2012 REACH Annual Report by REACH Edmonton

IMPACT 2012

AN NU A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 2

B U I LD I N G PA R T NE R SHI P S WOR K I N G T OGE T HE R MA K I NG A D I FFERENC E

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Impact 2012 2012 Highlights

REACH Report Recommendations

Message from Mayor Stephen Mandel

Talking with REACH Board Chair Jon Hall

Talking with REACH Executive Director Jan Fox

REACH IMPACT 2012 6

SACH (Schools As Community Hubs)

WrapEd (Youth Gang Prevention Initiative)

REACH is ... n a Council for Safe Communities, with the goal of making Edmonton a safer community in one generation by focusing on crime prevention. n a community-based coordinator and catalyst, and a centre of excellence on crime prevention and community safety. It brings together community groups, agencies and organizations to identify gaps and opportunities around safety and crime prevention, share expertise and best practices, and work together to find innovative solutions. n nimble, flexible and creative, thus able to respond quickly to emerging issues in the community. Guided by the knowledge that the best solutions come from the grassroots, REACH works directly with people on the frontline; such as police officers, service providing agencies and community members. At REACH, our strength lies in our strong relationships with partners, stakeholders, levels of government and community members.

Ounce of Prevention

RIRI (REACH Immigrant and Refugee Initiative)

RALC (REACH Aboriginal Leadership Circle)

24/7 Service Delivery Model

VRAP (Violence Reduction Action Plan)

More REACH Programs

Statement of Operations

REACH Edmonton Vision

The REACH Team

REACH Call to Action

n A city in which every Edmontonian contributes to a community where everyone is safe and feels safe.

REACH Edmonton Mission n To be the centre of excellence that inspires citizen engagement and coordinated agency action to strengthen and sustain community safety in Edmonton.

IMPACT 2012 ong-term, sustainable social change doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a shared vision and understanding amongst all stakeholders of the issues and challenges; collaborative and innovative thinking; risk management; agreement on how to move forward together and solid evaluation tools to ensure measurable outcomes. REACH Edmonton works toward all of this as it mobilizes diverse Edmontonians, organizations and stakeholders to come together and discover new approaches to community safety and crime prevention.

2012 Highlights WrapEd REACH Edmonton brought together a team of nine community partners, agencies and stakeholders, to collaboratively develop a funding proposal for a youth gang prevention initiative, to be funded by the National Crime Prevention Centre`s Youth Gang Prevention Fund. The proposal is now awaiting final approval by NCPC.

Community Initiatives Videos REACH produced four videos highlighting projects funded by the Government of Alberta`s Safe Communities Innovation Fund. The videos – one on REACH Edmonton`s work overall, the others on Schools As Community Hubs, the REACH Aboriginal Leadership Circle and the REACH Immigrant and Refugee Initiative – show the impact each project has on the community. All are posted on the REACH Edmonton YouTube page.

REACH Website The new REACH website showcases REACH`s role as a centre of excellence on crime prevention and community safety. With more than 500 resources, the REACH website is Edmonton’s and Alberta’s largest, online comprehensive resource library on safety and prevention.

Outreach In 2012, REACH had a presence at 101 social serving events and REACH materials went out to

12,304 people. REACH offered presentations for stakeholders on “How to Run Your Own Outreach Program” which were based on the success of REACH Outreach.

Workshops REACH offers two workshops to emergency responders and front-line staff of human service agencies. In 2012, more than 400 people from more than 100 organizations and agencies participated in a REACH workshop. n 350 people attended a REACH Psychological First Aid workshop. n 65 people took part in Cultural Crossroads; workshops addressing diversity, cultural sensitivity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and community.

e-Newsletter Published every second month, with close to 2500 subscribers, each issue features stories and interviews about the impact REACH is having in Edmonton.

REACH AGM Two hundred people turned out to support the work of REACH. They were inspired by Joe Roberts and his story of transition from living homeless to being the CEO of a successful multimedia company. His compelling story also offered practical tools for making sustainable social change. 1

REACH REPORT

Recommendations

REACH Edmonton’s roots go back to 2008, when Mayor Stephen Mandel set up the Taskforce on Community Safety charged with addressing the root causes of crime and providing recommendations for systemic, positive change. The Taskforce produced the REACH Report; the foundational document that both created REACH and now guides its response to community needs. The REACH Report contains nine recommendations in three strategic areas, which REACH Edmonton is now implementing.

