2013-2014 - Sudbury Action Centre for Youth

Sudbury Action Center for Youth
105 Elm Street, Unit A
Sudbury ON, P3C 1T3
Phone: (705) 673-4396
Fax: (705) 673-0798
Web: www.sacy.ca
Annual Report 2013/2014
SACY - Who we are
Our Mission
To offer a safe, non judgmental place to access
support and services for those in need.
RESPECT
SUPPORT
EMPOWER
Table of Contents
Report from the President of the Board ....................................................... 2
Report from the Executive Director ............................................................... 4
The 2013/2014 Board of Directors and Staff ........................................................ 6
Report From the Youth Program ........................................................................ 7
Evening Program ...................................................................... 9
After School Program ...................................................................... 9
Housing Support Program ...................................................................... 10
Peer Mentor Program ...................................................................... 11
CARE ...................................................................... 12
SYC ...................................................................... 12
LGBTQ2 ...................................................................... 13
SACY Music ...................................................................... 13
Employment Program ...................................................................................... 14
The Point .............................................................................................................. 16
HIV/ IDU Outreach Program ............................................................................. 18
Donors and Supporters........................................................................................ 20
Recognition ........................................................................................................ 21
1
Report from the President of the Board
by Judge André Guay
President
Sudbury Action Center for Youth
Board of Directors
Once again, I am happy to be here with you to
present the President’s Report . Rather than review
the achievements of each of our many programs, I’ve
asked the staff to run off a summary of each of those
programs provided by the program coordinators.
These summaries are available to those who wish to
review them . When I review the Agency’s program
summaries each year, I am always impressed by how
much the Agency has and continues to accomplish
for young people in need in our community.
2
The statistics for the past year are admirable.
Numbers and statistics mean different things to
different people but as a judge sitting in family and
criminal matters, what the numbers and statistics
contained in our program summaries tell me is
how much grief and criminal conduct is avoided by
helping those who might otherwise be led in their
desperation into such situations. Both family and
criminal law institutions keep statistical track of their
accomplishments. What, however, such statistics
often miss is the activity which never occurred
because of what we at SACY do in the community.
Institutional statistics often represent the negative
things which occur in the community. In places
and situations where we have been unable to act, or
where we had been unaware of the situation or the
people involved were unaware of us. In this respect,
we are like other social service agencies whose
benign activities reduce the negative statistics of
other institutions in the community whose prime
aim is to sanction and control but not to help. For
sure, if we and other agencies like us did not exist,
life would go on . The lives of those served by such
agencies would, however, prove very much harder to
bear. The work we do makes our community more
human and makes the lives of many, who through
absolutely no fault of their own, are visited with
overwhelming difficulties and stresses, both more
bearable and hopeful .
Social service agencies like SACY are seen by many
in the community as expendable, particularly those
who have no need for their services and are treated
well by life. While it is those less favored by life who
have need of our services, those who do not should
realize that we are all affected by what goes on in
our community and by any inequality or injustice
present in it. In the United States and some other
countries, those who are favored by life think they
can secure themselves against the consequences and
social realities of those who are not by living in gated
communities. It seems to me that while this strategy
may gain such people some measure of security,
it is impossible to isolate oneself from the effects
of misery and hardship afflicting others. I do not
want to go too far afield on this topic, but I would
remind you all of the threat presented by terrorists
drawn from populations around the world who have
nothing to lose by lashing out, often irrationally,
against those who appear to have everything to lose,
at least materially. Arguably though, what is true
elsewhere in the world in situations far removed
from us is also true in the world in which we live.
Poverty and social injustice really does affect us all .
Funding, as we all know, has always been a constant
problem for SACY, as it is with many other social
service agencies. The lack of core funding continues
to affect the stability of the programs we offer
and, in particular, the staffing of those programs.
The funding we have been able to marshal has not
permitted us to offer our very successful programs
in the best of conditions. This has surely had an
effect both on those providing those programs
and on those participating in them. Sometimes I
am amazed that what our people do and how our
Continued from page 2
clients respond takes place in such circumstances.
Notwithstanding our efforts to better the situation,
we have not succeeded in obtaining core funding. In
fact, changes to Ontario government policy last year
severely hobbled our employment program. That
program was able to continue at a reduced capacity
provided by the United Way/Centraid of Sudbury
and Nippissing District during the past year. Now
that this financial support has been curtailed, this
wonderful program, which constitutes a unique part
of who we have been as an agency is in jeopardy.
As I said earlier, the world will go on without
such a program if it is terminated but the people
participating in it will lose much and , arguably, their
lives will become that more difficult without it .
