201 11456 Jasper Ave. NW , AB T5K 0M1

Toll Free: 1-800-421-7323 Phone: 780-421-7323 Fax: 780-421-7324 Email: [email protected] www.famlit.ca

Read, Laugh, Rhyme, Learn, Write, Play Annual Report

Designed by: Board of Directors 2009

Dr. Eric Newell, Honorary Chair

David Hiebert, Chair Maie Kellerman, Vice Chair Our Vision: Randy Boissonnault, Past Chair Sheryl Coonan, Treasurer A healthy, literate society Mitchell Flaman where all are able to Dwayne Lysak* contribute and succeed. Sharon McMullan-Baron Dr. Heather Raymond Our Mission: Esmond Sanders Judy Tetreau The Centre for Family Literacy builds, develops and *Retired in May 2009 improves literacy with families and communities.

1 Moving Forward – A Message from Our Leaders

First of all, on behalf of the Board, we We thank all who have contributed this It is a privilege for me to join such a • Thanks to ATB Financial, Phyllis A. Arnold would like to extend a warm welcome to past year – volunteering, partnering, successful team at this time, in particular Learning Fund, Jim Hutton and An Jonna Grad, our new Executive Director, funding and giving of your personal time, as we eagerly look forward to hosting over Evening of Wine and Words fundraising who took up her position in June 2009. talent and treasure. Your help makes the 500 international delegates who will be in event a new C.O.W. (Classroom on Jonna comes to us with over 13 years Centre what it is! Edmonton for the National Family Literacy Wheels) bus has replaced the one put experience in the not-for-profit sector, Conference in 2010. Many thanks to out to pasture this year. primarily in social services and education. David Hiebert Kimberley Onclin, Associate Executive • Our new Dollars and $ense program got Her background and experience reflect a Board Chair Director and Maureen Sanders, past under way to rave reviews from the first strong belief in building on the strengths Executive Director for their outstanding session’s participants. of individuals, families and communities, leadership in organizing a world-class which fits well with the Centre’s values program. The conference will highlight the Many thanks to everyone for your support and mission. pivotal importance of family literacy and and commitment to the mission of family how far it has come from inception. literacy during this time of transition. I look The entire staff and the management forward with anticipation to 2010. team of Kimberley Onclin, Kim Chung and My first few months have been Donna Lemieux are to be commended on rewarding as the Centre continued to Jonna Grad their hard work during this transition and move forward on a number of fronts: Executive Director their continued focus on the mission and work of the Centre. • We piloted two Workplace Family Literacy Projects, one in Taber and one As continues to face economic in Brooks. challenges, the Centre strives to remain • Evaluations from the first 36-week centered on achieving the goal of building, Learning Together program indicated developing and improving literacy within marked improvements for both parents’ families and communities. This often and children’s literacy skills. means developing innovative approaches as well as working diligently with our partners; something we have been doing throughout our history.

2 3 Learning Together

“I knew how important literacy was to at other programs that I was not allowed improving one’s future, it had certainly to speak my native Filipino in my own improved mine, but I did not know how to home,” says Paul Calapre. “At Learning pass on the love of reading to my son … Together, they explained more about This program has given me the tools I need the school system, and that having my to be a good parent and make sure that children embrace two cultures and speak literacy is a priority…,” one parent wrote. two languages is a positive thing.” “Literacy is a life skill and Centres like yours help the rest of us remember to never stop “Meanwhile, in another room, the learning.” children learn through play, with a focus on literacy,” says Janice Schneider, Cathy Antoniuk enrolled in the Learning Learning Together coordinator. “We Together program to help her daughter believe that by empowering children to overcome the shyness that had, up to this make good choices, they will be successful point, dominated her young life. “We learners into the future.” came away with much more,” she says. “We created a network of lasting Every two weeks, the children and their friendships and the instructors provided parents join together in literacy and so many good learning tools based on learning activities so the adults can practice participants’ needs.” their new skills with facilitators nearby.

Following the recommendation of “Many of our parents from last year are longitudinal research conducted on the now enrolled in other adult education original 12-week program, the Centre now classes,” says Ashima. “It seems we have offers Learning Together for 36 weeks. opened the door to lifelong learning.” The research also confirmed the powerful effect of parents’ literacy levels on their children’s reading ability before starting school. “The additional weeks allow us to be more intentional about increasing the parents’ literacy skills,” says Ashima Sumaru, adult facilitator.

Twice a week 15 adults and their pre- school children attend half-day sessions. The adults learn many different skills, including how to incorporate literacy into their child’s everyday life. “I had been told

4 5 What’s your bottom line?

