2009/2010 DONOR REPORT 2009/2010 DONOR REPORT “….A MILLION THANK YOUS TO PHOENIX AND EVERYONE WHO HELPS PHOENIX TO DO ITS GOOD WORK. IF I CAN REPAY YOU IN ANY WAY, I’M GOING TO REACH MY GOALS AND KEEP PUSHING THROUGH. I KNOW THAT’S WHAT YOU DREAM OF FOR EVERY YOUTH WHO ENTERS YOUR LIVES.” JENN...A PHOENIX YOUTH 2 PHOENIX 2009/2010 DONOR REPORT Message from the Message from the Executive Director, Chair, Greg Simpson Timothy Crooks Phoenix believes that everyone is It is an honour for me to be connected entitled to have a chance at reaching with Phoenix. The Association and its their full potential. The world does not work is comprised of so many amazing always afford this easily. Phoenix creates individuals. The factor that unifies us is opportunity and support where they an unwavering belief in the importance had not existed before. of the young people we support. As the Association has grown, so too has This belief is lived out daily, and in the scope of our work. We have strong vibrant and meaningful ways. I think of and meaningful relationships with all our donors who are kind and TO RISE ABOVE TO three levels of government and are committed. Each story of generosity is appreciative of their support. This has punctuated with an act of caring. allowed for groundbreaking and collaborative work on both policy and I think of our volunteers, our Board on innovative models of service delivery. and our staff, all of whom demonstrate a commitment to the cause which is Phoenix continues to work broadly in second to none. the not-for-profit sector as well. This is driven by the knowledge that serving I am mindful of the long hours they vulnerable individuals effectively calls contribute, the never ending patience for a healthy and strong collective of and the spirit of giving which they agencies. display. For each, this is borne of a fundamental commitment to social Phoenix is defined by all of these justice. efforts. Each and every day we count ourselves as privileged for being able to As I leave my post as Chair, I would like provide support in the way that we do. to extend best wishes to my fellow Board members—and in particular, Lydia Thank you for your involvement in our Bugden who succeeds me as incoming work – may we continue together in Chair. helping youth to rise above. PHOENIX 3 2009/2010 DONOR REPORT “I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW IT FELT TO HAVE HELP WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD NOTHING.” Jenn’s story “Homelessness can happen to happen in life that we can’t run Independent Living Program anyone, at any time in life. I was from. We just need to do the best where I lived with three other a college student, was engaged we can with what we have. Phoenix youth and a live-in staff and loved every part of my life, person. but I learned that everything can After two months I moved into change in a moment. Phoenix House. I was scared With Phoenix’s help, I knew I about the unknown, but in the had the skills to put my life back When I first arrived at the end, my family was growing. together. I’m now back in college Phoenix Youth Shelter, I was After a month and a half, I pursuing an education in health- accepted with open arms. “graduated” into the care. Phoenix showed me it was Through the two months that I okay to be me….a mom, a friend, was there, staff felt like a second a student, a sister and an family to me – from talks, to being individual. I will never forget how CELEBRATING YOUTH CELEBRATING proud of me, to simply letting me much they helped me.” know that things AT ANY GIVEN TIME, PHOENIX IS SUPPORTING 350 YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY 4 PHOENIX 2009/2010 DONOR REPORT Community Support Phoenix is incredibly grateful for the many groups in the community who lend their support to us. Here are two examples. The Royal LePage Golf Tournament, held at Glen Arbour in September 2009, raised over $8,000! The Royal LePage Atlantic team was even recognized nationally for this tournament and the many other fundraising events they hosted through- out the year in support of Phoenix. Funds raised through the tournament helped to support Scotiabank team of golfers approximately 80 overnight stays at the Phoenix Youth Shelter. COMMUNITY SUPORT We are very pleased to be supported by such great community partners as the Mount Saint Vincent University Residence Society, the RCMP Veteran’s Association and The Halifax Rainmen Phoenix was sad to say goodbye to a long time friend and supporter