtney Whynot Craig Langille Chantale Levoie Dee & Neil Meister Emma Cameron Emily Martinello Evie Dunville Fiona Fan Fred Martin Gregory Perry Heather Murray Holly Nauss Hilary Jutras

Jackie Rivers James & Debbie Munro Jan Nason Jean Drake Jessica Wallace Jenn Daigle Jenn Provost Jessica Ross Jena-Leigh Buchanan Jiayi Ma Jill O’Hearn Juliet Merchant Julie White Jennifer MacNeil Julian Dorey Justin Eweka Kari Plaggenborg Kayla Totten Katie Gingrich Kelli Robinson Kathryn Morash Krista Poirier Krista Stewart Laura MacDonald Laura Murray Lauren Matheson Lexi Lulianella Louise Facca Lyndsay Sim Matthew McCarthy Maddy Raymond

Megan Blakeman Megan Rogers Melissa Friars Melinda Dobson Nicole Harstone Nikki Wong Odette Merchant Olivia Brown Olivia Dorey Pat Pye Presley J Ferguson Sarah Davey Sarah Reitzel Sarah Manchon Samantha Bland Samantha Baker Savannah Squires Saxon Hagell Sharon Lee Walker Sher Bailly Simon McFadyen Sue Barr Stephanie Clarke Stephanie Martin Steven Estey Tammy Fancy Terrin White Tia Wormell Trista Jacquard Victoria Shepherd Yukun Wu

Community Partners and Funders It takes a community to build a community, and during 2011 many partners came together to support The Club and help it grow. United Way of Halifax Region The Parish of St James Anglican Church, Halifax Province of Nova Scotia Dept of Heritage, Communities & Culture Active Halifax Georgina Foundation Halifax Community Health Board Province of Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion & Protection The IWK Foundation The Windsor Foundation Private donors And a very special thank you to all the volunteers who worked with SCRI Society during 2011. Your contribution and support have made such a difference to the lives of so many.

Statement of Income and Expenditure Fiscal Year Nov 1 2010 to Oct 31 2011 Revenue $ Halifax Community Health Board 1,440 Province of Nova Scotia Health & Wellness 5,700 Province of Nova Scotia Dept of Culture 13,372 Active Halifax 2,445 Georgina Foundation 500 IWK Foundation 10,000 United Way of Halifax Region 23,270 Fundraising 661 Windsor Foundation and Donations 24,470 Miscellaneous 30 Membership Fees: Dance 928 Drop In 11,415 Lunch Club 245 Summer Camp 7,255 Theatre Club 511 102,242 Expenses Fundraising 488 Arts Together Playdate 454 Dance Club 4,308 Drop In Club & Social Events 30,642 Lunch Club 2,220 Summer Camp 17,876 Theatre Club 3,497 Office Costs 5,341 Salaries and Wages 25,480 Depreciation 983

91,289 Net revenue for the year 10,953 Net Assets, beginning of the year 3,804 Net Assets, end of year 14,757* Notes: Drop In Costs include rental costs of $9,000 *Includes investment in renovations to St James Anglican Church $8,841

Balance Sheet Oct 31 2011 Assets $ Cash 24,413 Accounts receivable 2,500 Equipment and Leasehold Improvements 8,841 35,754 Liabilities and Equity Current Accounts payable 2,436 Deferred revenue 18,561 Equity Net Assets invested in capital assets 8,841 Net Assets 5,916 14,757 35,754 Detailed Accounts are available on request Accounts compiled by Optio Incorporated Accounting 5991 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, Nova Scotia SCRI Social, Cultural, Recreational Inclusion Society (The Club) Registered charity no: 836137422RR0001 www.theclubscri.com

Directors and Staff Board of Directors 2010/2011 Renée Pye Audrey Samson (until March 2011) James Munro (until June 2011) Sharon and Bud Malay Kari Robertson Mona Murphy Sandra McFadyen Paula and Brian Layton Peggy Weaver Anne MacRae Mark Gosine

SCRI Society Co-Chairs Renée Pye and Sharon Malay Member Representative Danielle Pottie Executive Director Alice Evans Volunteer Co-ordinator Audrey Samson Summer Camp Leader Lyndsay Sim

Get involved

Visit our website: www.theclubscri.com Follow us on Facebook: SCRI Society The Club Join our email distribution list: registerinfotheclub@gmail.com Call Alice Evans: 902 478 1917

All quotes are taken from anonymous surveys and evaluation

Photography credit: Fred Martin, Alice Evans, Claire Wight