Centre d’action bénévole Ouest-de-l’Île Volunteer West Island 2016-2017 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’m pleased to be part of this Volunteer West Island is the primary volunteer recruitment special anniversary year and to celebrate 50 years of history. We and referral centre for the West Island of Montreal. are proud to say, that based on last year’s results, we referred 4,351 volunteers affecting more than 250 organizations throughout the We aim to prove there are no barriers to volunteerism! West Island. Lynda Barrett and her team work diligently to recruit, train, and match volunteers to ensure the best experiences for all For five decades, we have worked in close partnership with and involved. Someone once said when you volunteer, you are not paid supported the needs of more than 250 community and public in money or recognition; you are paid in LOVE. People may forget sector agencies to match thousands of individuals and groups what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them interested in volunteering. Serving five boroughs of the City of feel. Montreal and nine cities in their own rights, volunteers are not only a remarkable mix of people of every age, culture and background, Last year we welcomed Caring Paws under our wing. These they have improved the wellness and the quality of life of our West volunteers work with pets visiting the lonely, the sick, and people Island community, a place which we are all proud to call home. at the end of their lives, to help them feel better, get better, and ultimately be in a better place. The impact of a person and an We are privileged to work with and continue to be inspired by all the animal seems such a minor thing; however, the smiles and deep volunteers we meet; we’ve recruited emerging young leaders from appreciation are so apparent. Dare we say that we change people’s an innovative program at John Abbott College guided by Professor lives? Barry Reynolds; we challenge students to volunteer in 10 local high schools; we’ve guided and facilitated the corporate community’s A large part of VWI is the Meals on Wheels and Frozen Meals involvement in lending a hand; we support volunteers and their program. This year 47, 968 meals were made and delivered from therapy pet visits: we place volunteers with specific skills; and, we 13 kitchens. The average age of the MOW volunteers is 69. These continue to engage citizens to help our partners and to support our are active individuals getting together a couple of times a week to own programs and services. 1 benefit so many people unable to cook for themselves. They are there for each other and build lifelong friendships while helping We owe a debt of gratitude to our own 1000+ volunteers who are their communities. the builders of Volunteer West Island through their innovation and extraordinary leadership. From our Meals on Wheels angels All of us have a role to play in volunteerism; our communities to our administrative volunteers and staff, this is the true team need us. As volunteers, even if our hours are limited, our impact who works diligently to make sure that we deliver the best return is limitless. We all have strengths that we can share and we reap on investment to our funders, member agencies, and stakeholders. so much satisfaction in seeing others thrive, thanks to our efforts. Our sincerest thanks to the groups that stepped forward in a very Sincerely, short time frame to help Volunteer West Island celebrate the 50 faces that deserve recognition. These incredible volunteers mentor our children, feed our hungry, comfort our lonely, beautify our green spaces, and reduce suffering and disparity through their tireless efforts in out community. Thank you to each and every one of you for helping us reach 50 years! We look forward to taking another 50 year journey with you! Anne Pertus President of the VWI Board Lynda Barrett Executive Director 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT 50 YEARS: A LONG Ten years ago VWI added Corporate and Youth Volunteer Recruitment programs to complement the existing program for HISTORY OF BUILDING individuals. All three continue to prosper and grow each year HEALTHY COMMUNITIES in response to ever-increasing requests for volunteers from community partners in the non-profit sector. VWI, true to its ENRICHED BY mission since its founding fifty years ago, strongly supports and VOLUNTEERS! promotes volunteerism, thereby strengthening the fabric of the community and making it a better place to live, work, and play! The Board of the Lakeshore Community Services formally requested the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal to create a West In addition to actively recruiting volunteers for West Island non- Island Branch. On April 15, 1967, the West Island Volunteer profit organizations, the second part of VWI’s mission involves Bureau officially opened its doors as a branch of the Volunteer offering outreach programs and services to help seniors remain Bureau of