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Annual Report 2015-2016

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Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region

Child & Youth ServicesKidsFirst Regina

Public Health Agency of Canada

Community Action Program for Children

Service CanadaCanada Summer Jobs

Sask. Ministry of Justice, Corrections

& Policing

Sask. Ministry of Justice & Attorney-

GeneralCommunity Justice Division

Sask. Ministry of the Economy

Labour Market Services

United Way of Regina

Community Initiatives Fund

City of Regina

Regina Education & Action on

Child Hunger

Saskatchewan Prevention Institute

Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation

Regina Food Bank

Farm Credit Corporation

COBS Bread - Grasslands

Wheat Country Motors

Access Communications

All Saints Anglican Church

John Deere

Dad’s Organic Foods

Major Funders(contributing more than $1,000 in 2015-16)

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Rainbow Youth Centre uses the following principles as guidelines in achieving its stated purpose. Basic to the Centre’s philosophy is a belief in the humanity, dignity and equality of all individuals regardless of race, color, ethnic origins or beliefs.

The Centre believes that youth have the following rights:

•Therighttobeone’sself;tothinkone’sownthoughts,andtospeakthem,consistentwiththerightsofothers.

•Therighttogrowandtodevelopone’sabilitiestotheirfull potential.

•Therighttoairone’sgrievancesandtoseekredress.

•The right tomakemistakeswithout unreasonablepunishment.

•Therighttojustice.

The Centre believes it has an obligation to create the conditions under which these human rights can be secured.

In order to facilitate healthy development, the Centre believes that youth should be provided with the following opportunities:

•Toparticipate as citizens, asmembersof a family,as students,asworkers,as responsiblemembersofsociety.

•Togainexperienceindecisionmaking.

•Tointeractwithpeersandadultsandtoacquireasenseof belonging.

•Toreflectonselfinrelationtoothersandtodiscoverselfbylookingoutwardaswellasinward.

•Todiscussconflictingvaluesandtoformulatetheirownvalue systems.

•To experiment with their own identities, withrelationships tootherpeople,andwith ideas; to tryout various roles without having to commit themselves irrevocably.

•Torecognizetheuniquenessandrichnesswhichexistswithin a given ethnic/cultural group and to develop greater awareness and pride in their own heritage.

•Todevelopaccountabilityinthecontextofarelationshipamong equals.

•Tocultivateacapacitytoenjoylife.

The Centre believes in the wholeness of the individual and that there are many aspects to an individual’s life reality including: physical, sensory, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, interpersonal, social, political, and creative/aesthetic.TheCentrebelievesinrecognizingthefamilycontextofeachindividualandininvolvingfamilymemberswhenever appropriate and possible.

The Centre believes that a comprehensive and integrated approach, focusing on the whole of a young person’s problems and developmental needs, is necessary for effectiveworkwithyouth.

The Centre believes that young people should be involved in the planning of services designed for them and have opportunities for appropriate involvement in the provision of these services.

The Centre believes that a continuum of prevention, early intervention, treatment and rehabilitation services should be available for youth.

The Centre believes that its services should be available to all youth regardless of gender, race, religion, and socio-economicbackground.

The Centre believes that youth should be able to receive thehelptheyneedwithouthavingtotakeonalabelandriskstigmatization.

The Centre believes that all services should be easily accessible, free of charge and strictly confidential.

TheCorporation,established in 1982,exists toachievethe following:

•Providearangeofeducational,pre-employmentandjob skills training, jobdevelopmentandplacementservices, health and mental health services, social and counselling assistance, legal assistance, recreational, creative and cultural programs and other services and programs designed to meet the needs of youth.

•Enhancecooperationbetweenthepublicandprivatesectorsincarryingoutacomprehensiveefforttomeetthe needs of youth.

•Provide programs, services and support on anintegratedbasis utilizing the resources of, and incooperation with, departments and agencies of theGovernmentof Saskatchewan (including thoseconcerned with education, labour, social services, culture, youth,health and justice), agenciesof theGovernment of Canada, appropriate City of Regina departments,andcommunityorganizations.

•Providetrainingandconsultationtootheragenciesandprograms having responsibility for youth services.

•  •  •

Purpose & Philosophy

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Community Networks & Affiliations

Aboriginal Family ServicesAcclaim AutobodyAidsProgramsSouthSaskatchewanAllNationsHopeNetworkAll Saints Anglican ChurchAngels 4 WarmthArtful DodgerAutoElectricBirthright ReginaCAF AmericaCanada LifeCanadian Diabetes AssociationCanadianEvaluationSocietyCanadian Mental Health AssociationCanadianProgressClubCanadian Red CrossCarmichael OutreachCasino ReginaCatholic Family ServicesChili for ChildrenChristie ManagementCircleProjectCity of Regina Albert Scott Community Centre Northwest Leisure Centre Sandra Schmirler Leisure CentreCOBS Bread - GrasslandsConexusCooperatorsCornwall Alternative SchoolCUETSDancer’s DenDeanRenwickDesignStudioDino BouncersDouble Tree by HiltonDress for Success ReginaDynamicRoofingEastsideUnitedChurchElmviewExtendicareFailSafe House Lifting Systems Inc.Family Service ReginaFCI Accelerated SolutionsFirstNationsEmploymentCentreFirst Nation University of CanadaFresh and SweetGabriel Dumont InstituteGabriel Housing CorporationGatheringPlaceDr.HannaEarlyYearsFamilyCentreGemma HouseGiant TigerGrace HavenGreat-West LifeHale Oasis Retreat Ltd.Harvard DevelopmentsHeart&StrokeFoundationHuman Resource Centre of Canada for StudentsIndian Metis Christian FellowshipJ & T Consulting

