Working Together, Making a Difference REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities Annual Report 2010
may 2011 reachedmonton.ca
To make our cities safer, we need to have the vision and courage to innovate. Organizations like REACH are leading the way. Irvin Waller Professor, University of Ottawa and author of Less Law, More Order: The Truth about Reducing Crime
table of contents Year One
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2010 Highlights
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Message from Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel
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Message from REACH Chair Fred Rayner
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Our vision
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Our mission
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Our key areas of change
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Accomplishments 2010
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Moving Forward
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Statement of Operations
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reach edmonton 2010 annual report
REACH Edmonton Transitional Board Sep 2009 - Jun 2010
REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities Board of Directors 2010 - 2011
REACH Edmonton advisors 2010 - 2011
Lindsay Kelly, Co-Chair
Jana Grekul
Fred Rayner, Chair
Kathleen Quinn
Amarjeet Sohi
Fred Rayner, Co-Chair
Jon Hall
Hassan Ali
Madhu Sood
Kathy Barnhart
Kathy Barnhart
Gerald Lamoureux
Jarrod Bayne
Dave Ward
Kurt Sandstrom
Janice Boiko
Lloyd Lewis
Mike Boyd
Kate Gunn,
Gerald Lamoureux
Interim Executive Director
Catherine Keill,
Mike Boyd
Mike Percy
Barbara Dart
Darren Caul
Kathleen Quinn
Kyle Dubé
Linda Cochrane
Kurt Sandstrom
Jon Hall
Karen Cox
Amarjeet Sohi
Ian McCormack
Barbara Dart
Dave Ward
Leigh-Anne Palter
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Mayor’s Office Liaison
working together, making a difference
Year One REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities is quickly becoming Edmonton’s centre of excellence for community safety. In year one as our city’s overall safety coordinating Council, we’re already making a difference. We’ve launched several innovative community-led initiatives that tackle the root causes of crime. The approach we’re taking is evidence-based and unique. At REACH Edmonton, we believe real change will happen when we all – from individuals and neighborhoods to agencies and governments – work together to tackle crime with prevention-based solutions.
2010
Highlights
April
City Council approves REACH Implementation Plan 2010-2011; 3 year SCIF funding for REACH initiatives announced
May
City Council approves REACH Repeat Prolific Offenders Report, REACH bylaws approved
June
REACH Edmonton foundational meeting. Membership of 80 organizations and more than 100 individuals; inaugural REACH Board of Directors elected
August September
October
City Council approves 24/7 Service Delivery Business Case, REACH receives funding to further develop 24/7 Service Delivery Model REACH supports first ever Edmonton Urban Games, Youth Action on Addictions and Step UP and Step In campaign to engage youth Schools as Hubs and Cultural Community Groups initiatives get underway
November
1st Annual REACH Rendezvous – REACH membership celebration
December
City Council approves funding REACH Edmonton for 2011-13
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Messages Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel The REACH Edmonton Council for Community Safety has an ambitious goal: to engage Edmontonians in building a culture of community safety in just one generation. And after only one year in operation, REACH Edmonton is fully engaged in working toward this, harnessing the collective energy of Edmontonians to make a difference in our city. This year we’ve already seen a variety of REACH initiatives – including programs with Edmonton’s Aboriginal Community, projects for youth at risk, and work with Edmonton’s immigrant and refugee communities. REACH Edmonton is investing in innovative initiatives that focus on the root causes of crime. The story of REACH Edmonton dates back to September 2008, when Edmonton’s Taskforce on Community Safety set out to develop a unique community safety strategy. In September 2009 the Taskforce presented its REACH Report to Edmonton City Council. It’s a truly visionary document; a long term plan that contains 9 prevention Recommendations. Key to this was Recommendation 7, calling for a new organization to coordinate community safety efforts. And by 2010, the REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities was officially launched. A great deal of work has been done in a relatively short time. I commend the vision, resourcefulness and commitment of all who’ve made this happen: the original Taskforce members, the REACH Edmonton Transitional Board of Directors, its advisors and supporters, the inaugural REACH Board of Directors, the REACH Edmonton team and the hundreds of Edmontonians who are members of REACH Edmonton. Together we are creating a city where all citizens feel safe.
