Annual Report 2021 - 2022 Building community | Inspiring hope
Content Our Strategic Plan.............................................................................3 About Us................................................................................................4 Our Community Our Commitment...........................................5 Chair & CEO Message......................................................................6 Financials................................................................................................8 Women of Options Fundraising Campaign............................9 Highlights...............................................................................................10 Early Years.............................................................................................14 Family Intervention & Counselling.............................................16 Youth........................................................................................................18 Inspiring Hope in Youth..................................................................19
Mental Health......................................................................................20 Jason’s Story........................................................................................21 Homelessness & Housing...............................................................22 Stopping the Violence.....................................................................23 Employment.........................................................................................24 Encouragement & Support...........................................................25 Newcomers...........................................................................................26 Accessibility, Advocacy & Empowerment...............................29 Volunteers.............................................................................................30 Donors....................................................................................................31
Our Strategic Plan 2020-2025 With a 50-year community services history in Surrey, Options Community Services is widely respected as a leading provider of support services and housing for vulnerable populations across the City of Surrey and its surrounding communities. After consultation with our community members, including our board of directors, executive team, and management in 2020, we embarked on our five-year strategic plan. 2020-2021 was a period of enormous (global) change, uncertainty and pandemic disruption. Despite these challenges, we persevered to build, develop and launch new initiatives from our plan in thanks to our resilient Options team. At Ted Kuhn Towers, we implemented paramedic services on-site through a new partnership with BC Emergency Health Services. We launched our Risk Management and Enterprise Management assessment, streamlined our organizational structures to ensure we met our commitment to quality service delivery and completed a robust audit of our information systems, including a cyber-security review. The strategic plan is a five-year journey, and we are pleased with the progress made to date as we move to the next phase of delivering upon our priorities.
Our Strategic Priorities:
Designing our organizational systems for operational excellence Systems
We will prepare for ongoing growth by becoming an even more nimble, adaptive, and resilient organization.
Growing our culture of learning People
We will encourage leadership throughout our organization, ensuring shared and continuous learning—including from you, our community.
Community Leading boldly and proactively
We will focus on serving the needs of our communities, while investing in our partnerships to develop new streams of funding and support.
3
About Us The land which we are on is the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples including Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui, Musqueam, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Kwikwetlem and the Sto:lo Nations.
Our Guiding Principles
A healthy, caring community, where everyone thrives.
Diversity Everyone has a voice. We are inclusive, respectful and fair. Integrity We are accountable, honest and compassionate. Collaboration We work collaboratively as partners and teams within the organization and broader community. Excellence We go above and beyond ordinary and strive towards the exceptional and extraordinary. Resourcefulness We are creative, flexible and innovative.
Our Vision
We inspire hope and belonging for all.
Our Mission
4
Our Community Our Commitment
Statement of Diversity The diversity of our community takes many forms. We see diversity as an asset to our organization and communities and strive to be reflective of the communities that we serve. We commit ourselves to promoting better understanding and appreciation of our human diversity; a commitment which is best realized through our individual and collective effort. Our Partners We believe in the power of collaboration. We work with individuals, businesses, community groups and government toward our vision of a healthy, caring community, where everyone thrives. Our Programs We provide services, south of the Fraser River, across the lifespan from prenatal to seniors.
Options Community Services Society (OCSS) is accredited under the Council on Accreditation
80+ Programs
600+ Staff
5
Chair & CEO Message
April 2021 started with a sense of hopefulness. We had learned much about the transmission of COVID, personal protective products were readily available and being used, and vaccines were rolling out. Yet, while good progress has been made toward mitigating the impact of COVID, we are not out of the woods and we see that marginalized and vulnerable people continue to be disproportionately impacted. This year, more than any other, has called on our ability to sustain ourselves over the long haul. We are proud of our staff who have dug deep to continue to be resourceful and to work collaboratively with their colleagues inside and outside of OCSS so that the people we serve are supported. While there have been challenges this year, there have also been some amazing highlights. We are very pleased to have opened Maple House, a 10-bed residence in White Rock for individuals with mental health challenges. At Ted Kuhn Towers, we implemented paramedic services onsite through a new partnership with BC Emergency Health Services. We also partnered with the City of Delta to lead a community research project to better understand the nature of homelessness in the community, while also distributing food and other necessities to people in need. We are both proud and relieved to have been awarded the contract to continue delivering the Fraser Health Crisis Line; a service we have provided for 50 years.
