2018 Community Report THE LITERACY RIPPLE EFFECT

"Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the action of individuals can have far reaching effects."

—Dalai Lama

2 Mission, Vision, Values Report from our Leaders

OUR VISION THE LITERACY RIPPLE EFFECT A healthy, literate society where all are able to contribute and succeed. Each of us makes hundreds of decisions every day, ranging from the subconscious and OUR MISSION mundane to the complex and life-changing. Each decision, each action, creates a ripple effect on those around us. The Centre for Family Literacy builds, develops and improves literacy with families and In this Community Report, we would like to show how any action, big or small, contributes communities. unexpected results and how changing one person’s life has multiple impacts.

OUR VALUES The work of the Centre, in improving and enhancing literacy skills, ripples out to impact more than the adults and families who come to our programs and trainings. Each year, we The Centre for Family Literacy values people. We value people by championing learning, gather and measure the quantitative and qualitative results of our programs and training, integrity and quality, and by addressing the needs of our community with innovation and but often the unintended consequences are overlooked. respect. Our staff, volunteers, Board Members, and partners contribute to this ripple effect. Their BOARD OF DIRECTORS efforts go well beyond delivering and overseeing the work of the Centre. Their influence and connections in the community raise awareness of the importance of literacy. They act Dr. Eric Newell, Honorary Chair as catalysts in creating an understanding of the impact of low literacy on adults, families, businesses and communities. Through their passionate commitment to our mission, they Ian Cameron, Chair are effecting change. That is the ripple effect. Maie Kellerman, Past Chair Heather-Jane Au, Vice Chair Our funders and donors make investments in the Centre which lends credibility to our work. Renee Kent, Treasurer Their financial contributions demonstrate that they believe we are making a difference. Dr. Robert Bruinsma This encourages others to make an investment in our work which scales up our ability to provide more programming and training. That is the ripple effect. An-Su De Lellis Michael Lam Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our work. Imagine the results you have Mike Lupien created well beyond the intended outcomes. Zoe Rezac Jim Schmidt Gina Wong* Ian Cameron Kim Chung Donna Lemieux Board Chair Director Programming & Director Development Training & Community Engagement *Retired May 2018

2 3 Family Literacy Programs

The Centre’s programs involve the family as SANDRA’S RIPPLE STORY DARREN’S RIPPLE STORY a whole. Parents learn how to support their children’s early learning and their progress Sandra and her two young children moved We noticed that since coming to the C.O.W. in school. Parents also improve their own here from BC to find support for her son, Bus, 5-year old Darren was participating literacy skills directly and indirectly. Adam, who is on the Autism Spectrum. The more in the program, and was more father stayed in BC to remain employed. interested in books. Diane, Darren’s mother, was very happy to see his progress and Our Family Literacy programs operate at Sandra was able to access a number of felt encouraged that he would be better several levels: professionals to work with Adam. She also prepared to start school in the fall. joined one of our family literacy programs Intellectual: with both of her children. At first Adam’s In September, Diane let us know that Darren provide opportunities for adults and children progress was slow, but he began to show had a good start to his kindergarten year to build their literacy skills. improvement and is now ready to enroll in because of skills he had learned at the kindergarten. C.O.W. bus program. He was able to interact Emotional: with other children, sit and focus on a task promote warm and loving interactions Sandra has learned much since coming here, for longer periods of time, and participate in between parents and children, support and she now wants to become a support activities. She was so pleased. 2142 healthy brain development for children, and person back home. Sandra has encouraged increase confidence and self-esteem for adult participants other families from her home town to come One day, Diane told us how much Darren adult learners. to for the services available here, loved the “Tickle the Duck” book he had and is looking into how she can bring more recently borrowed. He shared the book with Social: his little sister, Anne, and insisted the whole encourage stronger social networks and services back to her community. family participate in reading it together. connect adults and families with their During adult time in our program, Sandra was 2390 neighbours and resources in the community. overwhelmed and emotional as she shared The day Darren returned the book to the child participants that she is going back home. Other parents in program, he encouraged his friend to borrow FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS OFFERED IN 2018: the room shed tears of joy and congratulated it. Now these two little boys enjoy sharing her. They shared their own stories of struggle books together. One will sign out a book and and success and how it felt to be isolated and then tell the other about it. They talk about • Books for Babies alone. The group have become a great little why they like the book—almost like a mini community of support to each other in a few book club. • Rhymes that Bind and Multicultural short weeks. Rhymes that Bind

• Classroom on Wheels (C.O.W. Bus) RIPPLE EFFECT ACROSS THE COUNTRY

• 3,2,1 Fun! “When I visit my grandson, he is soothed and distracted when we “sing” together. When I • Learn Together – Grow Together go back to Ontario, we continue to bond by singing via Skype and telephone.”

