Annual Report 2010 - Resource Assistance for Youth

Resource
Assistance
for Youth
Annual Report 2010

Providing youth with what they need
On their terms
To better their lives
Thank-You to RaY’s Core and Program Funders

President’s Report
Once in a while you have to take a break and visit yourself.
~Audrey Giorgi
This past year has been a year of significant changes. We have been operational in our new building for over a
year now. The new facilities have meant a great deal to the youth that we serve. We are open longer hours, and
the Executive Director’s report indicates the new and varied ways we have developed to better serve the young
people who rely on RaY to find their voice, support, and advocacy in their determination to live a cleaner straighter
life.
It is the task of the Board to make sure that the resources are available to our staff to develop and implement the
strategies that are most effective, and make the most sense. The past five years have been years of change and
growth. We have grown in staff, budget, and programs. In this sense, we have been successful. The move to the
new building, which was built through the generous support of the corporate sector in our city, is the culmination of
that growth.
The next year will be a year of reflection and repositioning ourselves to move forward. We need, as a board, and
as an agency, to take time to examine how much growth we can sustain, and how much change we are willing to
undergo in order to make that growth possible. As a board, we have to ask ourselves two simple questions, “What
have we gained?” and “What have we lost?” as we developed and grew to this point. We then need to evaluate our
responses. What of that which we have lost is good to have lost, and what should we strive to retrieve? We also
need to explore what we have gained, and ask which are good gains, and which gains need to be replaced? In
short, we need to take some time and visit ourselves to make sure that we do not lose touch with our roots, that we
do not lose the edge that makes us effective.
At the same time, we need to continue to grow. A continuation of the capital campaign is in the final planning
stages. Like most agencies in the non-profit sector, we are continuously looking for ways in which we can secure
stable and sustainable funding for our programs. This continues to be the biggest challenge we face.
This has also been a year of changes in the RaY family. Lynn Thomson, our long time addictions worker died in
January, and Pam Belair, our bookkeeper died in December. Both of these deaths hit the whole RaY family quite
hard. The transition to being without them, and the period of grief has been difficult.
In one sense, I am very lucky. The management team and staff of RaY are a phenomenal group of caring, innovative
and dedicated staff. We as a board, for the most part, have to stay out of their way and watch things happen. I
am also indebted to one of the best boards in the non-profit sector that spans a number of different constituencies
from labour to board rooms and places in between. Their wisdom and support makes it easy to be the Board Chair.
I wish to publicly thank the board, staff, and youth for their efforts at making RaY what it is.
I wish to thank all those who support us morally and financially for making it possible.
Respectfully submitted,
R. David Lowe
President