Investing in children, youth and families

A new model of family and community safety focusing on Schools as Neighborhood Access Points to social support services

Develop “Turn Away from Gangs” initiative focused on at-risk youth

Community coordination on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Catalyzing change

New leadership

4 5

A new Community Safety Coordinating Council to facilitate and integrate sustainable community safety efforts

8 9

A Sustainability Strategy for Prevention

A 24/7 Service Delivery Model for high-needs individuals Cultural Community Groups: Work with community leaders from Aboriginal and Multicultural Communities to develop and implement innovative models for engagement within cultural contexts Neighbourhood Organizing Initiative: Implement a new Neighbourhood Organizing Model in several diverse areas of Edmonton to develop grassroots community leaders who support a preventative approach to community safety.

An innovative Evaluation Framework to measure success

MESSAGE FROM

Mayor Stephen Mandel

ne of Edmonton’s many great attributes is our unshakeable community spirit; our determination to work together in making our city one of the best places to live. REACH Edmonton embodies that community spirit by working directly with Edmontonians and existing agencies, creating collaborative partnerships to initiate and coordinate the development of innovative solutions to crime prevention and community safety.

This year REACH made valuable inroads bringing numerous organizations and agencies together to address the needs of our city’s most vulnerable people, many of them children. From developing a 24/7 Mobile Assistance Program (MAP) so people at risk can get help when and where they need it, to working on foundational information-sharing protocols for service agencies, to launching a website that is one of Canada’s finest resource hubs for information on crime prevention, REACH truly has a collective impact. In 2012 through its work on Edmonton’s Violence Reduction Action Plan, REACH went directly into communities, facilitating conversations between neighbours on ideas for making communities safer. REACH will expand that work now and provide leadership training to community leaders, so they can more effectively engage people in becoming an active part of a safer Edmonton.

Given that we are all living within the realities of fiscal restraint, the work that REACH Edmonton is doing becomes increasingly important. Creating sustainable, positive change in our city will rely in large part on our ability to make the most of existing resources and avoid duplication of services. REACH Edmonton capitalizes on specific expertise of people, agencies and existing programs, identifies the areas where we can align work already being done, and facilitates collective ‘outside the box’ thinking in looking for new approaches to complex problems. The result will provide Edmonton with more effective and measurable outcomes around prevention and community safety. I’m very proud of the work REACH has done in 2012. The REACH team is small, dynamic and determined. And while much has been accomplished in the organization’s short lifetime, there’s still more to do. I look forward to the contribution REACH Edmonton will continue to make as it implements its vision of making Edmonton a safer city in one generation.

Stephen Mandel

IMPACT 2012

TALKING WITH REACH BOARD CHAIR

Jon Hall

2012 marks REACH Edmonton’s third year as a Council for Safe Communities. What impact has REACH had on our city?

More than anything else, REACH is connecting and coordinating community agencies to work together on preventing crime. Our Schools As Community Hubs initiative involves not only Edmonton Public Schools and the Edmonton Catholic School Division, but five other community partners as well. In bringing partner agencies and organizations together, REACH acts as the backbone organization, ensuring each partner can do its best work, share its best practices and make an even larger impact on crime prevention in Edmonton.

There are already community safety and prevention initiatives in our city. What makes REACH Edmonton unique?

REACH Edmonton is a Coordinating Council for Safety. We work with partner agencies to identify needs or gaps in services and then facilitate these agencies to work together in addressing those needs. No one doubts the value in partnership and collaboration, but many agencies are already working at full capacity or more. Finding time to add another item to the work list is challenging. That’s were REACH plays a role; we are full-time coordinators, working to create efficiencies in improved service delivery and make Edmonton an even safer city.

Q 4

As the Board Chair of REACH, what makes you most proud?

There are so many REACH initiatives now touching the lives of individuals and families in our city. It’s an honor to be part of this innovative approach to community safety. I’m very proud that in just two years we’ve built REACH essentially starting from a blank sheet of paper. With the REACH Report as our foundation we've developed business plans, strategic plans and board governance policy and fined tuned all these to make sure they're effective and workable.

