ON REACHI TI NG CA O U U D T E S Y O E C K I E C T O Y H L E X U H A O I C C K O E S Y S E L T I T L U ’É D O U LS CA E TI RÉ ON SONT DE HOCKEY EDUCATION REACHING OUT SOCIETY 2014 – 2015 ANNUAL REPORT Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS) is a volunteer-driven charity that uses the game of ice hockey to teach life-skills and empower Canada’s marginalized youth. HEROS’ free programs provide young people a team for life by celebrating in their first goal on the ice and assisting in their dreams off the ice. HEROS uses mentor relationships between dedicated volunteers and the participants as well as peer mentoring of older participants with their younger counterparts. By providing a safe and stable environment for young people to succeed and connect, HEROS guides participants to become constructive citizens within their communities. In HEROS’ 15-year history, the organization has With continued success, HEROS offers two traditional grown from a small group in the Downtown Eastside programming streams: Future Stars focuses on children Table of of Vancouver to a national leader in hockey-based in Grades 4-7, teaching the values of Listening, contents mentorship programming for marginalized youth. Respect, Discipline and Having Fun; while All Stars Since the initial Summer Program in 2000, HEROS has focuses more directly on high school graduation Who we are ����������������������� 1 used hockey as a catalyst to encourage positive and preparation for success as an adult. Youth in Messages from behaviour. With that at its core, HEROS has grown to the All Stars programs are in Grades 8-12 and are the Board �������������������������� 2 eight Canadian cities, serving nearly 5000 children encouraged to become constructive citizens both at Celebrate 15 Years ���������� 4 and youth to date. HEROS and within their communities beyond. 2014 – 2015 Year in Review ������������������ 6 2014 – 2015 Achievements ������������������ 8 Partnerships �������������������� 10 Financials �������������������������12 Operations Across Canada ���������������12 2014 – 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Messages FROM THE BOARD The notion of HEROS was first brought to my attention Seeing so many of these children return year after Over 15 years ago, I had a dream to use hockey to Their dedication to “give where we live” is felt in each of by Norm Flynn 16 years ago. Now, after 15 memorable year as peer mentors, helping the younger versions of make a positive change in young peoples’ lives, the our programs, providing opportunities for engagement years as a volunteer and ten years on the Board themselves to heal and grow, has been a gift. I have same way hockey impacted me growing up. Now, and growth while offering unwavering support. watched children grow into fantastic young men and looking back on all of those years and all of those including several as Chairman, I am asking wonderful Thank you to all of our uncompromising volunteers for women and volunteers being irrevocably changed by young people, I can hardly believe where that dream people with new ideas and renewed energy to lead your dedication and commitment to HEROS and our their experiences with our participants. As you might has taken us. the charge and help take HEROS to heights we would participants. You are the warm hugs, the cheerleaders, imagine, I am just one of the many whose life will never have imagined. We can each recall those I would be remiss not to begin this year’s annual report the mentors, coaches and friends that our HEROS have never be the same. first tentative days when everyone was full of great letter without a heartfelt “thank you” to a number come to trust, rely upon and aspire to be. intentions but very little idea of what was needed It has been an honour to be a part of the HEROS family of people who have been instrumental from the Moving forward I am excited to work with our current to create an organization like HEROS. It is funny how and the journey we have all been on. It is important beginning for the success we have had with HEROS: Board of Directors, including Peter Irving, David Clark, much we didn’t know; if we had known how much we to understand that this collective experience would • the Founding Board Members who helped take Barb Aidlebaum, Casey McCawley and Terron Falk, didn’t know, it would have been pretty scary. Now, I never have been possible without the generosity and an idea and turn it into a reality Barb Aidlebaum, celebrating hockey and the power sport has to really hope that makes sense, because it is the only vision of our donors and supporters. way I can describe it. Casey McCawley and Iriss Gibbons; affect long-lasting change in young people’s lives. Sincerely, Over the next 15 years we are