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In June 2011 we held a community
celebration for our 10th Anniversary
where patrons Dorothy & Bill Campbell
and Paul Williamson established the
Sharon Brooks fund for early learning
with the Brant Community Foundation.
Kids Can Fly was advancing our foot-
print in the community with an Ontario
Trillium Grant that allowed us to redo
our website and reach out more to
young families using social media.
Facebook and Twitter accounts were
implemented and managed by Jeanne
Smitiuch and Patti Berardi. We also
produced 4 early learning documenta-
ries for Rogers TV - Inspiring Young
Minds. They showcased local pro-
grams for young children while provid-
ing understanding of the importance of
literacy, early brain stimulation, keeping
kids active and supporting parents. We trained 16 new
Roots of Empathy instructors, 8 of which were ECE’s in
the full day kindergarten. We were nominated for the
YMCA Peace Medal for our work with Roots of Empa-
thy. We have now provided the program to over 9000
children in Brant! The Launch Pad continued to offer a
popular program for parents, we held our largest ever
ECE Banquet and our first Soup Sale for United Way.
We led a community planning table to fill a gap in sup-
port for women with postpartum depression and did a
lot of public education through
Rogers and the Expositor.
Our board grew from 12—14 and
the members continue to demon-
strate outstanding dedication to our
mission. Jeanne, Joe and Lisa
joined Sharon at the Imagination
Library conference in June which
has inspired us to grow this amaz-
ing program. DREAM MORE!
Kids Can Fly Going Strong!
2012 has been an amazing year for Kids
Can Fly! Our board, staff and volunteers
have gone above and beyond to expand
our programs and continue providing
exemplary services and support to chil-
dren, their caregivers and families. This
year, we focused on a few key areas and
achieved great success. We rebranded
our website and focused on social media
to connect with parents and expand our
public education. Imagination Library
grew and we were able to add many
more children. Kids Can Fly was instru-
mental in developing a task force on
Postpartum Depression and has worked
to support women suffering from PPD
and also played a key role in educating
the public and creating awareness
around the condition. Our board is a working board
and we continue to respond to the ever changing
needs of our community. I would like to take this
time to thank our staff, board and volunteers for
their contributions to Kids Can Fly. We set the bar
high and continue to show a great example of com-
mitment to our commu-
nity, children and fami-
lies! 2012-2013 will see a
continued focus on ex-
pansion in our Imagina-
tion Library, public edu-
cation and the continua-
tion of excellent pro-
gramming and services
like Roots of Empathy,
Parachute Program and
the Launch Pad.
Report from the Chair: Patti BerardiReport from the Chair: Patti Berardi
Tel 519 448 1713 Email [email protected] website www.kidscanfly.ca
Message from the
Executive Director
We finished off our tenth
anniversary year energized
and jumped into 2012 ready
to meet new goals. I am
very proud of the efforts we
have put into helping to fill
the gap of support for
women with post partum
depression and our fundrais-
ing success for Imagination
Library. I cannot say
enough about the hard work
and dedication that our
board
members put
into Kids Can
Fly. This is our
true strength!
Sharon Brooks RECE
Executive Director
Jane Flinders RECE
Launch Pad/Parachute
Board of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of Directors
ExecutiveExecutiveExecutive
Patti Berardi: Chair Patti Berardi: Chair
Patti Kunashko / Vice Chair Patti Kunashko / Vice Chair
Nora Leung/ Treasurer Nora Leung/ Treasurer
Jeanne Smitiuch Jeanne Smitiuch Past Chair Past Chair
MEMBERS MEMBERS
Lisa Collins
Mellissa Ferrao
Jennifer Kinneman
Tracy McMillan
Robin Matthews Osmond
Joe Persia
Zeta Phillipo
Sarah Roarke
Cathie Rice
Heather Wilson
Honorary Board Members
Jennifer Boughner
Jackie Delong
Jessica Godin
Penny McVicar
John Utley
Kids Can Fly–Early Child Development & Parent Support/ CHARITABLE # 884476904RR0001
Annual
Report
2011—2012
Staff
Thanks to the ongoing support of
Bill and Dorothy Campbell the
Launch Pad provided a caring and
welcoming program for families.
