COLLEGE-MONTROSE
CHILDREN’S PLACE
2015 Annual Report
Healthy Children
Healthy Families
Healthy Communities
College-Montrose Children’s Place is a family resource program
that addresses the changing needs of diverse families. We create
connections between children, parents, grandparents and other
caregivers in local neighbourhoods with a focus on →
SUPPORTING HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT →
STRENGTHENING PARENTING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS →
PROMOTING HEALTHY FAMILIES → BREAKING DOWN
ISOLATION → FOSTERING MUTUAL AID → OFFTERING PEER
SUPPORT, VALUING INCLUSION AND HARMONY. In partnership
with families and the community we provide safe stimulating
learning environments and opportunities for children, parents
and caregivers, Children’s Place is an open collaborative
organization that values and respects the unique needs and
strengths of all families.
Children’s Photos by
Anchor Studio
Graphic Design by
2 COLLEGE-MONTROSE CHILDREN’S PLACE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
Printing provided by
A Message from the Chair of the Board and
Executive Director
Thirty-three years ago, College-Montrose
Among our dedicated volunteers are the
Children’s Place opened its doors to
members of our board of directors who
provide free early learning programs to
give their time and expertise to CMCP. A
support the development of healthy
giant thank-you to all of you.
children and healthy families as the
foundation for a healthy community. This
past year, we served over 3,000 families in
our ten sites, providing a diverse range of
programs including: Play & Learn Family
Drop In, emergency child care, school
readiness, caregiver training, our
parenting workshops and many more.
While meeting the increasing demand for
early years services at our main site, we
continue to adapt by offering programs
that better address the changing needs of
our diverse community. This year, our
Gooch site, located in one of the city’s
most vulnerable communities received a
modest renovation, as well as additional
staff to provide extended hours and more
We are also extremely grateful to our
major funders The Government of Ontario
and The United Way Toronto & York
Region. Many thanks to our corporate and
individual donors who share our
commitment to healthy communities and
provide essential funding to all of our
programs.
2015 closed with the retirement of Angela
Ottolino, CMCP’s long-standing Executive
Director. Angela’s dedication, vision, and
commitment to the families of CMCP laid
the foundation for the organization we are
today. We thank her for her many years of
leadership, and wish her the very best for
the future.
support through parent relief and
As to our future, College-Montrose
additional workshops. We strengthened
Children’s Place is embracing our new
our existing community partnerships and
chapter – a new Executive Director (who
started new alliances to offer targeted
looks very familiar!), forging new
programs for those families that are at a
community partnerships, a new landscape
higher risk of isolation. We are proud to
of funding, and most importantly,
offer our programs in numerous languages
welcoming new participants and families
that reflect our multicultural
into our community.
neighbourhoods.
We could not do this important work
without the tireless efforts of our
volunteers. In 2015, our volunteers
dedicated over 10 000 hours of their time
supporting our small (but mighty) staff in
programs, our various committees,
preparing and serving delicious food at the
Taste of CMCP fundraiser, selling bouncy
castle tickets and herding little ones in the
Big Toddle.
FRANCA GUCCIARDI
Board Chair
EMILIA RODRIGUES
Executive Director
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Treasurer’s Report
CMCP relies heavily on all levels of government and the United Way
funding, which altogether represents approximately 87% of its
annual income. Delivery of programming and services would not
be possible without this support. Over the past year, the
organization’s expenses (not including costs of fundraising and
amortization) increased by 11%, in order to support rising costs and
growth in demand for services. Our reliance on donors, including
participants, community and corporate partners, has been key in
meeting this increase. We thank all of our donors and funders for
your support in 2015. The end of year surplus, while small at $27,542,
demonstrates the management and board’s ongoing commitment
to protecting the organization’s financial stability, in the interest of
all families that benefit from our services.
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Statement of Revenue and Expenses
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015
REVENUE 2015
2015
2014
Ontario Early Years Centre
(50%) 605, 710
605, 710
United Way of Greater Toronto
(19%) 225, 853
225, 833
Fundraising
(12%) 141, 388
153, 989
REVENUE
(9%) 111, 300
111, 300
City of Toronto
(6%) 72, 802
63, 018
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(2%) 23, 935
24, 650
Other Agencies
(1%) 15, 891
16, 864
Other
(1%) 11, 914
13, 896
4, 328
2, 794
1, 213, 121
1, 218, 054
Capital contributions recognized
Interest
EXPENSES 2015
2015
2014
Personnel
(59%) 696, 737
631, 875
Payments to partners
(13%) 149, 993
152, 551
EXPENSES
(9%) 111, 300
111, 300
Occupancy
(8%) 94, 173
87, 174
Program
(5%) 57, 476
36, 280
Professional fees
(3%) 38, 973
29, 448
Administration
(2%) 25, 322
22, 912
(1%) 8, 333
27, 735
Amortization
Fundraising
Staff travel and development
EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR
3, 272
860
1, 185, 579
1, 100, 135
27, 542
117, 919
Full Audited Statements are available on our website, www.cmcp.ca
5
In 2015
54695
visits by
participants
6
6
5526.5
hours of
service
3530
children
served
Who we are
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
College-Montrose Children’s Place is a non-profit charitable
organization. It is governed by a committed, dynamic and highly
talented group of volunteers who subscribe to our vision, mission
and values. These board members set policy and direction for the
organization. Thank you for your time, effort and dedication.
EXECUTIVE
MEMBERS
Franca Gucciardi, Board Chair
Brian A Blumenthal
CEO, Loran Scholars Foundation
Lawyer, Ministry of the Attorney General
Catherine Fowler, Vice Chair
Heather Hansen
Director of Business Operations and
Partner, Martha McCarthy & Company LLP
Development, Loran Scholars Foundation
Angela Bhutani, Treasurer
Senior Institutional Relationship Manager,
Burgundy Asset Management
Emily Robb, Secretary
Senior Communications Officer, Vale
Isabel Perez-Doherty
Development Consultant
Patrick Madden
Public Sector and Non-for- Profit
Consultant
Caroline King
Voy Stelmaszynski, Past Chair
Arbitrator, Financial Services Commission
Solicitor, Ontario Labour Relations Board
of Ontario
Zhen Ping Liu
Finance Manager, CBC Canada
Retired 2015
Cathy Percival, Leyla Lavenir, Rosella
Cornaviera
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STAFF
Executive Director
Program Assistants
Emilia Rodrigues
Ekaterina Ksenofontova, Lisa Sampson,
Community Engagement Manager
Mark Osler
Community Programs Manager
Corina John
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Filomena Costa
Administrative Support
Durriya Khambati, Rosa Lai, Rita Fasanella
Site Team Leaders
Rebecca Wood, Marnie Bernstein, Melanie
Robitaille
Program Staff
Hernan Munoz, Besserat Tesfay. Tashi
Wangdu, Sharrona Barrow, Fardousa
Weheliye
Summer Students
Adib Ahmed, Arvaa Balsara, Rabiyah
Biniamin, Jennifer Garcia,Natalia Forgas
Bernstein, Joshua Munian, Luksimi
Sivaneswaralingam
School Readiness Staff
Anna Nadolska
Throughout the year staff is supported by
project and contract staff, professional
placement students from Early Childhood,
Community Work, Social Work and Nursing.
Ann Pham, Carmita Magnaye, Simone
Martin, Manuela Lains, Rabeya Hossain,
Ashleigh Judge, Tasha Flemmings
In December 2015, after serving the CMCP community for over 30 years
Angela Ottolino retired as Executive Director. We are grateful for
Angela's many years of service and wish her much happiness in her
well-deserved retirement
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ASHLEIGH’S STORY
A place where everyone belongs
I had been searching for employment for
nearly two years as a Registered Early
Childhood Educator with no success. I
knew I had the knowledge and passion for
the job, but due to my physical disability
and use of a power wheelchair for mobility,
not many places were willing to give me a
fair chance. Places that would give me a
chance were often physically inaccessible.
I started volunteering at CMCP in 2013. I
had volunteered in a number of
organizations over the years and received
good references from them, but none of
them were willing to actually hire me.
me to lift Saige onto and change on my
I immediately loved the atmosphere at
own. The doorbell to enter the centre was
CMCP because everyone was so friendly
too high for me to reach too. The staff and
and I finally found a place where despite
I worked together to request funds to
my disability, I was just seen as a member
make the necessary improvements and
of the team. I was given the opportunity
within weeks we had a lower folding
to lead circle and even take part in
change table which allowed me to change
program planning! This was a place where
Saige independently and strengthened my
others appreciated my skills and affirmed
confidence as a caregiver.
that I had a lot to offer!
Six months later, I finally began working at
CMCP! My job involves supporting regular
drop-ins, but a larger component of my job
includes advocating for families with
“This is a place where
everyone's strengths,
talents and skills are
recognized.”
disabilities. I take the lead in program
planning for a new program for children
and parents with disabilities or extra
support needs, called Nurturing
Development. I tell all of my contacts that
In early 2015, working as a caregiver, I
brought a 21 month old to their new
location at Artscape. This was the first
time in my life that I had ever babysat and
cared for a child so young on my own, but I
knew CMCP staff would be more than
willing to help me with whatever
challenges emerged. We realized that the
change table was far too high for
parents with disabilities should bring their
young children to CMCP. Many parents
with disabilities are hesitant to participate
in programs because they feel their
parenting abilities are judged and criticized
due to their disabilities. I tell them that
CMCP believes that every parent needs
support. This is a place where everyone’s
strengths talents and skills are recognized!
9
OUR VOLUNTEERS
CMCP is beyond grateful for our
give back to their community; allowing
hard-working volunteers, both past and
them the chance to look beyond their own
present.
circumstances and appreciate what others
are experiencing.
Volunteer work may not be the most
glamorous job, but it is one of the most
Their unwavering dedication and
impactful and important ones. Our
commitment is an inspiration to our
volunteers tell us that it provides them
organization, and a true testament to the
with an opportunity to get involved and
success and solidarity of our CMCP family.
To our much-valued volunteers - know that you are
making a powerful difference in the lives of our
children and families, and that none of it goes
unnoticed. Thank you.
A list of our volunteers can be found at www.cmcp.ca
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JULIA’S STORY
Why I volunteer with CMCP
I have been involved with CMCP for the
past four years, initially as a summer
student and then as a volunteer for the
School Readiness, Family Literacy and
Family Math workshops at their Gooch
site. There are many worthy organizations
that I could have devoted my time to,
however I chose to volunteer at CMCP’s
Gooch site as it serves some of the most
vulnerable families in the city.
The work this site does is crucial towards
ensuring every child, irrespective of their
family’s income, has an opportunity to
succeed in school.
I have truly enjoyed my time at Gooch. The
staff and volunteers are wonderful. They
are like a close-knit family and work
tirelessly to make sure participants have
their needs met. The families at the Gooch
site are equally amazing. They are
extremely welcoming and kind, not to
The feeling that I can help shape a child’s
mention the meals they prepare for special
life for the better is incredible. On top of it
occasions have never disappointed my
being rewarding, it is fun. I look forward to
taste buds.
volunteering with CMCP for many years to
come and I would urge anyone who has
Volunteering at Gooch has had
tremendous impact on my life. I have been
able to see firsthand the benefits these
workshops have for the participating
some time to spare to become a volunteer.
What you get out of it will be tenfold what
you put in.
families.
To become a volunteer at CMCP, please contact our volunteer
co-ordinator at (416)532-9485 ext 229
163
volunteers
CONTRIBUTED
10467
hours
11
12
CMCP’s impact
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY
JEN AND NIXON’S STORY
St. Helen’s program has been a godsend to
break. We have been trying to overcome
me. As a new first-time Mom, discovering
stranger anxiety since our first visit to the
St. Helen’s allowed me to venture out of
center and Nixon has made great progress
my home from being isolated for 5 months
with getting to know the volunteers and is
alone. The program not only exposed my
able to let me write this story without fuss!
son, Nixon, to other children and babies,
AMAZING. Our next goal is to attempt
but allowed me as a new parent to meet
some ”Parent Relief ” - to give Mom a break
other parents in the neighbourhood. It
and give Nixon some advanced practice for
allowed me to have adult contact with
day care! Wish us luck.
other first time parents and parents who
are veterans- to be able to share their
experiences and advice.
We enjoy our time coming here and look
forward to it every day. Without this center
I don’t know if I would have the mental
Melanie and the volunteers are always
sanity to be a happy and healthy Mom to
welcoming and pleasant to see every time
my 9 month old. Nixon enjoys seeing the
we come. They greet us with open arms
kids and the ability to share his skills. We
and with a smile and are always willing to
hope to continue coming here as long as
assist with Nixon when I need a
possible.
“CMCP has been an instant community for us to
tap into – a very inviting place where parents
and children can connect”
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LUBA’S STORY
I learned so much.
When I started taking care of my
granddaughter I didn’t know much about
how to discipline kids. I only saw yelling
and hitting. Coming to the programme at
Gooch I learned so much there; how to
discipline children and how children
should behave. I learned about other ways
besides yelling and hitting to discipline
and also how everyone should respect
each other. When I have a problem with
my granddaughter’s behaviour I can talk
to the staff and they give me ideas of how I
can deal with it. They explained to me that
children will learn how to treat others by
how we treat them. Now my
granddaughter is doing much, much
better in Kindergarten and is learning to
respect and not hit.
“Parents share stories and tips that go
beyond the library of parenting books that
each family undoubtedly has, which has
been hugely educational and therapeutic,
particularly as a first-time father”
AMINA’S STORY
“Our family was going through a very
difficult period in our lives, as one of our
2649
individual families served
sons suddenly and rapidly lost all his
skills after a serious illness during a trip
abroad. While a team of doctors at Sick
Kids were investigating the cause we were
helpless and emotionally devastated. I
24
different programs and
services
didn’t have to share this heartbreaking
situation with CMCP staff, but I did
because I knew they genuinely cared. As I
tearfully told Corina I wasn’t sure how she
could help us, but I knew she would help
us”
14
746
individuals referred to
other community services
“CMCP was the first place I
took my baby to meet the
outside world. It is a warm,
safe place that allows
children to grow and be
nurtured.”
“Spending my time at CMCP
has opened my eyes to the
difficulties associated with
raising children, especially for
parents who have few friends
and family in the city and need
some help.”
15
Thank you to all supporters
CMCP APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF OUR FUNDERS AND DONORS
IN 2015
GOVERNMENT
OTHERS
Ministry of Education, Early Learning and Child Care
Implementation Branch
United Way Toronto & York Region, Member Agency
City of Toronto, Children’s Services
Ontario Trillium Foundation CCF grant
City of Toronto Employment and Social Services,
Investing in Neighbourhoods Initiative
Human Resources and Skills, Development, Canada
Summer Jobs
United Way of Greater Toronto, Success By Six Grants
OEYC PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS
Davenport-Perth OEYC
Parkdale-High Park OEYC
FAMILY PATRONS
($5,000 - $24,999)
FAMILY ASSOCIATES
($250 - $999)
FAMILY FRIENDS
($100 - $249)
Canadian Scholarship Trust
Foundation
Bob Pritchard
Andrew Orkin
Brian Blumenthal
Angela Ottolino
Carla Weinstein
Angie Patterson
Catherine Fowler
Boguslawa Trojan
Cathie Percival
Caroline King
Cornerstone Insurance Brokers
Cathie Rao
De Beers Canada Inc
Chen Yang
Emily Robb
Christine Brown
Europa Catering
Claude Bedard
Franca Gucciardi
Daniel Parkinson
Isabel Perez-Doherty
David Grafstein
Jay Bhutani
Dayle Furlong
Joe Colabella
Debra Orrell
Juexiao Zheng
Fatima Lima
Karen Schucher
Fiona Chapman
Kristina Hayes
Gregory Dowdall
Leverage IT Corp
Ilana Bereskin
Leyla Lavenir
Joshua Skye Engel
LiUNA Local 183
Karen Craine
Marion Lane
Leslie & Roberta Robb
OOZAKAZOO
Libby Thevarkunnel
Patricia Liu Dentistry
Professional Corporation
Margo Duncan
Patrick Madden
Natelina Furfuro
FAMILY SPONSORS
($1,000 - $ 4,999)
Angela Bhutani
Bruder Springstead
Burgundy Asset Management
CHUM Charitable Foundation
Dave Scott
LiUNA Local 183
Selena Valela
Voy Stelmaszynski
RBC Royal Bank
Rosette Sund
Structure Corp
Sylvia Fernandez
Tessa Ohlendorf
Thao Kemp
Ting Chen
Michelle Miller Stafford
Noah Aiken-Klar
Pamela Foy
Patricia Grenier
Patti Kirk
Paula Knopf
Pina Wittershim
Sarah Joyce
Sarah Jane O'Shea
Sukhjit Dhillon
Suzanne Langlois
Theresa Cooke
16
10
IN KIND SUPPORTERS
Eric Martin, Atelier Pool
Melanie Robitaille
Abbas Khambati
Europa Catering Ltd
Melissa Daniels
Albino Silva, Chiado Fine Dining
Fish Bar
Alicia Sukra, Wonder Speak
Fort-Kids
Melissa Wessel, More Kandy to
Wear
Alicia Whyte
Hayley Carr
Amsterdam Brewery
Hugh Dancy
Angela Bhutani
Isabel Perez-Doherty
Angela Ottolino
Jaclyn Verhoef, Tatoo People
Asia Food Center
Jill Rochon
Augie's Ice Pops
Joanne Goldsmith
Portia Wade, Service Inspired
Restaurants
Barry Alper
Julia Henderson
Rebecca Wood
Becky Gerson, Roxton
Restaurant
Juvy Dizon, Quality Suites
Rekindle Kitchenware
Bob Pritchard
Karey Emmett, Branch Yoga and
Wellness Fly Studio Inc
Rosa Lai
Bogusia Trojan
Kathryn Ottolino-Perry
Brazil Bakery
Katie Nicholson
Brian Blumenthal
Keri O'Meara, Muse Movement
Caldence Bakery
Kira Varvanina, Miloshka
