WSN Annual Report

Well here we are again reviewing another year!

I cannot believe how quickly time passes, but more

than that, I am amazed at the continuous level of

innovation and service delivery that take place at the

Women’s Support Network. The Board heartily thanks

Michelle, our Executive Director, for her work over the

past year. She continues to demonstrate a level of

enthusiasm, dedication and leadership that propels the

agency into new frontiers and new ways of

approaching the social ills that our agency seeks to

address. In addition, WSN is blessed with amazing &

dedicated staff who ensure that our agency provides

exceptional and quality service to the women and girls

seeking assistance after experiencing rape or sexual

assault, or who are victims of human trafficking. As

well, many others assist us in our work as volunteers

on the Crisis Line & in a variety of other capacities,

including as Board members. On behalf of the Board

of Directors, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for

all that our staff, student interns and volunteers do.

The Board of Directors has experienced some

changes again this year. Three Board members have

left us: Alicia Lauwerier left us in February 2016. Pina

Castelluzzo left the Board in May 2015 after having

served as Secretary to the board for over a year.

Alison Lam resigned in May 2016, after having served

as Treasurer to the Board for over a year. I would like

to thank them for their enormous dedication to WSN.

Their skills and talents are sorely missed. Four Board

members will continue on in the coming year—Natasha

Sewrattan serves as the Vice Chair of the Board and

Chair of the Policy & Strategic Planning Committee;

Kelly Collins is chairing the Human Resources

Committee; Hanna Jakimczuk-Druzba is a member of

the Finance, Fundraising and Human Resources

Committees; and Sheri Taylor is a member of the

Fundraising and Human Resources Committees. I am

very grateful for the time, effort and dedication these

women have given to WSN over the past year and look

forward to working with them in the year ahead. And

we welcomed two new members to our Board of

2016 [Fiscal Year 2015-2016]

Directors—Kathryn McNea, who operates her own

management and administration consulting business,

has joined us and immediately took on the role of

Secretary to the Board and Chair of the Fundraising and

Communications Committees. Suzanne Byrnes, who is a

member of the York Regional Police (Sexual Assault

Unit), will participate on the Policy & Strategic Planning

and Human Resources Committees. Both women bring

to the Board a wealth of experience and practical

knowledge that will be of enormous benefit. The Board,

staff and volunteers of WSN couldn’t do all that it does

without the support we receive from our funders. We

are very grateful to the Ministry of the Attorney General

for their ongoing funding of our core sexual violence

services—this is the mainstay of our agency and the

reason why we exist. Their steadfast support and belief

in the quality service that we provide since our agency’s

opening in 1992 is very much appreciated. This year we

also received a boost to our core budget through the

provincial governments “It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan

to Stop Sexual Violence & Harassment”. I am extremely

proud to acknowledge that the agency has recently been

honoured by the award of a $612,400 grant, over three

years, from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to

continue to develop and grow our ground-breaking

services in the area of anti-human trafficking for

purposes of sexual exploitation. Our agency has also

been fortunate enough to attract funding from the

Status of Women Canada, the Canadian Women’s

Foundation, the Department of Justice and Canada Jobs.

We thank these funders for their support.

Without question, the Board, staff and

volunteers of WSN are extremely proud of the

contribution that we are and have been making since

1992 to the effort to eradicate sexual violence in all its

many forms in our society. As the Chair of the Board of

Directors, I can’t tell you how proud I am to be part of

this effort and to work with all those who are part of

The Women’s Support Network of York Region.

Sincerely, Barbara

Report from the Board of Director’s Chair

Report from the

Executive Director

Michelle Smith

We wouldn’t be here if it was not for the amazing dedication and support of our volunteers. WSN would like to recognize and thank all of the women

who continue to shoe their compassion and commitment to WSN.

Each volunteer plays a big role in supporting women who have

experienced sexual violence. The Board of Directors use their expertise and their knowledge to support and advise on the services we provide.

Our volunteers help to plan and participate in pub l i c educat i on events and ensuring full coverage of WSN’s

24/7 crisis line.

A heartfelt thank you

to all of our volunteers who have given so much of themselves and expect little in return.

I am always amazed at the shear amount of service provision and programming that happens in a year at Women’s Support Network

(WSN). This year was no exception. I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the team and highlight each and every one of their unique gifts they bring to every woman and young girl that walks through our door. I am humbled to

work alongside these woman on a daily basis. This year we continued to work on

our Strategic Directions around

diversified funding; exceptional

programs and services; leadership

around sexual violence and ensuring

a healthy environment.

WSN continues to be a leader in York

Region providing services across the

Sexual Violence spectrum. From

individual counselling, innovative

groups, crisis intervention and public

education we have provided support

to over 5000 woman and girls this

past year.

WSN has taken a leadership role in

addressing women and girls affected

by or at risk of human trafficking for

purposes of commercial sexual

exploitation in York Region, by

providing 24-hour crisis telephone

support, outreach & direct services

to trafficked women & girls; creating

working partnerships with local

women & girls who have experienced

trafficking; establishing working

community-based, cross-sectoral

partnerships; providing training to

front line social service workers on

recognition & working with trafficked

women and girls; & coordinating a

regional steering group to address

this issue. I am extremely proud to

acknowledge that the agency has

recently been honoured by the

award of a $612,400 grant, over

three years from the Ontario Trillium

Foundation (OTF) to continue the

work already initiated to

assist women in York Region who have

been trafficked and to address the root

causes of sexual human trafficking.

Our accomplishments would not have

been possible without the financial

support from WSN’s core funder,

Ontario Victim Services Secretariat-

Ministry of the Attorney General as well

as donors and other funders: Canadian

Women’s Foundation; the Department

of Justice Canada and Canada Summer

Jobs. We are very grateful for their

commitment to the eradication of

sexual violence in our communities.

As a sector we experienced a great

deal of media coverage over the past

year focused on sexual violence, which

only highlighted and increased the

extreme need for service in our region.

As we look ahead we will continue to

do so with the understanding that our

services are unique, client centred and

respectful of every woman who walks

through our door.

I look forward to being part of the

continued great work our team

provides daily at our offices.

Sincerely Michelle

Michelle Smith Executive Director Ashley Dunn Program Manager Judy Konaka Finance & Administration Nadia Abou-Seda Maureen Prince Counsellors Janelle Anderson Media Specialist

Karen Dean Anti-Human Trafficking Case Manager Nikki Dube Anti-Human Trafficking Crisis Intervention & Outreach Worker Heather Mort Bookkeeper

Sunaina Mannan Public Education & Outreach Worker Kerrie Kortis Clinical Consultant Ariel Gersman Outreach Worker Marilu Klein Student Chester

ANTI-HUMAN

TRAFFICKING

THE DIANE

HAMILTON

AWARD

This award is given

to the volunteer who

has gone above and

beyond expectations

for all volunteers.

She has proven to be

a leader who radiates

positivity and her

passion for making a

difference. Her

commitment and

ongoing support for

WSN has set her

apart. This year we

proudly recognize:

Andrea Gooding

*************************

The Terri-Lee

Strength And

Courage Award

This program award

is given to the client

or clients who have

overcome barriers

and worked hard to

achieve their own

healing.

Emily W.

*********************

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

Take Back the Night– 250

attendees

Over 75 presentations and

events to over 1780

community members

Girl Groups for at risk young

women

135 hours advocating for

survivors

199 women served in the

counselling program

35 women provided with

case management support

in the Anti-Human

Trafficking Program

COUNSELLING

WSN’s counselling team saw

an increase in referrals for

young women looking for

support. WSN continued to

provide support in the satellite

locations in Keswick and

Richmond Hill, in attempts to

reduce barriers for women

requesting service. This year

we provided an Art Group as

well as a Resiliency Group

for survivors.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

WSN took a lead role in York

Region providing education

to the community on sexual

violence. Presentation topics

included: consent & sexual

healthy relationship & sexual

exploitation.

We would like thank Sunaina

Mannan for her continued

hard work and dedication to

raising awareness of sexual

violence. We wish her the

best of luck with her future

endeavors!

WSN completed the Status

of Women funded project

this year which provided us

with a strong foundation to

address human trafficking

for sexual exploitation in

York Region.

This year our referrals from

partner agencies for case

management continued to

increase. We are excited

for the coming year as our

Anti-Human Trafficking

Program has expanded to

include a new crisis

intervention worker and full

time outreach/education

worker.

the in the fall of after from her

as for the York Region

has on of for

since 1985. in a of

for Ministry of

in a of field. a

Master’s in Work. as to

on of in 2011.

the in the fall of and

of the Board. Natasha a in &

with a on and and with her

sector.

Kathryn McNea, Board Secretary, Communications Committee Chair,

Fundraising Committee Chair, joined the board in November 2015. Kathryn is a well

seasoned Senior Executive Administrator and internal/external Communications

Specialist with extensive Board of Directors, Senior Management, Communications

and Public Relations experience developed through 25 years of career opportunities

within corporate, not-for-profit and private enterprise environments. She is provides

consultation services through her company Virtual Workflow Solutions.

Kelly Collins, has worked in the Legal, Land Development Telecommunications

industry, along with managing Facilities and Operations for 25+ years as a Law

Clerk and various other Management positions, came on board in October 2014 and

already she has used her knowledge and skills to benefit WSN. Kelly is active in her

community to support other charitable organizations. She is actively a Sr. Manager

in one of Canada’s largest wireless telecommunications companies.

Hanna Jakimczuk-Druzaba, joined the board of directors in November 2014.

Hanna holds a Master's Degree in Pedagogy from University of Warmia and Mazury in

Poland. A former college teacher in Poland, emigrated to Canada in 1995. Currently

works at Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region. She has a diploma in Addiction

Studies from U of T. Hanna has a background in women's shelter work and brings a

passion for violence against women services to the Board.

Sheri Taylor is a Community Consultation Worker for the Chippewa's of Georgina

Island First Nation, as well as being a member of the Chippewa's of Georgina Island

First Nation. She joined the board in November 2014.

Suzanne Byrnes joined the board in November 2015. In 1987 Suzanne started

her policing career in Toronto and is a current member of the York Regional Police.

Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University, a Human Resources

Management Certificate from Seneca College and her Police Leadership Certificate

from Dalhousie University. Suzanne is currently enrolled in the MBA program at

Athabasca University. In 2003, Suzanne was appointed Secretary on the Ontario

Women in Law Enforcement Board of Directors, then Treasurer and Vice-president.

She remains as a member of the Board of Trustee. Suzanne currently holds the position of Region 11 Coordinator and member of the finance committee for the

International Association of Women police. She is also a member of the Women in

Leadership Internal Support Network and Co-Chairs the WIL Special Event’s

Committee.

Our Board of Directors 2015-2016

Funding for this program is provided

by the Government of Ontario. The

views expressed in the program are

the views of WSN and do not

necessarily reflect those of the

province.

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