2019 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 CONTENTS 02 A Message from Lindsay and Gordon 04 Local Programs 18 National Programs 26 Agency Partners 34 Donors 38 Financial Summary 40 Board Members 41 Staff KEEPING KIDS CONNECTED IN CHALLENGING TIMES Dear friends, Normally, this space would be devoted to a we continue to build connections for marginalized with Kids Up Front chapters across the country celebratory look back at all the successes we children and youth when we can’t put them at the using the model to build connections in their own enjoyed over the past year. We’re really pleased centre of all the action? communities. to tell you there have been many – and you’ll see them reflected in the following pages – but as Happily, that question was easier to answer than we Now, as we begin to get positive news around our we all know by now, “normal” is being redefined thought. Thanks to the hard work of our amazing collective efforts to flatten the community curve, almost hourly these days. So rather than using staff, we have moved our efforts online, leveraging we’ll continue to work from home, planning for the this platform as we always do, we thought it easy-to-access social media platforms to deliver fun, day when we can all come together again in theatres made more sense to give you a glimpse of educational and inclusive content that’s designed and arenas, in parks and public spaces. Until that how we’re evolving to meet the needs of kids, to engage and empower kids, while providing a time, we wish you all health and happiness, and offer families and our Agency Partners in this new welcome resource for parents and caregivers who up a heartfelt thank you for your ongoing support. context, and how we’re working to be ready for may be looking for ways to keep children busy and operations in post-pandemic Toronto. learning during long lockdown days. With BIG gratitude! Coming together is at the core of everything we Kids At Home features virtual museum tours, live do at Kids Up Front Toronto. Whether it’s for a big- cooking classes, arts and crafts demos, educational league game, a sold-out concert or a trip to one of tools, concerts, mini workouts, mental health TO’s top attractions, we learn, grow and heal when resources and much more. we share the life-changing experiences supporters like you make possible. When COVID-19 put a And we’re so excited to tell you it’s been a huge hit: Lindsay Oughtred Gordon Samuels The Kids Up Front Team temporary stop to those experiences almost Our Agency Partners are loving the content and Executive Director President Lindsay, Tanya, Nicolle & Kelly two months ago, the big question was how do the program has even been rolled out nationally, 2 3 LOCAL PROGRAMS 4 5 GIVE-A-KID-A-GAME Shared experiences can help kids build stronger relationships – with peers, parents and service providers. And nothing beats the shared experiences offered by MLSE, MLSE Foundation and their Season Seat Holders who make sure kids from every corner of our region get to see the Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, Argos, Marlies and Raptors 905 get yet another W. 6 7 JAYS CARE ABOUT PUTTING KIDS UP FRONT Recreational events can build bridges between people from all different walks of life. With the generous help of the Blue Jays, the Jays Care Foundation and their Season Seat Holders, every crack of the bat down at Rogers Centre means Kids Up Front kids are connecting to their wider community. 8 9 For thousands of Kids Up Front kids, walking through the doors of the Ontario Science Centre means walking into a fascinating new world – one that can awaken big dreams, inspire new interests and help expand critical skills. ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE COMMUNITY PASS PROGRAM 10 11 ROM COMMUNITY ACCESS NETWORK Successfully taking on positive challenges – like venturing into the ROM’s thought-provoking galleries and exhibits – can be a game-changer for kids, helping them build confidence and a willingness to try new things, while encouraging whole families to explore all the exciting places and spaces our region has to offer. 12 13 AGO NEIGHBOURHOOD ACCESS PROGRAM A Kids Up Front experience can help kids gain all sorts of new perspectives on the world around them. But the most important shift may be in the way they see themselves. Spending the day pondering the AGO’s awe-inspiring collection of masterpieces helps kids see that they’re important, valued and contributing members of our community. And that’s just the way it should be. 14 15 MIRVISH PRODUCTIONS When the doors of this city’s most acclaimed theatres are opened wide to children, youth and families from every background, everyone benefits. By welcoming Kids Up Front kids, Mirvish Productions makes exceptional theatre more accessible, audiences more diverse and communities even stronger. 