Annual Report September 1, 2015, to August 31, 2016
Mission
Vision
The Writers’ Exchange gets inner-city kids excited about reading and writing!
That all kids will know they’re awesome and can achieve anything.
2015/16 IN NUMBERS
549
17
16,265
186
kids
books created
program hours
volunteer mentors
(That’s 33% more hours of literacy fun than last year!)
And we officially became an independent charity— The Writers’ Exchange Society!
Annual Report
Program Highlights
After-School Programs
In-School Programs
Summer Programs
Fun programs that are secretly literacy programs, like Video Game Club, Animal Mondays and Green Screen Thursdays. Kids also get to munch on healthy snacks while completing projects with their volunteer mentors.
Publishing projects in inner-city classrooms that meet teachers’ curriculum goals. ALL kids in the class get individualized support from volunteer mentors.
Active summer fun to boost kids’ literacy skills during a time when most at-risk kids typically lose literacy skills. Programs included Tasty Summer Treats, Secret Photo Club and Adventure Club field trips across the Lower Mainland.
155
2
kids
285
12
kids
classes
7
locations
AT
228
9
locations
kids
schools
83%
of kids in after-school programs say there’s an adult at the Writers’ Exchange who cares about them.
97%
of kids said that because of the in-school project, they felt positively about their writing abilities. PUBLICATIONS INCLUDED:
100%
of kids were excited to do the summer writing activities at the Writers’ Exchange.
AWESOME SUMMER PROGRAM PARTNERS:
“My son is more relaxed about reading and more confident in creating stories now. This is one of the few programs he is very motivated to go to. I really like the way you accept the children and how they learn through play. I hope you keep doing it for many years!”
The Jobs Go Nuts: A Book All About the Jobs We Want When We Grow Up
—Susanna, parent
B.EASTSIDE: Britannia Secondary School’s Magazine
Strathcona Daycare
“My favourite thing about the project was getting to see how creative a mind can get and how I can think deeper.”
“If I didn’t go to Writers’ Exchange this summer, I would have just been watching TV or sleeping. Writers’ Exchange made me active!”
—Brad, age 11
—Danni, age 12
99%
of kids say they like going to Writers’ Exchange after-school programs.
BY GRADE 1/2 STUDENTS
Happy Hibernating: A Book About Animals BY GRADE 2/3 STUDENTS
Safety for Potatoes: A Safety Guide BY GRADE 5/6/7 STUDENTS
100 %
Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House KidSafe Ray-Cam Community Centre
of parents say their child benefitted from attending Writers’ Exchange programs.
Annual Report
5-Year Tally We’ve now been running fun literacy programs for 5 YEARS! Here’s what that looks like in numbers:
1,594
individual kids
54,882
35
700
classes
volunteer mentors
hours of literacy programs
IN
11
55
inner-city schools
books
2015/16 Financial Review Where Support Came From
Where Support Made a Difference
$4,101
$7,000
$42,648 $105,768 $110,502
$60,264
$219,924 $67,300
$87,323
65%
32%
2%
1%
29%
24%
18%
17%
12%
Foundations & Corporations
Generous Individuals
Government
Other (Earned Revenue)
AfterSchool Programs
AfterSchool Programs
Summer Programs
In-School Programs
Admin
at 881 East Hastings
at the Writers’ Room
TOTAL REVENUE:
TOTAL EXPENSES:
$341,527
$363,303
PLUS $93,290 of in-kind support, including book printing, writing supplies and 5302 volunteer hours
Annual Report
Thank you! Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, volunteered and provided moral support during the 2015/16 year! The kids couldn’t have achieved so much (or had so much fun!) without you!
COMING SOON! 2016/17 IN NUMBERS
620 kids! 20,760 hours of literacy support!
Exciting new after-school programs!
Our new home!
“Volunteering with Writers’ Exchange made me remember how magical reading and writing can be. It was a joy to work with these fun and imaginative kids. Volunteering provides an inspiring break from my regular routine.” —Kristin, volunteer mentor
GET INVOLVED Donate! Volunteer! vancouverWE.com
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facebook.com/thewriters.exchange Design: Natalina Percival