CHAIR | Kamaljit Lehal
CEO | Christine Mohr
Board of Directors
Kamaljit Lehal Chair
Louella Mathias Co-Vice Chair Craig East Interim Acting Treasurer
Shyanne Boudreau Co-Vice Chair
Devinder Sekhon Treasurer
Doug Neale Secretary
Amanda Bratch Anoop Khosla Jeff Scott
Ken Holmberg Kirsty Davis Michael Kendler
Sheryl Pringle Tim Beachy
The Board of Directors volunteered 900+ hours of governance oversight, contributing to the success of Options Community Services.
6
OCSS’ Immigrant and Employment Services teams supported migrant workers affected by provincial floods, newcomers looking for employment for the first time in Canada, employers struggling to fill vacancies, and refugees restarting their lives in Canada after escaping violence, war or persecution. Immigrant Services saw higher levels of clients compared to the previous two years. Employment Services has worked hard to provide efficient and effective services to job seekers and employers, moving closer to pre-pandemic levels of service and providing financial supports to clients and employers. A low-light of the year came in December when we made the difficult decision to close OCSS’ Growing Together Daycare for young parents, which had operated for over 35 years, caring for more than 1,500 children over the years. We are determined to re-establish a new daycare for young parents and other community parents in the future. Thanks to the Women of Options and their supporters, the Women of Options: Affordable Housing campaign was a great success, reaching our goal of raising $1.5 million towards 100 units of affordable housing and two full floors of service space. The building is well underway with completion anticipated for the fall of 2023. We continue to dedicate ourselves to learning more about housing with the intention of future development to address the dire need for affordable housing. There were a number of changes to the Board of Directors this year. We thank Ken Holmberg for his 35 years of dedicated, active service
and wish Ken all the best in his well-deserved retirement. We also thank Kirsty Davis for her contributions during her 3 year term. In November, we welcomed Directors, Devinder Sekhon and Sheryl Pringle. To the Executive Team, we welcomed Neil Arao to the role of Deputy Executive Director, Homelessness, Housing and Mental Health Services and Diana Delgado as Deputy Executive Director, Employment and Immigrant Services. Neil and Diana each bring a wealth of experience and passion for the work that they do. Thank you to our direct service staff for your continued care and valuable work supporting the people who come to OCSS for help. Thank you to our Board who has hung in through almost two years of virtual meetings; your expertise, wisdom and support are so important. To our Executive Team and Managers, thank you for supporting our many staff and for your leadership through ever- changing circumstances. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our government and other funders, as well as our community non-profit and other partners, through these difficult times. It has been wonderful to finally see so many of you in person again!
7
Financials
4.08% Client housing
0.40% Donations in-kind
7.86% Contracted services
2.66% Client rent contributions/Rental 0.57% Sales and fees
0.07% Interest
3.01% Cost recovery from related party 1.2% Miscellaneous
0.51% Donations
4.37% Other funding agencies
12.34% Fees paid to clients
1.19% Municipal 0.10% United Way
1.90% Food service and supplies
Expenses for the Year Ending March 31, 2022
6.20% Federal
5.60% Program costs/training
Revenue for the Year Ending March 31, 2022
7.54% Building occupancy
Highlights Total expenses increased year-over-year by approximately $3.61 million, to $51.11 million. This represents an increase of approximately 7.60% over the previous year. The increase in revenues and expenses produced a net increase in operating surplus of approximately $296,000, or 16.05% over the comparable surplus amount in the previous period. Overall, Options Community Services had a good financial year and remains in sound financial condition. The Society’s total excess of revenue over expenditures, for the year, amounted to approximately $2.14 million.