Equally important is the great work being done by the REACH team; staff, board members and our advisors. They’ve done a yeoman's job of pulling this all together and I’m very thankful for such a talented, hardworking team who care so much about making a difference in our city. I also want to highlight the ongoing support REACH receives from our major funders: the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta. What's your advice to people who want to play a personal role in making Edmonton a safer city?

Get involved because you can make a difference. No one group – the police, the city, social agencies – will on its own make Edmonton a safer place. So volunteer with your community league, or an agency. Report unsafe situations to the police. We’ve heard from many Edmontonians who've started community walking groups. Others post community safety updates on websites. And of course people can become REACH members. There are as many ways to be part of the solution as there are people willing to be involved.

TALKING WITH REACH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jan Fox Q A

What are the highlights for you in the work REACH has done in 2012?

The REACH team has worked so hard this year on numerous projects and accomplished so much. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many Edmontonians at the REACH Community Conversations, which were part of REACH’s role in Edmonton’s Violence Reduction Action Plan. In 2012 we went directly into 14 communities, and talked to 597 people about grassroots solutions for a safer city. I left each conversation with great confidence that together we will indeed be able to make Edmonton a safer city in one generation. Other highlights include the psychological first aid and cultural crossroads workshops REACH offered for front line agency staff in Edmonton. We also made great strides forward in our work with community partners on the 24/7 Service Delivery Model, developing protocol/linking protocols between local agencies, advancing work on the Real Time Information Sharing System and partnering with Homeward Trust and other stakeholders to launch a 24/7 Mobile Assistance Program (MAP). We continue to have a close and very productive working relationship with the Edmonton Police Service. And our community programs are flourishing and producing some remarkable results.

Q A

Is there one particular project that stands out for you; that you’re most proud of?

WrapEd, the youth gang prevention initiative, for me exemplifies the essence of REACH Edmonton. We initiated a unique collaborative

partnership, bringing several agencies and stakeholders together to respond to a nation-wide request to develop a program to deal with youth gangs. Our collective work has already resulted in new synergies that are changing the way we work together, and our proposal has the potential to initiate real change that will meet the needs of vulnerable young people in our city.

Q A

What are your goals for REACH in the coming year?

Q A

What more would you like Edmontonians to know about how REACH is making an impact?

I’ll continue my work to encourage funders to invest upfront in early intervention and crime prevention. Evidence clearly states that doing so not only improves lives but also saves taxpayers’ dollars. We’ll be driving down deeper in our Community Conversations by talking with specialty groups to focus on what particular populations really need in terms of prevention and by offering leadership training. We’ll be a key player on Edmonton’s Poverty Elimination Steering Committee, and I’d like to work more with the city’s business community to identify gaps and innovative solutions to crime prevention.

REACH is a centre of excellence for innovation in crime prevention and community safety. We’re leading systemic change in Edmonton; working full-time to build partnerships and facilitate collaboration; challenging the status quo as we ask people to think and work differently to address the complex challenges around crime prevention. At REACH we know the best solutions to making Edmonton a safer city lie within the community. 5

IMPACT 2012 SACH

SCHOOLS AS COMMUNITY HUBS

Working together

“When my husband left last fall I would have really struggled to afford after-school care for my twins. Luckily, the afterschool program, which is part of the Schools As Community Hubs at St. Alphonsus, is free. That means I can maintain my job at the university, and I know that my boys are having fun after school.” Natasha is a single mother. Along with the after-school program, Natasha has also received counselling through the St. Alphonsus SACH program. “It’s a wonderfully welcoming environment. Caleb is allergic to gluten, so they make him special cakes. They get to do lots of crafts. And they have a special music program. The boys always come home happy.”

Schools As Community Hubs (SACH) responds to this, connecting at-risk children, youth and families from primarily Aboriginal, refugee and immigrant families, to the services and programs they need in a setting that’s familiar and welcoming. This innovative, integrated and cost-effective model for crime prevention transforms schools into community hubs; places where families access services and equally important, where they can come to feel a greater sense of connection and belonging to their community.

ulnerable, at-risk families can face many challenges: poverty, language barriers, addictions and other health problems, a new culture with different rules and expectations. Knowing where and how to get help is difficult. Often, the only connection these families have with ‘the system’ is their children’s school.

