Annual Report - Jessie`s | The June Callwood Centre for Young

Building Future
Possibilities.
ANNUAL REPORT
2014-2015
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Message from the Executive
Director and Board President:
“I n 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5 , J e s s i e ’ s h a s e m b r a c e d t h e o p p o r t u n i t i e s
created through the process of change, by focusing
on elevating current services and incorporating new
innovative prog rams.”
-Maritza Sanchez, Executive Director
Rhiannon, Bentley & Stephen
Change, transformation and innovation are
key themes, resonating all around us. Most
of our funders are going through significant
transformation in relation to funding and strategic
priorities. At Jessie’s we experience the meaning of
these words every day, as we are privileged to be
part of the changes that pregnant young women
experience in their transition from teenager to
adulthood, and the transformation that takes hold
when you bring a new baby into this world. In the
midst of this change, Jessie’s mission and direction
remains focused on addressing the social conditions
that adversely impact young pregnant women,
young parents, and their children. Addressing
their need for housing, nutritious food, education,
and health increases their ability to reach their full
potential. This is what our participants ask of us,
this is what makes us unique.
In 2014-2015, Jessie’s embraced the opportunities
created through the process of change by focusing
on elevating current services and incorporating
new innovative programs. We made significant
improvements to our health, parenting-education,
and school programs. We successfully piloted
a Community Economic Development project
and we are in the process of starting up a Social
Enterprise Venture. Through social media
platforms, we are growing our commitment to
bringing awareness and visibility to the issues
that most significantly affect young parents
and their children. One of these issues is the
commercialization of infant feeding and birthing
in our society. This will be the main theme of
our spring event titled “A Night to Nurture.”
We look forward to seeing you at this event
and we thank you for your ongoing support.
About Jessie's
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J e s s i e ’ s - T h e J u n e C a l l w o o d C e n t r e f o r Yo u n g W o m e n i s
pleased to present our 2014-2015 Annual Report.
Over the past year we have had many exciting changes
ha ppe n at Je ssi e ’s, an d are l o o k i n g fo rw ard t o
ʽBuilding Future Possibilities’.
Jessie's Centre is a multi-service resource centre for
pregnant teenagers, young parents and their children.
We have developed a variety of programs and services
to meet the special needs of young families throughout
the City of Toronto. Each year, Jessie’s provides
education, health and social service resources so
teens can become stable parents and reduce further
risk-taking.
“I f a n y o f y o u h a p p e n s t o s e e a n i n j u s t i c e , y o u a r e n o
l o n g e r a s p e c t a t o r, y o u a r e a p a r t i c i p a n t . A n d y o u h a v e
a n o bl i g a t i o n t o d o s o m e t h i n g. ”
-June Callwood
Our education programs are devoted to ensuring
young women finish high school and go on to postsecondary education.
Our health programs are focused on young women
having healthy deliveries and babies and providing
young women with parenting programs that focus on
child growth and development.
Our social service programs are focused on young
women finding affordable housing and accessing
resources for stability.
We are a pro-choice organization that supports a
woman's right to make choices about her sexual health
and pregnancy options.
Jessie's Centre promotes and endorses:
• Comprehensive, accessible services for pregnant
young women, young parents and their children
• Opportunities for pregnant teenagers and young
parents to exercise individual choice, experience
personal empowerment, resolve problems
successfully and move toward adult independence
• A commitment to feminism, anti-discrimination,
accessibility, anti-oppression and positive social
change in every aspect of our structure and
functioning
• A supportive, respectful, anti-discriminatory
approach to service delivery
• Systemic or social change designed to promote
equity, fairness and respect toward children and
young parents
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Sofia's Story
“My life was about to change for the better my future was looking bright and I was excited
about the opportunity I was being given at
Je ssi e ’s i n t he S w a p S ho p”
When Sofia first came to Jessie’s Centre, it was to access
the Swap Shop - a women and children’s clothing
donation program within the centre. Her baby was to
be born in the winter, and she needed warm clothes
for him.
“Nawaf ’s first things were all from Swap Shop,” Sofia
recalled of her first son, “I knew he was going to be
born in the winter so I came to get vests, hats, mittens,
and warm clothing.”