80.20% Provincial
Highlights The Society’s 2021-22 total revenue increased year-over-year by approximately $3.90 million, to $53.25 million. This represents an increase of approximately 7.91% over the previous year.
8
Women of Options Fundraising Campaign In 2021, we launched the Women of Options campaign in partnership with our sister charity, Habitat Housing Society, to plan our first purpose-built, mixed-income housing site at King George Boulevard and 81 st Avenue in Surrey. Of the 100 housing units spread across the top four floors of this build, 30 will be market rentals (still targeted to vulnerable populations, as not all vulnerability is financial), while the remaining 70 will be non-market rentals—designated as affordable housing. These units will be for women fleeing violence, refugees, seniors, at-risk youth and others facing barriers in finding decent and affordable housing. The ground and second floors will host several of our community services including Early Years, special needs services for children, and mental health outreach, allowing us to expand services accessibility to not only the tenants, but to the overall community. The Women of Options campaign brought together 50 incredible women from the South Fraser community to be a “voice” for the campaign and raise a total of $1.5 million by the end of March 2022.
Another incredible group of 50 women are currently fundraising for the Gamechangers campaign to raise $1.5 million for a discretionary fund to help local youth.
Learn more at womenofoptions.ca
9
Highlights
Our Women of Options team at the launch of the Affordable Housing campaign.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marco Mendicino, with OCSS staff after an official announcement, broadcast from the Carole Wahl office.
Phoenix Society’s Flame BBQ truck served hot meals to residents at Hyland House.
The Housing Outreach team on-site at a local food bank to connect with members of the community.
OCS staff were treated to Tacofino for a Staff Appreciation lunch at the Newton office.
Immigrant Services staff with Minister Mendicino.
AMSSA presented the Riasat Ali Khan Diversity Award to our Immigrant Services.
The South of the Fraser Maritime Employers group donated $36,000 to the Women of Options campaign.
Staff at the Newton office showed their support for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Staff verify that everyone left the building safely during the Great Shake Out earthquake drill.
The Ghirra Family Toy Drive donated toys for Christmas.
CCRR staff were treated with ice cream for staff appreciation.
More than 100,000 lives were touched 2020-2021
Construction for the Affordable Housing build, funded by the Women of Options campaign.
Newton staff in their Pink Shirts to raise awareness about bullying.
STARR staff with the United Way mascot.
The Housing Outreach team promoted their new Delta initiative at the Food Bank.
CCRR showing their rainbow pride.
Early Years enjoyed the outdoors during their staff planning day.
BCSIS and NEP staff showed their support for Pink Shirt Day.
Homelessness & Housing staff at Hyland House shelter.
NEP team after distributing food to clients in celebration of Ramadan.
Our Executive team at a strategic planning workshop.
WorkBC staff development day.
Early Years
Supports young moms striving to finish high school while raising healthy children. After 36 years of serving the community, the daycare closed their doors, and now operates as an outreach program within our Youth Services.
26 Families supported 27 Children supported
Growing Together Daycare
Supports families with young children in a safe, fun and child-focused environment.
1,029 Families supported 47 Attended sessions more than 12 times in a month 48 Parent Settlement Orientations provided 13 Families graduated
Family Resource Programs
Provides a comprehensive range of Early Childhood Development services for young refugee children and their caregivers.
First Steps - Early Years Settlement Program
My little one is autistic and coming to the program is a great opportunity for him to socialize, learn and have fun in a clean, safe and welcoming place.
14
Educates and trains childcare providers and helps parents locate quality childcare.
Child Care Resource and Referral
96% Childcare providers feel able to deliver better quality childcare after receiving training
2,805 Individuals borrowed resources from the Lending Library 2,845 Participants at 96 workshops
Provides prenatal and postnatal support, education and connection to vulnerable women to assist them in having healthy babies.