Making a difference

Primary Partners

REACH Edmonton coordinates SACH partnerships, gathers and promotes key learnings from the partners, identifies gaps in need, and measures success of the programs.

n Edmonton Catholic School District n Edmonton Public Schools Community Partners

SACH services are provided by key community partners. n Cultural coaches who speak the first language of many families involved have become mentors, particularly to teenage boys, hired by the Family Centre. n Nursing students from the U of A provide health and nutrition expertise. n Edmonton Public Library staff help children and adults learn to read. n Uncles and Aunts at Large offer programming to help families deal with anger issues. Each Hub offers distinct programs, designed to meet the particular needs of that school’s community. SACH works to prevent crime by addressing needs before problems arise; making strategic use of existing resources to help families in need and creating a greater sense of community cohesiveness.

Building partnerships

n Three new schools joined the SACH initiative in 2012, bringing the total to six schools. n REACH facilitated strategic SACH partners to develop common protocols for all SACH initiatives; the start of a true cultural shift toward prevention. n REACH used the Social Return on Investment tool to evaluate the impact of SACH: • 71 percent of parents surveyed indicate that SACH programs help them get more job hours and increase their income. • 100 percent of youth, ages 13-17, say SACH helped them stay in school. • 50 percent of youth, ages 13-17, say SACH has helped lower the number of negative interactions they have with police.

There were 18 SACH community partners in 2012. Some of these included: n ABC Headstart n African Youth Community Centre n Catholic Social Services n The Centre for Arts and Music n The Centre for Race and Culture n Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers n Edmonton Police Service n Edmonton Public Library staff n The Hung Mun Athletic Club n Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op n Uncles and Aunts at Large n University of Alberta SACH locations n n n n n n

Balwin Junior High School Edith Rogers Junior High School J.D. Bracco Junior High School J. Percy Page High School One World One Centre St. Alponsus Elementary School

n Out of School Time (OST) Secretariat: REACH works with partner organizations to help link small community groups who want to offer OST programming, with schools that have space available in after-school hours.

IMPACT 2012 WrapEd t “[We] have developed important relationships through this project that would likely not have otherwise existed. Those relationships will have a benefit for our agency and the youth we serve regardless of the outcome of this proposal.” YOUCAN

“By collaborating, we can have a bigger impact. If we were to have done this alone, we would be less likely to get the funding.” Native Counselling Services of Alberta

YOUTH GANG PREVENTION INITIATIVE

n March 2012, the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC) put out a call for a letter of intent to develop a youth gang prevention initiative. Here in Edmonton, REACH staff were aware that several local organizations were interested in this initiative. Therefore REACH launched a unique-in-Canada response: a collaborative submission to the NCPC that would use collective expertise of core and supporting organizations in the city to tackle the complex problem of youth gangs.

Working together

REACH contacted and brought together core partner service providing organizations that considered responding on their own, as well as representatives from the Edmonton Police Service, the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic School Division. With REACH facilitating the working sessions, the group mapped out a letter of intent for the initiative and submitted it to NCPC in April 2012. Two months later, the group learned it was one of just 16 across Canada chosen to continue and develop a funding proposal. In September the group submitted a formal funding proposal to NCPC for WrapEd: a youth gang prevention initiative that would provide wrap-around services (Wrap) for 12-17 year old Edmontonians (Ed) at-risk of, or involved with a gang lifestyle. Each partner contributed financial and/or in-kind resources during the process.

Making a difference

Building partnerships

WrapEd will focus on Aboriginal, immigrant and refugee youth, many of whom have experienced trauma. Each core partner organization involved in the project will offer direct services to youth and their families with supporting organizations working as higher level partners. The proposal includes plans to also work with external agencies not directly involved, to ensure the ability to respond to all needs the youth might have. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a broad, collaborative approach that will lead to sustainable, positive change. Through a process evaluation, 100 percent of partners indicated they supported the decisions of the partnership most of the time, and all feel this partnership provided them with enhanced ability to address important issues and have a greater impact than they could on their own.

WrapEd Core Partner Organizations n n n n n

The Africa Centre Edmonton John Howard Society Edmonton Police Service Native Counselling Services of Alberta YOUCAN

At the time the 2012 Annual Report was written, the WrapEd partnership was still waiting to hear whether its proposal has been accepted for funding by the NCPC. In the meantime, the partners have decided to continue meeting, building on the work and positive relationships that have resulted from this project.