Do you: Evaluations on the first eight-week classes • understand this headline; or did you go were positive. One participant indicated he to the ‘bottom line’ of this page? had achieved his goal “to learn more about • know how to pay bills using the internet, good and bad credit and figure out how to or get cash using an ATM? budget better.” The only complaints from • have a handle on the ROI and participants: class times are too short and management fees of your retirement eight weeks is not long enough. investments? • understand every line on your pay stub The Centre for Family Literacy is and utility bill? collaborating with the City of Edmonton and others in order to share concerns, In our fast paced world, where ‘cattle resources and expertise in the area of chutes’ lined with restless clients leave financial literacy. Dollars and $ense is bank tellers little time to explain details, funded through a Government of Alberta and calling a utility company sends you on Foundational Learning grant. a wild chase to press first this number and then that symbol, the Centre for Family Literacy has a program to answer these questions and more.

Dollars and $ense is an eight-week program delivered at four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced and English language learners. “The goal,” says Natasha Butt, instructor with the program, “is to help people understand the world of finance so they can manage their own money, take advantage of opportunities and be aware of possible scams.”

From simple math skills and money safety to learning the jargon used in Canada, financial literacy makes a difference in the lives of individuals and their families.

6 7 Program Statistics Adult and Family Programs Learning Together Adult Participants 6,367 Parents improve their skills and help their In partnership with community organizations, preschool children become successful Child Participants 7,167 our programs support language and literacy learners. development within a family context. The Centre for Family Literacy Adult Tutor Program Books for Babies Trained volunteers work with adults with provides a wide range of adult Encourages parents to share books with low literacy skills. and family literacy programs their infants. in Edmonton, as well as Financial Literacy Courses training, resources, information Rhymes that Bind Adults learn the basics in math, money, Promotes oral language development in budgeting, banking services, credit and debt. and awareness across Alberta infants and toddlers. and Canada. Books Offer Our Kids Success (B.O.O.K.S.) Training and Services Small group workshops designed for parents of preschool children. The Centre for Family Literacy, a leader in the family literacy field in Canada, shares its Literacy Classroom on Wheels (C.O.W. Bus) knowledge around the province and across A traveling library for parents and preschool the country through its resources, manuals, children in high-needs areas of the city. workshops and professional trainings.

Storysacks The Centre provides training opportunities Parents and other community members for family literacy practitioners and others create props that enhance selected books. working with families through:

Help Your Child to Read and Write • Family Literacy Training Institute Parents of elementary school-aged • Family Literacy Regional Network children learn to build their children’s • Food for Thought confidence in reading and writing. • Online Foundations in Family Literacy

Alberta Prairie Classroom on Wheels In 2009, staff responded to thousands of (C.O.W. Bus) inquiries about family literacy from local, Builds awareness of family literacy in rural provincial and national programs and and urban Alberta communities. organizations.

8 9 “For most of us, the absolute best part of the evening was listening to Jim (Cuddy) and Greg (Keelor) perform,” says Bob Bowhay. “It’s such an intimate setting, you feel like they’re in your living room – what a treat.”

Wine and Words

Jim Cuddy, of Blue Rodeo fame, writes song lyrics, as does his partner in crime, Greg Keelor. And they were both on hand to share the importance of literacy at the second annual Evening of Wine and Words at the Fairmont in May 2009.

This was the second appearance at the event for Jim, and he once again stole the show. After they were both auctioned off to sit at people’s tables for dinner (and then again for coffee and dessert), he did not spare Greg any of his infamous wit after he sold for more money. “It has to be fun when ‘the’ Jim Cuddy is heckling you!” says Bob Bowhay, who won some of the bids, and also some of the barbs.

Jim is an avid reader and has participated in two CBC Canada Reads panels. Greg acknowledges James Joyce as one of his muses. “Not exactly light reading there Greg,” said Donna Lemieux, Fund Development Manager at the Centre for Family Literacy. “But hey, when you help us raise over $60,000, we’ll let you talk about any writer you want.” Master of Ceremonies, Mark Scholz, whose Other auction items, over the past two engaging banter and “wine expertise” kept the years, have included a night of poker with audience laughing throughout the evening. singer/songwriter Corb Lund and a guitar donated by Axe Music and signed by Jim and Greg.