John Howard Society Jones NYKal TireKenLockeDrivingSchoolKidsFirst ReginaKidsHelpPhoneKnight Archer InsuranceKramer Ltd.LakeviewUnitedChurchLaleche League - ReginaLedcor ConstructionLoghouse Thrift StoreLondon DrugsLondon LifeMennoniteCentralCommittee(IVEP)MikeMcCannConsultingMobile Crisis ServicesModular Storage SystemsMyAunt’sPlaceNamerind Housing CorporationNewo Yotina Friendship CentreNorth Central Community AssociationNorth Central Family CentreNortown Bowling LanesOrangeBootBakeryOxfordLearningPaulDojackCentrePeerResourcesPlannedParenthoodReginaProjectPeopleRanchEhrloSocietyEhrloHousingFamilyTreatmentProgram Sport Venture Library REACHCommunityStoreRed FeatherReginaAboriginalProfessionals AssociationReginaAlternativeMeasuresProgram HEATProgramReginaandDistrictFoodBankReginaAnti-PovertyMinistryReginaEarlyLearningCentreRegina Fire DepartmentRegina Housing AuthorityRegina Humane SocietyRegina Open Door SocietyReginaPoliceServiceReginaPublicLibrary Albert LibraryReginaPublicSchoolBoardRegina Qu’Appelle Health Region Al Ritchie Health Action Drug & Alcohol Services Four DirectionsHealthiestBabiesPossible Mental Health Clinic Randall Kinship CentreRegina Separate Schools ReginaSexualAssaultCentre

Regina Summer StageReginaTradesandSkillsCentreRegina TransitRegina Treaty Status Indian Services Renew Disaster & CleanupRichards Beauty CollegeSaskatchewanAdvocatefor Children & YouthSalvation Army Thrift StoreSaskatchewanAbilitiesCouncilSaskatchewanCollectiveBachelorof Science in NursingSaskatchewanFederationofLabourSaskatchewanIndianInstitute of TechnologiesSaskatchewanLiteraryNetworkSaskatchewanPolytechnicSaskatchewanTourismEducation CouncilSaskatchewanApprenticeship&TradesCertificationCommissionSaskatchewanYoungReader’sChoice AwardsSaskatchewanYouthInCareandCustodyNetworkSaskPowerScottEarlyYearsFamilyCentreSeloGardensPersonalCareHomeService Hospitality & Safety Assoc.SGISherwood Cooperative AssociationShirley Schneider Support CentreSilverSagePropertyManagementSleep CountrySoul`s Harbour Rescue Mission Women’s Shelter Little Souls DaycareSt. James United ChurchStepping Stones Child Care Co-opStreetCultureProjectInc.Sunridge District Girl GuidesSunset United ChurchTatankaBoutiqueTransition HouseUnitarian Fellowship of ReginaUniversity of ReginaURPrideCentreWestley United ChurchW.F.BotkinW.I.S.H. Safe ShelterWorkPreparationCentreWorkshopBoutiqueYMCAYWCA Isabel Johnson ShelterPlease also see “MAJOR FUNDERS” on Page 2.

We apologize for any affiliations we have inadvertently omitted.

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Board & Staff as of March 31, 2016

AdministrationShellyChristian ExecutiveDirectorDesireWhite DirectorofProgrammingRon Thompson Director of AdministrationDoug Swedberg Director of Finance Angela Summers Cleaner

Youth C.A.R.E. ProgramSandraPfeifer CoordinatorBradMunchinsky YouthC.A.R.E.WorkerMaceyMcGill YouthC.A.R.E.WorkerJustineHartung YouthC.A.R.E.WorkerVacant Cook

Youth Skills Program

Vacant CoordinatorChristianMbanza Co-facilitator

Road to Employment ProgramKim Merasty CoordinatorZackStartup Co-facilitator

Kids First ProgramJennet McGillis CoordinatorBrandi Kohl Home-Visit Supervisor Jenall Drew Home VisitorDiana Sunshine Home VisitorMichellePhillips HomeVisitorBreannEberle HomeVisitorMiranda Lavallee Home VisitorCassie Brown Home Visitor

Donna Hassman ChairpersonMichelle Kupusa Vice-ChairpersonKrystal Kothlow TreasurerRichlikaBodani MemberColin Nicholson MemberBrad Olson MemberRon Single MemberEddieSlugoski MemberEagleclawThom MemberSeanTucker Member

Young Parent ProgramFaye Huggins CoordinatorJanet White Bear ChildcareMadison Merritt ChildcareNadine Obey ChildcareMaryamMumtaz Childcare

Centre Staff

Board of Directors

CoverPlaying with a parachute at the

Annual Fall Picnic

Layout design and production of this Annual Report

by John Dufort & Ron Thompson with help from Sandra Pfeifer

Parents and their kids line up for the Dino Bouncer castle set up in the park across the street from Rainbow.

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Executive Director Report

History of

The mission of Rainbow Youth Centre is: To involve youth 11-25 years old in creating a safe, caring, healthy and adaptive community of support by sharingresponsibilityforrecognizing,acceptinganddevelopingpersonalskills.

Rainbowbeganin1982whenagroupofSocialWorkstudents from the University of Regina did a survey of resources for youth in Regina. They found there wasalackofservicesforyouth,especiallyintegratedservices.

Based on a model of The DoorinNewYorkCity,theRegina Multi-Service Youth Centre was developed by concerned community residents, professional adolescent specialists, and youth leaders.

Becoming Rainbow Youth Centre in 1984, we moved fromourfirstlocationonAlbertStreettoDewdneyAvenuein1994,andfinallytoourpermanenthomeat 977 McTavish Street in the spring of 2000.

Kids get a tour of a city firetruck, accompanied by guest mascot “Marvin the Martian” during Rainbow’s annual

summer picnic.

Rainbow Youth Centre strives to adapt and change to meet the needs of the youth within the Regina com-munity.Allof theprogramareaswork to reduce thebarriers thatexist foryouth,helping themtoaddresstheirneeds.Theprogramsofferedassistyouthtoworktowards becoming responsible, contributing members of the community.

Rainbow Youth Centre is committed to helping youth suc-ceed. Youth are our future, and here at Rainbow Youth Centre we have a great opportunity to assist youth in becoming the best that they can be.