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working together, making a difference
REACH Chair Fred Rayner
Our vision
It’s been a dynamic first year for the REACH Edmonton Council. We’ve begun something unique in our city and in Canada. In 2010 – our initial year – REACH Edmonton has hosted more than 6200 Edmontonians in a variety of outreach events and programs, encouraging them to get involved in our crime prevention initiatives. We’re a catalyst for change, mobilizing diverse Edmontonians around preventing crime.
A city in which every Edmontonian contributes to a community where everyone is safe and feels safe.
While we’ve hit the ground running with our initiatives and outreach, we’ve also been building from within, creating a sustainable and nimble organization, which is now incorporated as an independent society.
To be a centre of excellence that inspires citizen engagement and coordinated agency action to strengthen and sustain community safety in Edmonton.
Importantly, we’ve identified the 4 key business drivers which will guide all we do: creating, catalyzing, connecting and communicating.
Our mission
REACH Edmonton’s work is closely aligned with the City of Edmonton Vision, the City’s Community Services Department’s The Way We Live: Edmonton’s People Plan and with Alberta’s Crime Prevention Framework. Our work also honors the past 20 years of work spearheaded and directed by Safedmonton, which is now part of the REACH mandate. Our future success depends on a true spirit of collaboration, with 3 levels of government, agencies, community organizations and the corporate sector. REACH Edmonton is galvanizing a culture shift; tackling crime before it even begins, with the help of Edmontonians who believe that if we focus on prevention, we will together put Edmonton at the forefront of community safety in our country.
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REACH Edmonton has been a great way for me to do something positive, through being involved with REACH Youth Action on Addiction. I’ve lost a few friends to drugs. It’s a huge issue. At Youth Action on Addiction we’re working to raise awareness about addictions, by talking to young people and getting the message out. I’ve already helped one friend get off marijuana and cigarettes. Matthew Schmitt 15 years old
working together, making a difference
Our key areas of change The work begun at REACH Edmonton in our first year of operation centered on the 9 REACH Report Recommendations. They fall under three themes – which were identified during the community engagement process that led to the REACH Report.
REACH Recommendations Investing in Children, Youth and Families
Catalyzing Change
New Leadership
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A new model of family and community safety focusing on Schools as Neighborhood Access Points to social support services
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Develop a “Turn Away from Gangs” initiative focused on at-risk youth
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Community coordination on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
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A 24/7 Service Delivery Model for high-needs individuals
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Cultural Community Groups: Work with Aboriginal and Multicultural community leaders to develop and implement innovative models for engagement within cultural contexts
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Neighbourhood Organizing Initiative: Implement a new Neighbourhood Organizing Model to develop grassroots community leaders who support a preventative approach to community safety.
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A new Community Safety Coordinating Council to facilitate and integrate sustainable community safety efforts
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A Sustainability Strategy for Prevention
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An innovative Evaluation Framework to measure success
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Accomplishments
Investing in Children, Youth and Families Many REACH Edmonton initiatives centre around social issues that lead to crime: young people feeling alienated from their communities or having troubles at school, difficulties within families, or substance misuse. These issues don’t usually exist alone. They’re part of a complex web that individuals and families get tangled in, a web that can only be untangled by a team of people with experience in different areas. REACH Edmonton is fostering that collaborative style, working with community partners to support successful existing initiatives and develop new approaches to prevention.
Step Up and Step In
Urban Games
Youth Action on Addiction
Edmonton’s Churchill Square lit up with sights and sounds of local bands and hip-hop artists for this first time event in the fall of 2010. Created by Edmonton youth under the leadership of REACH partner YOUCAN, it is a positive way for at-risk youth to be involved with their community.
Canada’s first-ever Urban Games took over Churchill Square one weekend in September 2010 for a festival of art, expression and games. Urban Games was planned and produced by atrisk youth with coordination of REACH partners Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and iHuman Youth Society.
This new group of 14 – 24 year olds is working to make sure Edmontonians have all the facts on addictions. “All About Me”, an event in the fall of 2010, saw youth – most of whom have highrisk lifestyles - and parents gather to talk about preventing addiction.