On the brighter side, something wonderful did
happen this year. This was the bequest from an
anonymous donor in the approximate amount of
$500,000. In our wildest dreams, we would never
have acquired such an amount of money other than
as a grant from one of our community’s big mining
companies. While the Board has not decided how
to spend this generous gift, you can rest assured
that it will be carefully managed and used by us to
advance the valuable work which the Agency does
in the community. A bequest of this magnitude does
indeed provide us with opportunities for offering
better services or acquiring a much more suitable
place in which to carry out our work. This past year
was not without its many operational difficulties
which, happily, we were able to successfully resolve.
The bequest has had a very beneficial effect on
the spirit of optimism needed by the Agency and
its staff to press on with its work. The Board will
be addressing the question of what to do with the
funds in the coming year.
While the past year presented the Agency with
many challenges, we have once again met those
challenges head-on, continuing to provide to the
young people using our services the same quality
of care and support it has provided to them in
the past. The wolves are are no longer at our door.
We can unlock it, this time in the hope of greatly
bettering ourselves and the services we provide to
our young people. Hopefully, Ken Wallenius and
other employees afflicted with illness will return to
us in better health in 2014. On behalf of the Board of
Directors, I wish to thank all of those who, by going
the extra mile, helped the Agency to accomplish
its goals during the past year .In particular, I wish
to thank our Acting Executive Director, Catherine
Savarie , and our Office Manager, Ingrid Dion for
their work for the Agency during the past year .
They weathered the storm and held the ship together
when the weather got rough. Thank you to them and
to those who helped them for a job well done.
In closing , I wish you all well. I hope and trust
that 2014-2015 will be yet another good year for
SACY .
Andre L. Guay, Board Member and
Committee Chair
3
Report from the Executive Director
by Catherine Savarie
Interim Executive Director
Sudbury Action Center for Youth
Having the privilege of writing the Executive
Director’s report for the 2013-2014 fiscal year
of the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth has
been a task that has made me reflect on fond
memories and true friendships. I am not a new
face to the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth,
I started my professional journey in 2010 at
SACY as the Harm Reduction Co-ordinator.
Since then I have been the Youth Program
Co-ordinator and ultimately in March 2014
I became the Interim Executive Director. For
those that know me well, know that I am truly
passionate about what the Sudbury Action
Centre for Youth stands for, it holds true to
the principles of grass roots ideology. Working
at SACY is not just a “job” I could not have
dreamed or even asked for a better organization
or staff to work with. Coming to work is a joy, as
the clients continually inspire and consistently
remind me as to the reason why many years ago
I made the choice to become a social worker.
4
On that note, I would like to thank a few
individuals that work within this organization
that have assisted me and proven what great
teamwork is all about. Ingrid Dion, thank you
from the bottom of my heart for always rising
to the occasion and getting the job done. You
have made my transition back to SACY, so
much easier than I expected. Kylie Raine, thank
you for making the decision to bring me back
to SACY in September 2013, as the Youth
Program Co-ordinator. You supported me
throughout my return, and for that I am very
grateful. Derek Shepherd, thank you for being
a dedicated and committed employee that has a
true passion for working with youth. You truly
are a blessing to our organization and we are
lucky to have you! Finally, I would be remiss if
I did not mention Ken Wallenius in this report.
Thank You Ken, for taking a chance on a woman
that just recently moved to Sudbury in 2010. I
will always be grateful to you for all the support
and friendship you have given me over these
past few years.
This is my opportunity now, to speak about
all the exceptional programs and services that
reside under the umbrella of SACY.
Employment Program (Casual Labour Pool)
The POINT-Needle Exchange
IDU Outreach Services
The Youth Program
Peer Mentor After School
C.A.R.E.
Sounds from the A.C. –Music Program
Evening Recreation Program
LGBTQ2 Youth Support
Community Kitchen
Community Garden
Youth Housing Support
None of these programs would be possible
without the support and financial contribution
of many funders that support and encourage the
work conducted through SACY.
Continued from page 3
The United Way of Sudbury and Nipissing
District
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
The City of Greater Sudbury Leisure Services
The Aids Bureau of Ontario
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
The Sudbury & District Health Unit
The City of Greater Sudbury Homelessness
Network
Christina Mary Hendrie Trust
John Carl MacIssac Foundation
Raising The Roof
Our special thanks go out to our valued
community partners that have aided us in the
work we conduct through SACY. At this time,
we would like to let you know that your support
is valued and greatly appreciated.
Beech Street Community Kitchen
St. Albert’s Adult Learning Centre
Laurentian University
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Cambrian College
College Boreal
Art Gallery of Sudbury
YMCA Sudbury
NOAH’s SPACE
Better Beginnings Better Futures
TG Innerselves
Greater Sudbury Police Services
Rainbow District School Board
Employment Options
Healthy Minds Canada
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Reseau Access Network
Ontario Aboriginal HIV/Aids Strategy
Sudbury & District Health Unit
YMCA Employment Services
I would like to thank some of our fantastic
volunteers that give so much of their time to
the work at SACY.
•
Jan Buley/Gayle Adams Carpino- how
can I thank you ladies enough for all the work
you do for the youth in the CARE program.
•
Steve Caruso/Jason Jallet- thank you for
allowing our youth to experience music in such
a creative manner.
•
Rita O’Link/Darlyn Hansen- thank
you for supporting our LGBTQ2 youth and our
organization.
Finally, to all the staff and Board of Directors
at the Sudbury Action Centre.. thank you for
being the amazing people you are! I am blessed
to be around a group of the most wonderful
people I know. You all embody a sentiment that
I hold close to my heart, “Be the Change You
Wish to see in this World.”
Thank You! Merci! Miigweech!
Catherine Savarie
Interim Executive Director
5
2013/14 Board of Directors & Staff
Executive Members
President...............................André Guay
Vice President............Shelley Condratto
Treasurer.................................Keith Benoit
Secretary.....................................Rob Roy
Executive Director......Catherine Savarie
Kylie Raine
Ken Wallenius
Directors
Harm Reduction Program
Len Frappier ......Harm Reduction Coordinator
Satch Pearson ...........Needle Exchange Worker
Cassie Pearson ..................... IDU Outreach Lead
Mystelle Gagnon ................. IDU Outreach Worker
Youth Program
Kylie Raine ............. Youth Program Coordinator
Catherine Savarie..... Youth Program Coordinator
Patrick Yule ...................... Housing Support Worker
Derek Shepherd ..................... Program Facilitator
Sherry Desjardins .................. Program Facilitator
.........................................Robert Brunette
Pierre Lafleur ......................... Program Facilitator
..............................................Mary Donato
Vincent Bolt ..................... Program Facilitator
...................................Dorothy Thompson
..................................Brenda Stankiewicz
Mystelle Gagnon ..................... Program Facilitator
Jamie Solomon ................................. Relief Worker
................................................Mike Ladyk
......................................Carrie Alexander
Staff
Administration
Ingrid Dion ...................................Office Manager
Employment Program
Scott Chisnell ....................Program Coordinator
6
Summer Students
Pam Hailkanen......................... Summer Student
Report from the Youth Program
Program Coordinator
Derek Shepherd
Catherine Savarie
Kylie Raine
As another year passes us by, The Sudbury
Action Centre for Youth has been busy as usual,
bringing with it new youth, new staff and new
programs. Keeping in mind the services we
continue to provide (After School, C.A.R.E,
Evening, Housing, LGBTQ2, Music Program,
and Peer Mentor) through these programs, we
have done some amazing collaborative work with
The Sudbury Art Gallery, Laurentian University,
Collage Boreal and many other community
organizations.
As it always has been in the past, present and the
future, our youth are our focus and inspiration.
To see the daily struggles that our youth face such
as addiction, homelessness, abandonment, abuse,
family, relationship and mental health issues,
trust, love, low self esteem and self value is heart
breaking. To be able to support, encourage and
empower the youth and see them be successful
leaders and healthy community members is
simply inspiring to us all. What we continue to
do at SACY is this, we give our youth hope and
with that hope they develop the courage, bravery
and love to see that they themselves deserve to be
happy. They themselves deserve to be the best they
can be and at SACY that is what we want for our
youth. To be happy and stable, to be loved and
feel safe, to be treated with respect and dignity
and to be a healthy members of our society. Their
journey is their own and at The Sudbury Action
Centre for Youth we are thankful to be sharing
with them a piece of it.
Youth Drop In
The Drop In provides a safe, non-judgmental
environment where youth are able to gather for
the purposes of socialization, recreation and access
to social services. It is an alternative to roaming
the streets and is equipped with a billiards table,
kitchen and computer area with free internet
access. The no pressure environment allows
youth to feel comfortable and, when they are
ready, access the services they need. The Centre
is open 9am to 8pm Monday and Tuesday, 9am
to 9pm Wednesday to Friday and 2pm to 7pm
on Saturdays.
The Youth Program also had a variety of
events throughout the year, both recreational
an educational. Along with these activities, the
youth drop in offered opportunities to work on
social skills and teamwork through ball hockey,
soccer, pool tournaments, along with Video
Game Marathon. The Drop- In has created
many partnerships over the last year(s), including
Beech Street Community Kitchen, Steve CarusoMusic Program, Interprofessional Education,
Northern Ontario School of Medicine-CARE,
Art Gallery, TG Innerselves (LGBTQ2 ),
Healthy Minds Canada, Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health, among others.
7
Report from the Youth Program
Youth Program - New Registrations
Youth Program - Drop-In Visit/Interventions
During the past year, the Youth Program had 198
new registrations. The busiest months occurred
in April 2013 and October 2014.
Of the 198 new registrations, 92 of them were
under the age of 20. During the past year there
were 104 males and 94 females who registered
for the program.
During the period of this report, there were
7,883 visits to the youth Drop-In. As a front line
agency, the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth
provides a variety of services to assist youth in
need. Some of the issues youth are dealing with
today include mental and physical health, lifeskills, anger management, conflict resolution,
substance misuse, family, income, and pregnancy
to name a few.
Last year, 46.9 % of youth were homeless (staying
in a shelter, no fixed address or in an addiction
facility) at the time of registration. This year,
31.8 % were homeless at the time of registration.
The majority, 68.2 % were renting an apartment
or still living at home.
8
The Youth Program had 332 individual youth
access the Centre for supportive counseling
services. Combined with the visits for the housing
worker, this number significantly increases. There
were 1,155 interventions provided this past year
and when broken down, the majority fell into
one category, “Life Skills.” This area accounted
for approximately 60 % of the total non-housing
interventions.
Continued
from page 8
Evening Program
After School Program
In our Evening Program, we provide youth with
a warm and safe non-judgmental area. Our goal
is to provide “at risk” youth with alternatives to
spending evenings on the street by providing
recreational programming.
For the last five years, the Sudbury Action Centre
for Youth has promoted mental, physical and
emotional wellness through the After School
Program. The program is supported and funded by
the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Support.
Onsite we offer activities such as; arts and crafts,
free access to a pool table, games, computers with
internet access, card, board and, video games,
and movie nights. We also offer youth activities
at other locations such as, playing basketball
at Lansdowne, evenings at the YMCA, soccer,
ball hockey, Art Gallery of Sudbury and our
community garden. We also provide support
services such as supportive counseling and
referrals to other support systems in the
community that will help increase self-esteem
and reduce feelings of isolation. We also offer
dinner six nights a week at 6:00pm.
The After School Program is offered to youth
aged 16 to 24 on Mondays, Thursday and Fridays
through the months of September to June. The
main focuses are on physical activity, healthy eating
and nutrition, as well as personal health, education
and wellness. This year we had a total of 88 unique
participants, with a total of 1,181 visits.
Derek Shepherd ................ Program Facilitator
Pierre Lafleur ..................... Program Facilitator
Vincent Bolt ..................... Program Facilitator
Pierre Godard ..................... Program Facilitator
The Evening Support Program is supported
by the City of Greater Sudbury, United Way/
Centraide of Sudbury and Nipissing Districts
and fundraising dollars through Boardwalk
Gaming Centre bingo proceeds. The Sudbury
Food bank is also a valuable resource to this
program, assisting with the purchase of food for
nightly meals. This year we had 2,929 visits to
the Evening Program.
Derek Shepherd ................ Program Facilitator
Pierre Lafleur ..................... Program Facilitator
Vincent Bolt ..................... Program Facilitator
Pierre Godard ..................... Program Facilitator
Throughout the year, we have explored a variety of
topics such as; obesity awareness, decreasing health
concerns and increasing healthy eating through
fruits and vegetables, and increasing physical
activity. We have improved learning outcomes
through “hands on” workshops geared towards
healthy and positive living. In addition to our
physical health activities, we have utilized arts and
crafts to promote mental, spiritual and emotional
health and consciousness. The youth who have
participated in the After School Program have
learned to practice and balance physical, mental
and emotional health.
9
Report from the Youth Program
Housing Support Program
Patrick Yule................... Housing Support Worker
The Sudbury Action Centre for Youth has been
actively involved in the planning, coordinating,
and implementing of services for individuals who
are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless for
the past ten years. We are an active member of
the Homelessness Network and receive funding
from the City of Greater Sudbury in order to
provide housing support services to youth.
SACY’s Housing Support Program assists
individuals and their families to find emergency
shelter and affordable housing. Assistance with
obtaining identification, accessing social services
such as Ontario Works, Ontario Disability,
and referrals to food and clothing banks are
also provided. The Housing Support Worker
also works with youth to address underlying
causes of homelessness such as: lack of income,
poor budgeting, addictions, mental illness,
unemployment, low self-esteem and to name a
few
10
During the period covering April 1, 2013 to
March 31, 2014, 347 clients and families were
assisted. The Housing Support Worker also
tracks the of number of visits. In the past year
the Program had 560 visits were recorded. Some
clients utilized the services almost daily while
others accessed the program on a less frequent
basis; once or twice a month. We have seen a
noticeable trend in youth who are under eighteen
years of age accessing the Housing Program,
most having been kicked out by parents. Access
to Ontario Works can difficult as a trustee must
be found in order to gain assistance.
In co-operation with the Homelessness Network,
our Housing Support Program works exclusively
with youth between the ages of 16-24. This
enables the housing worker to focus more on
clients individually, addressing underlying issues
of homelessness and supporting clients through
the process of obtaining and maintaining
sustainable housing. The housing worker attends
home visits once a week, which can aid in the
proper assessment of the client’s needs and
providing support. The program also has an
outreach component which allows the worker to
connect with and meet clients who although may
be in need of services, are not currently aware of,
or accessing the services.
The housing support program frequently facilitates
educational workshops for the community,
schools and other social service providers with
topics themed around homelessness and youth,
often encouraging clients to participate in, or to
co-facilitate these workshops.
Continued from page 10
Peer Mentor Program
Sherry Desjardins ................. Program Facilitator
Derek Shepherd .....................Program Assistant
Mystelle Gagnon....................Program Assistant
The Peer Mentor Program is designed for youth
aged 16 to 24 who are committed to attending life
skills workshops and discussions every Tuesday
evening. In this program, youth receive the tools
and empowerment to broaden self-awareness
and growth while developing skills to assist other
youth with issues they may be struggling with. To
graduate as a Peer Mentor, youth test and deliver
their new skills to peers and the community, and
evaluate its impact.
Being a Peer Mentor Graduate from the Sudbury
Action Centre for Youth means offering help and
guidance to other youth in the community, while
providing respect, support and empowerment.
Throughout the year, the youth who participated
in the program have explored various topics.
Workshops such as; goal setting, beliefs and values,
self-love, work ethics, sexual health, boundaries,
communication skills, the law of attraction,
budgeting, mental health awareness, stress
management and decision making were presented.
We have also had a wonderful relationship with the
community. This year, the youth participated in a
variety of community presentations and meetings;
discussions about homelessness, drug use, crime,
sex work and human rights, allowing many of the
youth the opportunity to be heard. They were also
involved in yearly events such as Raising the Roof,
doing agency presentations and volunteer work
within the community.
What will make this program victorious and
successful? The youth. Their own interest, energy
and enthusiasm, when all is said and done, have
the ability to create the change they want to see in
the world.
The Peer Mentor Program is funded by the
United Way/Centraide of Sudbury and Nippissing
Districts. The program has been flourishing and
is continuing to successfully guide youth to look
at, and conquer personal barriers, set and achieve
goals, learn new tools and life skills while being
surrounded by a safe and supportive environment.
The Peer Mentor Program encourages youth to
discover what being a Peer Mentor means to them,
and to then apply that to the world around them.
2013-2014 Peer Mentor Program Graduates
Anne Monk Lee Bodsworth Patrick Bennett
Charles St-Jean Timothy Pyke
Honorable Mention – Peer Mentor Participants
Samantha Dupuis Ryan Crack
Savannah Ménard Bianca Forestell Zoee Poitras
Tyler Dubé Myryssa Legare
11
Report from the Youth Program
C.A.R.E. Group
Gayle Adams-Carpino ................... Volunteer
(Northern
Ontario
School
of
Medicine)
Jan Buley ...............................................Volunteer
SYC (SACY Youth Council)
Cheyanne Monk, Cody Lavallee, Patrick
Bennett, Matthew Burley, Travis Moore,
Jason Godkin
(School of Education, Laurentian University)
CARE’s (Caring And Respect Everywhere) goal
is to connect homeless or at risk youth with new
learning opportunities (NOSM), community
partners, (Art Gallery of Sudbury) and creative and
education experiences (School of Education) in order
to discover, strengthen and celebrate the transition
into adulthood. Each Friday CARE youth gather
with professionals from the community to explore
creative means of expression for young people.
These include provocative learning opportunities
with art, drumming, conversation and monologue
creations.
Many aspects of the CARE programming are
grounded in the Seven Grandfather Teachings
from the local First Nations Communities, of
which several of the CARE members belong. The
youth attending the CARE program have openly
showed their sense of inclusion, empowerment
and how these feelings have impacted their future
involvement with the system.
This year was an inspirational and powerful one
for the CARE program. The CARE group created,
and developed a series of monologues titled,
“These Stories.” The production was facilitated at
Thornloe University, to a very receptive audience.
Subsequently, the monologues have been delivered
at Sudbury Secondary School, and College
Boreal. The impact and inspiration of this creative
outlet, has lead to the CARE group, taking the
performance “on the road,”. It is the intention of
the CARE program to deliver these monologues
in Timmins in the Fall of 2014.
12
SYC (The SACY Youth Council) is run by
the youth, for the youth with minimal staff
involvement. It teaches leadership, professional
and fundraising skills. They are responsible for
certain programming in the drop-in such as,
the Halloween Party and the All Night Video
Game Marathon. The Council also raises funds
to provide a yearly outing by hosting BBQ’s, and
participating in other fundraising opportunities.
As a reward for their efforts the youth were able
to spend a night at Windy Lake Provincial Park
with the funds they raised. This year’s goal is to
raise enough funds to spend two nights camping
and enjoying the great outdoors.
Continued from page 12
LGBTQ2
Vincent Bolt ..................... Program Facilitato
Jamie Solomon ....................................Volunteer
SACY Music Program
Stephen Caruso ................................ Volunteer
Jason Jallet
..............................Volunteer
(Northern Ontario Motion Picture
Industry Development Corporation)
This is the second year that SACY has been able
to offer a support group for youth that identify
with the Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Gay, Transgender,
Queer and Two Spirited community. This group
is dedicated to providing a safe environment
for youth who identify as being a part of the
LGBTQ2 community. We provide support,
educational workshops and tools for building
self confidence, and awareness of the history of
LGBTQ2 culture.
During the period of April 2013 to March 2014,
the LGBTQ2 Youth Support Program was
attended by 156 youth.
Culture
The SACY Music Program was created by
Stephen Caruso, who volunteers his time and
his music equipment every Thursday evening.
Countless hours have been spent with the youth
writing, practicing and recording unique music,
allowing some of our very talented youth an
opportunity to create their own songs.
Jason Jallet, from the local Not-for-Profit
organization NOMPCIDC (Northern Ontario
Motion Picture Culture Industry Development
Corporation), generously donates his time
editing music videos and assists with making
it available online. This program empowers the
youth, exposing their strengths and giving them
a sense of accomplishment. SACY has some
amazing talent, and this program continues to
allow the youth to express themselves in a positive
manner.
We are very excited about a new music video
featuring a SACY youth that is due to be released
in the near future. If you would like to experience
some of the talent yourself, songs are available for
download at http:\\sacyalbum.bandcamp.com.
All the money raised will be used to purchase
new musical equipment.
13
Employment Program
Employment Program
Scott Chisnell.........................Program Coordinator
The Sudbury Action Centre for Youth has been
providing casual labour jobs to the vulnerable
youth and adult population in our community
for the past twenty eight years. This year we faced
many challenges. Due to a loss of government
funding we now run the program on a part-time
basis with only one staff. Fortunately, we were
able to continue providing this service due to
the generosity of the United Way/Centraide of
Sudbury and Nipissing District.
From April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, 116
new workers were registered in the program.
Not only are opportunities for casual labour
provided, but we have also assisted with securing
basic needs such as shelter, food, and clothing.
A total of 1996 other interventions were provided
to workers throughout the year. These included
such things as resume updates, providing work
boots, faxing and photocopying resumes and
transportation to interviews.
14
The employers who hire our workers are mainly
residents, 98% of which are senior citizens.
They wish to remain in their own home and
require help with regular maintenance. Snow
shoveling, yard work, painting, and other minor
repairs are the most requested work orders.
Private contractors and small business owners
including other non-profit agencies also use our
services. During the period covering April 1,
2013 to March 31, 2014, 1,619 workers were
placed in 1244 casual labour jobs. During this
same time period, 7 workers were able to obtain
full-time employment as a direct result of their
participation in the Employment Program.
The Employment Program continues to benefit
from the ongoing generosity and support of a
caring community. We would like to take this
opportunity to thank United Way/Centraide
of Sudbury and Nipissing Districts for their
ongoing support and commitment to helping
individuals gain skills leading to employment.
Continued from page 14
We would also like to thank the employers for
providing workers with casual labour. Finally,
we want to thank the workers whose labour
continues to build a solid reputation for the
casual labour pool. We are dedicated to working
with you in order to assist in your search for fulltime employment, and provide opportunities
for casual labour jobs.