4 5 Adult Literacy Programs

The Centre’s programs help adults acquire EDITH’S RIPPLE STORY MONICA’S RIPPLE STORY basic reading, writing, numeracy, technology and other life skills needed to function During a visit to our weekly Book Club, I Over the course of 2018, I spoke with dozens successfully in society. listened to the learners’ feedback about the of our volunteers about why they volunteer class, and was keenly aware of the golden with us. These conversations are always Our Adult Literacy programs are built thread which ran through their comments. inspirational to me. Volunteers have often put on sound educational practices and are I noted with interest that almost 70% of the a great deal of thought into how they want to successful because they: learners in that class are involved in some invest some of their free time to better the • Are learner centered, focusing on the volunteering activity in different organizations lives of others in our community. around the city. specific needs, strengths and interests of There’s a common thread throughout their each learner. The learners attributed this spirit of comments: volunteering gives back. I can’t • Are culturally sensitive, using resources volunteerism mainly to the encouragement tell you how many times I’ve heard a volunteer and methods appropriate for each from their facilitators and the inspiration from say, “I came to give, but I think I’ve actually participant. the stories they read weekly from “The Spirit received more than I’ve given." of Canada”, a stunning collection of stories I watch volunteers gain the skills and • Offer knowledge, skills, attitudes and that celebrates Canada’s life and times. They 417 confidence to pursue new opportunities, values that are transferable to the learner’s shared some of what they are doing with me. adult participants family, workplace, and community. new careers, and take on stretch assignments that surprise them and reveal just how • Are offered in accessible, welcoming “Attending this class has given me capable they are. I see volunteers who locations that remove barriers to the confidence to join a Knitting committed to a year with us, but have stayed participation. Club in my community. We make for five, ten, fifteen, even twenty-five years. They understand the simple principle that Supported by professional staff, the programs hats for newborn babies and in giving, we receive. This is perhaps best are delivered by trained volunteers whose donate them to refugees.” captured in their own words. passion for their work is felt on a day to day basis by our learners. “I now volunteer at Changing “As a volunteer tutor for over Together, a center for women in 20 years, I have learned a ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS OFFERED IN 2018: need. I volunteer as a teaching lot from all my learners. My assistant in a basic adult literacy continual learning has come in • One-on-one tutoring program class.” the form of looking at things • Group Classes from different angles, including o Book Clubs o Women’s Literacy words and grammar, and o Conversation Classes o Workplace Skills learning different aspects of life o Learning Together o Financial Literacy from these precious and brave o Resume and Cover Letter Writing people.” 6 7 Training

In , and across the country, hundreds ALICE’S RIPPLE STORY FLIT APP RIPPLE STORY of thousands of professionals work with young families every day. They are front line Alice was recently hired to be a Literacy We created the Flit App (Families Learning workers who have the best opportunities Practitioner responsible for developing and Interacting Together) to provide parents to make a difference in helping parents and executing literacy programs and family of preschool children with a variety of fun understand the importance of their children’s visitations in three rural communities. literacy activities they can do with their small children. Currently there are over 124 early language and literacy development. She had heard of family literacy and after activities, divided into eight categories, that visiting our website she knew that family Through experience, research and collabora- give step by step instructions with pictures to literacy was going to be an impactful approach tion, the Centre has developed training show parents how to do each activity. opportunities that are shared with family to her work. Alice decided to attend a training literacy professionals, and those working with session. Because she was travelling quite a To our surprise, Flit is being used by more families. The trainees are encouraged to use distance, the Centre staff invited her to come than parents. Many professionals working this knowledge in their own programs, thus a day before to learn more about what we do. with families are using it as a program resource and as a result we are reaching a building more capacity in more communities to Alice spent a full day learning all about the far wider audience than anticipated. The support more families. programs offered, explored materials we latest analytics show that our Flit app has have developed, visited programs, and 1,302 been downloaded by individuals in over 70 began to create a plan for her own programs. participants countries! TRAINING PROGRAMS OFFERED IN 2018 She then attended Rhymes that Bind training and later came for Storysacks training. • Family Literacy Training Week As a result of her visit and training, two • Models Training organizations in her community have • Introduction to Family Literacy contracted the Centre to provide their staff with family literacy training. They are "I alone cannot change • Literacy Links considering a week-long training in the early • Tutor Training fall through a shared partnership with several the world, but I can cast a agencies. stone across the waters to Alice has stayed in contact with Centre staff on a regular basis, for support with her create many ripples." programs, or simply to share an update on how family literacy is supporting families —Mother Teresa in her rural community. Through this relationship, the Centre has learned a great deal about working in rural communities and is employing this in work with other rural northern communities.