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working together, making a difference
Mohammed’s story Mohammed and his family immigrated to Edmonton from Somalia. When they arrived, the 11 year old spoke no English, nor could he read or write in his own language. School here helped him learn English and meet friends, but he and his 6 siblings needed more.
In 2010 his school became a REACH community hub, providing afterschool care for immigrant and refugee youth. They can get help with trauma, homework and just figuring out their new life in Canada. Parents can take English classes and access other parent support programs. Families know the school hub is a place they can find help in their new country.
The work we’re doing at Step Up and Step In is about being proactive instead of reactive. And REACH Edmonton is helping us. We’re engaging young people to look at their own communities, figure out what they can do to make a difference and contribute to making Edmonton a better place to live.
Youth in Transit
Schools as Community Hubs
REACH Edmonton catalyzed this program which links the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Transit, courts, schools and other organizations to at-risk youth. It provides them with proactive, preventative intervention, which in turn reduces interaction with transit security and police.
REACH Edmonton partners with Edmonton Public and Catholic Schools and other community partner organizations, to launch 3 “Schools as Hubs’’ projects. Each responds to the unique needs of vulnerable youth and family in the community - providing support before a crisis hits. A key REACH role is envisioning and supporting new partnerships that aim to transform civic institutions.
Kyle Dubé Executive Director, YOUCAN Edmonton
other projects Future Visions Film Project
at-risk youth get involved in flim making with industry pros under the umbrella of FAVA. Young Aboriginal Mothers Support Project
in partnership with iHuman Youth Society. NAAWScar Awards
REACH partners in this event to recognize youth films about addictions. Community Coalition on Sexual Exploitation
REACH facilitates awareness efforts and training workshops for frontline service providers. The Faces of Addiction, The Restorative Justice Conference and Awards
two conferences supported by REACH in 2010. 9
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Accomplishments
Catalyzing Change At REACH Edmonton, we believe that initiatives which come directly from the people and neighborhoods affected by crime will be more successful than solutions from the top down. To that end, we’re finding new ways to help citizens, neighbourhoods and cultural groups connect so they can develop the best prevention models for their community’s needs.
REACH Aboriginal Leadership Circle
REACH Multicultural Leadership Group
OutREACH
Members from Edmonton’s Aboriginal Community came together in 2010 to support leadership and cultural/recreational programs for the Aboriginal Community.
Representatives from our city’s immigrant and refugee communities began working to develop culturally appropriate prevention initiatives around families, to strengthen family relationships.
REACH became a hub of information for the city by partnering with the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Library, Edmonton Police Service and community organizations to provide citizens and neighborhoods with resources on safety, addictions, youth, drugs and gangs.
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working together, making a difference
REACH Edmonton is the catalyst bringing us together from our different sectors, to work as a community. We’re developing plans for change that build on the different strengths we have to offer.
24/7 Service Delivery Model A business case was developed and funding secured to further work on this unique service delivery model. 24/7 service will provide at-risk Edmontonians round-the-clock access to the help they require, reducing dependence on medical, police and judicial intervention. This will result in both social and cost savings.
Front Line Worker Training Program REACH supports creation of innovative, youthdriven, arts-based training program for people working with vulnerable youth, partnering with the University of Alberta and iHuman Youth Society.
Joint Client Consultation Process REACH Edmonton and Homeward Trust collaborate on a new approach to jointly gather research on vulnerable populations.
Needs of Vulnerable Edmontonians REACH supports Boyle Street Community Services for client interviews around panhandling and needs of vulnerable people.
Rachelle Venne CEO, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
Other projects Immigrant and Refugee Families Liaison Worker REACH supports Catholic Social Services to connect with families and link them to supports they need. Creative Partnership around Schools as Hubs REACH brokers agreement with Edmonton Public Transition Centre for Newcomers at McCauley school as one of the REACH School Community Hubs. Grow-Op Awareness
REACH supports the Edmonton Stop Marijuana Grow Operations Coalition, in advocating for citizen and neighbourhood awareness and legislative change to limit grow-ops. Good Neighbour Awards
REACH celebrates individual contributions to neighbourhood safety partnering with Edmonton Realtors and the City of Edmonton. 11
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Accomplishments
New Leadership REACH Edmonton is our city’s overarching coordinating council, fast becoming a centre of excellence in community safety. We’re breaking down silos, working with service providers to enhance and coordinate prevention initiatives. And we’re mobilizing Edmontonians to get involved, to be part of the culture shift to community safety envisioned in the REACH Report.
REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities In 2010, the inaugural year, REACH Edmonton was conceived, developed and launched. Our membership-driven Council has nurtured a special relationship with the City of Edmonton as we progress.
Our Year 1 Highlights include: • successfully attained multi-partner funding and resources
• established REACH website, REACH video, Facebook page, communications materials
• developed an initial framework to evaluate the impact of REACH Edmonton
• developed and hosted first REACH Rendezvous, celebrating our achievements and members • developed Strategic Implementation Plan, Board governance infrastructure, an innovative staff organizational framework, administrative accountability and financial processes
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working together, making a difference
As someone who spends a lot of time in the inner city, I know the importance of building safe communities. Being a part of REACH Edmonton gives me an opportunity to be directly involved in making a difference.
evaluation Framework to Measure Success REACH partners with University of Alberta’s School of Business, Net Impact and Butler Business Solutions to develop an evaluation framework. We will use both quantitative and qualitative data to report future progress.
Paula E. Kirman Editor, Boyle McCauley News/Community Activist
SROI Edmonton
REACH/Edmonton Police
REACH supports training of community organizations to implement SROI evaluation models. Resources also supported Edmonton’s Social Planning Council to develop the social indicator database for Edmonton. We are working to build Edmonton’s community capacity to use SROI.
REACH and the Edmonton Police Service work together to develop a more collaborative model to forward the prevention agenda. A front line Edmonton police officer is seconded to work in the REACH office, to help build the organization in its first year and to nurture a strong liaison with EPS from the start.
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Membership One of our founding principles is that REACH Edmonton is community and member driven. And in our first year, more than 120 individuals and 80 organizations and agencies joined REACH Edmonton, because they want to make a difference in our city.
REACH Members • offer ideas and enable prevention initiatives • can join committees and be nominated to the Board of Directors • get regular e-newsletters highlighting new safety information, local successes, upcoming events • receive invitations to special guest speaker series, learning opportunities, and social events to build community connections
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Moving Forward REACH Edmonton will continue to evolve by seeking out the best ideas and practices, and by nurturing new ideas and approaches to prevention. All of the work we do will be guided by our 4 key business drivers developed in late 2010.
REACH business drivers: The 4 C’s
Creating
Connecting
Communicating
Catalyzing
through:
through:
through:
through:
Leading/Innovating
Supporting agencies
Injection of resources
Trend Identification
Championing change and new relationships
Being ambassadors for a new approach
Planning & Research Evaluating/Measuring impact
Building alliances and collaborations Aligning initiatives for collective impact
Sharing and extending the community safety story Engaging and mobilizing citizens
Injections of inspiration Implementing and coordinating recommendations from REACH report
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Statement of Operations Period from the establishment of REACH on May 7, 2010 to December 31, 2010
2010 (Actual)
Revenues City of Edmonton Operating contribution
$ 500,000
Alberta Community Initiative Fund
524,090
Safe Communities Innovation Fund
796,481 6,450
Memberships
1,827,021
Expenditures Contributions to other organizations
789,089
Salaries and benefits
524,029 174,388
Sponsorship Consulting fees
75,773
Advertising
53,175
Training
38,054
Office and general
31,950
Meeting expenses
25,149
Professional fees
11,754
Telephone
4,345
Insurance
3,155
Amortization of capital assets
1,166 791
Interest and bank charges
1,732,818
Excess of revenues over expenditures
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$
94,203
working together, making a difference
REACH Edmonton Staff
REACH US
Kate Gunn, Interim Executive Director
by email info@reachedmonton.ca
Andrew Bialowas Jonathan Clark Lindsay Daniller Elaine Hoekstra Kelly Holland Michelle Horchuk Holly Miller Ambere Rosborough Helen Rusich
on Facebook http://facebook.com/reachedmonton
REACH Edmonton’s work is made possible by generous support from the City of Edmonton, the Alberta Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF) and Health Canada.
by phone 780-442-5422 by mail REACH Edmonton CN Tower, 14th floor 10004 104 Ave Edmonton AB T5J 0K1
Adele Towns
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annual report 2010
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