16 17 NATIONAL Edmonton PROGRAMS Vancouver Calgary Atlantic Canada Ottawa Toronto 18 19 NOTEWORTHY: ACCESS TO MUSIC FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH Elevated levels of “AWESOME!” aren’t the only thing Kids Up Front kids experience after a Noteworthy concert or event. There’s also the expanded outlook, the improved understanding of culture and society and greater insight into how the world works. 20 21 CIBC THEATRE FOR ALL CIBC’s annual CIBC Miracle Day™ makes powerful theatre experiences available to deserving kids right across Canada – and that can have some powerful impacts, including increased joy and happiness, lower stress and improved mood. 22 23 HOCKEY FANS IN THE STANDS Our newest program puts kids right in the middle of the NHL, AHL and Hockey Canada action with free tickets and special VIP events. For a child on the margins, taking in a game is about much more than a chance to see the pros up close: The experience can boost self-esteem and self-confidence, and spark a newfound sense of independence. 24 25 Connex Youth Mentorship Program B C COSTI Immigrant Services BASE Organization Cabbagetown Youth Centre Creating Together Family Resource Centre Best Buddies of Canada CAMH. Centre for Addiction & Mental Health CultureLink Settlement & Community Services Bethany Baptist Church Canadian Basketball Academy Big Brothers Big Sisters Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture 360°kids of Centre Wellington Canadian Field Hockey & Cultural Club DavenportD Perth Neighbourhood & 3T of Guelph CAPC St. Jamestown of Halton Carea Community Health Centre Community Health Centre 4Reasonz of Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto Delta Family Resource Centre of Kawartha Lakes - Hope for Children Fund Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today AGENCY of Niagara Catholic Cross Cultural Services Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre A Smooth Way to Success of North Simcoe Cedar Heights Residential Living Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services AAIDD Ontario of Peel Central Toronto Youth Services Down Syndrome Association of Toronto Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto of South Niagara Centre for Immigrant & Community Services Durham Children’s Aid Society Access Alliance Multicultural Health of Toronto Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples PARTNERS & Community Services of York Chai Lifeline Canada Adventure Place Black Creek Community Health Centre Child Development Institute EastE Metro Youth Services Afghan Women’s Organization Black Daddies Club Childhood Cancer Canada Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre Agincourt Community Services Association Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service Children’s Aid Society of Toronto Educate Train Believe Achieve Aisling Discoveries Child & Family Centre Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre Children’s Community Network Electric City Maroon & White Albion Neighbourhood Services Boys & Girls Club Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre Ephraim’s Place Community Centre Alexandra Park Community Centre of Hamilton Christie Refugee Welcome Centre Equal Opportunity Community Initiative Anduhyaun Inc. of Niagara City of Toronto Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter Applegrove Community Complex of Peel Club Deportivo Aguila Esperance Charitable Fund Arrabon House of West Scarborough Community Action Resource Centre Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth Art City of East Scarborough Community Family Services of Ontario Extend-A-Family Toronto ArtHeart Community Art Centre of York Community Justice Alternatives AURA - Anglican United Refugee Alliance Community Living Toronto Autism Ontario Community Living York South 26 27 Neighbourhood Information Post F H K Newcomer Centre of Peel Faith Infant & Early Education Centre Hamdani Islamic Foundation Kennedy House Youth Services Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto Family Services of Peel Hanrahan Youth Services Inc. Kerr Street Community Services Next Gen Men Fernie Youth Services Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Kingston Military Family Resource Centre Nexus Youth Services Firehouse Youth Services Home Horizon North York Community House Friends in Toronto Community Services Homes First Foundation Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Friends of Ruby Homeward Family Shelter. Julliette’s Place LaL Maison Services Flemingdon Health Centre Horizons for Youth Lay-Up Youth Basketball For Youth Initiative Hospice Toronto Lion of Judah Pathfinders Fred Victor Centre Humewood House Lutherwood Child & Family Foundation O Frontenac Youth Services Ontario Parents Advocating for Children Lynwood Charlton Centre Frontlines with Cancer InnerI City Outreach International Development & Relief Foundation MacaulayM Child Development Centre P GenevaG Centre for Autism Interval House Pathstone Foundation Madison Community Services George Brown College (Community Partnerships) Pathways

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