this past year, Ms. Elizabeth Brown (1928-2009). For more than two decades, Elizabeth was a valued volunteer, Board member, fundraiser and ambassador. We continue to miss her greatly. Her passionate commitment to social justice is the inspiring legacy that she leaves us. In recognition of her passion for the cause, friends and family donated over $2,000 to Phoenix in her memory. This provided the young people staying at the Phoenix Youth Shelter with more than two weeks of groceries. Ms. Elizabeth Brown PHOENIX 5 2009/2010 DONOR REPORT “PHOENIX TAUGHT ME Kerri’s story Kerri is 23 years old and has been THAT I WAS WORTH on her own since the age of 16. In years past, she accessed services A LOT MORE THAN at both the Phoenix Youth Shelter and the Phoenix Walk-In Centre. I THOUGHT When asked of her experience, she said, “…with the help of Phoenix, I learned the basics of living. I would I WAS.” talk to the staff and they would listen and guide me. I don’t know how they did it, but they somehow did it.” Samantha Nielsen Kerri sees herself very differently than when she first Samantha Nielsen is an inspiring young woman arrived at Phoenix. “My whole self-esteem has who has a sense of community well beyond her completely changed. For years I believed the negative years. This spring she received a prestigious Youth things my Dad told me. But I proved him wrong. Volunteer Award from the Province of Nova Scotia I don’t think the things he said about me are true at recognizing her contributions, including her all, nor will they ever be.” support of Phoenix. Her most recent visits to the Phoenix Walk-In Centre It was almost three years ago when she first helped were of a different nature. She was taking a course at Phoenix. She began by organizing a drive to col- NSCC this winter that required her to do a fundraising lect personal care products. Since then she has project. As a result of her personal experience, she motivated her teammates and other girl’s soccer chose to support Phoenix. She and a classmate, teams to get involved and they have organized Katherine, raised over $500 in support of Phoenix. CELEBRATING YOUTH CELEBRATING many more initiatives, ranging from towel drives to This will support a dozen youth visits to the Walk-In blanket drives. Centre. “At my school there are a lot of families who are We congratulate Kerri who recently received her not as lucky as mine, so there are going to be diploma in accounting and has a goal of obtaining her people I know who will need help. I might not Charted Accountant designation. Knowing her drive, be able to help them directly, but I can help them we have no doubt she’ll achieve this. through helping Phoenix. It’s a really good feeling to give back. The community has given so much to me and now I’m giving back to it. It’s a part of me and it makes me feel happier.” Samantha Nielsen, recipient of the Youth Volunteer Award Kerri 6 PHOENIX 2009/2010 DONOR REPORT “PHOENIX TAUGHT ME Mallory’s story THAT I WAS WORTH “When I first arrived at The Phoenix Youth Shelter I was extremely overwhelmed and very A LOT MORE THAN uncomfortable, but the staff were very nice and helped me to feel welcome. I THOUGHT I found myself talking with the staff and getting help putting my goals into action. The staff at the I WAS.” Phoenix Youth Shelter helped me get funding for “… I WOULD my own apartment. They also helped me get a new doctor and did a referral to the Phoenix NOT BE Prevention Program where I received counseling. I still visit the Phoenix Walk-In Centre on Coburg WHERE I AM to participate in the SPIN (Special Initiatives) programs like ‘Girls Group’ and the cooking program, as well as to touch base with my case TODAY manager who helps me continue working on my goals. So even though I don’t live at the Phoenix WITHOUT Youth Shelter anymore, I can still access other Phoenix programs. THE HELP The staff at the Phoenix Learning and Employment Centre helped me get my transcripts and get into the Adult Learning Program at NSCC AND YOUTH CELEBRATING to finish my grade 12. SUPPORT OF All these opportunities have helped improve my self esteem…and have helped prepare me for PHOENIX” when I moved out on my own. “I learned a lot from my stay at Phoenix. It was one of the best choices I have made for myself.” Mallory PHOENIX 7 2009/2010 DONOR REPORT Mickey MacDonald & “… ONE Colin MacDonald, Co-Patrons of Celebrity OF THE MOST Dreamscape POSITIVE INVESTMENTS WE CAN MAKE IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR YOUTH.