Annual Report.indd - Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre

2014 - 2015
Annual Report
Pregnancy Tests
Peer-Counselling
Educational Classes
Housing Options
Medical Care
Free Baby Clothes
Professional Counselling
Maternity Clothes
Practical Support
205, 925 7Ave SW
Calgary, AB
T2P 1A5
403.269.3110
2014 - 2015
Annual Report Contents
Message from the Executive Director
3
Message from the Former ED
5
Guiding Principles6
Programs7
Challenges and Achievements
9
Clients Speak11
Our Impact13
My Name is Iesha
15
Message from the Board President
17
Financial Report19
Thank You21
2
Message from the
Executive Director
In reflection, the best descriptor of the past year at the CPCC
would be the word, change. A personally significant change
occurred in October transitioning from Centre Director to
Executive Director. I feel privileged to have been mentored by
the leadership of my colleague and friend, Wendy Lowe, who
has moved on to a new role at Ambrose University. It is an
exciting challenge to lead this organization, and I am
passionately committed to its growth as we endeavor to meet
the needs of those we serve.
Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers share this strong
commitment. As a result, we have grown in the depth and
breadth of the services we provide to our clients and the
community. Because real change happens over time, with
healthy mentoring relationships in place, we are intentional in
providing long-term support to clients and their partners. As
such, we have seen an increase in return visits, allowing the
opportunity and time to positively impact client outcomes.
Our sponsorship of Expose 2, a pornography awareness
conference, was a change of pace for the CPCC. Seeing the
need reflected in client stories instilled in us a desire to
become part of the solution. We are grateful to our many
partners who also believed it was time to have a deeper
conversation and helped us offer a professional presentation.
3
In response to the needs of the larger community, and with
the help and hard work of the local steering committee, we
opened our first Satellite location in Strathmore in May of
2014. We are now planning an additional satellite location in
the northeast quadrant of Calgary. The satellite model is a
cost effective way of expanding services.
We need to keep growing. Those
experiencing an unplanned
pregnancy are vulnerable, and
often without resources, in a
thriving and prosperous city.
Housing has become the number
one self-identified need of our client
group. We want to be change-agents
as this reality is intolerable. By
partnering with other agencies to
find solutions, we can aim for a
future where lack of housing is not
the deciding factor in continuing a pregnancy, remaining in a
dangerous relationship, or placing children in foster care.
To this end, we have developed a strong fund development
strategy so we can be responsive to new opportunities. This
strategy preserves a fund structure not reliant on government
funding but remaining focused on individual, church, and
business donations.
This quote speaks to why I believe so strongly in the work of
the CPCC: “I have come to see that there is a world of
difference between a problem and a person with a face
and a name.” - Mary Jo Leddy
Each day I am privileged to see the faces of those who come
to us for help. Often, in those faces, there is fear and
sadness, already having experienced many losses. I see
also the compassionate faces of volunteers and staff who go
“above and beyond” to bring hope into hopeless situations.
- Jutta Wittmeier
4
Message from the
Former Executive Director
When you have led a pregnancy care centre for over 25
years, you care passionately about how things will go when
you leave. I am pleased to tell you; things are going just
fine!
To move from the role of leader to cheerleader has been
one of deep joy for me - deep joy because there is so
much to cheer about. I have seen the team grow in
capacity and creativity. They have stepped into new
challenges and stayed true to the core of compassionate
care for those affected by unplanned pregnancy. They
have broken records in the number of individuals served in
the community. They are developing new avenues of care
and outreach to clients, particularly those who fall into the
category of marginalized Calgarians. They continue to
provide outstanding practical training to students from
many different higher education institutions in our city.
The Centre has grown because
of your investment in social
justice, done with excellence and
compassion. The move from
employee to donor allows me to
say, without conflict of interest,
that what we give to the Centre
is an investment in a profoundly
impactful ministry.
- Wendy Lowe
5
Guiding Principles
Vision
Our vision is to see a connected community embracing
each person’s intrinsic dignity and value.
Mission
Our mission as a Christian charity is to help people
overcome challenging circumstances with education,
connection, and support.