8 9 The Return on Your Investment Our Supporters

Generous donors, funders, and volunteers JANUARY 1 TO Alice & Alan Bell Fund* Christine DeCarolis sustain the Centre’s work. Their contributions DECEMBER 31, 2018 Tracy Benson Julie Deneve of time, money, and expertise build healthy, Duart Berg Detheridge Family Fund* literate communities through innovative and Grace Berry Carolina Diaz Government Gino Bit responsive programming and training. Sandra Dickie City of Edmonton, Family and Cheri Blain & James Struthers Kristin Dmytriw The return on their investment impacts Community Support Services Cecilia Bloxom Monica Doherty change. Government of Alberta Wendy & Neil Bosch Elaine P. Douglas Jason & Lisa Bossert Liz A. Duncan • 84% of parents report that their children Funders Denise Bourque Muriel Dunnigan are more engaged with books and Bob & Sheryl Bowhay Mark Dutton Centre for Family Literacy Society Dean Branting Heidi Edgar learning. This year, families borrowed of Alberta Fund* Lisa Brekke Casey Edmunds over 2,250 books from our C.O.W. Bus Edmonton Community Adult Brenda Brindle Randall & Karen Edwards and we distributed 1,524 books through Learning Association Ian Brooker Lorraine Enge other family literacy programs. Family Literacy Society Fund* Marianne Brown Danette Eraut United Way of the Alberta Capital • of parents reported they felt more Robert Bruinsma Sandra Ernst 88% Region confident and able to support their Dale & Janet Burgess Dawn Marie Evans children’s early language and literacy Gail M. Burke Eric Falkenberg Poetz Individuals development. They felt better prepared Marta Burns Grant & Heidi Fedoruk to help their children succeed in school. Anonymous (10) Dorothy Brystrom Irene Fehr Allison Abercrombie Gena Cake Lois Field • 95% of adult learners achieved their Felipe Aguerrevere Ian Cameron Rosina Fischer learning goals and were interested in C. Allen Linda Cameron Rhonda Gerencser pursuing other learning opportunities Hilary Anaka Robert & Paige Campbell Eric Germain and programs. Keith Anderson Nada Cathrea William Gibson Larry & Janet Anderson Learning Kim Chung Paul & Kristina Givens The contribution of time and talent by the “Volunteering at the Centre is one Access Endowment Fund* Gordon J. Clanachan Linda Goodchild Centre’s 185 volunteers is critical to our Trudy Anderson Brenda Clark Eric Green work. of the most rewarding things I have Anonymous Fund* Conor Clarke Kelley Hajar ever done in my entire life.” Natalie Anton Pegi Clayton Cameron Haldane 1. Volunteers donated hours to the 8,537 Reid D. Antonello Stephen Colquhoun Janet & David Hancock Centre in 2018. Chi Cheong Au —Centre volunteer Andrea Colling Glenise Harvey Dick & Heather-Jane Au 2.2. 73% volunteer weekly in one or more of Sheryl Coonan Ken Hayward Janice Aubry Kent & Janice Coulter our programs. Catherine Hergert Geoffrey Badger Theresa Cowan David J. Hiebert 3. Special Event committee volunteers helped Mark Barylo Claudia Cruthers Grace Hill raise over $179,000 for programs. Sharron Batsch Donna Davies Darren Hinger Gloria Bauer Kerry Day B. Hoff-Morin