Healthiest Babies Possible
82% Babies born at full term
476 Women supported
92% Initiated breastfeeding
Provides wraparound support to enhance the well-being of newcomer refugee families, Indigenous families and children that require extra support.
Multi-Cultural Early Years Services: Family Navigators Programa
414 Families served
372 Resource referrals provided to families
15
Family Intervention & Counselling
Family Enhancement Program
Special Services to Children & Families
Culturally sensitive, multi-disciplinary team offering crisis response, family support and clinical counselling to support and educate families.
Provides opportunities for children and youth with special needs to participate fully in the community, experience meaningful friendships and learn new skills.
339 Clients supported
85% Increased their life skills
83% Families experienced less crisis and disruptions in their lives
82% Increased their communication skills
Multicultural Family Preservation Program
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
Family Support Outreach
Therapeutic intervention services to perpetrators of domestic violence. 308 Clients supported 94% Clients are using more child-centred approaches to parenting
Multilingual therapeutic family preservation and reunification support program
One-to-one outreach program that focuses on parenting, child development and family communication.
118 Clients supported 7 Languages served
125 Families supported 27 Children supported
Sharing my feelings and emotions with the group without the fear of judgment and to be able to learn new skills that I can use as a tool for me to become a better father to my kids, better husband to my wife and for me to become a better person in general.
16
Suicide Prevention, Education and Counselling (SPEAC)
I really want to thank you for allowing me to get these emotions out by saying all these things, because I really needed this.
Risk assessment, crisis intervention, and counselling to youth affected by, thinking about, or having attempted suicide. 221 Young people supported 100% Clients would recommend SPEAC
Fraser Health Crisis Line
Family Counselling
Provides a free 24-hour service, 365 days a year for people throughout the Fraser Health region. The Fraser Health Crisis Line also supports callers throughout the Province through the provision of 1-800-SUICIDE and the 310 Mental Health Support Line (310-6789). 48,173 Calls taken
Masters level therapists help families build healthy relationships, work through anxiety/depression, learn coping skills, and resolve conflicts. 348 Family members supported
160 Volunteer call-takers 77% Callers report an increased ability to cope
Sexual Abuse Counselling
Provides support to children and youth where sexual abuse has either been disclosed or is suspected. 184 Clients supported
You’re my lifeline, you’re the reason why we’re alive, and your empathy becomes our strength.
17
Youth
Services to Access Resources & Recreation
Growing Together Outreach
Supports young moms striving to finish high school while raising healthy children.
Out-of-school, group-based activities to help kids develop leadership and relationship skills.
44 Parents supported
280 Children and youth supported
100% Clients would recommend the program
Youth Supported Independent Living
Youth Services
Outreach, housing, and support services to youth living with mental illness.
Pro-social activities that provide young people aged 15 - 18 with an opportunity to develop life skills and create positive peer connections.
9 Clients served
340 Young people supported
100% Feel better equipped to live independently
92% Youth met or exceeded their life skills goal
Options staff are amazing, willing, and communicative.
18
Inspiring Hope in Youth
Simmer is a high school student who struggled at home and school. She was having a tough time making friends and was getting into conflicts with classmates. Focusing in class and on schoolwork was another challenge. Through meetings with her parents and teacher, they decided it would be beneficial for Simmer to join the Services to Access Resources & Recreation (STARR) Girls Group, which is part of Options’ Youth Services and operates throughout the school year. When Simmer first joined the group, she was quiet and did not make connections with peers. Through the activities and support at Girls Group, she started to open up. One particularly impactful activity was writing letters to seniors living in care homes. Her thoughtful letters in which she shared about her school and life touched both Simmer and the seniors. In time, Simmer also wrote to nurses and police officers in the community to thank them, cheer them on, and ask how they were doing. Writing letters has helped Simmer connect with her community and feel more comfortable opening up to peers in the STARR Group. On Girls Group days, Simmer showed up ecstatic to be there. With her newfound confidence she was happy to be at school, made meaningful friendships, joined more in-school leadership programs and improved focus in her schoolwork.