What she didn’t know at the time was that she was
setting foot into her future first job.
Sofia returned to Jessie’s as an official participant
in 2013. Sofia learned about the new Community
Economic Development (CED) Program launching
in 2015, and was thrilled to be able to submit her
resume for the position. She was accepted into the
program, and began in Jessie’s CED Program. Called
A Dressing Success, the program helps pregnant
teenagers and young mothers develop skills and labour
market readiness in the retail sector. Sofia recalls the
most valuable skills that she learned during training:
customer service, how to arrange merchandise and
make everything visually appealing, how to deal with
conflict resolution. She then had her first Swap Shop
shift.
“It was a crazy day - a Tuesday - and we got in tons of
donations that I had to sort through and get in order. I
remember being surrounded by stuff and people, and I
felt very welcomed by Swap Shop Coordinator Eliza.”
Sofia recalls that when she started working for Swap
Shop, everything changed. “My life was about to
change for the better - my future was looking bright
and I was excited about the opportunity I was being
given at Jessie’s in the Swap Shop,” said Sofia. She
was now part of the Jessie’s community. Her earnings
from working in Swap Shop were used to pay off her
outstanding daycare bills. She was introduced to an
entire community of moms just like herself.
While working in the Swap Shop, Sofia learned about
time management, leadership, organization, customer
service, and confidence in herself. The flexibility of
the Swap Shop allowed her to spend time with her
children.
“I s a w
determination,
growth, and
a willingness
to learn in
Sofia…her
dedication to
the program was
incredible. She
never missed
a shift, and
was never lateand always
de pendable.”
- S h e r r y,
Vo l u n t e e r C o o r d i n a t o r
“When I first met Sofia, she was shy, timid, and
reserved,” said Sherry, Volunteer Coordinator at
Jessie’s Centre. “I watched her spread her wings and
become a different person. I saw determination, growth,
and a willingness to learn in Sofia…her dedication to
the program was incredible - she never missed a shift,
and was never late - and always dependable.”
Sofia is now going to the City Adult Learning Centre
and is taking English and Drama courses. She is looking
to complete her high school credits this year. Because
of Swap Shop, Sofia has earned her 40 community
service hours required to graduate, and she recently
began applying to jobs at Shoppers Drugmart, Food
Basics, and various bakeries.
Looking to the future, Sofia wants to be able to stand
on her own two feet and provide for her children. She
wants her little boys to look up to her and all that she
has accomplished. Now with the help from Jessie’s
Centre, she has the tools that she needs for both her
and her children to excel.
Sofia, Nawaf & Nabil
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By the Numbers
80
volunteers
From April 1/2014 until March 31/2015
119 youth
accessed housing services
36 families
accessed respite services
980 youth
TWENTY
received services at Jessie’s
8 youth
4,912
4,017 youth
counselling sessions
338 referrals provided
heard our Community
Education Program speakers
HIGH SCHOOL
PROGRAM
8 spots available for parenting
mothers, 4 spots available for
prenatal mothers
263 youth
accessed health
care services
,
participated in our Community
Economic Development Program
427 children
cared for in the
Parent Child Centre
T WO
JESSIE S STAFF
13 Full-Time, 9 Part-Time
Over
6,500
nutritious meals and
snacks served
$1,310,955
in revenue thanks to donors like you
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COMMUNITY ECONOMIC
D E V E L O P M E N T P RO G R A M
A Dressing Success
Fo r o v e r 2 0 ye a rs, Je s s i e ’s h a s b e e n r u n n i n g a
Swap Shop that contains new and gently used
clothing, toys, books, baby equipment and small
household items that have been donated by retailers
a n d i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m t h e c o m m u n i t y.
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In 2015, Jessie’s officially launched our latest, innovative
program called “A Dressing Success”. This Community
Economic Development Program for the participants
of Jessie’s up to age 20, was designed to help pregnant
teenagers and young mothers gain skills development
and labour market readiness in the retail sector. This
program is an extension and enhancement to Jessie’s
objectives to help our clients build their self-confidence,
but more importantly build their skill sets so they can
pursue further education and obtain actual employment
that will help stabilize their development and chances for
success for themselves and their children.