excited to expand to It is truly amazing how time flies. At the same time, if • Dave Malloy from CIBC Wood Gundy Park Place, our Founding Patrons; and long-time Chairman of the more communities and engage more of Canada’s one takes a moment to look back, your perspective marginalized youth. changes and it can be equally amazing at how Board, Terron Falk. much one can accomplish in just 15 years. We have Without these five dedicated individuals, HEROS would Sincerely, seen HEROS blossom into a national organization have never made the impact it has on Canada’s youth. serving hundreds of children every year with ongoing For ten years, our incredible National Presenting mentorship and guidance and with a legacy of Terron Falk | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Partner TELUS, has believed in HEROS’ vision. several thousand young people over the years. Led by Jill Schnarr and executed by Steve Podborski, TELUS has assisted us in growing our programming to Norm Flynn | FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR eight Canadian cities. 2 HOCKEY EDUCATION REACHING OUT SOCIETY 2014 – 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 3 CELEBRATE 15 YEARS 2 014 2000 2007 2 012 2 010 2 015 2005 HEROS announces HEROS opens a expansion to Ottawa program in Calgary during the NHL All-Star Bowness in partnership HEROS opens a Weekend festivities at with the Flames HEROS begins its 2002 program in Edmonton’s Rideau Hall, Ottawa. Foundation For Life. first summer camp, Beverly neighbourhood HEROS opens a HEROS participant Nick outfitting and leading in partnership with the The Vancouver program in Ottawa McCurdy named the 45 young people in Boys and Girls Club Big School Board Vanier in partnership first Canadian recipient Vancouver’s Downtown Brothers Big Sisters of honours HEROS with the Boys and Girls for the NHL/Thurgood Eastside with the Edmonton and Area. HEROS Celebrates its with its Program of HEROS opens a HEROS opens a Clubs of Ottawa. Marshall Scholarship. generous donation of 15th season and the the Year award. program in Toronto HEROS receives Aspen program in funds from CIBC Wood 10th with TELUS as our Regent Park. Hope Award. Montréal’s Ahuntsic Gundy at Park Place. neighbourhood. National Presenting Partner at the World 2 013 Jr. Hockey Tournament in Toronto. 2003 HEROS participant 2006 2 0 11 Wyatt Christiansen is 2008 named the second CIBC awards HEROS Canadian recipient 2001 HEROS opens a with the Miracle Maker HEROS partners 2009 HEROS opens a pilot for the NHL/Thurgood program in Calgary Award, one of four with Cooperation program in Calgary Marshall Scholarship. Forest Lawn. recipients nation-wide. Ireland to develop Forest Lawn for HEROS opens a Participation numbers a Cross-Boarder high school aged program in Winnipeg’s continue to grow Initiative using sport to participants that His Excellency the Right North End. with HEROS serving promote compassion would become Honourable David 597 young people and understanding HEROS opens a known as All Stars. Johnston, Governor program in Sunshine General of Canada in 17 programs. 2004 between youth from HEROS opens an Northern Ireland and Coast, BC. acknowledges his In the 15 years of in-school program patronage of HEROS. HEROS sends its first the Republic of Ireland. Cooperation Ireland in Winnipeg at programming, HEROS participant to play TELUS becomes has served nearly HEROS opens a and HEROS receive the St. John’s High School HEROS expands in the sixth annual presenting partner to 5000 young people. program in Toronto Belfast City Council as a part of the Grade to include All Star Willie O’Ree All-Star HEROS, enabling plans Jane & Finch. Safety Award for work 7 & 8 curriculum. programs in Edmonton, Weekend in Tampa for national expansion. with at-risk youth. Sunshine Coast and Bay, Florida. Toronto Jane & Finch. 4 HOCKEY EDUCATION REACHING OUT SOCIETY 2014 – 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 5 SUNSHINE COAST | Female participation rates in ST. JOHN’S HIGH SCHOOL | Based on the history the Sunshine Coast program have been among Sunshine of success of HEROS’ in-school programming, Coast the highest of HEROS’ programs. With strong St. John’s High School approached HEROS to female Mentors at the program, close to 50% of expand current programming to include Grades registrants in 2014-15 were female. With additional 9&10 for the 2015-16 academic year. This will support from Mentors, a number of those double the number of HEROS involved at St. Winnipeg 2014 - 2015 young women have been integrated into the John’s High School, a school that many of the community’s women’s recreational hockey league HEROS Winnipeg children will attend when they as they have reached the All Stars program. YEAR IN REVIEW reach Grade 7.