Asweallknow,youthareveryengagedinsocialmedia.RainbowYouthCentrehasbeenworkingtowardscreat-ing a larger social media presence over the last year, and willcontinuetoworkonthisintheupcomingyear.Wehave a new webpage www.rainbowyouth.com. On our webpagepageyoucanfind linkstoourFacebookandTwitter. Our goal is to increase online engagement of both youth, and community.

New in the upcoming year:In2016-2017RainbowYouthCentrewillbeworkingona new fundraising strategy. Our goal is to diversify our currentfundingportfolio.Ilookforwardtoworkingwitha great group of volunteer Board Members to create a new strategy.

Farewell to our trusted Director of Administration, Ron Thompson,whoisretiringinJulyof2016.Thankyouforyour commitment to Rainbow Youth Centre, you have been an instrumental part of the management team for thelast9years.Ithasbeenapleasuretoworkwithyou,and I wish you all the best in your retirement.

ThankyoutoRainbowYouthCentre’sstaffteam,totheBoard of Directors, and to the volunteers who contribute their time to assist the youth at Rainbow Youth Centre.

Respectfully submitted,Shelly Christian

ExecutiveDirector

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Youth C.A.R.EProgram

Project Description

YouthC.A.R.E(CreatingARespectfulEnvironment)isaninitiative that provides front line services to youth aged 11 - 19 years using a wholistic (well being) approach. Ser-vices are designed to be prevention-based and respond to the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects of young people. Service activities are delivered in a structured environment that promotes physical and emotionalsafety,aregroupbased,anduseexperientiallearning techniques.

YouthC.A.R.Ewascomprisedoffive serviceswith sixfundingpartnerstosustaintheYouthC.A.R.Evisionofproviding comprehensive services for young people dur-ingtheperiodofApril1,2015toMarch31,2016.Thefiveservices were:

•Supper(eveningmeal)-ahotmealservedat4:45pmonTuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Fund-ingprovidedbyREACH(ReginaEducationandActionon Child Hunger).

•AfterSchoolDrop-inActivities-social-basedactivitiesincluding recreation games, board games, and use of computers (3:30 pm - 6:30 pm ) on Tuesdays, Wednes-days, Thursdays, and Fridays.

• Evening Programs - skillbased learning activities (6:45 pm - 8:45 pm) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Funding provided by multiple sources, including: Ministry of Justice - Government of Saskatchewan,CityofReginaCommunity Investment GrantsProgram(CommunityPartnerGrant) 2015 SocialD e v e l o p m e n t S t r e a m MajorGrant,CityofRegina

PartnerGrant)2015Sport&RecreationStreamMinorGrant, Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) grant, and the United Way.

•SaturdayTakingC.A.R.E-aprogramprovidingyouthwithvolunteerexperiences (12:30pm -4:30pm)onSaturdays. Funded by the Ministry of Justice - Govern-mentofSaskatchewan.

•CaseWork-supportivecounsellingservicesprovidedon an individual and as needed basis to address mental health & wellness issues as presented and/or disclosed by youth participants (including engagement, problem identification, case planning with problem solving and goal setting, and outside of agency referrals). SituationscommonlyaddressedbyYouthC.A.R.Estaffincluded the disclosure from individuals about their struggles with self-esteem, staying in school, addic-tions, violence with peers, belonging, and relationships.

Addressing Youth Needs

CreatingARespectful Environment is the frameworkfor establishing relationships with and among young people.YouthC.A.R.Estaffemphasizethedevelopmentofcommunicationskills,conflictresolutionabilities,andacceptance for diversity when interacting with youth memberseitherthroughgrouplearningexperiencesorindividual case management. The programming services of YouthC.A.R.E create opportunity formeaningfulexchanges between staff and youthmembers. Theconnection that develops between youth and program staffsignificantlyinfluencesthelearningexperienceandenriches the sense of accomplishment for youth.

2015-2016 Achievements

•DuringtheperiodofApril1,2015toMarch31,2016YouthC.A.R.Eoffered204daysof service; therewere243individualyouthwhoaccessedYouthC.A.R.Eservices

Community Investment GrantsProgram(Community Young people take in a Youth C.A.R.E presentation on workers’ rights.

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(11% aged 11-12yearsand89%aged 13-19years);andthere were 2498 youth contacts. [A “youth contact” represents one individual person who signed the at-tendance sheet for the day. The statistical number is reached by counting the number of individuals signed in for the day and then adding each day’s total within the time period of April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.]

•TheSupperservice(eveningmeal)providedhotmealsfourtimesaweekwithatotalof188servicedays.Thenumber of meals served was 2289 and the number of snacksdistributedwas4021.Therewere33communityvolunteersmatchedtothekitchen,andtheirhelpinghandscontributed86.5hoursofwork.MarianaBritopreparedthemealsasCookfortheperiodofApril1,2015 to August 7, 2015. Her caliber as a chef is masterful andtheagencygreatlybenefitedfromtheexpertiseand friendliness she bestowed. Mariana left the agency to pursue an entrepreneurship opportunity of using locallygrownfoodsinauniquerestaurantexperience.Her successes have been featured in several media spotlights. Sincemid-August the Cook position has beenextremelydifficult tofill.Therehasbeennosuccessthrough7½months infilling thispart timepositionpermanently. As of March 31, 2016 the position remains vacant.AlloftheinbetweengapsbetweencookswerefilledbytheYouthC.A.R.E.CoordinatorwithsupportfromYouthC.A.R.Estaff.

• TheAfter SchoolDrop-in service (3:30 –6:30pm)provided recreation activities, social interaction opportunities, and access to computers for 180 service days, totaling 540 service hours. The number of individual youth using the service was 243, with those youth attending multiple times for an overall total of 3363 service contacts (service contacts for recreation=678; forsocial interactionopportunities=2013; forcomputers=672). InFall2015theAccessCommunications Children’s Fund approved a grant request for refurbishing our computer area which had shrunk from4workingcomputers to two.With thisfunding support, all four computers were replaced and access to the digital world for youth users was restored.

•TheEveningProgramservice(skillbasedlearningac-tivities6:45–8:45pm)includeddiverseprogrammingprojectstoprovideawiderangeoflearningopportuni-ties for adolescents. Programmingprojects included:CityCIGPSport&RecNight,CIFWEBalance,JusticeHomeworkNight,CIFCanoeWednesdays,CityCIGPYOLO-LifeHacks,CityCIGPYOLO -RandomActs, andMovieNights.There were three program periods in which program-mingprojectsweredelivered;2015Spring&Summer,2015Fall,and2016Winter.TheYouthC.A.R.EEveningProgramserviceprovided180daysofservice,delivering175 group sessions during the period of April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. Total number of evening program hours (direct service) provided = 350 hours.

•TheSaturdayTakingC.A.R.Eserviceprovided24ses-sionsofTakingC.A.R.E[22Saturdaysplustwo(2)week-days for the Travelling Santa initiative with Rainbow’s KidsFirstProgram].Therewere25 individual youthparticipating in the program with those youth attending multiple times for an overall total of 111 contacts. The total number of volunteer hours the youth performed was 222 hours.

•TheCaseWorkservice (supportivecounselling)wasavailable through 204 days of service. The number of youthaccessingthisindividualizedservicewas186witha total of 1730 supportive counselling service contacts recorded.

Youth climb a rock wall at Level 10, part of CIF Sport & Recreation night.

A knife safety demonstration, which took place just before Supper Program, done as part of

Youth Education Safety Day last September.

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•YouthC.A.R.Eprovidedlearningexperiencesfor3adultpracticums,2adultworkexperienceplacements,and16 high school placements.

Looking Ahead 2016-2017

TheCityCIGPYOLOprogramming (knownasRandomActs)and theCityCIGPSportNightprogrammingwillcontinuethroughthenextfiscalyear,althoughitmarksthefinal yearof thismulti-year fundingagreement. Itis anticipated that there will be two new programming initiatives in the coming year pending approval from the Community InitiativesFundgrant:TuffStuff (focusingon healthy lifestyles), and Around the World in 100 Days (focusing on global awareness) will be delivered as part of the evening program services. YouthC.A.R.Ewillcontinuewithyeartwoofincorpo-rating the concept of ‘physical literacy’ into the various sportand recreationactivities.YouthC.A.R.E staffareeager to continue building relationships with youth and leading group learning activities as part of delivering comprehensive prevention-based services to adolescents.

Recognition

Duringtheend-of-the-nightlogbookdebriefingonJune

8,2015,YouthC.A.R.EstaffBradMunchinskymadethefollowingcomment:“IappreciatehowYouthC.A.R.Estaffcan turn a good day into a legendary day.” These words sumupthe2015-2016year.YouthC.A.R.E isawonder-ful team to be part of. I appreciate every one of you for being“legendary”inyourownway.Thankyouforyourpatience,youreffortstorecordtheinformationneeded,thesupportyouoffereachother,andthekindnessyouextendtotheyouthwhoreachoutinneedofmakingaconnection with you.

EveryYouthC.A.R.Estaffmembergivestheirbest,andthen some, to create an environment where youth are welcomed and persistently encouraged to show their strengths.

TheYouthC.A.R.Eprofessionalswhocreatedaplaceofsafety and learning for young people in 2015 2016 were: BradMunchinsky,JustineHartung,andMaceyLawrencewithsupportfromCassieBrown,SimukuniHamudantala,BrooklynBerrns,andBrandieYeo.ThankyouforwalkingthepathofYouthC.A.R.E.withmeeveryday.

Respectfully submitted bySandraM.PfeiferB.S.W/R.S.W(Sk.)YouthC.A.R.ECoordinator

Learning hoop dancing from Terrance Littletent during Rainbow’s Youth Week celebrations.

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Program Description

YouthSkills (YS) isa skill-based,educationalprogram.Ourworkshopseducateyouthoncopingmechanismsfordealingwithconflicts,andprovideaccesstoinformationthatwillenablethemtomakepositivechoices.Thethreeprograms thatYSoffersatRainbowYouthCentrearegeared towards addressing important issues that youth face and needs that they may have.

YouthSkillsgreatlyappreciatestheprogramfundingthatisprovidedbySaskatchewanMinistryofJustice,Correc-tions&Policing.Thesefundsenabletheworkshopstocontinue to run and ensure that the community’s youth have access to services that promote their education and growth.Referrals forYouthSkillsprogrammingcomefrom a variety of sources, including the Ministry of Correc-tions&Policing,theMinistryofSocialServices,parents,guardians, foster parents, community agencies (e.g. the John Howard Society, Salvation Army, Street Culture, andR.A.M.P),schools,andfromparticipantsthemselves.Transportation is provided for youth who are referred fromtheprogram’smainfunder,CPS.

Programming 2015-2016

The Anger Management Education Program(AMEP)of-fersworkshopstoyouthages13-15and16-19.AMEPpro-videsyouthwiththeessentialknowledgeandtoolsthatwillenablethemtomanagetheirangereffectivelyandtoresolveconflictsappropriately.Partofthiseducationincludes learning to understand the emotion of anger, how anger can lead to aggression and violence, and the stepstotaketowardsproblem-solvingtoachievepeace-fulsolutions.Participants learnhowtorecognizetheirpersonalexperienceswithanger (physical,emotional,andbehavioural),howtocommunicateeffectively,andvarious anger reducing techniques.

The Truth About It Educational Program (TTAI) provides youth aged 11-19 years with information about substance use and abuse, and the physical, emotional, and behav-ioural impact of drugs and alcohol. Various categories of drugsareexplored,withanemphasisontheeffectsofmarijuanaandalcohol.Thecurriculumisalsoadaptedtoinclude information on other current and relevant drug

usage trends that arise among youth. The program is structuredsothatthefirsthalf isgearedtowardspro-viding the youth with information, and the second half is reserved for engaging the youth in healthy recreation activities. The intent of healthy recreation is to provide themwithexposuretofunactivitiesthatdonotinvolvedrugs and alcohol, and to contribute to their personal growth, goals, and interests. Activities included weight lifting,yoga,cooking,bowlingandtripsouttoBoomer’sTrampolineAirpark.

The Growing Skills Program provides information and encouragesskilldevelopmentforyouthaged11-19years.The topics covered vary with each group depending on the youths’ interests and needs, with all topics geared towards promoting personal and interpersonal development and skills. Topics covered include: self-esteem, bullying/cyber-bullying, gangs, suicide, body image,sexualhealth,healthyrelationships,communityresources, positive thinking, communication, copingstrategies, integrity and street safety. The hope is that the youthwillusetheinformation,skills,andtoolslearnedintheprogramtomakepositivechoicesintheirlives,theirrelationships, and as members of the community.

TheGrowingSkills Program isofferedat theCentre,alternatingwiththeTruthAboutItProgram,andisalsofacilitated in school and community agencies as afternoon workshops.

The Be The One Program (BTO) provides information to male youth, and encourages them to live with integrity in all aspects of their lives. Session topics include: positive sexualboundaries, consent, respect,appropriateness,

Youth SkillsProgram

Youth Skills participants take part in lifeskills activity, learning cooking and baking in Rainbow’s kitchen.

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cultural identity, and being a positive member of society. Thehopeisthattheyouthwillusetheinformation,skills,andtoolslearnedintheprogramtomakepositivechoicesin their lives and relationships, and become positive role models within their communities.

2015-2016 Achievements

•TheYouthSkills Program received 171 referrals forevening programming. These referrals included:

o 111 for Anger Management. o 24 for the Truth About It. o 23forGrowingSkills.o 13 for Be the One

•Wedelivered11workshopstoschoolsandcommunityagencies including Arcola School, Cornwall Alternative School, Campbell Collegiate, and Regina Treaty Status Indian Services. Youth attendance at these afternoon workshopsnumbered127.Theworkshopsincluded:

o 3AngerManagementworkshops- 29 youth attendedo 2Self-Esteemworkshops- 18 youth attended o 1BodyImageworkshop- 11 youth attendedo 1CopingStrategiesworkshop- 10 youth attendedo 1 “Be the One” positive male masculinityworkshop- 8 youth attendedo 1SuicideandSelfharmworkshop- 43 youth attendedo 1YouthSkills101- 3 youth attendedo 1YouthSkillsHealthrecreationworkshop- 5 youth attended

We have received positive feedback from thecommunity schools and agencies, and they continue toshowinterestinhavingYouthSkillsfacilitatetheseworkshops.

•YouthSkillswasinvolvedwiththeReginaTreatyStatusIndianServices(RTSIS)StudentEmploymentTrainingProgram,whichwas held August 11-13, 2015. Theprogramprovidesyouthwithasmanycertificationsandexperiencesaspossible tobetterequip them intheworkworld.ThroughoutthethreedaysRainbow’sYouth Skills Programprovided threeworkshops:Conflict Management, Self-Esteem & Relationships, and Coping Strategies. This opportunity created a great networkwithRTSISandwehavediscussedupcomingopportunities to do this again.

•Thenewcurriculum,“BetheOne”(BTO),wasasuccessthis year. This curriculum is geared towards male youth and deals with the topics of social integrity and male leadership development. The youth that attended the workshopsseemedtogainafreshperspectiveonwhatit means to live life with integrity.

•Youth Skills had another yearof a very successfulpartnership with Cornwall Alternative School. The YouthSkillsProgramprovidedCornwallAlternativewithvariousworkshopsincludingAngerManagement,Self-esteem,andHealthyRelationships.TheYouthSkillsProgramalsohadtheprivilegeoftrialrunningafullfiveweekAngerManagementProgramatCornwall,withgreat success.

•Aspartofhealthyself-carepractice,weengageyouthindifferentactivitiestohelpthemexploresomestressrelief techniques. Two activities seemed to go over very well this reporting period. One was during TTAI, when wehadapaintercomeinandteachtexturedpainting.The males in the group, never seemed so calm and interested in something as they did at that time. The second great activity was at Christmas, when we com-binedtwoofourrunningprogramsonthefinalweek(BTOandAMEP13-15)andtookthemtoBoomers.Theexperienceleftalltheyouthtalkingaboutit.

•Onmanyoccasionsover theyearwhenyouthwereaskedaboutwhattheythoughtofAngerManagementattheendoftheirfirstsession,theysaidthatitwasn’twhat they thought it would be. By the end of Anger Management,manyofouryoutharelookingforwaystojoinourotherprogramsorstayinRainbowprogram-ming.

•YouthSkillsprogramscontinuetomakeapositiveim-pactwithyouthtotheextentthattheyself-referforadditional programming upon completing the program that they are registered in. We have had several youth self-refer for additional programming to the point of askingformoreprogramsaftercompletingalloftheprogramswecurrentlyoffer.

Looking Ahead 2016-2017

•The Youth Skills Program staff look forward tocontinuing toworkwithourcommunityandschoolpartnerships,andwehopetoexpandourconnectionsto other schools, agencies, and First Nation communities in the near future.

•Wearelookingforwardtocontinuingthe“BeTheOne”program this summer.

•Wearealso lookingforwardto implementinganewAnger Reducers/Stress Management program this summer.

•Weplanonorganizingand implementingafternoonworkshopsduringthesummermonths.

•Wealso look forward toproviding the youthwithexcitingoutdoorhealthyrecreationoptionswhiletheweather is nice.

Respectfully submitted byBrandi KohlYouthSkillsCoordinator

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Kids First Program

Project Description

Kids First is a province-wide home-visiting program that aims to support early intervention for childhood develop-ment by focusing on prenatal care, child development and family wellbeing. The program support is developed through the needs of the families. All families who enter into the program have an in-depth assessment done by trained professionals. Once the assessment is done, the familyfileistransferredtoanagencythatbestfitstheneeds of the family.

The services and information provided connect families to resources and programs for maternal well-being, child development,life-skills,parent/childrelationships,posi-tive family interaction, healthy relationships, opportuni-ties for cultural connections, and peer support. Multiple disciplinarysupportstaffareavailabletoassistthefamilywhile they are engaged in the program.

