VISION Providing deserving kids limitless and infinite potential through technology, digital literacy, and life tools. A ○ We recognize that every student needs some kind of support. Our Program provides access to technology and MISSION tools that level the playing field. ○ Our participants are deserving kids who are given the opportunity to achieve their academic and social potential by accessing our Program. MISSION ○ We succeed with our donors - the individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups - that provide essential resources to continually grow the Program. ○ We facilitate teachers, police and volunteers to deliver the Program through tools and support. ○ We work as a team to ensure all Programs are delivered the ComKids way. ○ We respect individuals in all circumstances. ○ We understand our shared goals and work together to find better ways to achieve them. VALUES ○ We communicate consistently and honestly. ○ We strive to do things right and on time. ○ Commitment and preparation are essential to our success. ○ We measure everything to drive success. ○ Thought leadership and program evolution are continuous. 2 Your Support Makes a Difference Message from the Chairman & Co-Founder Dear Supporters and Stakeholders, We move into the third decade of Merry Go Round Children Foundation’s operations (since inception in 1998), with continued expansion in Toronto and across Canada. To date, over 6,000 students have received the benefits of the program to support their long-term success. After seeing the great work that was accomplished as Kids, Cops & Computers for the first 20 years, our Board embarked upon a branding exercise that led to a new name: ComKids (embodying community, communication, computers, connection, etc) 786 students enrolled in the Program in the 2018/19 school year; with 630 in Toronto and 116 across Canada in partnership with the RCMP Foundation. This school year marked a notable milestone as we launched our program in St. Catharines, my hometown. Through a new partnership formed with the District School Board of Niagara and Niagara Regional Police, we were able to launch the ComKids program at two schools in February 2019 with 40 students participating in the pilot year. I am excited by this opportunity to serve more youth and look forward to continuing to expand to more regions that can benefit from the Program around the Golden Horseshoe. Providing our youth with new opportunities they would not have otherwise to bridge the digital divide is critical to the purpose behind the Program. I am grateful to our generous stakeholders and Program partners for ensuring the success of the ComKids program. Thanks to their hard work and kind support, participating students are provided with brand-new laptops from our technology partner HP, taught foundational digital literacy skills in their Lead & Learn sessions with police officers, and are given chances to give back to others in their communities to encourage their positive development. ○ We work as a team to ensure all Programs are delivered Remembering that our youth are our future leaders and innovators is key behind the importance the ComKids way. of the Program. In Grade 7, students need ready access to technology in their homes to develop ○ We respect individuals in all circumstances. their creativity, confidence and technical abilities to prepare them for an overall successful future. ○ We understand our shared goals and work together to I sincerely thank our community partners, corporate supporters, and stakeholders for believing in ComKids and our youth. find better ways to achieve them. ○ We communicate consistently and honestly. ○ We strive to do things right and on time. G. Scott Paterson ○ Commitment and preparation are essential to our success. Chairman and Co-Founder ComKids (Kids, Cops & Computers) ○ We measure everything to drive success. ○ Thought leadership and program evolution are continuous. 3 Toronto Police Service Chief Mark Saunders presents Shahmeer with a plaque of appreciation at the 15th Annual Celebrity Sports Mixer Meet Shahmeer, ComKids Leader Currently a Grade 8 student preparing for high He was able to develop his confidence as a young school next year, Shahmeer benefitted from his leader through volunteering to give a speech as a participation in the ComKids program last year. ComKids student ambassador at the 15th Annual Celebrity Sports Mixer fundraiser – receiving Before joining the ComKids program in Grade a standing ovation from all attendees with his 7, Shahmeer’s family shared one computer at heartfelt words. Not only did he groom his tech home. It was always a waiting game for his turn to skills through his Lead & Learn sessions in the complete his homework online as his parents and program with Officer Gini, but he established brother used it to complete their work as well. a comfortable relationship with her. “I enjoyed “I worried about completing my assignments, the sessions as it was a great way to make new and usually, my assignments were handed in late friends. Officer Gini helped our whole group and I or right by the deadline. Receiving my HP laptop always feel safe whenever she is with us.” changed everything for me.” Having consistent As a hardworking student with the goal of access to technology allowed Shahmeer to pursuing medicine in his post-secondary studies, complete his projects earlier and not have to the work and research Shahmeer is now able to stress over his academics. do on his own time will further support his future Access to technology was not the only thing school and career objectives. Shahmeer gained from his first year in the “I am very proud and honoured to be a member program. of this Program – thank you so much.” 4 Making a Postive Impact for the Future A Letter from the President & CEO Dear Friends, “I think this program should be available to all schools and all kids, because kids are 20% of our population… but they are 100% of our future.” – Noah, ComKids participant This quote, shared with me by one of our amazing new students this school year, was just the introduction I needed to the impact of this program. It is through providing many students like Noah with the access to technology, skills and support that we begin to build a better tomorrow for our future leaders – our youth today. Having joined ComKids as the President & CEO in October 2018, I was fortunate to enter at the start of the school year when the program began launching in schools. I made it a priority for myself to attend every school launch this year, meet the incredible youth participating and learn the program inside and out. I was grateful that the organization itself experienced new change for the better this year as well. From implementing new curriculum components to help equip students to become more tech-savvy to continuing to expand the program outside of the Toronto region, ComKids is set for steady growth moving into the future. I am immensely grateful for the hard work and dedication our program partners and stakeholders have put forth to ensure ComKids continues to benefit our students and look forward to the future milestones to come. With sincere gratitude, Mark Zwicker President & CEO 5 Leaders Grooming Future Leaders Special thanks to our Program Facilitators “It takes a village to raise a child” is proven true through the dedication of our program partners. Through close collaboration with our academic, police and tech partnerships, we are able to provide brand-new laptops and informative workshops to assist students’ in reaching their potential. To date, over 7,000 students have been assisted through ComKids since inception in 1998. The ComKids program is fortunate to have such passionate partners in the communities we serve. The Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the Toronto Police service continue to work with us in facilitating the ComKids program within Toronto. Through partnership with the RCMP Foundation, over 100 students were able to participate in the program in non-metropolitan The 2018/19 school year was a special one as the Program piloted at two schools in St. Catharines. Through partnering with the District School Board of Niagara and Niagara Regional Police, 40 students were able to participate this year successfully. Through the support of our educators and officers, lunchtime Lead & Learn sessions are facilitated in our schools. The sessions explore a variety of topics that help kids feel safe and confident online. These interactions not only give students the opportunity to learn new digital literacy skills but also promotes the positive development of our communities. 2018/19 Program Supporters 6 Revamped Brand Marks New Era After 20 years operating under Kids, Cops & Computers, the Board of Directors sought to modernize the look and feel of the brand in order to better reflect the organization’s intended audiences. In October 2018, staff worked alongside senior students at Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) who spearheaded the rebranding assignment and new messaging as a pro-bono project. Complete with a new logo, style guide, brand elements, and messaging, the OCAD students created “ComKids”. From encompassing ideas of community to communication, the new brand is open to new levels of engagement in our program moving into the future. In June 2019, the Board approved the new brand and in October 2019, our new website (comkids.ca) was launched. 7 Time to Celebrate the Students! Class of 2019 Pays it Forward for Future Students The ComKids Give Back initiative aims to give students the opportunity to organize school-wide events in order to fundraise for future Program participants. In raising funding for their peers, students become more aware of their communities, demonstrate strong leadership and are able to put critical thinking skills to the test in support of a good cause.