Executive Director’s Report
It has been a little over a year now since we moved from our tiny 1,300 square foot site to our beautiful new 8,000 square foot
space, and I can safely report that we are utilizing every square inch of the new location. Once again, many thanks to all of our
capital sponsors. As planned, RaY has introduced new programs and services, extended the hours of operation, and created
opportunities for the external community to share our space through the use of the board room, drop in area, and multipurpose
room. 125 Sherbrook is always bustling with activity.
RaY now has a fully equipped medical clinic with a Nurse Practitioner, shower and laundry services, and a family room for participants
with children. Our kitchen is ably run by our first youth hire who has served up daily hot meals for an average of 30
youth per day. RaY has also hired a youth cleaner and a youth receptionist.
RaY’s ever growing employment program, Growing Opportunities, continues to be a successful program supporting youth in
their pursuit of meaningful and gainful employment. The program has become a focus of a Raising the Roof national study to
promote best practices for employment programs that are creating successes with this target population. Our agency was
recently presented a national award for innovation from Eva’s Phoenix for RaY’s REST program (RaY Emergency Shelter and
Transition). Currently, this program boasts four transitional suites gifted to RaY from the Province of Manitoba. Since December
2010, seven youth have been supported in this program and are currently housed. Without this program, these seven individuals
would very likely still be homeless or precariously housed.
RaY continues to provide services and programming out of both its sites (125 Sherbrook and 195 Young). At present, 195
Young hosts RaY’s Free Store where youth can pick up the household items and furniture they need to outfit their living situation.
Thanks to King’s Transfer RaY has an abundance of donations to keep the stock consistent without having to solicit for
donations. In addition, RaY’s fledgling art drop-in is building momentum housed at RaY’s original site at 195 Young Street.
Both staff and youth have participated in an abundance of research. Senior Management and staff embarked on many new
partnerships with the private sector and community work is always busy. We are happy to report that the corporate sector has
shown much interest in supporting our agency’s work. RaY is represented on many local, provincial and national boards. We
continue to advocate for youth both on the frontlines and within the board rooms.
RaY has consciously been honing our skills and competencies at every level within the agency. Our agency’s programs and
services continue to be in high demand. RaY’s collective expectation is to actually make an impact on the barrage of negative
issues that youth are facing, either through the direct services we provide, or through advocating for systemic change. RaY
knows all too well the difficulties and dangers that our youth are facing, and in fact two youth who are well known to RaY have
recently gone missing with no indication of their whereabouts. This is why we do the work we do. Period.
The staff at RaY are encouraged to continue knowing that many of our key supporters are young people themselves who have
implemented fundraisers and promotions to support and assist their fellow youth. I would like to acknowledge and thank:
• Fort Richmond Collegiate alumni for Run the 5ive;
• Asper School of Business students for 5 Days for the Homeless
• Youth in Philanthropy; and
• Gordon Bell Students for their 30 Hour Famine
It has been wonderful to work with these young people, and RaY admires their natural flare for social justice and youth activism!
These events, promotions, and fundraisers have become a large jewel in RaY’s crown.
This past year has primarily been about understanding what exactly it is we can achieve as an agency, and then thoughtfully
building our capacity to meet those needs and expectations. RaY has embarked on a strategic plan to move us forward into
the future. This plan will allow us to reach for the stars while keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground—or in RaY’s case
“the street”. Thank-you to RaY’s Board of Directors for their tireless commitment to this agency and the youth we serve.
And thank-you to all of you who continue to believe in our efforts. I look forward to seeing you in the ‘hood!
Kelly Holmes
Executive Director

Program Director’s Report
It has been one year since RaY moved its operations to 125 Sherbrook, and that year has been a flurry of activity
and excitement. Slowly over the course of the past year, RaY has evolved to adapt to the new site and the needs
of the youth who walk through the doors.
Functioning effectively out of the new site requires new strategies and structures that better reflect the opportunities
the space offers and the changing demographics. One of the things that we noticed immediately is that the drop-in
functions very differently in such a large space and that changes needed to be made to ensure that RaY was delivering
services in the most effective way possible. RaY hired a full-time drop-in worker, Cole Gagne, and part-time
evening drop-in workers to ensure that the drop-in was staffed in an effective way and that program staff were able
to concentrate on the important work they were doing without being distracted by the often chaotic environment in
the drop-in. Additionally, RaY superstar Erica Chatelain stepped into the Drop-in Manager position to take care of
the day-to-day concerns of the drop-in, working closely with Steve Wolfe, Basic Needs Coordinator who manages
the many emergency services offered. In effect, RaY has established the drop-in centre as an initial point of access
with the surrounding programs and departments completing the continuum of services offered at the agency.
Another exciting development is the hiring of three youth positions at RaY including the cook, receptionist, and
maintenance workers. RaY is thrilled to offer employment to these youth who have shown incredible initiative and
welcome them to our staff team.
For many years, Kerri Scott has headed up the Housing Department and performed diligently the tasks assigned to
him as program coordinator. He was, in effect, a one man department, doing everything in his power to improve the
housing situation for multiple young people. I am proud to say that that team of one has recently bloomed into a
housing team of four. First Kylee Tremblay joined the team as our Homeless Outreach Mentor, and more recently
Larysa Jorgenson, REST Case Manager and Scott McNicol, Life Skills Support Worker have rounded out the department.
We are very excited to offer a more complete version of the program we have dreamed about for years.
Recently, our brand new REST program (RaY Emergency Shelter and Transition) was awarded the Eva’s Initiatives
Award for Innovation, a prestigious national award that recognizes the innovative solutions to youth homelessness
through partnerships with both public and private landlords.
RaY is also very proud of the work being done in the Growing Opportunities program (aka Odd Jobs). This department
has also grown this year with a team of three dedicated staff (Adrien Sala, Brie Henderson, and John Finkbeiner)
working with youth who are looking to improve their skill set and remove the barriers to employment. RaY
hopes to continue this trend of evolution and strengthen the existing Mental Health and Addictions department to
best meet the needs of the youth who participate. Tim Laughlin, Mental Health Outreach Worker, and Samara
Prystenski, Addiction Support Worker are busy researching and developing programming based on best practices.
RaY’s continuum of services are rounded out by the Street Outreach team, the Health Clinic, the Urban Adventures
program, and the fledgling Art Drop-In. RaY hopes to continue strengthening the continuum in the years to come
and a recent strategic planning session has pinpointed four priority areas that will inform this measured growth.
Thank-you to Kelly Holmes and the Board of Directors for their ongoing leadership in this time of transition.
Jason Neufeld
Program Director

Housing
The Housing Department has produced some amazing successes throughout the 2010 year. We have found new
homes for several youth and assisted countless outside agencies with our services. RaY’s commitment to locate
safe, affordable housing has always been the focal point of the department, and we will continue with our mission to
keep youth housed for extended periods of time.
This past year we launched our interim housing program REST (RaY Emergency Shelter and Transition). Two furnished
units, with two more on the way, act as a temporary placement for homeless youth experiencing difficult
circumstances. While youth are part of the program, staff will work with each individual towards the ultimate goal;
long term stable tenancy. RaY recently received the Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innovation honoring the REST program.
I would like to welcome Larysa Jorgenson to the housing team as the new REST Case Manager. Larysa has been
with RaY for over four years juggling school while coordinating the Street Outreach team. Her recent Social Work
degree along with her wealth of knowledge will undoubtedly have an immediate impact. Additionally, Scott McNicol
joins the team filling out the housing lineup as Life Skills Support Worker. Scott will bring much needed energy and
intuitiveness to a growing demand for support services.
Over the next year, I will continue to advocate for the young people at RaY to help ensure that they have access to
safe, affordable housing options and an adequate standard of living.
Kerri Scott
Housing Coordinator
In July 2010, I moved into the position of Homeless Outreach Mentor. This initiative of the Province of Manitoba’s
“All Aboard: Poverty Reduction Strategy” aims to provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness or inadequate
living conditions through connections to supportive income, housing, health, and social services. Through
this role, I have worked closely with my fellow mentors at Main Street Project, Salvation Army, Spence Neighbourhood
Association, West Central Women’s Resource Centre, the RaY team, and of course, my partner in crime,
Kerri Scott.
Kylee Tremblay
Homeless Outreach Mentor

Drop-In/Basic Needs
It has been one year since RaY moved into the new site and as we adjust to the new space, there have been
changes along the way. Although our hours of operation continue to be Monday-Friday 9:00-5:30, we altered our
drop-in hours to Monday-Friday 1:00-3:00, Saturday 12:00-4:00 and have opened evenings 5:00-9:00 on Wednesday
and Thursday. It was important to extend our hours to fulfill the needs of our participants, and we have plans to
extend even further when we are able to do so. In order to meet this need, RaY hired one full-time drop-in worker,
a part-time evening drop-in worker, and we are fortunate to have a counselor who volunteers her services every
Wednesday evening. The remaining hours of operation are set up for one-on-one appointments and emergency
services. This one-on-one time is designed to maximize youth productivity, allowing each individual to set up short
and long term goals and to put in place various supports to help them achieve independence.
After the relocation, RaY has encountered a new demographic which involves increased mental health issues, primarily
FASD, and youth who have exited the child welfare system. As such, RaY looks to improve its ability to respond
effectively to this new demographic of RaY participants.
The dynamics of the drop-in are forever changing. The youth engage in activities such as Wii tournaments, movie
nights, arts and crafts, music jam sessions, baking, board/dice games and soon karaoke. One thing that remains
consistent is RaY’s lunch program which is prepared by our youth cook in the kitchen, serving approximately 30
youth per day.
Erica Chatelain
Drop-In Manger
In the past year since moving to our new site, the Basic Needs department now offers laundry machines and showers.
The clothing bank has been expanded, and now with the extra space, it has been separated into male and
female sections, as well as by size. RaY continues to run a food bank for youth 17 and under and provides toiletries
to anyone under the age of 29. The Basic Needs department is available Monday thru Friday 10:00 to 5:00 as
well as Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00.
Steve Wolfe
Basic Needs Coordinator

Growing Opportunities
The Growing Opportunities program has undergone some minor changes in focus over the last year, changes
which are reflective of a more individualized approach in assisting clients in reaching their full potential and an increased
focus on identifying those who can be transitioned from a position of reliance to independence. Other developments
of interest include collaborative work with the REST housing program, an increased number of successful
placements in community businesses resulting in gainful employment for our participants, as well as an increased
capacity to offer meaningful workshops in our expanded space.
Adrien Sala
Growing Opportunities Coordinator
Prevention
The RaY Prevention program has gone through some slight changes in the last year in order to reach our existing
participants more directly. Presentations in schools have focused more on our Life on the Streets program in order
to let our participants communicate the realities of street life to Manitoba students. Other additions include in-house
presentations that help youth improve job related skills as well as life skills, and building the youth speakers bureau
around the new art program.
John Finkbeiner
Prevention Coordinator
Art Program
RaY’s old site at 195 Young Street has been used as a home for our new art program. A planning committee of
youth mentors met over the course of 6 weeks with artist Leah Decter to explore art and institute a larger project to
work towards with all RaY participants. The youth mentors decided on establishing an art drop-in for our clients,
running every Tuesday afternoon, as well as a video project that will allow the original participants to tell their street
stories.
John Finkbeiner
Life Skills Support Worker

Street Outreach
During the past year, the Outreach team encountered 1,786 people on the streets of Winnipeg. We helped these
individuals get connected to EIA, referred them to shelters, food banks, detox and residential treatment centres, as
well as connected people with mental health resources and supports. We have built many relationships with our
clients and have been able to direct them to RaY to continue to help them with the issues they are facing.
Last year, Outreach took on another role as a moving company. We noticed a need for this service as many of the
times when participants were trying to move from unsafe housing, they had no way of moving their belongings due
to the lack of financial support. Outreach began offering the use of the RaY van and has since moved many people.
Also, with the newly established free store which runs out of the old RaY site, many clients have been able to
access free home furnishings such as beds, televisions, tables, and sofas thanks to generous private donations and
especially King’s Transfer. While RaY understands that this is an important service to offer, we would be able to do
so much more with a truck. We hope to acquire a moving vehicle in the coming year and are open to suggestions.
Larysa Jorgenson
Street Outreach Coordinator
Mental Health & Addiction
I was hired on as the Mental Health Outreach Worker for RaY almost a year ago. It is a challenging position as it is
difficult to engage the youth in talking about issues related to their mental health. The stigma related to mental illness
and the lack of resources for individuals looking for help are definitely a challenge that need to be overcome in
today’s society. Building rapport and relationships with the youth is the best part of this job, and it is when the youth
start to trust the staff that I think RaY can help them find the resources they need in an effective way. I am currently
working closely with Samara Prystenski, RaY’s Addiction Support Worker, to build an effective intervention strategy
to inform our youth about mental health and addiction, how these issues are related, and how to best support them
with what they need to know and how to access the services that are available to them.
Tim Laughlin
Mental Health Outreach Worker

RaY says goodbye to two very important members of the RaY family…
Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer
that the flower withers, but the seed remains. ~ Kahlil Gibran
Pam Belair
Our beloved Office Administrator passed away on December 20th, 2010. Pam was often affectionately
referred to as RaY’s “Bean Counter” because beans were basically all she was counting when
she came to work in 2005. Pam administratively saw the agency through a merger, rebranding, and a
capital campaign. Pam was the glue that held together records, information, facts, contacts, contracts,
policies, people, and procedures in a highly coordinated fashion that was easily accessible for
the team and most specifically RaY’s Board of Directors and senior managers. Pam was our minute
taker, funder liaison, and bill payer. She was a solid trustworthy individual with high moral character;
she was reliable and thorough and possessed an incredible work ethic. Through her untimely
death, we discovered exactly how much we all depended on her. Pam was a kind and gentle soul,
quick to smile with an easy laugh. Party Pam was our event planner and each year she ensured that
each staff had a birthday card and a piece of cake. She was an important person to RaY and a dear
friend to all of us. She continues to be missed. A plaque in RaY’s elevator will be mounted in her
memory.
Lynn Thomson
Lynn passed away on January 25th, 2011. Lynn had battled diabetes since her diagnosis at 12 years
of age. Lynn began her career with RaY as a volunteer and soon began working part-time, then fulltime,
back to part-time, and as her health declined, she volunteered at RaY when she could until the
end of her life. Lynn was RaY’s first addiction worker. During her career at RaY, Lynn’s no nonsense
approach to recovery along with her vast experience of living on the street coupled with a decade
of sobriety made her a credible support, a kin to all, and well known as the “Angel of the Street”.
Lynn was proclaimed by Winnipeg Women magazine as one of Winnipeg’s Most Beautiful Women
and garnered nationwide attention for her work at RaY. The youth she supported and mentored held
a vigil for her in the parking lot of RaY during –30 C weather as the church bells chimed in the distance.
A quilt made by the youth along with a plaque will be mounted in the multipurpose room at
RaY where Lynn conducted meetings for those suffering with addiction issues.

Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innovation
Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) has been selected as one of Canada’s most innovative organizations for
homeless youth by Eva’s Initiatives, an organization that works with homeless and at-risk youth aged 16 to 24 to get
them off the streets permanently.
The Eva’s Initiatives Awards for Innovation are sponsored by CIBC and given out annually to recognize outstanding
work with homeless youth. RaY was selected for its RaY Emergency Shelter and Transition (REST) program which
aims to provide homeless and at-risk youth with alternatives to the emergency shelter system while supporting their
transition to safe and affordable long-term housing. This includes building bridges between street-involved youth
and both public and private sector landlords.
“Two critical issues facing homeless youth are the need for prevention work and the lack of affordable housing opportunities
for youth in many cities,” comments Rachel Gray, Eva’s Director of National Initiatives. “The success of
innovative programs like REST is in creating effective and mutually benefitting partnerships between youth, and
public and private landlords that create long-term relationships and lasting social change.”
“Many small steps in the right direction have added up to a small triumph in making more housing available to those
who need it most,” said Kelly Holmes, Executive Director, RaY. “This success is an example of what can happen
when a number of sectors work together to get youth off the street and assist them in working towards a better life.
To receive this award is a great honor for RaY, and also a reminder of the importance of developing a comprehensive
national housing strategy aimed at meeting the needs of our marginalized youth.”
The Government of Manitoba is also involved in this project, and has committed 4 units within a Manitoba Housing
complex to provide youth with transitional housing. This housing offers an alternative to existing emergency shelters
for youth who are escaping abusive situations, have “aged out” of the child welfare system, are waiting for
treatment, and/or who require short-term supported accommodation before they commit to a long-term living arrangement.
“Congratulations to RaY! This national award recognizes what we in Manitoba already know; that RaY is a leader
in working with our most vulnerable citizens, and helping them reach their potential,” said Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister
of Housing and Community Development. “I’m particularly proud of RaY’s partnering work to both help youth integrate
into community, and, conversely, build a network of support around each youth. The old adage, ‘It takes a
community to raise a child,’ really hits home when we see how successful people can be when they have simple
access to a network of resources and support.”
Nationally, Eva’s Initiatives works to build innovative and long-term solutions to youth homelessness. The Eva’s
Initiative Innovation Awards program is in its sixth year of recognizing the work of organizations across Canada to
help homeless youth become self-sufficient. Since 2006, Eva’s Initiatives has honoured 18 organizations for their
work with homeless and at-risk youth. A six member panel, knowledgeable about services for homeless youth,
reviews all applications and selects three winners from among the many applicants with impressive and innovative
projects underway in communities across the country.

Financial Summary 2010
Other
5% Revenue 2010
Private Donations
15%
Charities and
Foundations
22%
Government
58%
Administration
6% Expenses 2010
Public Awareness
1%
Amortization
7%
Building/Technology
10%
Programs
76%

Financial Summary 2010
Revenue 2010
Government of Canada 229,151
Province of Manitoba 305,035
Charities and foundations 208,656
Donations 134,785
Amortization of deferred contributions 46,842
Interest income and other 923
Total Revenue 925,392
Expenses 2010
Advertising 2,624
Amortization 67,169
Auto 9,458
Insurance 11,760
Interest and bank charges 5,266
Maintenance and repairs 26,808
Meetings 1,530
Memberships and dues 1,050
Office 24,918
Professional fees 12,122
Program expenses 51,562
Property taxes 16,647
Public awareness 6,056
Rent and utilities 11,691
Telecommunications 14,717
Travel 6,615
Wages and benefits 652,375
Total Expenses 922,368
Excess revenue over expenses 3,024