For over 20 years, Jessie’s has been running a Swap
Shop that contains new and gently used clothing, toys,
books, baby equipment and small household items that
have been donated by retailers and individuals from
the community. It was determined that the Swap Shop
could be utilized to enhance its utility by providing a
retail training opportunity for Jessie’s participants while
continuing to provide the free clothing, toys, books and
small household items.
Many of our participants have not yet held a job and are
unfamiliar with the retail sector and client relations. A
Dressing Success is designed to bridge the gap between
inexperience in a service position to training and
experience in the retail sector. In this safe and supportive
environment our staff coaches and guides our teens in the
development of their public relations, customer service,
and retail marketing and management skills.
The skills garnered can be used in the retail sector
and are transferable to all future employment and life
experiences.
A Dressing Success is divided into two phases. The first
phase focuses on providing training for the stocking,
managing and running of a shop, and the second phase
provides an actual retail experience by having each
participant work in Jessie’s Swap Shop.
HIGHLIGHTS
Participants gar nered practical
retail and job experience.
F o r m a n y, t h e y h a v e n e v e r h e l d
a job, they now have practical
experience they can include on
their resume.
Gained customer service and
public relations skills and
newfound ability to interact
with the general public from
a customer service perspective.
Increase of self-confidence
and self-esteem.
Have gained skills and
knowledge to work in retail
and have an understanding
o f i n v e n t o r y, m e r c h a n d i s i n g ,
d i s p l a y a n d r e c o r d k e e p i n g.
If they so choose, can begin
applying for post-secondary
retail programs or apply for
a full or part-time job.
They know what is attainable
and how to get there in the
r e t a i l s e c t o r.
Each participant receives 40
volunteer hours they can utilize
to graduate high school.
B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S
A N D S TA F F
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S U M M A RY O F O P E R A T I N G
AND REVENUE EXPENSES
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For the year ended March 31, 2015
Board of Directors
List:
Denise Ellis, President
Anne Layton, Vice President
Grace Lin, Secretary
Camilla Mack, Treasurer
Alison Edgar
Andrea Prashad
Cheryl White
Ira Baptiste
Jennifer Paige
Jill Andrew
Joanne Prince
Kathy Grieg
Olivia Terceros
Sara Gottlieb
Wendy MacLellan
Staff List:
Alison Hill
Ariel Shneer
Barbara Poole
Beth Poulin
Cynthia McGill
Deirdre McKibbon
Delcy Garcia
Eliza Beecroft
Faith Hatchett
Hodan Osman
Jennifer Bonilla
Joanna Mendez
Judy Tobe
Kiki Yehualashet
Laura Hogeboom
Liora Sobel
Linda Gallant
Marcia Munroe
Maritza Sanchez, Executive Director
Natalie Cheung
Nicole Ineese- Nash
Quinn Fitzpatrick
Regi Mangaly
Sherry Rutter
Sumayyah Gaied
Teineisha Richards
Tracy Amponsah Ampofoh
Tuyen Pham
Vlada Bilyak
18+31+501L
72+17+43L
Revenue
Expense
Revenue
1%
Miscellaneous
18%
Donations
31%
United Way
Toronto
50%
Government
Grants
3%
Volunteer
4%
Operating
4
Fundraising
17%
Administration
72%
Programs
%
Donation
United Way Toronto
Government Grants
Miscellaneous
Expense
Programs
Operating
Administration
Fundraising
Volunteer
Restricted Funds
231,096.43
400,254.00
658,568.44
21,036.96
1,310,955.83
932,803.05
50,667.74
217,423.32
61,629.17
39,827.72
1,302,351.00
Casey Frayne Fund
Endowment Fund
Scholarship Fund
Capital Improvement Fund
22,922.00
33,402.00
53,599.00
23,034.00
132,957.00
T H A N K YO U TO O U R
2014-2015 DONORS
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$10,000+
Santa Comes to Bay Street
TELUS
The Geoffrey H. Wood Foundation
The Gordon and Ruth Gooder
Charitable Foundation
The Rotary Club of Toronto
Charitable Foundation
The Slaight Family Foundation
Tippet Foundation
Vintage Earth
$5,000-$9,999
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
C.B. Powell Foundation
CIBC Mellon
Donald F. Hunter Charitable
Foundation
F.K. Morrow Foundation
J.P. Bickell Foundation
Scotiabank
The Bennett Family Foundation
The Cadillac Fairview Corporation
The Conn Smythe Foundation
Traquair Family Foundation
$1,000-$4,999
Angela Ryan
Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable
Foundation
Cavaluzzo Hayes Shilton McIntyre &
Cornish LLP
CAWEE
CHUM Charitable Foundation
Delaine Hampton
Elizabeth Plashkes
Forno Cultura
GE Capital Real Estate
Jockey Person to Person
John and Marion Taylor Family
Fund
John Visser
Leslie Riley
Nancy Young
RBC Foundation
SPM Group Ltd.