IMPACT 2012 Ounce of Prevention t The story of Free Footie began with a group of inner-city junior high kids, many new immigrants, who loved playing soccer but had no formal team. Tim Adams, a local journalist, volunteered to coach them. A number of the players had younger brothers and sisters who began tagging along to practices. They too loved the game, but had no team and no one ready to organize one for them. So Tim launched the Free Footie league for elementary students. The free soccer program gives children, whose families can’t afford organized sport, the opportunity to play on a team. As the students learn soccer skills they’re also learning about leadership and working together. And they belong; they’re part of a community soccer league. Free Footie’s long-term goal is expansion to 40 teams – all free of cost. This year REACH was able to provide jerseys for the Free Footie players. 10

Working together Free Footie is one of eleven projects receiving support from Ounce of Prevention, a collaborative initiative between REACH and the City of Edmonton Community Services Advisory Board and its FCSS funds. All Ounce of Prevention projects focus on crime prevention, and address two of the following: n Leverage new partnerships from diverse community sectors. n Offer a creative and innovative approach to creating safe, healthy communities. n Use a strength based approach.

Making a difference

Building partnerships

This year, more than 40 proposals were submitted for support. Eleven of those qualified as Ounce of Prevention projects.

Ounce of Prevention Partner

n Traditional Parenting – teen parents are connected with Elders to learn traditional, cultural parenting skills and create career plans.

Program Partners n The Council for Advancement of African Canadians n Edmonton Catholic School Division n Edmonton Public Schools n Familia Association of Alberta n Free Footie n Kiodadugu Descendant n Multicultural Family Resource Society n Nyirol Community Association of Alberta n Rotary District #5370 n The Support Network n YOUCAN

n City of Edmonton Community Services Advisory Board

n Nikaniwin Project – Aboriginal teenage girls identified as potentially at-risk learn coping skills and connect with their culture. n Who Are You Going To Call Project – helping new Canadians know how to access needed services. n Child and Youth African Cultural Program – after-school cultural, education and recreational activities for children of African heritage, ages 5 to 15 years. n Latin American Social Integration Project – providing services, counselling and cultural/recreational programming for families from the Latin American community. n Cultural Youth Initiatives – connecting youth with families to promote mentorship, leadership and health behaviour.

n Combat Crime Program – youth groups taking ownership for making their community a safer place. n Free Footie Program – after-school soccer league for elementary school children from disadvantaged families. n El Sistema – music outreach program for youth aimed at teaching music and citizenship skills. n Youth Leadership and Culture Program – engaging youth and families to encourage healthy and positive choices.

n Capacity Building in African-Canadian Youth Through Mentorship – mentors are provided to youth from Sub-Saharan African countries.

IMPACT 2012 RIRI t “We have become a group of sisters. We can share our stories without judgment. And I can give back, helping other women learn from my experience - that abuse is not only physical.” Sumara (her name is changed to protect her identity) is a member of the RIRI Changing Together Healing Circle. ”I can share with them the materials we have describing what emotional abuse can look like, what control and manipulation are. I have access to the information and support that I need to empower myself, know my rights, be myself. I have a place I can go for help.”

REACH IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE INITIATIVE

oving to a new country, raising a family while learning a new language and adapting to new community expectations, values and laws; the challenges faced by many immigrant and refugee families are varied and complex. Newcomers to our country are not always aware of Canadian cultural norms, or the law. Family members who experience, or are at-risk of domestic violence can become isolated, suffering in silence because of fear, and not knowing their rights or what help there is for them.

Working together

Making a difference

REACH asked refugee and immigrant community groups to identify an issue they felt required more attention. The groups asked for help dealing with family violence.

Building partnerships RIRI Program Partners

RIRI programs are culturally sensitive; providing support, advice and resources, and helping families in need understand both their rights here in Canada, and Canadian expectations.

n Catholic Social Services (in partnership with the Indo Canadian Women’s Association) n Changing Together – A Centre for Immigrant Women n Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers n Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op

REACH coordinates four RIRI partners in programming, identifying gaps, sharing new learnings and measuring success. Each RIRI partner delivers domestic violence programming reflecting its own clients’ needs.

