Home Horizon & Barbara Weider House Host Annual General Meeting - 2020
MISSION STATEMENT Home Horizon transforms the lives of youth at risk of homelessness by providing them (with) the opportunity to rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential.
Home Horizon has a volunteer Board of Directors responsible for the safeguarding of Home Horizon’s mission by overseeing its operations and strategic directions.
Members are listed below:
• Garth Martin, Chair
• Gail Michalenko, Vice Chair • Margaret Adolphe, Treasurer • Joan Schatz, Fundraising Chair • Kathy Benson, Secretary
• Karyn Baker
• Kathy Jeffery
• Deb Keep
• John Trude
“It has been a privilege being on the Board of Home Horizon and to see first hand the incredible impact the organization is having on those experiencing
homelessness.”
CHAIR REPORT
The past year has been a very productive year but also an eventful one.
Our financial statements show that we have had a strong year financially, continuing the trend of the past two years. We ended the year with a small surplus, strengthened our reserves and established ourselves on a firm financial footing. Our fundraising team has been truly amazing as has been the generosity of the communities we serve.
As we enter the second year of our strategic plan, we have added new components to our Barbara Weider House program to strengthen its quality and impact. We have also initiated badly needed prevention services. Surveys of youth homelessness, and the ongoing length of the waitlist for BWH unequivocally attests to the necessity of expanded prevention initiatives if we are to end youth homelessness. At Home Horizon we are committed to expanding our capacity to provide supportive housing for youth and our efforts to prevent homelessness.
As the fiscal year came to a close we faced the incredible challenge of Covid-19 and the resignation of our Executive Director. Fortunately, one of our Board members, Karyn Baker, was able to step in as Interim Ed and lead the response that has kept our residents safe as well as continuing to grow programming. We are very pleased to have recruited an experienced ED in Steven Pelletier who started work this week.
The challenges ahead to end youth homelessness are daunting. Increases in unemployment and domestic violence associated with Covid-19 have made a bad situation worse. We have our work to do! But, we are up to the challenge.
As I end my term as Chair, I would like to say a special thank you to the members of the Board. It has been a privilege to work with such a dedicated, talented and collaborative group of Directors. I am confident that with Karyn Baker as Chair and Steven Pelletier as ED that Home Horizon is very strong going forward and better positioned than ever to ending youth homelessness.
Respectfully,
Garth Martin, Chair, Home Horizon
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
This past year witnessed a change in focus for Home Horizon. We achieved our initial goal of providing a safe, sanctuary for 7 youth at the Barbara Weider Home and now it was time to expand our horizon and offer more services to at-risk youth residing precariously in the community. Our service expansion was due to generous funders and donors, staff flexibility and creativity, and our dedicated partners.
Our Family Reconciliation Program began in earnest this year and we were able to provide 232 hours of counselling hours to families who want to resolve conflict with their young relative. This type of support has shown that with timely intervention most families can reconcile preventing youth homelessness. We are grateful to the Town of Collingwood for providing funds for this worthy initiative.
Home Horizon in partnership with Elephant Thoughts, Collingwood Youth Centre and the Environment Network received a Be the Boss Seed Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to teach youth in our community about social entrepreneurship. Home Horizon has been able to connect social entrepreneurs in our community with youth to inspire and educate them about the skills and knowledge to start and run their own businesses.
“These workshops always teach me something that I didn’t know, it really makes me want to be my own boss someday.” Home Horizon Resident
Our main program focus continues to be our Life Skills Program as it teaches youth the skills required for an independent, fulfilled life.
This year ended with a number of significant transitions and challenges. We said good-bye to our former Executive Director, Dwayne O’Connor with gratitude for all his passion and dedication to the organization. Unfortunately, we also had to deal immediately with the COVID pandemic to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and staff. I am extremely thankful for the commitment of our Board; the grace of our staff and the patience and resiliency of our clients to come together to keep a safe, communal space for all. It was not always easy as we had to ask 6 young people to stay at the Home for many weeks. The residents and staff were touched by all the thoughtful donations which did help us get through the extremely unsettling early days of the pandemic.
The COVID relief funding that came from all levels of government as well as the United Way of Simcoe Muskoka has enabled us to support our essential workers, provide the necessary programming for our clients as well as to outreach to youth who are in very complex situations due to COVID. Our response to COVID will continue to be informed by Public Health, government guidelines and the need of our clients and community.
I would like to say a special thank you to the staff. It was not easy taking on an interim Executive Director at the same time as learning how to manage a pandemic. You are true heroes and angels. Gretel, our housing manager is exceptional at keeping us calm and inspired.
I would also like to thank the Board for trusting me to take on this challenge for a few months. You are a very skilled and thoughtful group of volunteers. The Fundraising Manager, the Fundraising Committee and their volunteers are the engine of Home Horizon, if it were not for them, we would not be here – so thank you very much.
In closing, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and thanks to Garth Martin who has been the Chair of our Board for many years. Garth is extremely hard working, passionate, articulate, wise and an absolute joy to work with!