19
Mental Health
Supported Community Living & Supported Independent Living
Clubhouse Programs
Assisted Living
Provides a safe and supportive environment to adults living with mental illness based on a psychosocial rehabilitation approach to wellness. All activities and services are designed to promote personal health and wellness while increasing independence and facilitating recovery.
Semi-independent models of housing that provide residential care and rehabilitation to individuals with mental health challenges in a stable and supportive living environment.
Provides persons living with mental illness affordable, self-contained living units and/or a variety of support services in the communities of Surrey, White Rock and Delta.
65 Individuals assisted
504 Individuals supported
89% Clients reported that the program helped them attain their goals
80% Reported improved health and wellness
554 Members supported 98% Developed goals
The support worker is kind, thoughtful and always puts my needs above all else. She is supportive and helps me with my goals.
20
Jason's Story
I arrived at Nichol Place directly from the hospital and felt immediately welcomed during my tour of the facility. During my transition to Nichol Place, I felt supported and could sense it was well-run. Throughout my year at Nichol Place, I’ve had the opportunity to work on several goals, including re-integrating back into society, re-engaging in my passion for art, developing friendships, exploring myself and becoming truer to who I am. I’ve achieved personal goals of living a healthier lifestyle with diet changes, increased exercise and quitting smoking. The Nichol Place staff have been superb in supporting me to work towards my goals. They are patient and available for questions or requests. The relationship between residents and staff is excellent and mutually respectful. Residents take responsibility and are involved in many activities and chores. My current psychiatrist has helped me by identifying my diagnosis and, for the first time in my life, I feel like I have been properly assessed and diagnosed. Some highlights on my journey include building strong friendships, group outings, dances and social parties hosted by staff. The food, medication, and staff support are also great. I feel excellent about my remaining future at Nichol Place. I believe and trust that I’m being guided in the right direction. I believe that I will achieve my goals and I am confident that I will achieve greater things after. I feel particularly hopeful and proud of finding myself after so many years. My life is greatly improved by the care of the staff and clinical team.
It’s never too late to start over.
Jason
21
Homelessness & Housing
Our Shelters, Hyland House and Bill Reid Place, and the Homeless Outreach team offer a continuum of services designed to break the cycle of homelessness. Support: Advocate for and connect clients with appropriate services Outreach: Mobile outreach to people living on the streets
Housing Outreach
Temporary accommodation and services to meet immediate needs for shelter, food and security, as well as connections to services such as healthcare and employment. Shelters are a gateway to stable housing and independence.
Bill Reid Place
Hyland House
100% Occupancy based on available beds 100% Occupancy based on available beds 211 Sheltered or housed 1,070 Turned away due to being full 471 Sheltered or housed 2,865 Turned away due to being full
Extreme Weather Response
Mobile Outreach
Ted Kuhn Towers
Provides a wide range of supports addressing immediate needs, such as: food, warm clothing, a place to stay, housing, income support, health services, and connections to other community resources. 10,688 Individual contacts 133 Clients housed
A supportive housing model with subsidized rental units and supports intended to facilitate successful tenancies for those most in need of
A temporary shelter program which activates during the winter months and during extremely inclement weather. 3 Co-ed emergency shelters 40 Beds
affordable housing. 2 Apartment towers 452 Residents
My satisfaction with the program and Bill Reid Place staff could not be higher. I have never experienced a shelter with this ambience. Bless you!
22
Stopping the Violence
Prevention, Education, Advocacy Counselling & Empowerment (PEACE)
Transition Houses
Support for women, their children, and their pets fleeing abuse. Provides confidential, safe, temporary refuge to improve personal safety, achieve goals and find affordable safe housing. 108 Women and children received refuge from abuse
Support for parents, children, and youth who have been exposed to abuse and/or violence. Provides individual and group in-office and school-based counselling.
149 Individuals supported
100% Clients would recommend the program
2,207 Referrals to the transition houses
I like the empathy and kindness of the staff. The house feels comfortable and safe. They care about giving us the support that we need.
