Table of Contents Message from Executive Director and President 1 Kids Up Front Programs 2 Kids Up Front Agencies 3 Special Recognition 4 Kids Up Front Supporters 6 Impact of Kids Up Front 8 Financial Summary 9 Our Mission Kids Up Front Kids Up Front Foundation is a charitable organization that Foundation provides access to arts, culture, sport and recreation for Toronto children who otherwise do not have the opportunity. Board Members President Our Vision David Huszar One little ticket, one big lift Secretary Victoria Prince Our Guiding Principles Treasurer Kids Up Front Foundation is committed to operating with Karen Atkinson the highest integrity and in a fiscally responsible manner Director compliant with Imagine Canada’s Ethical Fundraising and Dale McIntosh Financial Accountability Code. Director David Fletcher Kids Up Front Foundation as a community service organization is dedicated to Director Gordon Samuels • Enhancing the quality of life for children and their Director families by making a lasting positive impact by providing Mike Armstrong safe, quality entertainment, cultural, educational and recreational experiences • Developing solid partnerships with qualified agencies Kids Up Front devoted to improving the welfare of Canadian children Foundation and families Toronto Staff • Building meaningful relationships with all stakeholders Executive Director of the Foundation Lindsay Oughtred • Delivering programs that promote healthy relationships, Program Coordinator social inclusion and tolerance of gender, race and Tanya Frosst sexual orientation in a manner that is fair and equitable Accounting Services to participants Andrea Bunker Kids Up Front Foundation Toronto Message from Lindsay and Dave It has been a record breaking year for Kids Up Front Foundation Toronto. In 2009 we had the privilege of sending 30,000 children and their families to events valued at more than one million dollars. To put it another way, generous donors sent us over one million dollars worth of tickets which meant that 30,000 children and their families, who otherwise would not have the opportunity, got to see their heroes live at arts, culture and sporting events. YOUR generosity has allowed us to achieve our 5 year goal more than a year early – we have distributed more than 75,000 tickets valued at more than 3 million dollars in less than 4 years. But it is not just about the numbers. Far from it. The Kids Up Front staff and board are united by the common commitment to improve the lives of individuals. Kids Up Front continues to touch children in our community in a powerful way. Reaching children in need and exposing them to our vibrant city for the purpose of enriching their lives remains our number one goal. The youth we serve are reminding us every day that we are doing just that. As Johnny said: I would never thought I would be stepping into the ACC until I got my career after college cause of the price. The walk to the suite felt like we won a lottery ticket. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for us. We got to see the fights, our favourite leaf players…not to mention the cheerleaders. This will always be a part of my life… I will always cherish. Thank you, Johnny” Despite difficult economic times, we have significantly increased our reach in the community - a feat we are proud of and one that could not have been achieved without our committed and generous donors. We are so grateful for the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and other foundations, corporations, community associations and individuals for sharing our belief in the potential a ticket to a Toronto play, festival or sporting event has toward realizing the promise of a child. The need for our important service to the community continues to grow and our need for funding grows with it. Kids Up Front continues to manage responsibly through these difficult economic times and every dollar donated to Kids Up Front is allowing us to further break down barriers that exclude so many hungry young minds and hearts from the magic of sport, arts and culture. Again this year, let’s continue to work together to get more kids UP FRONT! Lindsay Oughtred David Huszar Executive Director President 1 Kids Up Front Foundation Toronto Programs Kids Up Front offers two programs for our children and youth: Can’t Use Your Ticket? is our trademark program. Unused tickets and thus empty seats are recycled to the youth of our registered agency partners. Kids Count! is our event-based program that focuses on making a ticket more than a ticket. These events are done in partnership with corporations and individual donors wishing to help us make a difference in kids’ lives by funding a specific event. Key benefits of the Kids Up Front program are: • Children benefit from developing a sense of belonging; feeling included; gaining exposure to “normal” educational and entertaining childhood experiences • Parents benefit from feeling valued; having the means to give their child a special experience; re-connecting with their child in a positive way • Families benefit from sharing constructive leisure activities; encouraging positive social interaction between parents, children and siblings; healing and strengthening relationships • Donors (individuals and corporate) benefit from making a difference; enhancing the quality of life of children; showing they care • Communities benefit from having engaged citizens; strengthening of community values; inspiring future leaders Memories made in 2009 Kids Up Front’s sports fans watched their favourite teams in action in suites and great seats at Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, Jays, Argos, Rock, Marlies, Nationals, North York Astros and Buffalo Bills games. Some lucky young fans even attended the Real Madrid Open Practice and the Rogers Cup! Families spent quality time together exploring the King Tut Exhibit at the AGO, Ontario Place, the Toronto Zoo, the CNE, the Bata Shoe Museum and the Ontario Science Centre. Children and youth experienced Cirque du Soleil, Radio City Rockettes, High School Musical 2, YTV’s The Next Star Live Audience, Disney on Ice, So You Think You Can Dance?, the Shrine Circus, as well as many Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People and Soulpepper productions. CAN’T USE YOUR TICKET? WE CAN! 2 Kids Up Front Foundation Toronto 2009 Agency Partners Agincourt Community Services Association Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto Art City in St. Jamestown Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters Art Heart Community Art Centre North York Community House Arts for Children of Toronto North York Women’s Shelter Autism Society Ontario Oakridge JPS Beatz - Touchstone Youth Centre Pam Fanjoy and Associates Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto - Helping Kids Through Life Transitions Black Daddies Club Parkdale CI Bloorview Kids Rehab Pathways to Education Boost, Child Abuse Prevention + Intervention - Regent Park Community Health Centre Boundless PEACH -Promoting Economic Action Brock Public School & Community Health Bruce Jr. Public School Peel Adult Learning Centre - Youth Host Program Cabbagetown Youth Centre Perth Academy for Early Learning CALC Secondary School Pine Bay Foundation - Camp Winston CAMH-Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Powerhouse Project – Young Careers Initiative Camp Oochigeas Promoting Excellence Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness Regent Park School of Music Canadian Mental Health Association - Kingston Branch Regesh Family and Child Services Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto Rexdale Community Health Centre Catholic Crosscultural Services Romero House Central Neighbourhood House Ronald McDonald House Chaminade College School Robert Service Sr. Public School City of Toronto Parks and Rec Rose of Durham Young Parent Support Services Club Deportivo Aguila Safehaven Project for Community Living Collingwood Alternative School Second Base Youth Shelter Community Living Toronto Sojourn House Culturelink Settlement Services South African Women for Women DA Morrison Middle School Special Olympics Delisle Youth Services St Christopher House Down Syndrome Association of Toronto St. Alban’s Boys’ and Girls’ Club Driftwood Community Centre St. Michael’s Hospital East End Community Health Centre Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation East Metro Youth Services - RISE program Syme-Woolner Neighbourhood & Family Centre East Toronto Basketball Association The Arab Community Centre of Toronto Emery CI The Elms Jr. Middle School Epilepsy Mississauga The George Hull Centre Eva’s Place The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre Five Counties Children’s Centre The Hospital for Sick Children Flemington Public School The Learning Enrichment Foundation Frank Oke Secondary School The Teresa Group Fred Victor Centre Toronto City Mission Game Day for Kids Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre Genesis Community Daycare Centre Toronto Kiwanis Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Geneva Centre for Autism Toronto People with AIDS Foundation Girls Inc. of Durham Toronto Police Service 55 Div. Community Response Unit Greenholme Jr. Middle School Touchstone Youth Centre Griffin Centre Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada Horizons for Youth Tropicana Community Services Interval House Tumivut Youth Shelter (NaMeRes) Jake’s House for Children with Autism Turning Point Youth Services - Clifton Program James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School University Settlement Jane Finch Community and Family Centre Urban Promise June Callwood Centre for Families Variety Village Jewish Immigrant Aid Services Voice for Hearing Impaired Children John McCrae Senior PS Warden Woods Community