Participation in theKids First Program is voluntary.Families in Regina can self-refer or be referred by other communityorganizations,healthpersonnel,Governmentand non-Government Agencies. Referrals to the program are accepted prenatally or before the child reaches one year of age.

Assessments and screens are done with trained profes-sionals prior to families being admitted to the program. Families can be supported until the primary child reaches school age. If the primary child reaches school age and the family requires continued support, the family is tran-sitioned to other service providers.

Kids First Regina has partnered with four community basedorganizationstodeliverKidsFirstprogramming:AboriginalFamilyServices,EarlyLearningCentre,OpenDoorSocietyandRainbowYouthCentre.Eachofthesecommunity partners has its own strengths that directly relates to family support and programming.

Addressing Youth Needs

Duringthe2015/2016fiscalyear,allnewfamiliesandpre-natal moms assigned to the Rainbow Youth Center’s Kids First program were under the age of 22. The program is

voluntary,however,soengagingyouthcanbedifficultde-pending on the youth’s capacity to buy into it. The young families who consistently and routinely use the curriculum and resources provided have commented on the growth they have witnessed in their child’s development, their ability to better communicate with each other, and the family’s abilities to cope with crisis and stress.

AllfamilieswhoentertheKidsFirstProgramareassigneda level at which home visits are scheduled. The levels for entry into the program are prenatal and level one. Families canexpectaweeklyhomevisitfromKidsFirststaffforthefirstyearoruntiltheprimarychildis6monthsold.Thefamily’s progression through levels one, two and three to graduation can be achieved by the time the child reaches school age. Families may graduate before the primary childreachesschoolagebasedonparentalknowledge,community supports, and family functioning.

Families are assigned a Home Visitor who has been trained in Growing Great Kids Curriculum, Integrated Strategies, and other training that relate to supporting the family needs.TheHomeVisitorworkswiththefamilytodevelopgoals anda customsupportplan that recognizes thestrengths of the individual family. The family continually expandstheirknowledgeonpositiveparent-childinter-actions and relationships, along with family well-being.

2015-2016 Achievements

In addition to home visits, families have the opportunity toparticipateinextraprogrammingwiththeRainbow’sKids First team. Some highlights and successes in the past year include:

•GrowingGreatKidsEveningProgram:Literacy,Plant-a-Seed,PlannedParenthood,Scrap-booking (making

A Kids First mom and her child participate in the “Morning In The Park” program.

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memories last), behavioral management, mothers’ self-care , dads’ BBQ in June, and other group sessions related to family wellness and child development.

•Driver’slicense:Threemomshavereceivedtheirdriver’slicenses.

•InAugust2015,Rainbow’sKidsFirstfamiliesandstu-dentsfromtheRoadtoEmployment16Programpar-ticipatedinonedayworkshopthatincludedtipi-raisingandtipipoleteachings,facilitatedbyElderNormaJeanByrd.FamilieswereencouragedtorecognizetheTipiPolevaluesandhowtheycanrelatetheteachingstoparenting and family wellness.

•SagepickingandamedicinewalkwasheldatPasquaFirstNationwithEldersNormaJeanByrdandBrendaDubois.

•Foursweatswereheldthroughouttheyearwherebothfamiliesandstaffparticipated.

•FamilyFunActivities:FamilyBarbecueinJuneatCandyCanePark,MorningsintheParkduringJulyandAugust,Kids First Fire Safety BBQ, and National Child Day.

•REACHStore:opportunityforfamiliestoshopattheREACHstorewhilereceivinginformationonnutrition,food labeling, portions, and pricing.

•OtherRainbowYouthCentreactivities:Familydances,Family BBQ in September, the Travelling Santa program, Rainbow’sAnnualChristmasParty,afamilycarnivalheldinFebruary,andYouthWeekactivities.

There is no cost to the participants in the Kids First Programor any programoffered atRainbowYouthCentre. Transportation and childcare are provided when requested and needed.

The families are encouraged and supported to attend other activities that promote family well-being, indepen-denceandself-sufficiency.Thisincludesjobfairs,libraries,early year’s child centers, educational opportunities and other community family events.

InFebruary2016,sixparticipantsgraduatedfromRainbowYouthCentre’sKidsFirstProgram.ThesesixfamilieshaveprimarychildrenwhoenteredkindergarteninSeptember2015.Allsixfamilieshaddadswhowereactivelyinvolvedin the child’s upbringing. Research has shown that healthy supportive fathers who actively participate in their child’s upbringingcanhaveapositiveeffectontheirchild’sfutureability to develop positive relationships.

Looking Ahead 2016-2017

The primary focus for the coming year will be to con-tinue to develop trusting relationships with the families, attempt to engage more fathers and actively recruit potentialfamiliesthatmayfindKidsFirstprogrammingbeneficial.Trustingrelationshipsareessentialtobuildinga rapport with the young families. Home Visitors report that healthy trusting relationship with the family is one ofthekeyelementsthatensuresactiveengagementandcommitmenttotheKidsFirstProgram.

IwouldliketothanktheKidsFirstHomeVisitingteamfor their endless attempts to support the young families assigned to us.

Respectfully submitted byJennet McGillis,Kids First Coordinator.

Members of the Richard’s Beauty College give a makeover to one of the Kids First moms as part of

the Mothers Self-Care Program.

A Kids First Home Visitor interacts with a family at “Playtime With Learning” at the Centre’s daycare facility.

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Young ParentProgram

Program Description

YoungParentProgram (YPP) is fundedby thePublicHealthAgencyofCanada’sCommunityActionProgramfor Children (CAPC). YPP targets youngparents andparents-to-be, up to the age of 25 years old, who desire change and growth for themselves and for their children. Theprogramprovidesparentsanopportunitytorealizetheir full potential both as individuals and as parents. Front line servicesareofferedusinga strength-basedapproach for the participants and for their children. Theseservicesareofferedthroughgroupprogramming,individual programming, advocacy, referrals and home visits, with a special focus on the developmental needs of children birth to 6 years of age.

Addressing Youth Needs

TheYoungParentProgramoffersprogrammingonaweeklybasis to theyoungparentsandparents-to-be.Programmingismodifiedthroughouttheyeartofocuson the current needs and issues encountered by the participants involved.Programmingofferseducation,skill-buildingandsupportinagroupatmosphere.Trans-portation,childcare,andmealsorsnacksareprovidedtoparticipants in this program.

Programming 2015-2016

•EveningParentSupport:ongoing,tenmonthsoftheyear-includesEasterparty,wind-upparentbowling.

•PositiveDisciplineinEverydayParenting:newevidence-based parenting program based on the International RightsoftheChild-offeredforthefirsttime.

•Nobody’sPerfectParentingProgram:offeredtwice.

•BounceBack:ResilienceSkillsforparentsandchildren.

•MondayPlaygroup for children: everyMonday (inpartnerships with KidsFirst).

•FamilyCarnival(inpartnershipwithKidsFirst).

•StressManagement:summer.

•HealthyRelationships:shortcourse,summer.

•BeforeBaby:summer(inpartnershipwithHealthiestBabiesPossible).

•AfterBaby: summer (inpartnershipwithHealthiestBabiesPossible).

•Breastfeeding:summer(inpartnershipwithLaLecheLeague).

•MedicineWalkandStories:summer(facilitatedbyElderNorma Jean Byrd).

•CulturalTeachings:summer(facilitatedbyElderNormaJean Byrd).

•Swimming:summer.

•FinancialLiteracy.

•Parentvisits toartgalleries, civicmuseums,and theScience Centre: summer.

•Children visits to parks, playgrounds, the RoyalSaskatchewanMuseumandDr.HannaEarly YearsFamily Centre.

•RainbowEvents:Hallowe’enParty,PuppetShowYouthWeekevent.

2015-2016 Achievements

•Inevaluationsparents consistently report that theyhave received support in their role as parents, have gainedconfidenceandhavelearnedparentingskills.

Young Parent mom with her children.

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•Parentsgainvaluableskillsandcertificatesforprogramcompletion which they can include in their portfolios.

•Wecontinuetoofferaneveningparentingprogramsothatparentswhoworkorattendschoolduringdaytimehours can still have access to a parenting program.

•Wehaveincreasedthenumberofparticipantsintheprograms and the number of fathers involved, attend-ing with their partners and on their own.

•Parentshavebeenabletoaccomplishtheirgoalsasaresultofattendingprograms;forexample,havingtheirchildren returned to their care.

•Parentshavegainedaccesstootherprograms,e.g.KidsFirst,RoadtoEmployment,LegalAid,FamilyServiceReginaDomesticViolenceProgram,midwives,preg-nancysupport,CityofReginaaffordablefunpass,andlow-income housing agencies.

•Parentshavebeenabletoreturntoschoolandstartorresumework.

•ParentshavehadaccesstoanElderandculturalpro-grams.

•ThroughMondayPlaygroupandchildcareprovidedduring other programs, children have improved in many developmental areas, including communication and motorskills.Improvementisalsoseenintheirsocial-emotionalskilllevels,suchasabilitytoplaywithotherchildren,askingfortheirneedstobemet,andusingmanners.

•Parentshavebeengiven theopportunity toprovidefeedbackonadailybasisandtheendoftheprograms.ThishasbeenusedtoimproveYPPprogramming.

Looking Ahead 2016-2017

•Rainbow’sYoungParentProgramwill haveaccesstothelong-awaited,newlyrevisedNobody’sPerfectParentKit.

•YPPwilldevelopnewprogramming,e.g.childdevelop-ment.

•YPPintendstoextendsummerprogramming.

•Asa resultofhavinga refresherPositiveDisciplineforEverydayParentingworkshop,YPPwilladaptthisprogramfortheneedsofyoungparents,andofferitagain.

•YPPwillcontinuetoofferculturalprogramsfacilitatedbyElders.

•YPPwillcontinuetoofferprogramsparentsrequestand tailor each program to the needs and desires of the unique set of participants enrolled.

Respectfully submitted by Faye Huggins,YoungParentProgramCoordinator

Kids share a sandwich at a park atcivity.

YPP moms work on Easter crafts during Evening Parent Support Program.

Dad enjoys swimming with his daughter during summer programming.

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Project Description

RainbowYouthCentre’sRoadtoEmploymentProgram(RTE)iscurrentlyfundedbytheMinistryoftheEconomy.The program focuses on removing or reducing barriers that young people face in obtaining employment. The program is aimed at youth between the ages of 18 and 25.

Addressing Participant Needs

The goal of the program is to provide participants with opportunities to improve their quality of life and reduce barriersthatexistinobtainingandmaintainingemploy-ment. The program supports participants in adopting a healthy lifestyle,achievingaGEDeducation,obtainingaClass5driver’slicence,sharpeninglifeskills,jobskills,andfindingaworkplacementinhopesofsecuringfutureemployment.

2015-2016 Achievements

ThisfiscalyearhasbeenactiveaswecompletedRoadtoEmployment16andstartedRTE17. Interest intheRTEProgramcontinuestoremainveryhigh.Therewere103youthwhoexpressed interested inRTE 17.During thecurrent program we regularly receive calls from youth and community members interested in the program for thenextcycle.(Webegincompilingalistofinterestedindividuals inapproximately Julyand thenproceed tocontactthemagainclosertothenextintakesession.)

RoadtoEmployment16finishedinOctober2015with11participants successfully completing the program. We are pleased to report that of these 11 participants, four were already employed at the end of the program and onewasfurtheringhereducation;sixofthe11achievedtheirfullGEDdiploma,andnineofthemattainedtheirdriver’s license.

Congratulations to all the participants, including those

who completed even part of the program - successes which includedachievingaGEDdiploma,thegettingadriver’s licenses, receivingnumerouscertificates,put-ting in a variety of volunteer hours, producing impressive resumesandportfolios,andexperiencingemployment.

RoadtoEmployment17beganinNovember2015.Ithasbeenajoytoworkwitheachoftheparticipants,discover-ingtheiruniqueskillsandabilities.Thegroupcontinuestodemonstrate determination in preparing for and writing theirfiveGEDexams.Theyarecontinuallyimprovingtheiremployabilityskillsastheypreparetoenterthelabourforceasworkplacementtrainees.Welookforwardwithexcitementtotheirnumeroussuccessesoverthenextseveral months.

As a means of supporting participants in furthering their careeractionplans,theRoadtoEmploymentProgramhas continued the portfolio development process with them.Itprovestobearewardingandbeneficialactivityasparticipants discover that they do indeed possess a myriad oftransferableskillsthatcanbetakenintotheworkforce.

Itistheprogram’sgoaltoassisteachparticipantinfindingworkexperiencesthatcoincidewiththeiractionplans.Weare continually grateful for the supportive response from the employment sector that provides partnerships and learningopportunitiesfortheRTEparticipants.Wehavebeen able to secure new employers as well as continue our relationships with past supporters.

Looking Ahead 2016-2017

During this time frame we will complete the 17th Road to EmploymentProgramandwillapplyforRTE18.Weareeager to continue to build connections in the Regina com-munity as a whole, as well as in the employment sector, and assist youth in eliminating barriers to employment.

Staffing

The program is funded for a Coordinator and a Co-facili-tator.Wehaveexperiencedachangeinstaffingthisyear:

ProgramCoordinator• DesiréWhite(UntilJune2015)• KimMerasty(June2015–present)

Co-facilitator• KimMerasty(UntilJune2015)• ZackStartup(August2015–present)

OnbehalfofRoadtoEmploymentstaffandparticipantsIwouldliketopersonallythankourfunder,theMinistryoftheEconomy,andallthosewhosupporttheRoadtoEmploymentProgram.

Respectfully submitted byKim MerastyRoadtoEmploymentProgramCoordinator

Road to Employment

Program

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Finance & Administration

First the bad news2015-2016 was a bad news / good news year for Rainbow’s finances.Thebadnewsisthatforthesecondyear inarowweshowedanoperatingdeficitandareductioninnet assets compared to the previous year.Thegoodnewsisthat,wereitnotforanextraordinaryexpenseof$26,763 (to repayasurplus in thepreviousyear’s KidsFirst operations), Rainbow actually recorded an operating surplus for 2015-16.

Revenue and expenses downButthatsurpluswasnotrealizedwithoutacost.Revenues were down for the fourth consecutive year -- from a high of $1,628,492 in 2011-12 to $1,366,360 in 2015-16. Grant revenues alone were almost $270,000 less than in 2011-12. Fee for service revenue also fell last year by almost $46,000 from the previous year as a result of cancellation offundingfortheLinkstoHousingprogram.

Cutting to surviveSurviving these reductions in revenue was made possible primarilybyreducingexpensesanddippingintoRainbow’sreserve funds.Reductioninexpenseshasprimarilybeenaccomplishedbyreductionsinstaffinghours.Salariesandbenefitscostslastyear were down by almost $76,000 compared to 2014-15 and $128,454 compared to 2012-13.PartofthosereductionscamefromtheeliminationofasalaryinthecancelledLinkstoHousingprogram,butourYouth Care has been operating shorthanded for at least three years now.

Future grants unclearDespite the past year’s nominal surplus, there are no guarantees for the future.For instance, at the time of writing this report it is still un-clear how reductions in resource revenues will impact the ability or willingness of government agencies (the source of94%ofRainbow’sgrantslastyear)tomaintainexistinggrantsletaloneoffercost-of-livingincreases.Rainbowwilllikelyalsocontinuetodealwiththefactthatthemajorityofourgrantfundingdoesnotincludeapor-tionofthefundingforadministrativeexpenses.

Looking elsewhereFundraising income (through campaigns for individual donationsorthroughfundraisingevents)hasfallenoff–exceptforthetremendousjobdonebystaffinsolicitingdonations for the annual Christmas dinner and gift-giving.Rainbow has been moderately successful in recent years seeking corporate funding for agoodportionofourcapitalexpenditures--suchasrenovationstoourbuildingandreplacementvehiclesforourfleet–butwe’vebeenunsuccessfulsofarinexpandingoperationalfundingfromoutside of government.

Raising awareness / raising moneyThe secret to increasing funding from non-government sources almost certainly includes successfully increasing awareness -- in the public, and among potential corpo-ratedonorsandprivate foundations–of theneed forRainbow’s programs and the successful results that have been achieved so far.However,knowingthesecretdoesn’tsolvetheproblem:whowilldotheworkofincreasingthatawareness?Cer-tainlyourstaff(includingthoseinmanagement)isbusyenough holding the line despite the seemingly inevitable shrinkingoffinancialresources.Rainbow’s Board has increased its number of directors in the past year, but these are volunteers and mostly new totheorganization.Perhapsasolutionliesininvestingfromourreservesinafocused campaign to raise money by raising awareness and by mapping out a fundraising strategy.

Thanks and farewellAlmostnineyearsafterIfirstjoinedRainbowtocoverforJohn Dufort’s sabbatical leave, I am preparing to retire at the end of June.Fortunately, after two previous attempts to recruit and retain a successor, this year Rainbow hired Doug Swed-bergasDirectorofFinance.Dougbringscredentials,skillsandexperiencethatwillenablehimtohelpimprovetheefficiencyofRainbow’soperations.As I prepare to say farewell to the administration of-fice,IwanttothankJohnforintroducingmetothisjob(and for again volunteering to put together this annual report).IalsowanttothankMylesSartorandhisgangofITguruswhokeepourcomputersrunningandchargeus 1950 rates.Imustalso thankourbossand leaderShellyChristianwhomanageswithskillanddeterminationandasenseof humour.Butmostly,Ineedtothankourprogramstaff,theoneswhosededication,effortandenthusiasmprevail,despiteobstacles, to serve those who matters most… Rainbow’s youth.

Respectfully submittedRon Thompson

Director of Administration

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The complete Auditor’s report, financial statements and acccompanying notes, prepared by Dudley & Company LLP, are available

upon request from the Rainbow Youth Centre business office

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