REACH also partners with the Ethno-Cultural Family Violence Committee and is building RIRI partnerships with the Edmonton Police Service and NE Neighbourhood Centre for Edmonton & Area Child & Family Services Authority.

n The Men’s Corner, an African group, gathers to share experiences and learn about Canadian laws in a safe, non-threatening environment. n Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op works directly with pregnant women, doing home visitations to help alleviate pressures before they become big problems. n Ajoka Theatre works with youth and women, putting on skits to raise awareness about family violence issues and sharing information on how to access help if needed. Many RIRI programs bring in police officers to discuss family violence; breaking down barriers, building trust and helping both the officers and the participants learn from each other.

n RIRI programs and information reached 865 immigrant and refugee families. n 1500 youth, mostly from Somali and other African communities, were served by a RIRI program. n RIRI program participants say they have a better understanding of the Edmonton Police Service. n RIRI project partners have learned that their work will be most effective if it’s directed not only to women, but to all family members. n Family violence documents have been translated into 17 languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bhutanese, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Karin, Nepali, Oromo, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Somalia, Swahili and Tigrigna.

IMPACT 2012 RALC t “When I was younger I did a lot of drinking and drugging. But I found when I was dancing it gave me a natural high.” Dakota is an Edmonton teen from the Driftpile First Nation. He’s a Men’s Traditional Dancer, and dances at the RALC Pow Wow, Drum, Dance and Regalia program. “When I found out there was this Pow Wow class, I just automatically jumped into it. They helped me get back in touch with it because I kind of stayed away from it for a little while.”

REACH ABORIGINAL LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

rom Pow Wow protocol, to learning the skills to become a resilient community leader, RALC programs reach out to Edmonton’s Aboriginal community in a variety of ways. With a strong foundation in Aboriginal history and culture, they offer Aboriginal youth and their families the opportunity to build stronger community connections, and learn both traditional knowledge and practical skills.

Working together

Making a difference

Building partnerships

There were 10 programs offered in 2012 under the RALC umbrella, including among others Cree language, healthy baby/mom and leadership classes and Pow Wow, dancing and drumming.

RALC Partners

n 258 Aboriginal families have taken part in RALC programming.

n Canadian Native Friendship Centre n City of Edmonton Aboriginal Relations Office n Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women n Wicihitowin Circle of Shared Responsibility and Stewardship

n 95 percent feel their family relationships have improved, 91 percent report less conflict at home and 86 percent say they now know someone in the community, other than family, who can help them.

Each RALC partner is responsible for delivery of a particular stream of programming. Wicihitowin focuses on relationship building between Aboriginal youth and women and other community groups. Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) offers young adults classes in leadership training, helping them move on to serve as board or committee members for community organizations. Canadian Native Friendship Centre (CNFC), under the guidance of Elders, teaches Pow Wow protocol: traditional learnings and knowledge that help deepen feelings of belonging and connection to the Aboriginal community.

n RALC has been instrumental in getting Aboriginal representation at the Out of School Time (OST) Conference, to offer presentations on Aboriginal after-school programming. n Wicihitowin and the Aboriginal Justice Action Circle (AJAC) have connected with Edmonton police, to have officers attend AJAC meetings. n The 12 people who were part of the IAAW RALC leadership program contributed 280 hours of volunteer work and 90 hours of volunteer board work.

SERVICE DELIVERY / IMPACT 2012 24 7 MODEL

t Trouble doesn’t only hit during business hours. People who are at-risk run into challenging situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 24/7 service delivery means getting these people the full range of help they need, including housing, when they need it. The result will be less dependence on police, hospitals and courts to deal with all ‘after hours’ issues. This model will provide support, prevention and intervention services offered by a range of service providers who coordinate and integrate their work to avoid duplication and ensure efficient service delivery.

Working together From the start of work on this initiative REACH has aligned and partnered with key frontline agencies, making certain that all 24/7 work is anchored in the projects four core principles, together known as LIFE: L everage existing programs; launch new ones n where there are gaps.

nI ntegrate innovative programs, services and strategies.

F urther the reach of existing funds. n E valuate and engage multiple stakeholders. n

Building partnerships

Making a difference Community Partner Engagement on 24/7 n Launched a series of strategic action planning conversations with community stakeholders to ascertain priority areas for moving forward. n Undertook extensive research on barriers faced by at-risk populations, and on other projects in Canada and internationally that are similar to 24/7. n Partnered with Community Initiatives Against Family Violence to develop protocol/linking protocols between several local agencies.

n Worked with privacy experts to develop a privacy toolkit for agencies and, in late 2012, began work on a Privacy Risk Evaluation and a Privacy Impact Assessment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both of which can be used to ensure due diligence is done with regard to potential sharing of client information.