Canadian Stage Company
Kirstienne Lim
Christine Olsen, Reid’s Sweet
and Savoury
La Cubana
City Dance Corp
Coffee Public
Dan Wood
Dayle Furlong
Dieter Groening, Groening
Woodwork
Laura Kennedy
Leslie Swan
Leyla Hoosain
Lillian Mckinnon
Louise Kool & Galt
Love Me Do
Doce Minho Bakery
Macedo Winery
Dufflet Pastries
Mani Pedi
Duke of Kent Pub
Mark Bertrand, TC Electronics
Durriya Khambati
Markwell Ottolino-Perry
Emilia Rodrigues
Mary White, Vero Trattoria
Restaurant
Emily Robb
Moretti
Nagy Iskander
Nicole Mclellan
Patricia Liu
Paula Annibale
Samantha Chin
Starbucks
Tania Szwez
Thao Kemp
The Philadelphia Group
The Printing House
Timmie Doggie Outfitters
Tiomi Gao
Tiuu Remmel
Tom Mosher
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Urban Wellness
Voy Stelmaszynski
Wendy Cole, Music Together
West End Food Co-op
Westview Golf Club
Will Hutcheson
Zayna Khayat
Community Partners
Abrigo Centre
Lambton Park Community School
Alexandra Park Community Centre
Literacy For Life
Cecil Community Centre
Macaulay Child Development Centre
Centennial Infant and Child Centre
Mary McCormick Recreation Centre
Child Development Institute
Parkdale-High Park Ontario Early
Years Centre
Community Living Toronto
Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood
and Community Centre
Rainbow Songs Foundation
St. Alban’s Boys & Girls Club
Geneva Centre For Autism
St. Luke Catholic School
Givins/Shaw Junior Public School
Scadding Court Community Centre
Harbourfront Community Centre
Sketch
Holland Bloorview Kids
Rehabilitation Hospital
Surrey Place
The Cross-Cultural Community
Services Association
The Four Villages Community Health
Centre
Toronto Community Housing
Corporation
Toronto Preschool Speech and
Language Services
Toronto Public Health
Toronto Public Library
TCDSB
TDSB
Yorktown Family Services
Warren Park Junior Public School
West Neighbourhood House
17
Our Sites
Trinity-Spadina Ontario Early Years
Centre: Main Site
Purchase of Service Sites
Alexandra Park Community Centre
Artscape Youngplace
105 Grange Court
180 Shaw St, Lower Level 2
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2J6
Toronto, Ontario M6J 2W5
(416) 603-9603
(416) 532-9485
www.alexandraparkcommunitycentre.com
www.cmcp.ca
Cecil Community Centre
58 Cecil Street
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1N6
Program Sites
St. Helen’s Children’s Place
Mary McCormick Recreation Centre
66 Sheridan Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M6K 2G9
(416) 533-2829
Gooch Family Resource Program
3735 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6S 2T6
(416) 358-0031
Lambton Park Community School
50 Bernice Crescent
Toronto, Ontario M6N 1W9
(416) 358-0031
(416) 392-1090
www.cecilcommunitycentre.ca
Harbourfront Community Centre
627 Queen’s Quay West
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3G3
(416) 392-1509
www.harbourfrontcc.ca
Scadding Court Community Centre
707 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2W6
(416) 392-0335
www.scaddingcourt.org
St. Alban’s Boys’ and Girls’ Club
843 Palmerston Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M6G 2R8
(416) 534-8461
www.stalbansclub.ca
The Cross-Cultural Community Services
Association
310 Spadina Avenue, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2E8
(416) 977-4026
www.tccsa.on.ca
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Support Us!
JOIN OUR MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM
Visit CMCP.ca and click ▶
$50
pays for a family to attend the
drop in program for a full year.
$25
pays for a family to attend a 6-8
week workshop series.
$10
pays for 6 hours of occasional
childcare/parent relief services.
/month
/month
/month
Your Donations make a Difference!
19
Contact Us
COLLEGE-MONTROSE CHILDREN’S PLACE
CMCP Administrative Office
Artscape Youngplace
180 Shaw St, Lower Level 2
Toronto, Ontario M6J 2W5
(416) 532-9485
Visit us at www.cmcp.ca
Let’s Connect!
College-Montrose Children’s Place
CMCP_Toronto
[email protected]