10 11 Blair Holgate Nicole Konkin Nona McMartin C-Anne Robertson Isaac Watson Foster Park Nancy Hologroski Jeralee Konschuh Judy Meintzer Jeff Robinson Jeanne Wegner Gusto Fit Inc. Krystal Hoople Jeanine Kowalchuk Karen Mills Margaret Rolf Pat Weinkauf Imperial Oil Limited D. Hubbard Kyle Koza Dawn Mitchell Kelsey Romaniuk Jon Williams KPMG Wayne Huk Rhonda Kozuska Paavo Montandon Scott & Rhonda Ross Kathleen Willy Ledcor Construction Limited DeAnn Hunter Donna Krucik Shelley Morris Phoebe Scherger Kan Wong Mackenzie Investments Robert W. Hutchinson Holly Krueger Diane Motkoski Lauren Schulte Mary Woodhead McCoy Family Foundation Jim Hutton Ken Lam David J. Muddle Ed Schultz Doug Wylie McDougall United Church Hutton Family Fund* Beth Langlois Eric Newell Jeana Schuurman Ryan Young Melcor Developments Ltd. In Honour of Dan Lanskey Monica Newport Jeanine Sears Connie Yuen Melton Foundation Donna Lemieux Rose Lapawchuk Kim Nishikaze Diana Seemann Andrew & Louisa Zylstra MNP Ltd. Val Morris Vanessa Laroque Linda Nutting Christina Sherwood * Funds at the Edmonton Mortgages by Carmela Ltd. Tutor Learner relationships David & Joan Laurie Tony & Jan Nutting Daniel Shute Community Foundation Nearctic Group Mlle. Wong Dao Le Ian O’Donnell Elke A. Siebels Ogilvie LLP Jeremiah & Dawn Leder Lara Oberg-Stenson Brandi Siffledeen Businesses & In Memory of Alyssa Lefaivre Sofia Oleksyn Simonson Family Fund* Foundations Maureen Allen Margaret Leighton Mike J. Olsson Diane Sinclair Ursula Dudok van Heel Donna & Gerard Lemieux Kimberley Onclin Karen Smith Arkk Engineering Per Lysholm Marhea Liboiron Esther Ondrack Pamela Smith Corporation Clare & Thomasine Irwin David & Tamara Linklater Doreen Owen Sharon Smith Arrow Engineering Martha Jamieson Rama Logsetty Marlene Packman Catherine Marie Smits Inc. Sam Jenkins Mike Lundquist Amanda Papadopoulos Janet Spriggs ATCO EPIC Marcia Jeremiah Mike Lupien Della Paradis Gregory Stamler Bella Maas Boutique Anita Jocksch Sharon Lynne-Matei Laurie Parsons Nancy Steeves BlackRock Inc. Dale Johnson Hilliard MacBeth Carol Pawlenchuk Kaitlin Stewart-White BMO Global Asset Kathy Johnson Colleen MacDougall Michelle Penner Christian Strigl Management Dianne Johnstone Mary MacGregor Anne Phipps Hannah Stuparyk Butler Family Elaine Jones Jonathan MacLeod Michael Pidhirniak Leah Stuparyk Foundation Lindsey Juke Turnbull Shelley MacLowick Fordyce Pier Kim Sword Canadian Western Jacob Kellerman Colleen MacPherson Tim & Regan Pinkoski Ray Taillefer Bank Chapter Harley Maie Kellerman Audrey Magnuson David Porter Dawn Taylor Careers: the Next Generation Owners Group Pat Kelley Karen Mandrusiak Tracy Poulin Brian F. Thompson CI Investments PCL Construction Leaders Sarah Kelley Marilyn Manning Charlotte Powell Kevin Thompson Clark Builders Pimco Canada Corp. Nicole Kemp Paul Manual J. R. Prentice Sue Timanson Concrete Inc. priMED Medical Product Lorian Kennedy Michael Matei Sherry Prince Kristin Tollovsen Critical Mass Inc. Pro-Active IT Management Inc. David P. Kent Wendy Mathewson Margaret Ralstin Glen Toms Crowe Mackay Qualico Developments West Ltd. Renee Kent Elizabeth Mayko Barbara Rayburn Kristin Toms Detheridge Investments Ltd. RBC Global Asset Management Stephen Khan Marshall McAlister Ken Regan Gary & Sue Trigg Edmonton Community Richardson GMP Salima Kheraj Bruce McCollum Barbara Reid Monte Tutschek Foundation Rocky Mountain Ice House/Cask Edith Kiggundu Georgianna McDavid Christina Reid Lynda Tutty Edmonton Journal & Barrel Frankie Kim Steven McDougall J. Reynolds Gilbert Van Buuren EllisDon Russell Investments Kimberly Knull Gloria McKee Scott Riddell Peter Van Kempen Fidelity Investments Canada Sequeira Partners Inc. Barbara Komisar Sheri McLean Mary Robbins Lisa Ware Finning Silent-Aire

