EvenStart Brochure

Every child’s first instinct is to love...

imagine...

a world that cherishes that instinct!

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Building Futures, through the EvenStart Progr EvenStart’s one-of-a-kind program addresses the needs of young children at risk. It has been a Calgary charity for 20 years.

EvenStart children are challenged by poverty, neglect, or abuse – conditions contributing to family stress, anxiety, and despair.

In some homes, children may be exposed to drug use or prostitution. Children can also suffer from neglect – not toilet trained or taught to speak, or provided with life’s basic necessities.

Even when young children are apprehended by our government they often suffer the effects of trauma manifesting as attachment disorders, emotional stress, and an overwhelming fear and sense of loss.

The physical health of children in this type of environment is affected – their heart rates are constantly elevated in a “fight or

Our Leader - Ilona Boyc

Executive Director of The EvenStart Fo

Ms. Boyce developed the concept for the Eve social services for 15 years. She believes that intervention must occur sooner rather than l mitigating those early life experiences. When

Ilona has been recognized for her work by Gl and by the Premier of Alberta as the recipien

“In 2012, ATBF proudly presented Ilona Boyce seven Alberta women who stand firm in thei province.” — Carol Harting, Sr. Financial Advis

ram flight” state. Neurobiology has taught us that the brain cannot learn when these conditions exist. As a result, our EvenStart children experience a 70 to 90 percent lag in normal development for a 3, 4 or 5 year old. These lags in speech, cognition, behaviour, and physical development make for an uncertain future for such a child.

Unable to fully participate in a classroom by the age of school entrance, these children often fail before Grade Three. They roam the halls, are disruptive in class, and never catch up in their basic educational aptitudes.

At EvenStart, we provide a comprehensive educational and therapeutic program that effectively mitigates many of the challenges of these children’s early lives. Through its 3-year program, EvenStart’s teachers, psychologists, social workers, and specialized therapy practitioners bring these same children back to within 5 percent of childhood development norms. We know this is an investment in our future.

ce

or Children Foundation

enStart program after working with government and children’s if the cycle of poverty, abuse, and neglect is to be broken, then later in a child’s life—and that this intervention must focus on n this is done, “miracles happen”.

lobal TV as a Woman of Vision, by ATB as a Mistress of the Modern, nt of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award.

e with our Mistress of the Modern award. This award recognized ir beliefs and, without recognition, make a powerful impact on our sor, ATB Securities.

Exterior north view

Aspen 2 Estates Daycare

Mikey’s Story Mikey was found in a Calgary motel room guarded only by a German Shepherd dog. Both his parents were involved in a drug and prostitution ring. He was 3 years old when the police found him during a raid. Never taught to speak, still in diapers, and having had no exposure to other children or adults, Mikey came to the EvenStart program. Within months he was making words instead of sounds. He made a friend and soon did what a normal 3-year-old should – he learned to play.

Mikey is one of approximately 200 children a year served by EvenStart programs.

Your contribution will help to build his future – and the future of children like him

Expanding to meet the need.

A new EvenStart Center The EvenStart Child Development Centre will be home to Calgary’s children who are challenged by trauma, violence, abuse, and poverty.

Demand has grown exponentially during times of social and economic distress. The enormous need means that EvenStart could potentially take in 60 additional children. Our current facilities cannot accommodate those numbers, nor can we continue in our building due to aging infrastructure.

The creation of the Centre’s new building will be backed by the wisdom of our 20 years of experience in providing service to at-risk children. It will be an environment structured, built, and designed for young children.

The importance of the new Centre’s design

Architectural Design and Interior Design - concept, planning and materials Heartland Agency, Calgary Co-collaborators: Stady Isetta, Studio Presber Architecture + Design & Tallboy Studio Completion date: TBD

The new Centre will allow us to expand, providing service to 60 additional EvenStart children living in Calgary.

The Centre will celebrate childhood with materials and structure focused on children’s learning, play, and recovery. It will be based on the Reggio* approach to early childhood education.

In its design, construction, and maintenance the Centre will comprise ergonomic, green, and sustainable products that align with the Reggio philosophy.

It will not be an old facility retro-fitted for our needs.

Instead it will rise from the ground up, envisioned Exterior south east corner through the eyes of a child. *Find out more at reggioalliance.org

The

Opportunity for Giving HOW YOU C AN CONTRI BUTE Donors can contribute to EvenStart through two streams of “giving”. First, the Program Operational Giving, second, the Capital Building Campaign.

Architectural Design and Interior Design - concept, planning and m Heartland Agency, Calgary Co-collaborators: Stady Isetta & The Ply Project Completion date: TBD

Program Operational Giving Examples of monthly operational costs: •

$50 per month covers supplies and materials for two children

•

$60 per month provides a child’s daily meals

•

$297 per month covers the transportation for a child to attend the program

•

$950 per month covers a child’s treatment and educational program.

Exterior south view

Typical classroom

Architectural Design and Interior Design - concept, planning and materials Heartland Agency, Calgary Co-collaborators: Stady Isetta, Studio Presber Architecture + Design & Tallboy Studio Completion date: TBD

Exterior south east corner

Capital Building Campaign

materials

Any donation can be directed to our new facility in Mayland Heights.

Help us meet our $3.8 million dollar goal Many facility features can be sponsored. Visit our web page at www.evenstartfoundation.org for details.

DONOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Exterior east view

Donor gifts will be acknowledged Mayland Heights Daycare in many forms including: •

Inscribed memorials on a Wall of Recognition

•

Building Elements—named specifically after major donors—will help children each day to acknowledge the patrons of their future success. Donor Name Recognition for selected building elements will guarantee that your gift of opportunity for children of trauma will live on for future generations to acknowledge.

Contact us to discuss other ways in which you might help us to continue our work with Calgary’s at-risk children.

E VENSTART FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION Phone: 403.541.0277

email: evenstart@gmail.com

www.evenstartfoundation.org Classroom entrance corridor & gallery

PL EDGE F ORM Registered Charity Number: 85085 8382 RR0001

PAYMENT METHODS Online Payments. Visit www.evenstartfoundation.org/donate Payment by Cheque. Fill out this form and mail to address below: EvenStart for Children Foundation Box 73153, Woodbine Postal Outlet Calgary, AB, CANADA T2W 6E4 Attn: Capital Campaign Manager Please make cheques, corporate matches, or other gifts payable to: EvenStart for Children Foundation

DONOR INFORMATION (for tax receipt purposes) ___________________________________________________________________ Name

Company Name

___________________________________________________________________ Billing Address

___________________________________________________________________ Apt#, Bldg, Floor, etc.

City

Prov/State

___________________________________________________________________ ZIP/Postal Code

Country

_______________________________ __________________________________ Phone

Fax

___________________________________________ Email

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT INFORMATION Please use the following name(s) in all acknowledgement: _____________________________________________________________

❏ I (we) wish to have our gift remain anonymous. __________________________________________ Signature(s)

______________________

Date

PLEDGE INFORMATION I (we) pledge a: ❏ monthly – or – ❏ one time contribution of : ❏ $25 ❏ $50 ❏ $75 ❏ $100 ❏ other amount: __________ I ask that these funds be directed to: ❏ Operating ❏ Capital ❏ Whatever it can serve best All donations are unrestricted and applicable to EvenStart building and/or operating accounts.