Threshold Multicultural Outreach
Support for women who remain with their abusive partner or are in the process of becoming independent.
564 Women supported
54% Clients are between the ages of 30 and 44
23
Employment
WorkBC helped me find a career that fits my personality and experience. My experience with WorkBC was smooth and life changing. They also provided trainings and workshops and even helped me to improve my resume.
Services Offered OCSS operates WorkBC Employment Services Centres serving the communities of Whalley, Newton, and Guildford. Our WorkBC Centres are committed to helping people succeed in finding meaningful and rewarding employment. − Connections to Employers & Community Job creation partnerships, wage subsidies, paid and unpaid work experience opportunities − Specialized Services Customized services for persons with disabilities and multiple barriers to employment − Staffed Resource Room Resources include computers, internet, scanners, copiers, phones, and faxes − Workshops and Training Career assessments, employment plans, training support and apprenticeship programs are offered
98% Were satisfied with the services they received 332 Clients received wage subsidy 2,315 New clients 702 Individuals participated in Long Term Services 1,780 Secured sustainable employment
24
Encouragement & Support
I arrived in Canada from the Philippines in 2015 as part of the Live-In Caregiver program. For over six years I was a caregiver for a lovely woman with dementia until she passed away in 2019, leaving me unemployed. I applied for Employment Insurance and was referred to WorkBC to help me find another job or a skills training program. From the start, my case manager was kind and explained everything I needed to know, including which documents to submit to receive funding for a skills training program. She referred me to the PBLMT Personal Support Worker and Mental Health Program at Discovery Community College in Surrey as this program has a wide range of job opportunities. My case manager consistently checked in on me and my progress. She praised me for my high grades, encouraged me to do my best, and when possible, to help my classmates. After five months of online school, I started my practicum. I loved my practicum placement and adapted to the staff and clients quickly. Before completing the practicum, my team leader asked me to submit my resume and prepare for an interview before finishing my practicum. Despite my nerves, I successfully completed the virtual panel job interview and was offered a job. I started working full-time in January 2022. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the WorkBC Whalley office. Without the program, I could not have afforded this training. In addition, I want to commend my case worker for all her help and encouragement. Rhealyn
25
Newcomers
Moving Ahead Program
Settlement & Integration
Community Connections
Language classes, youth and senior groups, volunteer opportunities and initiatives that foster engagement between newcomers and host communities.
Wraparound outreach and case management support to vulnerable refugees.
Information, orientation, and referral services to settle and integrate newcomers.
323 Clients supported
1,885 Newcomers supported
703 Clients supported
98 Clients felt supported during individual or family crises
91% Understand life in Canada better, including rights and responsibilities
1,080
Language sessions offered
Newcomer Employment
BC Settlement & Integration
Pre-employment skills training, labour market information, and career mentorship support to newcomer job seekers. 1,266 Clients supported 14 Employers participated in Virtual Job Fairs
Specialized services for refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, international students, and naturalized citizens. 3,872 Individuals supported 323 Families received food support
26
I am grateful to Options and specifically to my settlement worker, who has always supported me.
27
Top 8 Countries of Origin
Syria India China Somalia Colombia Mexico Afghanistan Iraq
14.9 % 13.0 % 11.9 % 9.3 % 7.4 % 6.3 % 6.0 % 4.3 %
Top 8 Languages Services Provided In
18.8 % 18.1 % 10.1 % 8.0 %
Spanish Arabic Mandarin Somali
7.9 % 7.7 % 4.2 % 2.3 %
English Punjabi Hindi Dari
28
Accessibility, Advocacy & Empowerment In 2019, Nasir and Amina, a young couple with their three-year-old daughter Laila, came to Canada under the Resettlement Assistance Program. Nasir, who has a hearing impairment, struggled to access appropriate services in the community, faced isolation and experienced stress, discrimination, and frustration due to service delays. Then, Nasir was referred to to the Moving Ahead (MAP) program by a friend and a worker from the Settlement Program. He received emotional support services through MAP’s case management process, was connected with community resources and received wellness sessions. The MAP team worked closely with advocacy teams, including the American Sign Language community, interpreters, employment counsellors, and specialized ASL instructors, to provide appropriate and timely support for Nasir. Three months after coming to MAP, Nasir took a driver’s license knowledge test with sign language support, started ASL English classes, received an employment assessment for job readiness, and information and orientation about ASL resources. He attended six months of ESL American sign language classes and Amina delivered their second child, Nur. The family decided to move to Nova Scotia, where they have friends. Nasir was supported with available services; in under a year he was able to successfully exit the program and make decisions about their settlement and integration journey. Accessibility, advocacy, and empowerment were critical elements for the successful settlement of Nasir and his family.
