Calgary Military Family Resource Centre
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CALGARY MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE 2018-2019 Annual Report Building Momentum ABOUT THE CALGARY MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE (MFRC) Our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) soldiers , veterans and their family members face unique challenges that make being in the military an occupation different from any other. At the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) we aim to help lessen the impact of these unique challenges, which include frequent separations, extended deployments and high risk situations. We support families of CAF members within our service area of Southern Alberta, including north to Red Deer and south to Lethbridge. Our programs and services fall into areas such as personal development workshops, deployment services, personal or family counselling, health and mental wellness, and child and youth programs. The Calgary MFRC is a registered charity governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that was started in 1991 by the Department of National Defence in conjunction with the Military Family Support Program. “A life line is how we would describe them. The MFRC are a real team of dedicated people, making a difference in the lives of the families during a very trying time.” - Military family member MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR When I joined the MFRC in October 2016, the Afghanistan war was over, but the internal battles and ongoing challenges for some military members and their families continued. For others, some new challenges were just beginning. This past year was a time for me to not only learn how the military works, but also to find out what these military families have had to deal with. I now realize the full extent of how difficult this lifestyle can be compared to that of most civilian families. The threats of potential harm, the continued absences, finding proper educational supports for children and even trying to secure an employment position can be a major challenge, especially these days in Calgary. These situations have given our staff an opportunity to evaluate our priorities and practices this past year. We looked at where we are able to do the greatest good with our programs and supports while diligently stewarding our donors’ generous contributions to ensure these programs have the impact and achieve the objectives intended. We are now feeling a sense of collaboration and a surge of optimism headed into this next year. With a number of newly motivated and talented staff members, I feel we are ready to embrace this new growth and momentum that we have secured this past year. We are well on the path to support our military families while they maintain and rebuild their long-term capacity building. The unique value we offer as a small and focused organization is, I believe, unmatched in Calgary. Together with our local stakeholders and our generous supporters, we’ve laid the foundation for what is often missing in military family’s lives: support, encouragement and opportunities to develop long-lasting and significant friendships. I’m humbled to lead our team with the dedication and integrity to achieve the many positive outcomes you’ll read about in this year’s Annual Report. And I’m honoured to work for a dedicated board of directors and on behalf of our valued supporters who have the long-term vision to partner with us in our mutual goal to help all military families thrive in Southern Alberta. Gordon Young M.Sc Executive Director, Calgary MFRC MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR As my first year as Board Chair wraps up, I am filled with gratitude for the people I have had the privilege to work with and serve. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling year as our organization continues to grow and evolve to best meet the needs of our military and veteran families. The Calgary MFRC members that I meet continue to inspire me through their service to our country, their support for our uniformed and veteran members, and their resilience during difficult times. This year has been one of reinforcing and building on our success, strengthening community partnerships, and creatively enhancing program outcomes. Reinforcing and Building On Our Success. This year, through a nationally- led review of the 32 MFRCs in Canada, we have seen the value that MFRCs create reinforced at all levels, from the Chief of Defence Staff right through to the users of our services. Our new Calgary MFRC Strategic Roadmap for 2019-2022 recognizes the great work our Centre provides and builds on the momentum of the past year. Strengthening Community Partnerships. One of our strategic objectives that I am personally most proud of, is that of building community. The Calgary MFRC places great importance and value on enhancing our partnerships at all levels – with community partners in service of our members, with our military units, and with stakeholders committed to the promotion of our mission and vision. Creatively Enhancing Program Outcomes. An example of how the Calgary MFRC is adapting to the needs of our members and being creative in the delivery of programs and services is our Health and Mental Wellness Program, which is unique to our Centre. In line with our commitment to developing and promoting resilience, and increased access to and use of physical mental health services, we held our hugely successful annual Health and Mental Wellness Retreat in Kananaskis in April. The focus is on the relationship between the member or veteran with a Mental Health injury, and their spouse supporting and journeying alongside them on the path to wellness. A number of participants spoke to me of their gratitude for the opportunity to attend the weekend and that the Retreat gave them hope for the future. One of the most powerful aspects of the weekend is the informal peer support that emerges. The participants take great 2 comfort in feeling safe to speak honestly amongst peers who understand what they are going through. I was told, “I don’t feel alone anymore”. The friendships that form, and the safety net built, are part of what makes this event one-of-a-kind. I would like to thank the co-Chairs of the Breakfast on the Bridge event - George Brookman and Brett Wilson, along with the hard-working and tireless team on the organizing committee. Without their support, this Retreat would simply not be possible. Thank you to everyone who volunteered at the Breakfast on the Bridge event, who purchased tickets, and who sponsored the event and the military members in attendance. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Board of Directors, the staff, the many volunteers of the Calgary MFRC, and our donors and sponsors. Our success is your success. We thank you for your commitment to our military families - by strengthening the families behind the uniforms, you are contributing to a stronger Canadian Armed Forces. You are appreciated. Thank you. Sarah Wuntke Calgary MFRC Board Chair 3 HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR YEAR It is always our intention to support the community that supports members of our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and veterans. This community includes family, extended family, friends, and significant people in a member’s life. We responded to the high operational tempo this past year by providing services in support of our military family. Here are some highlights: Thanks to our generous donors, we were successful in obtaining more donations than In April 2018, we expected this year. lauched our Veteran With these additional Hosted 55 activities, Family Program funds we were able workshops and which allowed to expand our mental educational us, for the first health and wellness events with 1,417 time, to provide programming, increase participants. This frontline services, our minimal presence included mental referrals, programs in Red Deer and health workshops, and services that Lethbridge, and send adult educational were specifically more children to a activities, community developed for military kids’ summer social events and releasing or released camp in Ontario. family events. veterans and their families “We don’t know how we would have made it without the MFRC.” - Military family member Our Family Liaison Officer Our annual Mental provided Health and Wellness counselling and “Moving Forward” support to over retreat was attended by 80 families. Our Child and Youth over 80 CAF members Day Camps were and their partners. The wildly popular. focus, as always, is on the Nearly 450 children We sent out 55 care relationship between the attended and were packages through member or veteran with a given the chance Morale Mail. These Mental Health injury, and to connect with packages are sent to their spouse supporting others who are living with the same soldiers on overseas and journeying alongside operations. This is military lifestyle, almost double the them on the path to challenges and amount sent last year. wellness. stressors. 5 6 ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITIES The Calgary MFRC continues to offer quality programming with qualified staff to meet the unique needs within our community. All of our programs and services are designed to build an engaged and resilient military community in Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge. Our four organizational priorities have and will continue to guide our efforts in planning our programs and supporting the military family community into the future. We are deliberate in our efforts to stay on course and focused on our priority areas: Deliver programs and services that meet the needs of military members, veterans, and military 1 families throughout Southern Alberta. Build Community: Engage our communities through outreach and partnerships. 2 Strengthen operations to maximize member and family impact, staff engagement, 3 organizational performance, and funding sustainability. Demonstrate leadership in the community and practice strong governance. 4 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES At the Calgary MFRC, we know military families move frequently and that starting over in a new community is tough and stressful.