REACH has worked with approximately 100 stakeholders, including representatives from: n n n n

Emergency Medical Services Human Service Agencies Municipal and Provincial Governments Police

24/7 Mobile Assistance Program (MAP) n In partnership with Homeward Trust Edmonton and stakeholders, contracted the Bissell Centre to set up a 24/7 crisis service diversion team.

Training for Frontline Staff Real Time Information Sharing System (RTISS) n Began developing an iPhone app prototype, in partnership with approximately 15 agencies, so 24/7 stakeholders will be able to share real-time information on services that are immediately available for people in need.

n Based on feedback from partner agencies, REACH offered psychological first aid training. n Partnered with the Centre for Race and Culture to deliver the Cultural Crossroads Workshop.

IMPACT 2012 VRAP t “I am glad there is such a strong focus on prevention. The key to helping people not become involved in criminal activity is by giving them other options as youth and young adults.” Quote from a REACH VRAP Community Conversation Participant.

VIOLENCE REDUCTION ACTION PLAN

n 2012, REACH continued work on its three initiatives under Edmonton’s Violence Reduction Action Plan (VRAP). VRAP is a joint strategy between REACH Edmonton, the Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton, which was set up in response to an unusually high homicide rate in the summer of 2011. Each partner has its own initiatives aimed at identifying and mitigating conditions that can lead to violence in our city.

Working together, making a difference Injera is an initiative aimed at building more trust and understanding between at-risk communities and city police officers. Community Animators act as liaisons between the Edmonton Police Service and immigrant and refugee communities to help community members learn more about the role of police officers, using 911, drug and alcohol use and other crime prevention issues. In 2012, work also began on identifying an Injera baseline data and evaluation framework. REACH VRAP initiatives involved work with a wide variety of partners, including the Edmonton Police Service, the City of Edmonton and many service providing agencies and organizations. The initiatives fall under two categories:

Prevention The 24/7 Service Delivery Model being developed by REACH, in partnership with a number of agencies and organizations, will provide round-the-clock access to resources for at-risk Edmontonians, aiming to address issues before they become larger problems that require police, judicial or emergency services. (See page 16 for more information on 24/7.)

Information/Education Community Conversations were held in every City Ward, and with various community groups, asking Edmontonians what can be done to make them feel safer in their neighbourhoods, communities and in the city as a whole. Followup work will be done in 2013, to help community leaders organize and continue to share ideas and implementation strategies.

Building partnerships VRAP Partners n City of Edmonton n Edmonton Police Service 24/7 Partners Through 24/7 REACH has worked with approximately 100 stakeholders, including representatives from: n n n n

Emergency Medical Services Human Service Agencies Municipal and Provincial Governments Police

Injera Partners n City of Edmonton n Edmonton Multicultural Coalition n Edmonton Police Service

IMPACT 2012 More REACH Programs Edmonton Stop Marijuana Grow Ops Coalition (ESMGOC) Under the coordination of REACH and chaired by Edmonton City Councilor Karen Leibovici, this Coalition is made up of 30 stakeholders representing the provincial and municipal governments, Alberta Health Services, insurance agencies, the real estate industry, utility companies, business and the police. It works to deter marijuana grow ops by raising awareness and understanding, and lobbies for a consistent approach to grow op dismantling and remediation. In 2012, ESMGOC launched “Train the Trainer,” providing frontline workers (i.e. meter readers) information on the dangers of and identification of grow ops. The Coalition also translated its “How to Spot a Grow Op” brochure into five languages: French, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog and Punjabi.

Combat Crime

Sexual Exploitation Working Group (SEWG) In 2012, SEWG:

Working in partnership with YOUCAN, the Edmonton Police Service, United Way, City of Edmonton, SOS Children’s Magazine and REACH facilitated a Youth Think Tank: a day of workshops for young people from across the city aimed at helping them create crime prevention and community safety projects.

n Produced a variety of learning opportunities and educational materials for the public and frontline workers. n Lobbied to amend the zoning bylaw to regulate the location of body rub centres. n Revised its brochure “Sexual Exploitation, Sex Trafficking Happens in Edmonton. You Can Help!”

