CEO Message LISA TOMLINSON CEO Message
Dear CAST Community, It is a privilege to share this message as Board Chair of the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), reflecting on a year marked by strategic renewal, organizational resilience, and strong governance—grounded in our unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for the children, youth and families we serve. One of the most significant milestones this year was the development of CAST’s new five-year strategic plan. This plan will set a clear and focused direction for the Agency, anchored in a commitment to operational and Service excellence, strong collaboration and partnerships, and the continued development of CAST’s exceptional staff and leadership. I offer my sincere thanks and congratulations to the Board and CAST’s senior leadership for championing a collaborative, consultative, and data informed strategic planning process. Over the past 12 months, the Board has also continued to prioritize strengthening governance practices and leadership capacity. Members engaged in meaningful learning and development opportunities, including Board orientation, our annual retreat, and participation in CAST staff events such as Black History Month, PRIDE, and Indigenous Peoples Day all of which deepen our understanding of the evolving child welfare landscape and better inform our strategic oversight. These experiences have enriched the Board’s ability to offer thoughtful, informed, and effective leadership. Our close collaboration with the Executive and Strategic Leadership Teams remained a cornerstone of our work this year. Together, we ensured that our strategic direction and operational priorities remained aligned which reinforced our shared commitment to high-quality Service delivery while navigating the complexities of financial sustainability and sector-wide challenges. As one team, I am confident we will continue to meet these challenges viewing each not as an obstacle, but as a collaborative opportunity for growth and impact. Board Chair Message Salim Zulfikar Somani
Lisa Tomlinson
Dear CAST Community, As I reflect on the past fiscal year as Chief Executive Officer, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the resilience, compassion and dedication that continues to be demonstrated by our staff, leadership and Board of Directors here at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST). The 2024–25 year focused on strategic renewal, and operational and Service needs, and financial sustainability, all of which positioned our Agency to meet both current challenges and future opportunities. A significant accomplishment for the year was the development of our new five-year Strategic Plan. Built in partnership with the Board of Directors and informed by our staff, community and sector partners, the plan focuses on operational and Service excellence, strong partnerships, and the growth and development of our people. It sets a bold but achievable path forward for CAST and we are excited to bring this plan to life through the development and implementation of our Key Performance Indicators in the coming months. In light of our Agency’s deficit, we continued to focus our efforts on strengthening our financial sustainability while fulfilling the operational and Service needs of the organization. Recognizing the importance of long term viability, our leadership and their teams realigned resources, reduced costs and explored opportunities to maximize funding and revenue in support of Service delivery. We also continued working closely with our partners at the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to fulfill CAST’s mandate and adapt to shifting funding and service realities. Our commitment to the well-being of children, youth and families remained at the core of everything we do. We continued to build innovative and impactful partnerships with community agencies, sector peers, and intersecting systems such as health and education. CAST played a leadership role in local and regional collaborations
We were pleased to welcome new members to CAST’s Board of Directors, whose diverse perspectives and experiences have already brought fresh insights and strengthened our collective leadership. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Board members who completed their terms this year and have chosen to renew for another term. Your continued dedication and leadership leave a lasting impact on our work and mission. To the CAST Executive Team and staff, thank you for your professionalism, compassion, and relentless focus on supporting Toronto’s children, youth and families. I also wish to acknowledge the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for their continued partnership, along with the many community organizations that collaborate with us in service of our shared mission. As we look ahead, I remain grounded in hope. A hope born not of idealism, but of the real and resilient spirit I have witnessed across CAST. Whether it is the commitment of our staff, the courage of the families we support, or the resolve of our community partners, hope continues to guide our vision for a better future for Toronto’s children and youth. It is a quiet but powerful thread running through all that we do. Thank you for your ongoing support and for standing with us in this vital work of improving the quality of lives of the children and families we serve. Sincerely,
aimed at improving outcomes for children and youth with complex needs, including those with autism. Alongside these efforts we advanced prevention-focused initiatives to support best outcomes for families, which was made possible through our community partnerships and the Teddy Bear grant in partnership with Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. Externally, CAST elevated its voice and visibility to advocate for children and families across Toronto. Through media engagement, sector advocacy and digital channels, we raised awareness about the many ways CAST intersects with important social issues, such as human trafficking, intimate partner violence and mental health. Further, together with six other GTA agencies, we launched the first-ever regional Foster Caregiver recruitment campaign to help meet the growing needs for more Foster Caregivers. Thank you to the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies for their partnership, support and advocacy at the provincial level for the sector and those we serve. I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to our staff, Board members, volunteers, caregivers and community partners. Your resilience, compassion and dedication are what make delivering our mission possible. As we look to the year ahead, we remain committed to working together in support of children, youth and families in every corner
of our city. Sincerely,
Salim Zulfikar Somani, FCPA, FCA Board Chair Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Lisa Tomlinson Chief Executive Officer Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
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