Our numbers remained high and
attendance consistent. We had
moms, dads, caregivers, grand-
parents, foster parents and stu-
dents joining us. They came by
car, bus, taxi or walked. Other agencies referred or escorted cli-
ents for their first visit. The free taxi allowed access for anyone
who needed transportation and we remained one of the few pro-
grams to offer this wonderful service. We have built a reputation
in the community of offering a high quality and professional pro-
gram. One of our highlights is the music and circle time. In the
fall of 2011 we have an exceptional, male Laurier student on placement who built warm relationships with the children
and adults. Having a male role model is very special and we are pleased to have Laurier, Medix and Mohawk ECE stu-
dents learn through placements at our site. For the first time we were granted use of the gym several times a week for
active play. A grant from the Brant Community Foundation Youth Committee allowed us to purchased gross motor
items including balancing equipment , balls and riding toys. We also continued to support families when the need was
evident with clothing and toy donations. Another new additional was providing a healthy snack each day. This allowed
for discussion with parents on how to choose good foods on a budget, dealing with picky eaters and recipe exchanges.
Thanks to the Campbell's, Jane was also able to continue to provide music for each of the GBV classes through the
year. Jane Flinders continued to make the Launch Pad a favourite destination which is benefiting so many children and
parents. We owe much of it’s success to her. Nancy Corke and Lisa Collins provided strong skills as supply staff. Brant
Taxi made a donation of $1000. to Kids Can Fly as a gesture from our transportation supplier.
Funds grew as both Rotary Clubs continued
to support + we received a major Trillium
Grant, ($81000.) as well as a Stedman Grant,
Brant Community Foundation Grant, Leisa
Way’s contribution and a community donation
campaign. 350 kids were registered as of
March 2012 and a major expansion
announcement was coming in June.2012.
< Jeanne, Lisa, Sharon 2011 Conference Joe & Dolly >
We were inspired by
the Imagination Library
conference to GROW this
amazing program in Brant!
Lisa, Joe, Jeanne and Sharon
attended the HomeComin’ event in
Tennessee, June 2011 where Joe
made a presentation. The research
& great stories inspired us to embark
on a major fundraising campaign in
hopes that we can give every child
under 5 in Brant this proven literacy
opportunity. We set a goal to bring
DOLLY to Brant. DREAM MORE!
We completed our first
year of Imagination Library
and registered over 200
children with funding from
the Rotary Club of Brant-
ford—Sunrise. Their
pledge of $10000. a year
for 3 years is allowing us to
bring this fabulous literacy
program to children in
Brant. Forms were made
available at the Launch
Pad, through Public Health
nurses, Lansdowne staff .
Page 2 Kids Can Fly 110 German School Road RR 1 Paris On N3L 3E1
Financial Report from Nora Leung -Treasurer
Kids can Fly closed the 2011-2012 fiscal year with a healthy cash balance($80,122) in the bank and an ex-cess of ($23,255) revenue over expenditures. Revenue generated this past year allowed us to supply our com-munity with over $100,000 in free programs. A substantiate portion of our Coordinator's time was spent directly in active programming.
Charity funds are extremely tight for everyone in the current economic climate. We would like to extend a warm thank you to all our funders and volunteers for their generosity, continued support and trust in Kids Can Fly.
Copies of the fully audited financial statements can be
requested from our Executive Director at 519 448 1713
Financial Highlights
Total Revenue for the year ended March 31, 2012 $ 196,277
Total Expenses for the year ended March 31, 2012 $ 173,022
Program Revenue 87.4%
Direct Program Expenses 54.2%
Administration & Office 3.6%
Coordinator’s fees, including direct program work 19.4%
Respectfully Submitted,
Nora S Leung
Treasurer
made the difficult decision to
reduce the camp to one full
day so as not to disappoint
the registered children. The
board then reviewed our
priorities and decided that
more efforts should be put
towards Imagination Library
in the future since this is the
age group that we are man-
dated to support. We hope
that another group will pick
up the Book Camp project.