15
The Point
The Point
Funded through the Sudbury &District Health Unit,
through the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
Len Frappier ........................Program Coordinator
Satch Pearson .................Harm Reduction Worker
For a fifth consecutive year, the Point
Needle
Exchange
program
has
witnessed an increase in the demand
for supplies and services. The demand
began in early January and continued
to rise throughout the year. The Point
Needle Exchange continues to blend
with the Harm Reduction Program (I.D.U.
Outreach) as they both complement
each other and serves as a continuum
of care for the service user accessing
both services.
these services include Blood testing
(HIV/AIDS, Hep-C, STI) , referrals to
other agencies or programs, drug use
information, treatment options, issues
of legal/family matters, health related
concerns, and supportive counseling.
During the past year we recorded;
Males
Females
Number of Contacts
9164
4746
Number of New Contacts
336
167
20-70
18-65
Age Range of Service Users
Client Demographics:
During 2013-2014 fiscal year, The Point
provided approximately 13,310 services,
including 503 new service users. Many
came from surrounding areas such as
Espanola, Manitoulin, Chelmsford, and
Capreol. Due to this wide geographical
area, a mobile unit would be beneficial
to allow us to expand our services in
these areas.
The service users primarily access the
Point for needle exchange, however,
they also access a variety of other
services offered at The Point.Some of
16
Testing Services Provided:
Number of tests provided:
HIV Testing
Other STIs Testing
Pregnancy Test
Vaccines (Flu, Hep A )
Drug Info/Counseling
Safer Sex Information
Basic Medical Care
Others
38
39
4
23
16525
560
49
306
Number of Referrals made:
Other HIV/STI Testing
Detox/Drug Treatment Social Services
Other Counseling
Other
42
25
6
11
124
Continued from page 16
Needle Exchange Statistics:
During the fiscal year 694,319 new
needles were distributed, which is an
increase of 219,183 from last year’s
total.
Total needles returned:
Total needles distributed: Return rate:
Condoms distributed:
492,331
694,319
71%
33,339
Emerging Trends
With our service users still not being
able to access their drug of choice,
oxycondone, which was replaced by
Neo-oxy , the increase in cost continues
for any old stock available. Service users
have been injecting the new Neo-oxy’s,
along with heroin, cocaine other drugs
that are not meant to be injected. Some
examples being, Ritalin, and Wellbutrin.
Harmful products continue being used as
an additive to cocaine and crack such
as Levamisol, an animal de-wormer.
This has caused more major abscesses
which increased visits to the Emergency
Room for treatment. Safe inhalation kits
remain being a major request and we
are happy to announce that distribution
has been approved for July 2014.
17
HIV/IDU Outreach Program
18
HIV/IDU Outreach Program
Funded though the AIDS Bureau and Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care
Cassie Pearson..HIV/IDU Outreach Program Lead
Mystelle Gagnon .......... HIV/IDU Outreach Worker
The most important aspect and function of the
HIV/IDU Outreach Program is establishing
trusting and positive relationships with our
service users. The Outreach program currently
operates from 6pm to 9pm Monday to Friday.
Outreach strives to meet and connect with
individuals by walking the streets and attending
areas where people may congregate and socialize
including the Mission, bars, parks, residences etc.
We primarily canvas the downtown core and its
surrounding areas, including the Donavon and
Flour Mill area. This is a fundamental aspect
of the program as it provides an opportunity
for workers to connect with individuals who
may not otherwise access services. The HIV/
IDU Outreach Program has become an easily
recognizable presence on the street as well as
being highly trusted by the IDU community. .
The Outreach Program also provides services in
relation to practical support,counseling,education
and referrals to its service users. Within this fiscal
year we recorded;
Client Demographics
Additional Services
In the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the HIV/IDU
Outreach Program serviced 655 services users
during street outreach shifts. Of these contacts
made, 348 were male and 317 were female repeat
service users. Of the new contacts made, 53
were male and 29 were female. In office there
were 462 visits between repeat and new service
users. The majority accessed our services for
safe injection and safe sex equipment. During
the 2013-2014 fiscal year the Outreach team
distributed 13,859 safe injection kits and 13,397
condoms. The Outreach team also collected over
157,750 used syringes.
In addition to outreach services, the HIV/IDU
outreach Program also provides education to the
community as a whole. We work in partnership with
many organizations in the Sudbury community.
During the 2013-2014 fiscal year we made;
48… Counseling Supports
778… Practical Supports
775… Education Supports
69… Referrals
During the past year we continued to work
closely with our peer population through 44
active peers.
We conducted 50 reporting sessions over the past
fiscal year and added 7 new peers. Our peers have
made approximately 2183 contacts in relation to
material distribution.
100… Agency Contacts
12… Presentations
45… Committee meetings
Continued from page 18
Partnerships
Emerging Trends
The HIV/IDU Outreach Program strives to
develop and strengthen partnerships with other
community organizations. In the 2013-2014
fiscal year we continued to work closely with
NOAH’s Space, an initiative aimed at bringing
together social services of the community.
Through this partnership we have connected with
over 43 different agencies in our community. This
partnership has allowed us to support several
initiatives in the community as well as hear from
community members themselves. The Outreach
Program continues to build on its new and
existing partnerships.
In the past fiscal year we have noticed some emerging
trends with the type of substances preferred by our
service users. With the lack of supply of preferred
substances, more IDU’s are open to other substances
that are less commonly used and are engaging in
riskier behavior regarding the modification of
“tamper-resistant” substances. The Outreach team
has made, and continues to make a conscious effort
in terms of further educating our services users
regarding the adverse effects while continuing to
support them using a harm reduction approach.
The request for safer inhalation kits continues and
we will be able to provide these beginning in July
2014.
Reseau Access Network
The Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy
NOAH’s Space
The Sudbury and District Health Unit
College Boreal
Cambrian College
Everest College
Laurentian University
Through partnership we have access to a vehicle to
assist in the development of our peer program. This
allows us to access a larger geographical area when
conducting outreach and assists in the collection of
used materials. This has also allowed us to spend
more time with our peers to further educate them
based on their needs, as well, it has also allowed us
to gain insight on what our service users need and
what is trending in the IDU community.
19
Sturdy Roots, Donors and Community Supporters
Community Support
Art Gallery of Sudbury
Beech Street Community Kitchen
Bianco’s Audiotronic
Christina Mary Hendrie Trust
Church of Ascension
Church of Epiphany
Christ the King Church
City of Greater Sudbury
Desjardins Caisse Populaire des Voyaguers
Diocese of Algoma, ACW
Foyer Notre Dame
Grand & Toy
Greater Sudbury Hydro Plus Inc.
Greater Sudbury Police Service
INTACT
IODE - Alexander Ramsey Chapter
Jim’s Automotive
John Carl MacIsaac Foundation
Kustom Klubhouse
Marymount Academy
Northern Credit Union
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Paroisse Ste. Anne
Prom Music
Quilt and Stitchery Guild
Raising The Roof
Reseau ACCESS Network
School of Montessori
Sport Chek
St. Albert’s Learning Centre
St. Peter’s United Church
Stride Systems
Sudbury Community Foundation
Sudbury Community Service Centre
Sudbury & District Health Unit
Sudbury Food Bank
Sudbury Provincial Liberal Association
Sudbury Theatre Centre (STC)
Sudbury Vocational Resource Centre
Sudbury Women’s Centre
Volunteer Sudbury
Youth Entertaining Sudbury
Youth Theatre Group
Vrab’s Independent Market
Our Funders
Provincial
Ministry of Health & Long-term Care
A: Sudbury & District Health Unit
Ministry of Health Promotions
(After School Program)
(The Point-Needle Exchange )
B: AIDS Bureau
(IDU Outreach Program)
Local
The City of Greater Sudbury
20
Service Canada
(Skills Link)
The United Way/Centraide of Sudbury
(Youth Program Coordinator, Evening Drop-In Program)
(Employment,Evening Drop-In, and Peer Mentor Programs)
The City of Greater Sudbury
Homelessness Network
Boardwalk Gaming Centre, Val Caron
(Housing Support Worker)
(Evening Drop-In Program)
Recognition
Years of Service
Kylie Raine 5 years
Leonard Frappier Lifetime Membership Award
Aileen & James Grassby Volunteer Appreciation Award
Youth
Cheyanne Monk
Adult
Victoria Barr
Personal Achievement Award
Youth
Patrick Bennett and Travis Moore
Harm Reduction
Becky Firth
Employment Program
Ronald Luoma Memorial Award
(In honour of a long time client and volunteer, Ronald Luoma who passed away in 2008)
Nick Deforges
Thanks to our Volunteers:
Jan Buley
Gayle Adams-Carpino Steve Caruso
Jean Charette
Mary Donato
Jason Jallet
Victoria Barr
Dorothy Thomson
Jamie Solomon
Placement Students:
Pam Hailkanen
Pierre Godard
Amy Collins
Chaelin McGuire
Amber Fritz
Julia Wood
Jamie Pigeau
Zac Spurgeon
Holly Caniff
Cassandra Fuchs AmandaBeeson
Jaylyn Renaud
Jessie Brennan
21
Fun @ SACY
22