29
Volunteers Every year, hundreds of people generously donate their time and skills to our programs, including: − Responding to calls from individuals in need of emotional support, crisis intervention and community resource information at the Fraser Health Crisis Line − Providing maintenance support to the Family Resource Programs, including repairing the fence, washing toys, and updating the play structures to provide a safe environment for children to play − Coaching new parents on breastfeeding and assisting cooks with preparation and serving of meals at drop-in groups − Facilitating a weekly art program to teach Clubhouse members new techniques and skills − Organizing Diwali, Winter Holiday, Lunar New Year, and Nowruz celebrations for newcomer immigrant and refugee families − Co-facilitating sessions for newcomers in 10 different languages to assist them in recognizing and understanding racism and microaggressions − Assisting in running a COVID-19 vaccination campaign, which included a vaccine clinic and provided a variety of language supports for over 250 attendees − Supporting newcomers to learn about indoor and outdoor gardens, and explore nature in Surrey through virtual and in-person group activities − Contributing their knowledge by sharing their cultures and participating in cultural exchange with newcomers, and making social connections at the Culture Café − Providing language support for staff and clients to better communicate during the program services − Providing free income tax clinics for low-income individuals
We couldn’t do it without you!
270 Volunteers
26,223 Hours contributed by volunteers* $804,987 Estimated value of volunteer service to OCSS
*Excluding Board of Directors
At the Fraser Health Crisis Line, a small staff team supports and supervises a large, diverse and ever-changing group of more than 160 volunteer call-takers. Without volunteers, the Crisis Line could not operate 24/7. No experience is needed, as extensive training and ongoing support is provided.
We Need You!
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit options.bc.ca/volunteer-at-options for more information.
30
Thank you to our hundreds of donors and supporters! Donations, both cash and in-kind, are what allow us to address unmet community and client needs. All gifts, big and small, make a difference.
Donors
Your support has helped provide:
− Meals and snacks for summer programs for youth − Warm gloves and hats for people who are homeless − Winter jackets, foods and funds for migrant workers affected by floods − Water, sports drinks and fans in extreme heat conditions − Well maintained Transition Houses to create safe havens for women and children fleeing domestic violence − Furnishings and household items for people in need to set up their own homes
− Quality fresh food for tenants at Ted Kuhn Tower, amounting to almost $50,000 − Food hampers for pregnant women and their children − Warm, fresh meals from local restaurants and groceries to restock pantries − Car seats and diapers for families − Children’s books and toys for Early Years program participants − School supplies for children − Culturally appropriate food for refugees and newcomers − Bus service for summer camps and field trips for school age children
To learn more about how you can make a difference , please contact: info@options.bc.ca
31
Acknowledgements: Options Community Services Society gratefully acknowledges the commitment and support of government and private funders who made a significant financial contribution to our programs. For a complete list of our funders, community partners and supporters, please visit options.bc.ca.
Main Office 9815 - 140th Street - Surrey, BC V3T 4M4 Tel: 604 584 5811 | Fax: 604 584 7628 Newton Office 13520 - 78th Avenue - Surrey, BC V3W 8J6 Tel: 604 596 4321 | Fax: 604 572 7413
@OptionsCommunityServices
@OptionsBC
options.bc.ca
@optionscommunityservices
Options Community Services (OCS)
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs