Wood’s Homes

More documents

Recommendations

Info

k Top 10 Facts About Wood’s Homes! 1 Wood’s Homes works with approximately 20,000 vulnerable people every year from across Canada. We help infants, children, adolescents, young adults, their families and guardians. 2 We are located in Calgary, Lethbridge, Canmore, Strathmore, Fort McMurray and Fort Smith, N.W.T. 3 We were the first organization in Canada to provide no-charge, single-session, walk-in counselling services for individuals, couples and families (since 1995). 4 Demand for our services has increased 400% in the past decade. The annual operating budget in 1984 was $2.6 million. Today it stands at close to $27,124,501. 5 As a nationally recognized organization, we received exemplary standing when accredited by Accreditation Canada in 2011, and we were awarded with a Leading Practice for Outcomes-Based Service Delivery. 6 We provide mental health treatment services at one-third the cost of hospital-based programs. 7 We provide non-secure programs and adopted a No-Restraint Policy in 2003. This was to align with research that suggests restraints could have negative physical and emotional impact on young people. 8 We were named one of the Top 100 Best Workplaces in Canada in 2011 and 2012. 9 Our Research Department has been measuring program and treatment outcomes since 2001. We are committed to developing innovative methods for monitoring effectiveness. 10 We have two large campuses in Calgary: One in Parkdale (10 acres); the other in Bowness (41 acres). The latter includes a stand of Douglas Fir trees that were germinated in the late 1500s. Designated as a Provincial Historic Resource in 1990, the trees are in the eastern extreme of their habitat. 6 k 1939 Mother Wood dies November 4, after a number of years of poor health. Her successor is Mrs. Agnes Longair. 1943-1948 Mrs. Longair retires and is replaced by Mrs. J. Nicholson, Mrs. E. Hutchson and finally Mrs. L. Blackador. 1953 Mr. A. Bartle, the school superintendent for more than 25 years, dies. 1954 Mr. David Robertson retires after 26 years and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jeal joins the home as manager 1961 and matron. A social work department is established at 1956 Wood’s Homes. A new manager’s residence is built on the 1965 Bowness site. As part of the 50th anniversary project, three 1957 cottages are built on the site. By this time, about Mrs. Jeal resigns (succeeded by Mrs. Birch) and half of the children have come to the home Mr. Jeal becomes the new Superintendent. privately; the other half from city or provincial 1958 agencies. One cottage is built on the site, with the intent of 1969 holding 24 children and two staff members. This The home closes to re-evaluate its role in Child cottage (which today houses our Phoenix program) Welfare work and the 29 children who are left move is called the Robertson Cottage. to other homes. This is largely due to changes in government process. The Board makes a study of the areas of greatest need in child care in Calgary, and again decides on serving troubled children. 1970 Home reopens, operating under the Department of Health. Staff include a nurse, social worker, psychologist, child psychiatrist and their assistants employed by the University of Calgary and Wood’s Christian Homes. 31 WH_SocietyAR 2012.indd 6 17/06/13 11:39 AM WH_SocietyAR 2012.indd 31 17/06/13 11:40 AM
k Wood’s Homes is a complex and powerful place. This is because we have an almost 100-year history of caring for children and families in desperate circumstances and that gently reminds us of three things: The first is that many have done it all before us, and they were just as committed and just as passionate about the work. k The second is that we are responsible for what happens today and tomorrow, just as we are responsible for what happened yesterday. The third is that we have consciously and deliberately transformed the details of the workday world and all of its serious and not-so-serious adventures into what we do each and every day in all of our programs. Our History of Caring 1914 Reverend George Wood is stopped by a soldier in Innisfail, Alta., who asks him if he would look after his two motherless children as he was headed to service overseas. Reverend Wood, who had also lost his wife, said yes. Sadly, the soldier did not return but that pivotal moment is the foundation for Wood’s Christian Homes. 1916 Reverend Wood proposes to Annie Jarvie, a social worker, fellow Scot and family friend. He proposes by telegram as she is climbing the gangplank of a steamer headed to Montreal. Annie says yes and soon after takes on the role of Mother Wood. 1918 Now with other children in their care, the Woods relocate to Olds. This, after moving three times in Innisfail in search of increasingly larger homes. 1921 (May 7) marked the incorporation of the Board of Directors for Wood’s Christian Homes. 1926 The Woods, with 32 children in tow, move into the Hextall Estate in Bowness (which at the time was available for a fraction of its original cost). The property was $65,000 and secured with $18,000 (without interest) using Reverend Wood’s insurance policy as collateral. 1928 Reverend Wood dies November 27, following a short illness. Records show that years of unceasing strain and anxiety had taken their toll. 1929 Mother Wood takes over the home. Mrs. Wood is the matron, Mr. David B. Robertson is business manager. As the number of children increases, house-parents and cooks are hired to complement a very small staff group. (An average of 100 children lived at the home at any given time.) The Board of Trustees is headed by Mr. W. Snaddon. 30 7 WH_SocietyAR 2012.indd 30 17/06/13 11:40 AM WH_SocietyAR 2012.indd 7 17/06/13 11:39 AM
Page 1 and 2: Wood’s Homes Report to the Commun
Page 3 and 4: k Table of Contents 2-4 Our Story B
Page 5 and 6: kOur Vision: k Locally and national
Page 7: k k Message from our CEO, and Chair
Page 11 and 12: k 2012 - What a year! ROYAL CONGRAT
Page 13 and 14: k Outcomes-Based Service Delivery W
Page 15 and 16: k Wood’s Homes Research EXIT Comm
Page 17 and 18: k Wood’s Homes Research The Evolu
Page 19 and 20: k Wood’s Homes Research Diversity

Wood’s Homes

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?