Armed with the tools, strategies, inspiration and $1000 seed grants, the young people spent the summer implementing their projects in their neighbourhoods, engaging other youth and families to make their communities safer. At the same time, they were helping people understand that most young people are important community members who want to make a positive difference and want their voices heard.

This leadership group focuses on raising awareness around sexual exploitation: conditions that cause it and its harmful impact on victims and the community as a whole.

n Hosted Sexual Exploitation Week of Awareness, in conjunction with the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week. During the week, SEWG hosted a one-day conference and the screening of “Call + Response” with a follow-up Q&A.

The group is comprised of representatives from many agencies including: REACH, the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), ACT Alberta, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, the Edmonton Police Service, the City of Edmonton, the Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (N.E.T.), Catholic Social Services, the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) and Edmonton and Area Child & Family Services Region 6.

REACH 2012 Statement of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2012, with comparative figures for the period from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011

2012 REVENUES:

EXPENDITURES:

City of Edmonton - operating City of Edmonton - FCSS Safe Communities Innovation Fund Health Canada Training revenue Interest income Memberships Miscellaneous revenue

Administrative expenses: Salaries and benefits Contributions to other organizations Rent Other expenses Advertising Office and general Sponsorship IT Support Amortization of capital assets Telephone Training Consulting Fees Meeting expenses Professional fees Insurance Interest and bank charges Program expenses: 24/7 Service Delivery Health Canada Safe Communities Innovation Fund

Total expenses Excess of revenues over expenditures

2,592,496 1,074,874 146,645 13,155 12,779 6,105 400

2011 $

1,531,820 250,000 935,952 163,843 2,323 4,850 6,503

3,846,454

2,895,291

950,264 267,120 87,848 73,176 48,673 37,788 35,037 34,993 25,721 23,412 17,939 17,587 12,009 11,155 1,726 1,261

766,238 180,735 28,820 28,811 29,838 47,563 16,468 8,959 10,817 60,833 10,114 16,507 6,983 708

1,645,709

1,213,394

126,686 146,645 1,074,874

250,000 163,843 935,952

1,348,205

1,349,795

2,993,914

2,563,189

852,540

332,102 23

The REACH Team REACH 2012 Board Members

REACH 2012 Staff

Front row (left to right): Leigh-Anne Palter (Vice Chair), Steve Hogle, Jon Hall (Chair), Kyle Dube, Pat Butler, Susan Matheson; Back row (left to right): Kate Quinn, Alan Wachowich, Ian McCormack (Treasurer), Bob Dunster (Secretary). Missing are: Rachelle Venne, Khalid Tarabain, Rod Knecht.

Left to right: Lindsay Daniller, Kelly Holland, Marilyn Gray, Andy Bialowas (to Dec. 2012), Helen Rusich, Adele Towns, Jan Fox, Jenelle Plasko, Jill McGinn, Holly Miller, Brittany Lewchuk, Michelle Harvey. Missing: Rachel Anderson (to Aug. 2012), Jon Clark, Valda Roberts (to Apr. 2012).

REACH 2012 Board Advisors Kathy Barnhart Kurt Sandstrom Gerald Lamoureux Dinah Gray Steve Young

REACH Call to Action Thank you

Join us at REACH

REACH Edmonton could not do its work without the generous support of our funders: The City of Edmonton, the Government of Alberta and Health Canada.

REACH offers memberships to individuals, groups and organizations who want to take a more active role in making Edmonton a safer city. REACH members are involved in the REACH AGM, they can elect REACH Board members or pursue a position on the Board of Directors, volunteer on committees and share ideas. Become a member by contacting REACH at www.reachedmonton.ca. In 2012, more than 100 memberships were purchased.

REACH us On Facebook:

www.facebook.com/reachedmonton

On Twitter:

@reachedmonton

Email:

info@reachedmonton.ca

Telephone:

780.498.1231

Mail:

REACH Edmonton Suite 901, Baker Centre 10025 106 Street NW Edmonton AB T5J 1G4

Website:

www.reachedmonton.ca

https://www.facebook.com/reachedmonton https://twitter.com/reachedmonton http://www.youtube.com/ReachEdmonton