We held our final Book
Camp in August 2011. For
the first time we did not
receive our Ontario Arts
Funding and were not made
aware of this til late June.
As could not afford to run
the full camp without this
money ($6000.) the board
Page 3 Find us on Facebook and Twit ter www.kidscanf ly .ca
2011 ECE Banquet was the best attended yet! 197 people joined in the Tropical Themed
Fun and one won a West Jet vacation! This annual event helps us to raise recognition of
the important role of early childhood educators in nurturing our youngest children during
their formative years. The hard working community committee is below.
Above a Special Award was given to the Campbell's as Children’s Champions.
Book Camp
MOVIE MARATHON 2012
Our Move Marathon was
not as well attended due to
bad weather but we still
raised over $2400. Sarah
Roarke took over chairing
the MMM. KCF greatly ap-
preciates the support from
the Galaxy Cinema which
hosts this fun event each
winter. A format change for
2013 is planned.
SOUP SALE Kids Can Fly held
our first SOUP
SALE for the
United Way.
We raised $1150. due in part to the
support from Jason Gibson who allowed
us to buy the soup at his cost.
Above the cheque is presented to a UW
staff by Sharon Brooks and Chair Patti
Berardi. Our Executive Director was the United Way Agency Cabinet Rep in 2011
The 2012 event raised over $18000. We
are very grateful to Scotiabank, our ma-
jor sponsor and all of the others who do-
nated cash and in kind . Thanks to so
many dedicated volunteers who planned,
sought out sponsors, organized tickets,
decorated, dressed up, made & served
food, provided sound system, music,
books, took photos etc. Special thanks
to Rossini Lodge ,Jason Gibson PCS,
MRR, The Expositor, Brant Taxi, Spence
Printing and Jean Hawke. 400 children
and adults enjoyed another magic morn-
ing with a yummy breakfast and visits
from favourite storybook friends. Visits
by characters were also made to Nova
Vita and the children’s ward BGH.
Roots of Empathy
grew substantially
thanks in part to
funding from the Min-
istry of Education to
train ECE’s in full day
kindergarten pro-
grams. We were delighted to train 8 within our two boards in this pilot project. Feedback has been excellent.
The Teachers Credit Union and City Grants helped finance ROE in the 55 local schools. Research continues to be
secured noting the positives of this program and their long lasting impact. The year end baby celebration was a busy
gathering (above).
Post Partum Depression:
The serious gap in service in Brant
for woman suffering with this very
common condition (1 in 6) prompted
Kids Can Fly to secure interest from
many other service providers. A
community meeting was held in Jan
and a working group established.
Action items have included public
education for front line staff;
research
into what was actually available and creating
materials for doctors, service providers and
the public to facilitate finding support for
women; a spring marketing campaign along
with the plan to reinvent the Parachute
Program as a Transitioning to Parenthood
group. It would be for women experiencing
various challenges with infants which might
include PPD. Our ED joined the south west-
ern Ontario Coalition for PPD and funds
were sought through a City Grant, Best Start
Network and private donors to help support
this important work. Kids Can Fly is proud
to have taken the lead in this initiative. One of our Theme Tables
Cheque presentation from TCU
OurOurOur ownownown RootsRootsRoots ofofof EmpathyEmpathyEmpathy TinyTinyTiny Teachers.Teachers.Teachers.
The Kids Can Fly board was actively involved with ROE
this year as three of our families volunteered with
their babies. Heath (Jennifer Boughner-Barber), Caleb,
Zeta Phillipo– Dey) and Jude (Robin Matthews– Osmond. )
We could not provide this program without all of the dedi-
cated volunteers who instructor and share their babies.
To date over 9000 kids have participated in ROE in Brant!