“Watching the grins on the faces of some of the women around the table – it’s like receiving the gift of a lifetime,” says Bob Bowhay, who tendered the highest bid to have Jim Cuddy sit at his table 10 for coffee and dessert. 11 Memorial Literacy Awards 2009 Adult Learner Award

Presented to Colin DesJardine for his Colin was one of those kids who simply “fell outstanding commitment to his own through the cracks” he says with a shrug. learning. But it was frustrating even at the time. “We would talk about the neglect and poor “It’s an honour to get something like this,” teaching during recess, but of course, we says Colin DesJardine. “I was on cloud nine.” didn’t know what to do about it.” He grins even now, a year later, talking about it. Colin attended Olds College for vocational training in landscaping and building “I wanted to move to the next level of my maintenance and landed a job as a power engineering training, but my wife maintenance worker. But Colin, and his and I knew I would need more literacy managers, wanted more, so he began skills to accomplish that.” They looked for studying Power Engineering at NAIT. options and came across the Centre for Colin was able to complete his Class 5 Family Literacy Adult Tutoring program. ticket in 1999 – in the next couple of years, “I’ve had four different tutors over the past thanks in part to the Centre’s tutoring three years and have learned something program, he will be applying to complete new from every one of them.” his Class 4 ticket.

“This program has helped in so many ways,” says Colin. “I’m not afraid to talk to people any more, to ask questions, to take my WHMIS, first aid and confined space entry courses … my managers at work have encouraged me over the past 11 years; I think they are pretty proud of me now.”

12 13 Lois Hole Memorial Our Supporters – Literacy Awards January 1 to December 31, 2009 2009 Community Leadership Award The Centre for Family Literacy sincerely National Collaborating Centre for appreciates the public and private sector Determinants of Health Presented to Randy Boissonnault for Today, Randy remains on the Centre’s support we receive for our programs and Success by 6® outstanding contributions of time, talent Board and is busy establishing Literacy services. Your help is making a difference The Rotary Club of Edmonton and resources to the Centre for Family Without Borders, an international not-for- to families throughout Alberta. The Scotlyn Foundation Trust Fund Literacy. profit agency focused on building capacity TELUS and improving literacy levels in developing Government United Way of the Alberta Capital Region Twelve years ago Randy Boissonnault countries. “I’ve seen the benefits of family joined the board of the Prospects’ Literacy literacy,” says Randy. “I want to share that Alberta Advanced Education and Donors Association. He then helped steward knowledge.” Technology, Community Programs the concept of a focal point of excellence City of Edmonton, Family and Community Anonymous (15) in family literacy into the nationally Randy is president of Xennex, a consulting Support Services Program Randy Anderson Learning Fund* renowned Centre for Family Literacy. firm that focuses on strategic alignment Human Resources and Social ATCO EPIC with small businesses and non-profit Development Canada, Office of Literacy ATCO Group “It was a time of optimism and growth,” organizations. and Essential Skills ATCO I-Tek Inc. says Randy. “The Centre gave us the ability Public Health Agency of Canada Jay Averill to assume a provincial and national role. Region 6 – Edmonton & Area Child and Annette Ayre There was nothing like it in Canada.” Family Services Karine Belanger W. Alan Bell As the first chair of the Centre, Randy Funders Alice & Alan Bell Fund* became a strong advocate for family David William Bell Memorial Fund* literacy and contributed to many successful ATB Financial Mary Bennett initiatives including the provincial Butler Family Foundation Cheri Blain & Jim Struthers Foundational Training Projects in English Centre for Family Literacy Society of Ken & Christina Blake and French and the Learning Alberta review Alberta Fund* BMO Nesbitt Burns of post-secondary education. CIBC World Markets Children’s Foundation Randy Boissonnault Edmonton Community Adult Learning Neil & Wendy Bosch Association Bob & Sheryl Bowhay Edmonton Community Foundation Rick Brezer Edmonton Glenora Rotary Club Brenda Brindle Edmonton Journal Raise-a-Reader Angela Brotzel Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Lori Buchanan Family Literacy Society Fund* Melissa Bui