Montreal. autonomous and connected to their community. These include the provision of Meals on Wheels, Frozen Meals and Purees to In 1969 the first Meals on Wheels group began in Lachine, with seniors and others with reduced mobility; the Contact and PAIR additional kitchens developing throughout the 70’s, 80’s and Programs; Handyperson service; Income Tax Assistance service; 90’s. Today there are 12 Meals on Wheels kitchens cooking and Caring Paws Animal Therapy; The Young at Heart 55+ Club delivering hot, nutritious meals to West Islander residents. with a wide variety of classes and activities for seniors; as well as special events such as the popular Seniors’ Café. With the mandate of promoting volunteerism across the West Island, between 1972 and 1983, WIVB helped initiate several community services until such groups achieved their VWI RECOGNIZES independence. This included the first request for a big brother, 2 received and successfully filled; in 1976 a group of volunteers 50 OUTSTANDING FaCES became the Board for the Big Brothers agency. OF THE WEST ISLAND WIVB sponsored West Island volunteers eager to start a A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF Citizen Advocacy Program. A grant was obtained from the NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK AND ITS Federal Government and the first Citizen Advocacy agency in 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH OVER 300 Quebec was born. In 1978 WIVB was actively involved setting PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE! up an Elizabeth Fry Society, a halfway house for female former Celebrating 50 years of service in the community, Volunteer West prisoners. Several self-help groups were formed: for friends Island recognized 50 Outstanding Volunteers in the community. and relatives of loved ones with mental health issues; for stroke With some 100 nominations from local community groups, non- survivors; for those with Multiple Sclerosis; or with Diabetes. In profit organizations, municipalities, schools, healthcare facilities, 1983, in co-operation with Ville-Marie Social Services, WIVB associations and foundations, 50 exceptional candidates were started a drop-in centre for people with Alzheimer’s. selected to represent the landscape of volunteers across the West Island and Lachine. A generous donation enabled WIVB to purchase a minibus to transport cancer patients to medical appointments. WIVB, These 50 can be characterized as dedicated volunteers who previously working from a one-room office, was welcomed have gone the extra mile. They are people of all ages and varying to Glenaladale House in Pointe-Claire in 1980, the same year backgrounds but with one common thread: their commitment WIVB obtained a charter to become an autonomous agency. and endless work help us build a better community and improve In 1987 WIVB moved to 750 Dawson Avenue in Dorval, sharing the quality of life in our community. facilities with several other community groups. In the spring of 1997 the building was officially renamed the Elizabeth Russell Centre in honor of Betty Russell, retired founding director of WIVB. In 2000, Owen Buckingham, a WIVB Board Member won Centraide’s Antoinette Robidoux award. This was the year that WIVB acquired a new name - Volunteer West Island - and a new logo. In 2005, motivated by a need to expand and provide further volunteer opportunities for West Islanders wanting to assist their community VWI moved to its current home at 1, rue de l’Église, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. 50 Years of Building a Stronger, Healthier Community – One Volunteer at a Time! 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT Our Vision: Build healthy communities enriched by volunteers Our Mission: Facilitate volunteerism by promoting, Promoting recruiting, training, and referring Volunteer Action volunteers to meet the many and varied needs of the Montreal West Island community . Supporting Assist seniors to remain Groups autonomous by off ering programs and services that break their isolation Services to Individuals Recognizing and Supporting Volunteers 3 WHY A VOLUNTEER • Facilitate connections between people and volunteer opportunities CENTRE IS AN • Provide leadership on issues related to volunteering and IMPORTANT COMMUNITY citizen engagement Volunteer West Island is a not-for-profi t organization that was ResouRce… established in 1967 and has recruited enthusiastic, skilled and dedicated volunteers to meet the needs of the Montreal A Volunteer Centre’s work in local communities is to strengthen West Island community ever since. We’ve made every eff ort to volunteering and citizen engagement. These centers reach promote a social awareness of the value of volunteerism and the across the non-profi t and public sectors to include organizations importance of engaging in your community . We’ve been shaping working in social services, healthcare, education, arts, culture, fourteen neighbourhoods for 50 years! sports, recreation, and the environment.