Sincerely,
Karyn Baker
Interim Executive Director, Home Horizon
WHAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE SAYING… Feeling happy because I felt alone for so long and now have friends to talk too. Have the opportunity to locate jobs, housing, doctors. Struggling with addiction and grief of loss and not feeling lost anymore. Like anything is possible here. Being honest and not being judged but corrective actions to help your thoughts. To have a roof over my head. Being able to shower whenever I like. Having support workers around that want to help me move forward in life. Feeling needed. Peaceful. Feeling relieved having a second chance. Being supportive of one another. Second chance. Warm and support. Sense of belonging.FUNDRAISING REPORT
We had an exceptionally successful fundraising year, raising over $360,000 in gross revenue. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, sponsors and event participants. We are exceptionally fortunate to live in such a generous community and thanks to this support, Home Horizon is literally helping to transform the lives of youth facing homelessness. A sincere thank you to each and every one of you without whom we could not run our programming.
*Includes: Ontario Trillium Foundation collaborative Grant with Elephant Thoughts, Collingwood Youth Centre and Investment Income.
Capital Campaign
At the end of our fiscal year we had a mortgage payable of $290,168 on 53 Campbell Street. Despite the majority of the fundraising efforts last year being focused on operations, we were able to pay down $40,000 of our mortgage from capital donations and rent paid by the residents. We would not be where we are today without the Barbara Weider House and we are exceptionally grateful to all those who have donated to the funding of this very important asset in our community. Thank you!
Community Support
We are so grateful to all of our donors, sponsors, partners and volunteers for helping us raise these dollars to assist in funding our programs and services. Thank you to all our donors, we are incredibly grateful for the support. An enourmous thank you as well to our event committees, chairs and volunteers who support us in making our three signature events (Coldest Night of the Year; Bowls for Beds and the Spirit of Collingwood tour) such an incredible success! This past year we added an additional event – Art with Heart Collingwood, which was a collaborative fundraiser with the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts. It was a great event and we are extremely thankful to all the local artists who donated to this event.
I would like to thank the staff and the Board of Home Horizon who are always more than willing to be involved in the various fundraising events and initiatives. We could not do it without them! A special thank you to Deb Piggott our Fund Development Manager for her tireless efforts and incredible dedication to our fundraising and our youth!
Looking Forward
This year is proving to be much more of a challenge than anticipated given the devastating effects of Covid-19. We are having to think creatively about our events given the large number of people involved. Thanks to this community, our dedicated volunteers and the amazing school children who painted bowls, our virtual Bowls for Beds event was very successful. We are in the process of kicking off the Spirit of Collingwood – Save the Date for October 31st and look for upcoming information in our newsletter and on social media!!
Lastly, we are always looking for new committee members and fundraising volunteers – if you or someone you know are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please contact Home Horizon’s office at 705-445-5478.
Thank you again for an amazing year!
Warmest Gratitude,
Joan Schatz
Fundraising Chair, Home Horizon
WHAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE SAYING… To me living at Home Horizon means being able to access support and housing. It is to have a safe home and environment. Feeling like I have a home. I feel loved and supported. Feels like a family. Knowing I am safe. Sense of belonging. Know I have help when I need it.
REMARKABLE RESULTS
• 41 Residence housed at the Barbara Weider House • 566 One-On-One Life Coaching sessions delivered, this year • 18 Youth have been reunited with their family • 7 Youth have graduated from the Barbara Weider House and moved on to permanent housing, this year • 37 non-resident Youth received counseling • 32 non-resident Youth have been helped with food security • 3 Youth recently graduated from High School • 7,568 Hours of Essential Life Skills delivered to the residents • 1,095 Meals have been served to the residents Many more are waiting for our help… We currently have more than 27 youth from the local community waiting for permanent housing... With your help we can reach more youth in need.
Consideration a donation today. We thank you!!EXECUTIVE SUMMARY STRATEGIC PLAN
Introduction
The following report details the strategic priorities and action plans for Home Horizon Georgian Triangle Residential Services Inc. This Strategic Plan will guide the development and operations of Home Horizon over the next 3 years, 2019-2022.
Strategic Directions and Priorities
Four major domains of activity were identified as Strategic Directions for Home Horizon based on analysis of organizational and environmental factors impacting the organization.
Within these 4 Strategic Directions 11 Strategic Priorities were identified. The Strategic Direction and related Strategic Priorities are illustrated in the diagram below.
A detailed Implementation Plan describes the strategies and action steps for a total of 32 individual Initiatives to be addressed within the framework of the identified Strategic Priorities.
Introduction
The following report details the strategic priorities and action plans for Home Horizon Georgian Triangle Residential Services Inc. This Strategic Plan will guide the development and operations of Home Horizon for the period of 2019-2022.
This report describes the results of an 18-month strategic planning process, which was extended well beyond its original intent due to some major intervening events: notably a change in mandate necessitated by funding and system development changes, and a change in leadership of the organization. Participation involved the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and community stakeholders. Doriano Calvano, representing the County of Simcoe, participated as a consultant in the strategic planning sessions, which were professionally facilitated by Harry Cogill.
Strategic Directions and Priorities
Four major domains of activity were identified as Strategic Directions for Home Horizon based on analysis of organizational and environmental factors impacting the organization.
Within these 4 Strategic Directions ,11 Strategic Priorities were identified. These Strategic Directions and Priorities are illustrated in Figure 1.
Essential Life Skills Training
Our young residents have had many barriers to accessing education, employment and health. Many of them have childhood experiences of trauma; mental health and substance use issues and have not had the opportunity to learn the essential life skills to succeed in life. We are pleased to report that three of the young people were able to complete high school and one enrolled in College. We were able to provide bus passes for school and pay for school supplies. Employment skills were taught including resume writing and interview skills. Almost all of our residents had part-time jobs until COVID. Sessions on healthy nutrition and cooking were delivered. One of our clients who would only eat a grilled cheese sandwich once a day is now making smoothies for himself and other residents! The simple purchase of a blender changed the way the youth viewed vegetabes and fruit.
Life Coaching Sessions
A certified ICF Professional Life Coach assists clients make vital decisions and discover positive paths in life that will make them more fulfilled. They help clients develop key life skills, such as confidence, assertiveness, effective communication, leadership, goal-setting, stress management, time management, mental and physical wellness. Teen life coaching is extremely flexible. The curriculum is dictated by what they feel they need help with. A life coach has been trained to ask the types of questions that will determine where their client is struggling – and how they can help them move forward. Life coaching has been known to help young people decide the next steps they want to take after school is over and if they’re struggling at school, a coach can help them improve their focus, organization, time management, communication with teachers. A life coach is also qualified to help teens deal with issues in their personal life, by teaching them the skill set to deal with stress management, self-esteem, self-motivation and self-understanding.
Mental Health Awareness/Coping Skills
This program addresses the current mental health capacity of each resident and their understanding of their current situation or specific issues that they’re having to address. Each week for 2 hours the resident or outreach client will be taught coping mechanisms and techniques to deal with the areas of concern and emotional intelligence. With support from yoga teachers at Buddha Rider and mindfulness facilitator Lanee Brown, Home Horizon residents have been exposed to healthy ways of coping with stress. We also had ten wonderful workshops from “Paws With Love To Share”, which was amazing therapy for the residence.
Food Security
We provide two meals a day for 7 days/week for the youth who live in the house as well as some youth in the community who have food security issues.
Drug/Alcohol Abuse and Misuse
Various workshops are presented throughout the year with respect to drug use and misuse.
Music Therapy Expression
This program runs for 10 months and involves a 2 hour workshop once a week. This workshop involves using music to explore mental health and emotional expression using different forms of music and different instruments. The program also includes transportation to different musical venues to experience “open microphone nights”. A Georgian College instructor facilitates each session.
Art Sessions
Annhori Clifford, a recipient of the Reed-Cooper Bursary and The Robert G. Kemp Arts Awards was able to provide our residents with experiential art workshops including a mask project supported by the Blue Mountain Arts Foundation.
Be the Boss
Be the Boss is a seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help educate young people about social entrepreneurship. In partnership with Elephant Thoughts, Environment Network and the Collingwood Youth Centre, Home Horizon has run a series of workshops on various social entrepreneurship topics. We are grateful to local social entrepreneurs as well as the SGB Business Development Centre and Georgian-SENCO who shared their knowledge and passion with the youth. The participants have been inspired to start thinking about building their own social enterprise, a bicycle recycle business.
Your S.A.F.E.- Specialized Access For Everyone An Individualized Approach to Youth Homelessness. We are in the process of developing this program which will target both the visibly homeless (e.g. those living in shelters and on the streets) and also those who are couch-surfing, sleeping rough or living in unsafe situations with their families. The youth will participate in the program and learn coping skills and strategies, the families will better be able to deal with issues
that have estranged their teenaged children building together a stronger community. We work with youth facing complex and challenging barriers including poverty, mental health and addictions, sex trafficking, racism, homophobia, trauma and conflictual home lives.
Family/Youth Reconciliation
Our plan begins with the identification of a youth at risk of homelessness. We work with youth in the Barbara Weider House and in the broader community to help reconcile them with a family member. The focus is on addressing what led to them being at risk of homelessness. These situations range anywhere from drug and alcohol addiction to mental illness including some cases of autism. Most often, there are just disagreements between the youth, the caregivers, parents, guardians and even seniors within the household. More often than not, these disagreements are resolvable and we have found success in the majority of cases we’ve been involved with. Safety of the youth is our primary concern.
125 volunteers work at our various fundraising events
75 businesses support our fundraising events
950 donors contribute to our organization on an annual basis.
Youth – Female “I don’t know where I would be if I weren’t at Home Horizon,
probably selling drugs or a prostitute or dead instead of being in College”.
Youth – Male “No one gave me a chance, no one would listen to me and no one gave a
“crap” until I got here. I have a real chance of being a success now. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart”.