14 15 Robert & Paige Campbell James M. Hutton Gloria McKee Howard Saunders Centre for Family Literacy Tutor Bryan Ilko Lyn McKee Janice Schneider CIBC Asset Management Inc. In Honour of Sharon McMullen-Baron Scott Schneider City Lumber Corporation Book Club Members Tevie & Arliss Miller Endowment Fund* Allan & Marianne Scott Gordon Clanachan Karen & Rick Douziech & Family Miller Office Group Fund* Harry Seeman CoSyn Techology Wally Edwards Miller Thomson LLP Curtis Shelast George & Myrl Coulter Jim & Kathy Graham Heather Mis Sharon Skage Paul & Manuela Craveiro Tammy Irwin Kathyrn Morin Laura Skidmore Angela Semchuk & Carlos Craveiro Dr. Theirry Lacaze Lillian Nagy Tanya Snicer John Crockett Memorial Fund* My kids’ teachers NBCN Grace Soares G. Carolyn Dieleman Stratford COGITO School Kathleen Newell Sobeys Inc. Marshall Dilts Jenny Yakimik Old Strathcona Chapter Harley Owners Group Paul Spiller Shirley Dul Tammy Irwin Kimberley Onclin Peter Stephen Liz Duncan Johanne Johnson Esther S. Ondrack Margaret T. Stevenson Edmonton Journal Carol Kariatsumari Blaine Ostapovich Christian Strigl Sam Ernst Maie & Jacob Kellerman Marlene Packman Inspector James Stiles David Fallowfield Pat Kelley Robert & Paulette Paquette Susan Tanghe Roy Faltinson Fund* Sarah Kelley Della Paradis TELUS Ambassadors Brian Farrell Silvia Kim Parlee McLaws LLP TELUS Cares – Dollars for Doers Feeding Hungry Minds Fund* Evelyn Kozack Marilyn Peckett Judy Tetreau Fidelity Investments Canada La Bruyère Fund* Nancy Petersen Shelley Thompson Jill Folkins Yves Lamarre Petro-Canada Linda Thorne Jennifer Gamble Mitch Lamoureux Anne Phipps Ben Toma Amy Gaucher Laurie/Thomson Fund* Fordyce & Patricia Pier Dale Unrau Erin Gaudet Lorne & Kathie Leitch Family Fund* Ernest Pierce Kathryn Goodale Donna & Gerard Lemieux John Pinsent Phyllis Van Humbeck Roger & Peggy Gouin Eilish Lemieux Peter Plaizier Peter Van Kempen Heather Graham Paul Lessard John E. Poole Memorial Fund* Marguerite Watson Greater Edmonton Library Association Jane Liang-Weissgerber Shannon Pyper Joan Welch Gyro Club of Edmonton Christopher Logan Princeton Fund* Patricia Wendt Darrell Halliwell Susan Lynch Rosalie & William Rector Fund* Deborah A. Whitmore Craig Harris Hillard MacBeth Ken Regan Dr. Grace Wiebe Ken Hayward Mavis MacDonald Quirk Margaret Reine Jim & Billie Wilkins Fund* Sharon Heinrich Mackenzie Investments Scot Robertson Jon Williams Alex Hamilton Fund* Sharon MacKinnon Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation Andrew Woolfson David Hiebert Jon MacLeod Andrea Ross WorleyParsons Grace Hill-Rackette Sheryl Maik Ruste Family Fund* Barbara Wright Arlene Howell-Pick Kathy Manchak Maureen & Esmond Sanders * Funds at the Edmonton Community Robert W. Hutchinson Richard Maranchuk Sandy Lane Auto Foundation