Summer Infant Canada Inc.
Tom Melissis
Women Together
$500-$999
Anne Layton
Anzie Accessories & Design Inc.
Barbara and Jim Poole
Carmen Krasevac
Charlene Watters
CIBC Children’s Foundation
Claudia Rogers
Denise Ellis
Dr. David Healey
Elaine Harris
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Jackman Foundation
John Howard Society of Toronto
Judith Keene
Leigh Merlo
Robert Euesden
Ryan Schmidt
Sandra Marleau
Sarah Boye
Seema Colai-Dukharan
Tracey McGillivray
$100-$499
Alexandra Macdonald
Allison Maldonado
Amanda Toal
Angie Ching
Anglican Church Women’s Guild
Ann Lacey
Ann Weiser
Anne Bowden
Benita and Gary Friedlander
Bev Kataoka
Bob Aykler
Catharine Barnes
Catherine Daw
Catherine O’Brien
Cheryl Wagner
Corinne Labossiere
Cynthia McGill
Dana Burjaw
Danielle McLaughlin
David Schultz
East End Hardware and Garden
Centre
Elizabeth Dove-Djuric
Elizabeth McBrien
Elizabeth Shields
Ellie Korenblum
Elyse Saunders
Gillian Amber
Gisele Theriault
Herbert Wong
Irene Withers
Jane and Marcel Labbe
Jane Matthews
Janet Carnegie
Jeannine Rosenberg
Jennifer Paige
Jill Andrew
Joy Fleming
Judy Moreton-Wilkie
Judy Wilkie
Julia Sliskovic
Julie Van Der Lugt
Karen Gronau
Kathleen King
T h a n k y o u t o o u r P a r t n e r s – To r o n t o P u b l i c H e a l t h , S t . M i c h a e l ’ s
H o s p i t a l , To r o n t o D i s t r i c t S c h o o l B o a r d , T h e C h i l d D e v e l o p m e n t I n s t i t u t e
Thank You.
King Edward Public School
Kristina Mendoze-Martin
Kurt Magalhaes
Laura and Peter Scott
Lettie Gariba
Linda Bond
Linda Rapson
Linda Rosengarten
Lory MacDonald
Mad Elevator Fixtures Inc.
Margaret Green
Margaret McCleary
Marian Norgrove
Martha Grant
Max Strychaluk
Michele Buchignani
Nancy Gray
Natasha MacParland
Nell Hotke
Olivia Terceros
Particia Wright
Parveen Sachdeva
Pat Cleary
Patti Lenard
PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada
Randi Davis
Rebecca Richardson
Richelle Forsey
Ruth Hudson
Sandra Black
Sandy Kosziwka
Sharon Ducharme
Shawna DiFilippo
Space Vintage
Susan Keystone
Susan Martin
Susan Munn
The Findlay Family Foundation
Torrie Munroe
Wendy McLellan
Xtreme Building Maintenance Inc.
Our mission is to nurture
the healthy development of
pre gnant teena gers, young
parents and their children.
We a r e a p r o - c h o i c e
organization that supports a
woman's right to make choices
about her sexual health and
pre gnancy options.
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Building Future
Possibilities.
Jessie’s | The June Callwood Centre for Young Women
205 Parliament St., Toronto, ON M5A 2Z4
Tel. 416.365.1888 | Fax. 416.365.1944
jessiescentre.org
Charitable No. 118973734RR0001
/JessiesCentre
@JessiesCentreTO