12 13 COMMUNITY PARTNERS Site Engineering Legacy for Literacy Club Sobeys Liquor The Legacy for Literacy Club ABC Life Literacy Child and Family TD Bank Group recognizes those who have Aboriginal Parent Link Centre Resource Centre Parent Link The Benevity Community Impact planned a future gift to the Alberta Job Corps Lansdowne Childcare and Family Fund Centre through a bequest or Alberta Somali Community Centre View Glass have made an outright gift to Centre Lauderdale School Worldwide Outfitters Corp. the Centre for Family Literacy’s Bent Arrow Literacy Without Borders endowment fund. Bissell Centre MacEwan University In Kind Support Meadows Branch, Edmonton Anonymous Bright Horizons Daycare Alberta Computers for Schools Public Library Keith Anderson & Carol CALLS Fort Saskatchewan & Joy Bailey Melcor Village YWCA Kariatsumari Strathcona Café Rista Montrose Community League Randy Boissonnault CANDORA Society Ferrier Transit Garage Multicultural Family Resource Chris & Leah Burrows Castle Downs Branch, Edmonton Ian MacLeod Society Rob & Paige Campbell Public Library PSAV Presentation Services Multicultural Health Broker’s Caroline & James Gilfillan Clareview Branch, Edmonton Ottewell TGP Cooperative Dr. Ruth Hayden Public Library Punchcard NorQuest College David & Nicole Hiebert Conestoga College Raymond James Ltd. One World One Centre Alexandra Hildebrandt Connect Society Southland Transportation Ottewell Community League Sandra Irving Decoda Literacy Solutions P.A.L.S. Project Adult Literacy Clare & Thomasine Irwin Dickensfield Amity House Society We acknowledge support Jacob & Maie Kellerman East Edmonton Health Centre The Pride Centre of Edmonton from the following book Paul Kottl & Heather Raymond Edmonton Catholic School Primrose Place Family Centre distributors and the publishers Donna & Gerard Lemieux District Rahma Mosque: MAC Islamic they represent. John & Barbara Poole Edmonton Early Years Coalition Edmonton Evergreen Community Centre First Book Canada Libby & Roger Smith Association Riverbend United Church Penguin Random House Canada Robert & Shirley Stollery Edmonton Garrison Military Scott Robertson School Limited Family Resource Centre STAR Literacy Raincoast Books Edmonton Public Library Strathcona Branch, Edmonton Scholastic Canada Ltd Edmonton Public School District Public Library Simon and Schuster Canada Ellerslie Road Baptist Church The King’s University Thomas Allen & Son Ltd. Family Futures Resource Network The Learning Centre University of Toronto Press First Nations Metis Inuit Advisory Touchmark at Wedgewood Council Twin Parks Community League Frontier College Edmonton Woodcroft Branch, Edmonton Golden Key International Honour Public Library Society – MacEwan University Yellowhead Tribal College Chapter Health for Two Network Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Idylwylde Branch, Edmonton Public Library

14 15 Statement of Financial Position Statement of Operations REVENUE 2018 2017 ASSETS 2018 2017 Grants 638,739 827,160 CURRENT Donations and other fundraising 362,023 438,238 Product sales and service fees 85,281 64,705 Cash 417,664 499,809 Casino 32,730 47,225 Accounts receivable 5,594 346 Interest 9,216 9,386 Goods and services tax recoverable 3,202 3,172

Prepaid expenses 18,508 19,582 1,405,204 1,127,989

444,968 522,909

PROGRAM EXPENSES Wages, contract and benefits 718,935 801,480 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 4,272 22,412 Program delivery 54,247 62,861 449,240 545,321 Facilities 117,602 126,582 Promotion 100,312 113,541 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Travel 19,840 25,816 CURRENT Accounts payable 8,326 4,386 1,010,936 1,130,280 Wages payable 9,375 15,132 Deferred revenue 16,800 22,100 ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES Deferred contributions 141,269 204,164 Wages, contract and benefits 64,106 74,700 Office 20,619 24,095 175,770 245,782 Facility 13,067 12,925 Professional fees 27,190 29,802 DEFERRED CONTRIBUTIONS RELATED TO EQUIPEMENT 10,453 124,982 141,522

175,770 256,235 Deficiency of Revenue over Expenses Before other Income and Expenses (7,929) 133,402 NET ASSETS Unrestricted 129,198 137,127 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) Internally restricted 140,000 140,000 Amortization of equipment (18,140) (20,064) Invested in property and equipment 4,272 11,959 Amortization of deferred contributions related to equipment 10,453 10,453 273,470 289,086 (7,687) (9,611) 449,240 545,321 Deficiency of Revenue Over Expenses (15,616) 123,791

Complete audited financial statements are available on request. 16 17 “If we are to raise literacy standards in any significant way, we need to do more to ensure that all parents have the confidence to support their children's developing literacy and in so doing are encouraged to develop their own literacy.”

—Ruth Hayden, PhD Professor Emeritus

Literacy Develops in Families First

11642 142 Street Edmonton Alberta T5M 1V4 Phone: 780.421.7323 Fax: 780.421.7324 Email: [email protected] Website: www.famlit.ca

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