We have been caring for women, youth and families since
1985. We meet our clients at their point of need, helping
to reduce the challenges related to unplanned pregnancy by
providing accurate information, connections to
community, and ongoing support. In the midst of these
challenging circumstances, we empower confident decisions
toward the realization of positive outcomes.
Whatever option chosen: abortion, adoption, or parenting,
the centre is a comfortable and safe place to return.
“The best part is that you understand and
get exactly what I’m feeling ... You have
given me complete hope again that I
haven’t felt in years.” - Client
6
Programs
Client Counselling - The centre offers free pregnancy
tests and information on pregnancy options in a caring
and respectful environment. Facing an unplanned
pregnancy can be confusing and overwhelming, even with
a strong network of support – but it’s even harder alone.
Trained peer counselors will spend time with clients to
discuss all options — adoption, parenting, and abortion.
Clients are helped to identify problems, alternatives, and
possible solutions to best meet the needs of their
individual situation. All services are free and confidential.
The Centre does not perform or refer for abortions.
24-Hour Help Line - This phone line is answered 24
hours a day by a trained peer counsellor to provide
information and support. Appointments at the Centre can
be made, and referrals can be given.
Maternity and Baby Resources - Gently used
maternity and baby clothing (up to 2 years) are available
for our clients. Clients may access the clothing room on a
monthly basis where they can choose from the selection
of maternity and baby clothes while engaging with a
centre volunteer.
Pre-natal Classes - Offered every month and are
available to all clients. These classes are especially
sensitive to women considering adoption or who are
without a partner. An Early Bird prenatal session is also
offered to clients in the early stage of pregnancy.
Birth Moms’ Support Group - A Peer Support Group
for women who have placed or are considering placing a
child for adoption. When a birth mother places her child
for adoption, there is a loss that must be grieved. The
group was created out of a need for peer support and is a
place for sharing experiences, grieving, and healing.
7
Post Abortion Support - Peer-counselling (individual
and group) for women suffering pain and loss after an
abortion. Living in Color is a post-abortion recovery and
education program designed for use in a small,
facilitator-led support group.
Medical Clinic - Open one afternoon a week,
doctors are available to see clients up to 20 weeks in
their pregnancy and connect them to appropriate medical
professionals.
Baby’s First Year - This class gives practical advice and
encouragement, and the opportunity to discuss questions
and concerns. Certificate available upon completion of
class.
Parent Education Program - A six-week program for
parents of children aged 2-12 years. Goals of the
Parent Education Program are to foster healthy
attachment to build strong parent-child relationships.
Topics covered include: self-esteem, courage,
responsibility, cooperation, and communication.
LEAP - Managing your life for success - A 6 week
life-skills course to assist women in developing problem
solving skills and strategies to empower them to set and
achieve life goals.
Take Charge Program - Aims to help teens navigate
pressing questions regarding sex, relationships, and dating.
Through education, dialogue, and asking the right
questions, teens will be better able to discern between
healthy and unhealthy perspectives and behaviours.
Emphasizing respect, personal worth and value, and the
right to refuse, we present abstinence as a way of
respecting self and others.
8
Challenges & Achievements
With gratitude, we look back on the past year. With the
support of our donors, even in the face of an economic
downturn we have been able to not only survive but to thrive.
This year has presented significant challenges as well as
noteworthy achievements, and we have grown in both depth
and breadth of client care.
Our commitment is to care for anyone who calls, or walks
through our doors, by offering a safe, respectful and
confidential environment; meeting them at their point of need
and supporting them in practical ways. The fear of an
unplanned pregnancy is simply the presenting issue, and often
there are other psychosocial factors causing stress,
addictions, abuse, mental illness, homelessness, poverty,
legal or financial concerns. Our client services team, staff,
and trained peer-counselors are effective in connecting with
clients, assessing needs and providing resources to assist in
finding stability and achieving goals. The issues are
complex and as such we are committed to ongoing training to
be equipped to meet the needs.
Our commitment to our donors is to steward the resources
entrusted to us; and not duplicate services. Being able to
match our clients with needed resources has presented
considerable challenges with one of the most pressing needs
continuing to be safe and affordable supportive housing. We
are currently looking toward community partnerships to help
resolve this issue. Ongoing, long-term support is critical to
success and changing outcomes.
We offer on-going training for volunteers so that they can
skillfully support clients and refer appropriately. Growing
volunteers in number and skill is a great “value add.”
9
2014 marked the opening of our first satellite Centre in
Strathmore. The Strathmore location was made possible, in
part, by the support of a donor committed to bringing our
services to Strathmore. With the gift of free office space,
dedicated to our use, we have had ten clients to date seen by
trained peer counselors from the community. As our
challenge is to discover how to serve this community best,
we are in the process of conducting an evaluation of our first
year of operations to discern best practices for future satellite
endeavors.
Our Strathmore Satellite is near the Siksika Nation. First
Nation’s people face many challenges, many of which fall into
our areas of expertise and knowledge. With this new
location, we are committed to being a helpful presence. We
have resources to offer: Living in Color, Gamma Girls, and
Take Charge. While sharing resources, we will learn to
understand better and honour the diversity in our cultures.
The flood that has hugely impacted this community opened
doors for new partnerships. Going forward, by training those
who live and invest their lives there, we see the potential to
have our programs developed within those communities.
Take Charge, our educational program that goes into Junior
and Senior High schools, has grown in demand and size due
to our excellent reputation with teachers. Because of donor
generosity, we have been able to add to the staff team, and
take on as many student interns as we can handle to help
deliver the program effectively.
We have had a challenging and rewarding year, but there is
still more to do. Together we can make a difference.
Together we can be the solution.
10
Clients Speak
“Me placing her was not because I didn’t want her
and love her, but I want my daughter to have the
best life possible, to be loved and fully supported.”
- Birth Mom
“I appreciate the supportive and respectful approach
of the staff and the willingness to spend time and
answer all of my questions.”
“The Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre is important
to me because it is a safe place that I can always
come back to. I always felt that they wanted to
listen to me and never judged me, or tried to
pressure me into a decision.”
“She is not a mistake, I
will never be sorry that I
had her. She is a
blessing...” – Birth Parent
“At the Pregnacy Care
Center, I was able to talk
about what I was feeling
and be understood.”
“This is the first time I
have hope. This is the
first time I think I can
make something of my
life.” - Birth Dad
11
What our clients say they have recieved through
the Centre:
12
Our Impact
2,798 client visits to the centre
in 2014. Of those clients. . .
105
clients
attended
prenatal
classes.
982
clients
received maternity
or baby clothes from
the clothing room.
92
clients received
post abortion support from
the centre.
901 clients were
supported by peer
counsellors in a
safe and caring
environment.
8
clients were seen by
our doctors to support
them in their
pregnancy.
13
93%
7%
73 clients
benefitted from one of
our life skills, babies
first year, or literacy
classes.
535
9
vulnerable
pregnant women
were assisted into housing
at Emma House.
77 clients
attended the
parenting class.
women
came to the
centre for a
pregnancy
test and to
discuss their
options.
20
new volunteers
were trained to be
peer counsellors.
Take Charge spoke in 78 schools
and gave 608 presentations.
Providing 17,260 students the
opportunity to learn about healthy
relationships and sexual
decision-making.
14
My name is Iesha
We are all of the same value, yet we are born unequally.
I was born here in Calgary - where I grew up and went to school
– where I excelled both in my studies, and in track and field.
Upon graduating high school, I was awarded a place on the
University of Calgary track team and went on to compete at the
university level. Last year I volunteered for three different
organizations, one of which led me to Costa Rica for two
months. There, I taught English classes to single parent mothers,
to give them the ability to obtain a higher paying job. In 2014, I
graduated from the U of C with a BA in Latin American history.
Inspired by my studies, I spent the last four months working as
an Au Pair in Madrid. After becoming fluent in Spanish, my plan
is to return to university for a Masters degree in either
International relations, or international business.
Now, you might be wondering why I am telling you all of this.
Well, it is because I feel that I have been given many
opportunities that helped me beat the statistical odds against
me. Because my mother was a teenager when I was conceived
- with no place to live and no one to turn to - the odds told me
that I would not complete high school or even consider attending
university.
They told me that I would also end up pregnant as a teenager, or
living on the streets.
You see, the fact that I beat the odds is due in a large part to
the involvement of the Calgary Pregnancy Care Center in my
mother’s life. This organization gave my mother the foundation
she needed to be the wonderful, beautiful, confident,
encouraging, and loving mother that she is today.
15
My mother came from a broken and abusive home. She had
no idea of how a family should work, as she had no good role
models. By 16, my mother had run away from home to escape
the abuse and ended up with the wrong crowd. After a couple
of months my mother became pregnant by her then boyfriend,
my biological father.
At the scariest point of my mother’s life she found herself on the
steps of the Calgary Pregnancy Care Center.
The organization immediately took action, setting her up with a
safe place to live, medical services, ongoing support and
counselling and made it possible for her to complete high school.
From there my mother
continued on, receiving a
diploma in Business from SAIT
that allowed her to obtain a
stable job. For these actions I
will always be deeply grateful
to this organization, the
people who work there, and
my mother, who have together
shown me how a family should
work.
All women deserve to have
the same value. Each of us
could have been born in to
different circumstances, in a
different country, to different
parents, and to a different
government. We are all of the
same value, yet we are born
unequally.
16
Message from the
Board President
Increased capacity. Lately, the board of the Calgary
Pregnancy Care Centre has been considering ways to move
forward in a focused way to address the evolving needs
we see around us. This movement amounts to assessing
our capacity, and then thinking about how to increase that
capacity.
As a board, we would articulate this mostly in terms of
development. We want to see our organization develop
in a number of ways so as to able to respond to the needs
we see in the people around us, people who often pass
through those open doors.
AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT:
1. Women’s Housing – There is a deficit in housing/shelter
space for women with babies in our city. We are currently
evaluating ways to address this. One likely avenue will be
through strategic partnerships with other organizations.
2. Satellite Centres – The success of our new centre in
Strathmore has given us a model for how we might expand
our reach both within the city of Calgary and the
surrounding region.
3. Staff and Volunteer Team – These two areas of
development will require more players on the team: paid
staff, volunteers, and even the board. We are looking for
more people to join us.
17
4. Financial Growth and Sustainability – All of this, points
one through three, will take more funds than we
currently have. We enthusiastically invite our long time
giving partners to stay with us and even consider
increasing your investment in this work. At the same time,
we are inviting new partners to join us for this ride.
The staff, board, and volunteers are involved in the work of
the Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre because we believe with
all our hearts that this is a worthwhile ministry that is
effective and is meeting real needs. Keeping the doors
open and the lights on are not always easy, but now is the
time press on to new expanding opportunities.
We want to thank everyone who has made a gift, large
or small, over the last number of years. It has all meant
something and we are grateful. And we are optimistic
about facing these challenges with the anticipation that we
might be used to meet the very real needs of some of the
most vulnerable around us.
Darrell Young
President, Board of Directors
18
Financials
Revenue
Assets
Current Assets
Capital Assets
Total Assets 19
$
$
$
545,965.00
35,933.00
581,958.00
Liabilities
Current Liabilities Deferred Contributions
Net Assets $
$
$
27,095.00
160,657.00
394,206.00
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
$
581,958.00
Expenses
Beyond the numbers...
It is inevitable that this report would have numbers, but
numbers make up only a small portion the story. Our story is
more about supporting Calgarians and building a community
that embraces each person’s instrinsic dignity and value. For
our audited financial statements, visit www.pregcare.com.
The Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre is a Registered Charity (# 11882 3442 RR0001)
20
Thank You
Thank you to our dedicated Board of Directors
Darrell Young - President
Doug Schmidt - Vice President
Gordon Gee - Treasurer
Andrea Manning-Kroon - Secretary
Han Friesen
Candace Beyer
Thank you to all of our donors.
Our staff and board of directors express our
heartfelt thanks to all those who have made
donations to the Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre.
Thank you to all our volunteers and practicum
students who generously provided 22,195 hours of
service to help us advance our mission and vision.
Thank you to Boardwalk who contributes to our
mission by allowing us to rent our downtown office
space at a significantly reduced cost.
Thank you also to Wade Garrioch of Crystal Ridge
Homes and Rob Desjardins of Aztec Real Estate who
allow us to rent our Strathmore location free of charge.
We could not do this without your commitment
and ongoing support. Thank you for helping change
the lives of individuals affected by an unplanned
pregnancy.
21
205, 925 7Ave SW
Calgary, AB
T2P 1A5
403.269.3110