WAYS and Jim Bob Ray’s Event Thank you Kim Miller and volunteers who helped plan and execute this successful event and an entertaining Friday night out. We do it for the kids!

Western Area Youth Services714 York StreetLondon, OntarioN5W 2S8

Phone: 519-432-2209Fax: 519-432-2442e-mail: ways@ways.on.cawww.ways.on.ca

Contact Us

Supporters $3,000+The Douglas Utting Foundation

Trinity Global Support Foundation – Show Kids You Care

$1,000 – $2,999London Life

McNamara & Pizzale

$500 – $999Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741 – ECCO Fund – LTC

Ernst & Young LLP

Manulife Financial

Marcus & Associates | Hoare . Dalton

Mary Heisz

RBC Foundation

St. James Westminster Anglican Church

Tom Sheidow

$50 – $4992218368 Ontario Inc

Ace Auto Parts

Anonymous – Former Resident

Anonymous Donation

Carter Refrigeration

City Hall Charity Chest

Crate Designs

David Mills

Don & Lezlie Wolfe

East Nissouri Union Church Mission Circle

F Marcella Grail, CA

Frank & Kathy Longo

Graham Scott Enns LLP – Chartered Accountants

Highstreet Asset Management

IODE Col Wm. Gartshore Chapter

Kim Miller

Larry Riggin, MGI Securities

Libro Credit Union

Lisa Greene, Sutton Realty

Mary Hatt

Mary Helen Lindsell

Mary McKim-Mackenzie

Mary Pellarin

Oxford Learning Centre

Robertson James Group

Sam Kotzer

Sharon Coll

St. James Westminster Anglican Church, ACW

theweddingring.ca

Wanda Noseworthy

Donated Goods and ServicesAbundantly Blessed Ministries

Anonymous

East Nissouri Union Church Mission Circle

First London Trefoil – Girl Guides of Canada – Retired Leaders

Harbourside Restaurant

Hutton House

Jane Berardini

Jockey, International Canada

Lawrence Kinlin School of Business – Fanshawe College

Linda Arsenault

London Central Lioness

London Hunt and Country Club

London Lawyers, Feed the Hungry Program

London Public Library

Martin Stambler

Mercer Canada Limited

Mercer Human Resources Consulting Limited

Metropolitan United Church – UCW, Unit 3

Norma Hutt

St. James Westminster Anglican Church

The Ivey Eye Institute

The Rotary Club of London

A Special Thanks to Our Donors April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013

WAYS INC. Charitable #89266 6934 RR0001WAYS Foundation Charitable #86954 6127 RR0001All donations over $10 receive a charitable receipt

We are grateful for your donations. Art supplies, recreational equipment, new towels or single sheet sets, personal hygiene products, knapsacks, school supplies, movie passes (for birthdays and special events), and music equipment are always in need. Cash donations are greatly appreciated and can be made online at www.ways.on.ca

Call for Donations

FASTFACT

FASTFACT 219 days is the average length of stay for youth in our

fee-for-service group homes

FASTFACT

FASTFACT

40 turkeys were donated by London Lawyers, Feed the Hungry program at Christmas time

285 youth have resided in our residential, transitional and youth justice homes during the year

www.ways.on.caOUR MISSION:Western Area Youth Services (WAYS) provides residential care, youth justice services, foster care and community services for at-risk children, youth and their families in Southwestern Ontario. We support individuals through advocacy, counselling and teaching to create a healthy, responsible, sustainable lifestyle and positive self-esteem.

Back then, I was angry for the life that I was born into. Life at home was a struggle. Both my father and mother had signifi cant health issues and we were poor.

I found it hard to make friends and became a target for bullies. In grade seven, I found a group of “friends” that I thought liked me. I started smoking, drinking and doing illegal drugs. I was screaming for attention. My parents didn’t understand my cry so they sought outside help. After working with Children’s Aid Society (CAS) for a year, they decided to move me into a residential group home at WAYS.

I felt so isolated and alone being away from my family who only wanted to see me on their terms. It wasn’t long before I ran away from the group home and started drinking and doing more drugs. I had charges against me and spent time in a holding cell.

Upon release, I was taken to Waterloo Street Residence, another residential group home at WAYS. I walked in the front door, looked around, and fi nally felt like I was home.

The staff were so welcoming and I felt an immediate connection with my primary worker! She always listened to me and truly understood my frustration and feelings towards my family. It felt like the best thing that had ever happened to me! Waterloo Street was my home for a full year.

Then, my parents separated. My father blamed me for causing all the problems at home and my parents decided to sign me over to the care of CAS. I was so hurt and angry. All I ever wanted was a “normal” life and a “normal” family but that wasn’t in the cards for me.

Although the staff at Waterloo tried to help me through the process, I struggled to understand. I became very depressed which eventually led to self-harm. My primary worker encouraged me to

participate in counselling and support groups. It helped to know that people really cared.

Sadly, my primary worker moved to another program. I was heartbroken. Although the staff did everything in their power to support me I ran away and the cycle started all over again.

It took me a long time, but luckily my life changed. I moved to another city with my boyfriend and we now have two beautiful children. WAYS never gave up on me. My primary worker still contacts me and recently I was awarded a WAYS scholarship to assist with my educational costs.

Someday I want to be somebody’s primary worker and make a positive impact on their life just like WAYS did for me. Studying to be a Child and Youth Worker at Fanshawe College is a dream come true. Thank you WAYS for supporting me through the years. You helped me grow into someone I am happy to be and now I have a life that I am proud of.

“All I ever wanted was a “normal” life and a “normal” family.”

“Thank you WAYS for supporting me through the years.”

Gave Up on MeGave Up on MeWAYS NEVER

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 3 • APRIL 1, 2012 - MARCH 31, 2013

Ten years ago, I could never have imagined that I would

be attending Fanshawe College studying to be a Child and

Youth Worker and raising two beautiful children.

WAYS offers programs in London-Middlesex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton

Quick Response ProgramNew!

In an effort to reduce the number of youth brought into care, due to parental-teen confl ict, Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex (CAS) has partnered with WAYS, Craigwood, Vanier and C-IT in the development of the Quick Response Program. A Crisis Worker accompanies a CAS worker to the family’s home and assists by: diffusing the situation; determining what supports are necessary to maintain the youth in the home; and accessing a brief “out of home respite” bed if required and available. An Intensive Family Support Worker may be involved to help develop a plan to build resiliency within the family.

APRIL 1, 2012 - MARCH 31, 2013

Our 3rd Joint Annual General Meeting was held on June 27, 2012. Five agencies came together to celebrate the individuals that we support. The grassroots program featured music and a gallery of art created by the children and youth across all fi ve agencies. WAYS youth shared their musical talents in front of an audience of 150 people. The expressions on the faces of our guests say it all!

The music program at WAYS continues to be a very positive outlet for our kids. The benefi ts are tremendous and are helping to cultivate many skills that will be useful throughout their lives.

Message from the President and Executive DirectorIn November 2012, it was announced that the Ontario child and youth mental health system will undergo the most signifi cant transformation in 40 years. The goals of the re-organization are to make the system easier for parents and youth to access and navigate; to ensure that a ‘core basket’ of services is consistently available throughout Ontario without gaps or duplication; and to increase accountability for effective use of government funding. WAYS is committed to this transformation as it supports our vision: to create a community where the obstacles facing children, youth and families are understood and

removed, allowing them to live happy and productive lives.

A new initiative through Ontario’s mental health and addictions strategy is to develop 18 “service collaboratives” in order to improve transitions at three key points: from children to adult services;

between the justice and health systems; and between hospitals and community services. London is part of the launch of the fi rst four collaboratives and WAYS is an active participant in this innovative and complex approach to coordinating programs and services.

WAYS is participating in a research project to understand the lives and experiences of families, youth and children who have been served by Children’s Aid Societies and children’s mental health services in Southwestern Ontario. The study will examine the challenges youth experience in adapting to community life following treatment in a children’s mental health facility.

We want to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to our board, staff, foster parents and community partners for their continued support, hard work and dedication. We also want to thank Heather Thomas from the Middlesex-London Health Unit for teaching nutrition and cooking skills to our youth in residential programs and Brian Nelles and the wonderful teachers at Britown Music, for their

commitment to our youth in the music program.

2012/2013 Board of Directors

Executive

Mary Heisz, President

John Pare, Vice President

Janet Johnson, Treasurer

Lou Almeida, Past President

Members

Linda Armstrong

Julie Birmingham

Ryan Done

Paul Hogendoorn

Brian Klassen

Karen McKay

Tim Silcox

Sarah Stachura

Management Staff

Brenda Hall, Executive Director

Outsourced Service, Director of Finance and Administration

Dallas Jaremchuk, Program Manager

Mike McQuiggan, Program Manager

Judi Parsons, Program Manager

Linda Shields, Program Manager

Expenditures by Type Expenditures by ProgramRevenues

41.0% – MCYS Operating Grants

52.0% – Fee for Service

1.6% – Other Government Grants

1.7% – Parental/Client Contributions

3.3% – Other Revenues

0.4% – Charitable Donations

16.9% – Justice Programs

50.2% – Group Care

10.2% – Central Administration

7.9% – Community Programs

13.1% – Foster Care

1.7% – Capital Amortization, Scholarships

12.4% – Client Related

70.9% – Salaries/Benefits

7.1% – Building Occupancy

1.6% – Capital Amortization

8.0% – Other Costs

41.0% – MCYS Operating Grants

52.0% – Fee for Service

1.6% – Other Government Grants

1.7% – Parental/Client Contributions

3.3% – Other Revenues

0.4% – Charitable Donations

16.9% – Justice Programs

50.2% – Group Care

10.2% – Central Administration

7.9% – Community Programs

13.1% – Foster Care

1.7% – Capital Amortization, Scholarships

12.4% – Client Related

70.9% – Salaries/Benefits

7.1% – Building Occupancy

1.6% – Capital Amortization

8.0% – Other Costs

41.0% – MCYS Operating Grants

52.0% – Fee for Service

1.6% – Other Government Grants

1.7% – Parental/Client Contributions

3.3% – Other Revenues

0.4% – Charitable Donations

16.9% – Justice Programs

50.2% – Group Care

10.2% – Central Administration

7.9% – Community Programs

13.1% – Foster Care

1.7% – Capital Amortization, Scholarships

12.4% – Client Related

70.9% – Salaries/Benefits

7.1% – Building Occupancy

1.6% – Capital Amortization

8.0% – Other Costs

Financial HighlightsAuditors

Graham Scott Enns LLPChartered Accountants

Audited Financial Statements available upon request

Because these kids need people like us to guide and teach them when sometimes, nobody else has.– Maria Adamou, Program Supervisor

Because nothing has more impact on your life than making a difference in someone else’s.– Charles Bailey, Residential Counsellor

Because every kid deserves a chance and someone to care for them.– Debbie Lipskie, Community Support Worker

Because I will never look down on someone unless I’m helping them up.– Bryan Fraser, Residential Counsellor

Because all children and youth need to feel they belong. – Rebecca Bauer, Foster Support Worker

Because helping a youth change their outlook or perspective on adults and/or their future gives me motivation and ambition to keep striving forward. – Shannon Clayton, Residential Counsellor

“ WAYS is committed to creating a community where the obstacles facing children, youth and families are understood and removed.”

“The Ontario child and youth mental health system will undergo the most signifi cant transformation in 40 years.”

FASTFACT

FASTFACT

At the end of March, WAYS employed 222 full time, part time and casual employees

WAYS services eight Children’s Aid Societies in Southwestern Ontario

Celebration

Why We Work at WAYS

Crisis Intake Team (C-IT) in

Operation for over 12 Years!

The C-IT program is a partnership between WAYS, Craigwood Youth Services,

and Vanier Children’s Services that started in the year 2000. C-IT provides immediate crisis intervention to youth up to the

age of 18 and families in London-Middlesex County, 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week. The service also provides intake services for

all non-residential programs.

12Crisis Intake 12Crisis Intake Team (C-IT) in 12Team (C-IT) in

Operation for over 12Operation for over 12 Years!1212 Years!

The C-IT program is a 12The C-IT program is a partnership between 12partnership between WAYS12WAYS

WAYS provides scholarships to youth in Residential and Community Youth Support Programs. The scholarship program supports our youth in their studies including:

• Graphic Design• Child & Youth Worker (2)• Early Childhood Education• Electrical Engineering Technology

• Fire Science Technology• Anthropology• Computer Systems Technology• Emergency Telecommunications

FASTFACT 15 youth took music lessons through

the music program at WAYS

FASTFACT 1,120 children and youth received

services from WAYS this year

A+

Mary Heisz, President

Brenda Hall, Executive Director

Thank you to London Life, Hardy Geddes Foundation and all of our youth scholarship supporters who recognize the value of a post-secondary school education.

I am clearing my schedule and cancelling my plans, because all I want to do is jam on the new drum kit.

“”– Quote from youth after receiving drum kit