16 17 2009 Partners

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation La Fédération canadienne pour Aboriginal Parent Link l’alphabétisation en français ASSIST Community Services Centre La Perle ABC Head Start Athlone School Lauderdale School Balwin School Lee Ridge Elementary School Bannerman School Literacy Alberta Penguin Group (Canada) a division of Belvedere School Literacy BC In Kind Donors Pearson Canada Inc. Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society Literacy Now (2010 Legacies Now) Priddy Books Bissell Centre Literacy organizations and Family Literacy Margaret Atwood Raincoast Books Bonnie Doon Health Clinic programs across the province Annette Ayre Random House of Canada Ltd. BrightView School Lois Hole Branch, Edmonton Public Library Chapters West Edmonton Scholastic Canada Ltd. Caernarvon School Lucerne Foods CKUA Simon and Schuster Canada Douglas Printing Teachers’ Book Depository Calder ABC Head Start McKee ABC Head Start Edmonton Journal Thomas Allen & Son Ltd. Calder Branch, Edmonton Public Library Mill Woods Family Resource Centre Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Callingwood School Movement for Canadian Literacy Edmonton Public Library Legacy for Literacy Club Candora Society of Edmonton Multi-cultural Family Resource Centre EPCOR Chinese Health for Two Group National Adult Literacy Database Fantasyland Hotel and Conference Centre The Legacy for Literacy Club recognizes and City of Edmonton – Circle Square NorQuest College Incite Solutions honours those who have planned a gift to Laurie’s Book Company the Centre for Family Literacy through a Community Learning Network Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre Lynnwood Link Community Newsletter bequest in their will, life insurance or trust Community Literacy Ontario Our Lady of Grace Program – Moms, Dads & Kids arrangement or have made an outright Dickinsfield Amity House Edmonton Catholic Schools South Edmonton Truck Wash gift to the Centre for Family Literacy’s Eastwood ABC Head Start Our Lady of Peace Elementary School Starbucks Coffee Company endowment fund. Eastwood School Parkdale School Edmonton Catholic Schools Penny McKee Branch – We acknowledge support Anonymous from the following book Keith Anderson and Carol Kariatsumari Edmonton Garrison Military Family Abbottsfield, Edmonton Public Library publishers Randy Boissonnault Resource Centre Sacred Heart Centre Chris & Leah Burrows Edmonton Learning City Initiative St. Alphonsus ABC Head Start Annick Press Rob & Paige Campbell Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers St. Benedict Elementary School Barefoot Books Caroline & James Gilfillan Edmonton Public Library St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School Candlewick Press Dr. Ruth Hayden St. Gerard Elementary School DK Publishing, Inc. Sandra Irving Eaglecrest Books Clare & Thomasine Irwin Evansdale School St. Martha Elementary School Fire the Imagination Paul Kottl & Heather Raymond English Express Sherwood ABC Head Start Firefly Books Ltd. Donna & Gerard Lemieux Frontier College Strathcona Branch, Edmonton Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd. John & Barbara Poole Gold Bar ABC Head Start Public Library Greenwillow Books Maureen & Esmond Sanders Grace Martin ABC Head Start Taber & District Community Adult Groundwood Books Libby & Roger Smith Health for Two Network Learning Association Harper Collins Canada Ltd. Robert & Shirley Stollery H.B. Fenn and Company Ltd. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Touchmark at Wedgewood Kids Can Press Horse Hill School Vancouver Community College Lobster Press Inglewood School Weinlos ABC Head Start Orca Book Publishers Jasper Place Child & Family Resource Centre Woodcroft Branch, Edmonton – West Edmonton Parent Link Public Library K.A.R.A. Family Resource Centre XL Foods/Lakeside Packers Kensington ABC Head Start York School Kingston Literacy Youngstown School 18 19 Statement of Financial Statement of Operations Position Year Ended December 31 Year Ended December 31 2009 2008 2009 2008 ASSETS Revenue Current Grants $ 1,739,380 $ 1,504,756 Cash $ 83,974 $ 108,523 Donations and other fundraising 271,778 180,164 Term deposits 823,686 858,000 Sales 54,757 44,972 Accounts receivable 17,085 11,536 Casino 25,986 75,708 Goods and services tax recoverable 9,030 10,275 Interest 20,327 18,580 Prepaid expenses 41,943 28,570 2,112,228 1,824,180 975,718 1,016,904 Program Expenses Equipment 101,507 75,372 Wages, contracts and benefits 1,275,837 1,125,160 Program delivery 264,347 203,018 $ 1,077,225 $ 1,092,276 Facilities 217,455 174,431 Travel: projects and services 44,339 58,437 Promotion 35,984 34,263 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Travel: programs 29,896 34,937 Current Accounts payable $ 41,763 $ 31,654 1,867,858 1,630,246 Wages payable 38,155 25,241 Deferred contributions 664,063 834,867 Administration Expenses Wages, contracts and benefits 86,699 101,601 743,981 891,762 Office 20,679 38,862 Professional fees 10,793 13,210 Deferred Contributions Related to Equipment 94,072 65,498 Facilities 9,135 18,027 Promotion 4,168 3,159 838,053 957,260 131,474 174,859 Net Assets Excess of Revenues Over Expenses Before Unrestricted 8,738 32,142 Other Revenue (Expenses) 112,896 19,075 Internally restricted 223,000 93,000 Invested in equipment 7,434 9,874 Other Income (Expenses) Amortization of equipment (11,915) (15,323) 239,172 135,016 Amortization of deferred contributions related to equipment 3,175 10,337 $ 1,077,225 $ 1,092,276 Contribution to the Edmonton Community Foundation – (5,526)

Excess of Revenues Over Expenses (8,740) (10,512) $ 104,156 $ 8,563

Complete audited financial statements are available on request.

20 201 11456 Jasper Ave. NW Edmonton, AB T5K 0M1

Toll Free: 1-800-421-7323 Phone: 780-421-7323 Fax: 780-421-7324 Email: [email protected] www.famlit.ca

Read, Laugh, Rhyme, Learn, Write, Play Annual Report

Designed by: