Together we can make a difference.

Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre2015 –16 Annual Report

Message from Aspire It was another busy and rewarding year here at Aspire, as our staff team, Board of Directors, volunteers, and donors all contributed to our mission to provide hope to children with special needs, the families who love them, and the communities who care for them.

Aspire strives to secure sustainable funding to meet organizational goals. This work is done in partnership with government funders, delivering programs and services, which represent 79% of the annual budget. Because of this funding level, Aspire has operated in the Red Deer and central Alberta community for almost 32 years providing needed services to children with special needs and their families.

The community support Aspire receives is essential to our annual budget. Through special events like the 22nd annual Evening of Decadent Dessert; gaming activities such as the annual Children’s Raffle and the Casino held in the spring; as well as every individual, service club and corporation that chooses to support Aspire financially – we accomplished our annual goal of $400,000 representing 13% of the budget.

We know that every dollar contributed meant Aspire children could receive early assistance to help them develop skills

ranging from walking and talking to learning the skills for school classrooms. Families received strategies, answers and support to help them now and in the future. Through the Fee Assistance Program, 46 families were able to access programs and services so that every child received the help they needed. Almost $50,000 was contributed by the community to support these families in difficult economic times.

As part of the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, one of the six goals identified that shaped time and resources this year was to respond to increasing demand for our services by improving accessibility and reducing wait times. The IS Program targeted this goal with tremendous results. For the year 2015-2016, 131 children were served, which is a significant increase in our ability to help children and their families in Central Alberta.

Throughout 2015-16, the Aspire Staff team and Board of Directors made their way through celebrations and challenges, met new friends and supporters, helped families in need and had families show their gratitude.

Michelle Moore, Board Chairperson Michelle Sluchinski, Executive Director

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2015-16

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From September 1, 2015, to August 31, 2016, Aspire staff were busy providing programs and services to local families, while also planning for and offering major events and activities. Here are a few highlights from the year.

At Aspire, we offer many different types of programming and services, including: the Early Access to Supportive Education (EASE) Preschool Program, Transdisciplinary Assessment & Consultation (TAC) Program, diagnostic clinics, individualized services, Park IT, and more.

In addition to helping people through programs and services, Aspire strives to help build a community for families of children with special needs. Family friendly events such as Fall into Fun, the Aspire Family Christmas Party and the Walk for Aspire are held each year. This year, 50 Aspire families took in Westerner Days thanks to the ‘We All Play’ program and Stantec. Also, families in our EASE program also enjoyed a trip to the Abbey Centre.

EASE Field Trip to the Abbey Centre, sponsored by R&R Rentals.

Aspire’s programs

Family events

The EASE program was at full capacity in 2015-16, serving 56 students with complex special needs. As per Aspire’s value of staying on top of innovative practices, the EASE staff undertook an “Essentials” process this year. The entire EASE staff team reviewed components within their program, and then designed their future work path in order to accomplish the goal of serving children and families through the best collaborative, therapeutic, play-based preschool possible.

Diagnostic clinics also ran at full capacity in 2015-16, with 30 children and their caregivers assisted by Aspire’s team of professionals.

62 children were assisted by Individualized Services Clinics, which were expanded this year to better meet the needs of families and the community.

19 children were seen through FSCD contracts.

25 children were seen through school contracts.

25 children received therapy services at home, in the community, or at Aspire.

Park IT, our free, drop-in summer outdoor playgroup for children with special needs and their families, sponsored by the Rexall Foundation, expanded this year to include parks in Blackfalds and Lacombe, in addition to Red Deer.

TAC was at capacity for the year, serving 30 families in our unique 6-week program that allows our professionals time to get to know both parent and child. The TAC Program also had the opportunity this year to upgrade their equipment and furnishings to best suit their program needs, and their new space.

Left: Story time at our EASE Preschool Program.

Above: Fall into Fun provides an afternoon of activities and games for the whole family to enjoy.

Right: Park IT summer playgroup

“The EASE Program is very helpful to our son, and our family. It is starting to change our son’s life. Our son is way better now than before the EASE Program.

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“The TAC Program is amazing! I learned so much about myself and my child during the program. I really felt supported and helped.

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The Walk for Aspire, an inclusive, accessible event for families, also serves as a fundraiser – organized by a parent-led planning committee. In 2016, the 4th annual event raised $2,192.

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Aspire relies on fundraising events and donations to raise 13% of our annual budget requirements. In 2015-16, Aspire held its major annual fundraisers, Evening of Decadent Dessert and the Aspire Children’s Raffle.

When Aspire Staff returned in September to start the 2015-2016 year, it was to a newly renovated environment. Aspire made good use of the funds raised from the Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off (CDO) to open up an additional 650 sq. ft. of space on the second and third floors, adding assessment rooms, small meeting/work areas, and changing the layout of the 3rd floor TAC Classroom. Thank you again to John Hull Architect and Timcon Construction Ltd. for their contribution to fulfilling this promise made to the Red Deer and central Alberta community supporting the event.

Throughout 2015-16, Aspire received donations from corporate donors, service clubs, personal donors, memorial donations, in-kind services and more. Please see Donor pages to view the full list of Aspire’s generous donors.

The 22nd annual Evening of Decadent Dessert was held on April 29, 2016, with over 500 people attending the event.

The front foyer of Aspire was transformed during the year through paint, signage and a screen that is used to recognize donor contributions, as well as Aspire news and happenings.

Renovations

Evening of Decadent Dessert

Donations to Aspire

Fundraising events & activities

Above & Right: Aspire completed the renovations of our front foyer, adding signage, fresh paint, and a new screen.

Above: Sandee Birse-Olson donated $5,000 in memory of her daughter Willow. Sandee is one of the founding families of Aspire, then Children’s Services Centre.

Above: Aspire staff volunteering at Children’s Art Gallery. Left top: “Garden Party Cake,” by Sheraton Hotel Red Deer Left bottom: Babycakes Cupcakes for the Dessert Buffet.

Left: Aspire Staff are thrilled to have more room, and updated work spaces .

$123,694 was raised from Evening of Decadent Dessert, and the Aspire Children’s Raffle raised $34,151, for a combined total of $157,845 between the two fundraisers! All funds raised supported Aspire’s programs and services for families that have children with special needs.

Sherwin-Williams brought their Paint the Community Event to Aspire with a BBQ featuring CHL officials, Woolly Bully, WHL Alumni, and the MasterCard Memorial Cup! They also contributed paint and time to refresh our foyer, as well as the bedrooms of 4 Aspire kiddos.

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Aspire’s Financial Statements 2015 –16

Financial CommentaryAspire incurred a surplus of $78,268 (before amortization) for the year ended August 31, 2016 compared to a surplus of $41,065 (before amortization) for the year ended August 31, 2015. The Board of Directors credited the surplus to expense control measures, fund development goal achievement, and budget adherence.

Our deferred revenues increased by $38,909 which includes the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Grant being deferred to the next fiscal year for the rest of the renovations and/or upgrades to Aspire’s building.

The board approved a budget with a small deficit of $2,617.98, before amortization, for the year ended August 31, 2017.

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Audited financial statements are available upon request; contact Michelle Sluchinski, Executive Director, at 403.340.2606.

VolunteersAnderson, AmyAndrew, Phedra-Lyn KathleenAristizabal Escobar, LorenaAubuchon, StephanieBagley, CaiminBagley, RobynBarnabe, Guy & KarenBarr, ColeenBartoli, SandyBayona, Sandra VeronicaBeamish, CallieBerlinguette, AmyBerlinguette, DebbieBerlinguette, KaylinBlair, AmberBoucher, LeahBouteiller, MackenzieBrodie, LindaBrown, LoriChalifoux, MaliaCharchuk, Fred & DorothyChin, Joe & SincereCicman, MariaClark, Jennifer & DanCochrane, JennConstantine, ShiajanCruikshank, AbbeyCruikshank, ShawnDamato, KestrelDavis, Corrin DinnD’Costa, JackieDeboer, AmandaDebree, Samantha JohannaDinnin-Davis, CorinneDizario, BonnieDryland, ErinDueckman, GerryDyrland, ErinEberle, GerryEberle, RylanEdwards-Thomsen, MichelleEngelhardt, Betty LouErnestina Vance-TavarezGalisky, TwylaGeiger, NicoleGilbert, CathieGiles, BerniceGreer, JaimeHannet, MonicaHansen, EliseHansen, MeganHeather, BrandiHendricks, Payton VictoriaHoffman, CindyHoltner, MadisonHudak, DeniseJohnson, Alisha & JoelJohnson, Anita JaneJohnson, Eric JamesJohnson, JuliaJohnson, Shelly

Johnson, TravisJohnston, ChrisJudgson, MelissaKaiser, Michelle MelissaKitagawa, ConnieKumm, NancyLaBuc, MichelleLamoureaux, MartyLanciault, MatashaLanz, CrystalLarsen, EricaLindsay, TaleashaLopez, MariaLyman, JaneLymes, IngridMack, AmberMacNairn, BrianMendenhall, AmyMendez, PorfirioMenezes, Carol AnnMeyers, CarlaMillman, TracyMoore, MichelleMoore, PatNestransky, ShaunaNewman, ShelleyNickoriuk, JaquieNielsen, KendraO’Connor, Kimberly YvetteOlesen, ChrisParker, MaddysonParlby, KittyPaterson, SarahPavlik, NathanPeden, Erin & JayPenner, ValPetrich, TrentPhilips, CindyPickett, KelliRed Deer Firefighter’s Children’s CharityRefugio, BeverlyReynolds, Heather & LyleRichert, GinaRidley, Marissa MarieRobin ArmitageRobins Weir JudyRobinson, KeiraRobinson, KyraRutherford, EthanRutherford, JuliaSauders, MerielSchneider, KristaSchnoor, JordanServus Credit Union Ltd.Shaw, LauraSluchinski, MichelleSmith, LindaStauffer, TraceyStengler, DeanStoodley, KaylaSulzle, SharleenSutton, Diana & BillThomas, DanielleThomson, Warren

Tiegan, SmithTisdale, Glen & BettyVajda, LauraVajda,MikiVan Gelderen, ValerieVance-Tavarez, DeyaVine, MelissaVolk, Stefanie RoseWalker, SueWeinrauch, ParkerWeir, David (Dave)White, FionaWoods, Chris BlakeWoods, DanielleYakiwchuk, Krista

Thank you to all of our Valued Volunteers! It is with your help that we are able to hold our programs and events.

We have made our best efforts to include all volunteers within the last year. If there has been an oversight we humbly appologize and ask that you notify us immediately.

THE ASPIRE COMMUNITY

Aspire StaffAlackson, ShelleyAustin, StephanieBarr, ColeenBarrameda, JimmaBlais, ChristieBrodie, LindaBrus, AmyCameron, Caleb DanielClark, JenniferConstantine, ShiajanCormack, BarbCrawford, KarenDeminchuk, ChristinaDowney-Hoglund, JulieDubois, MoniqueEklund, MeghanErrity, Sarah JoGalisky, TwylaGeiger, NicoleGervais, JanGreenberg, DanielleGreer, JaimeHalverson, AngelaHarris, MelanieHayden, JoAnneHoffman, CindyHomwe, JennileeHudak, DeniseJaycox, EmilyJenkins, PamJenn CochraneJohnson, Anita JaneJohnson, ShellyJohnson, TeraJohnston, Chris

LaBuc, MichelleLindsay, TaleashaMackenzie, BrandyMcDiarmid, AllieMeyers, CarlaMilgate, KenNewman, ShelleyNickoriuk, JaquieNielsen, TashaOlesen, ChrisParker, Maddyson MaryPaterson, SarahPenner, ValReynolds, BeckiRusiewicz-Enright, BarbRutherford, JuliaSaunders, MerielSchneider, KristaSchultz, CaraShaw, LauraSluchinski, MichelleSmillie, SaraSmith, LindaStoodley, KaylaSulzle, SharleenSutton, DianaThomas, DanielleUnderwood, RalphVajda, LauraVance-Tavarez, ErnestinaVine, MelissaWaterman, AmandaWheeler, DeboraWhite, FionaWhitford, TerranceYakiwchuk, Krista

2015 - 2016 Board of Directors

At Aspire, everything we do is for families. We are fortunate to have a wonderful team – from Board members to staff to volunteers – all working together to help local children with special needs.

Michelle Moore, ChairpersonHeather Reynolds, Vice ChairpersonChris Woods, Secretary/TreasurerJudy Robins Weir, Past ChairpersonAbbey Cruikshank, DirectorAllan Slobodian, DirectorJay Peden, DirectorMaria Cicman, DirectorRobin Armitage, DirectorRobyn Bagley, DirectorSandy Bartoli, DirectorTracey Stauffer, Director

Aspire’s 2015 –16 Board of Directors attending Evening of Decadent Dessert 2016.

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100.7 Cruz FM1686637 Alberta Ltd.360 Fitness5 Star Auction & Consulting Inc.A Slice Of Art Cake CompanyABC Country RestaurantAbidi, Sajjad HaiderAbove & Beyond Services Inc.Ademaj, DonaldAir Canada FoundationAlberta Sports Hall Of Fame & MuseumAlbert’s Family RestaurantAlford, SandraAll Sports Cresting Ltd.Apex Fireplaces Ltd.Appleby, DaveARC Resources Ltd.Armitage, Robin Arrow Limousine Services & Sedan ServicesArtemis JewellersAspen GreenhousesATB FinancialAtco GasAutism Society AlbertaBabycakes CupcakeryBagley, RobynBanff Park LodgeBartlett, LindaBartlett, LynetteBartoli, SandyBatiuk, Nichole BrendaBatiuk, VirginiaBeaumont, Paul Becker ChaletsBerg, NeilBerlinguette, DebbieBest Buy CanadaBikram Yoga Red DeerBirdBird HandmadeBirse-Olson, SandeeBlack Knight InnBlossoms Red DeerBlue Sage Catering Ltd.Bond, BrendaBooster JuiceBo’s Bar & GrillBoston PizzaBoston Pizza NorthBoutin, MichelleBrahma Frac Services Ltd.Brewster Travel CanadaBrian Scott MacNairn Barrister, Solicitor, Notary PublicBridges, MeganBrokerLink Insurance AgencyBrown, LoriBuster’s Pizza Donair & PastaCafe Millennium Inc.Calaway ParkCanadian Craft CompanyCanadian Tire SouthCardinal, Jasmine Lorelei

Carnival CinemasCentral Alberta Co-opCentral Alberta Family ExpoCentral Alberta Quilters GuildChamaschuk, MaryCheers Pub Ltd.Chillabongs Bar & GrillChisholm, Marc & Elaine Chocolates By Bernard CallebautCicman, MariaCity Of Red DeerClark, JenniferCMR Fabricators Ltd.Cochrane, Melodie & DaleColeman, SharonColor Me MineCone Castle CafeCreative TreasuresCruikshank, AbbeyCrum Primrose, SerenaThe Culinary & Gift ShoppeCuppitycakes BakeshopCutie PiesDance Magic StudioDavis, JeanneDay Lazenby, NatalieD’Costa, JackieDebler, BrandonDiamond Fireplace Distributors Ltd.Digital D PhotographyDionne, FayDoan, WayneDoary, JodiDoll, Dean & JanetDonnelly PhotographyDowhaniuk, KarenDowhaniuk, TracyDr. Elsa FiedrichDr. Vivek Cheba Professional Corp.Dubois, MoniqueDulux Paintsearls Kitchen & BarEdmonton International RacewayEdmonton Oilers Community FoundationEdmonton Symphony OrchestraEdwards Thomson, MichelleElegant Event Design & DecorElliott, JimEmjay PhotographyEngelhardt, Betty LouEntz, PeterErrity, Sarah JoExcell Transmission Ltd.Extreme Window and Entrance Systems Inc.Fairmont Jasper Park LodgeFamily First Chiropractic & WellnessFamoso Neapolitan PizzeriaFirst Choice Hair CuttersFit 4 YouFountain Tire Red DeerFour Points By Sheraton Edmonton South

Fox, AdaFox, KimFraserway RVGeiger, NicoleGeneral Appliances Lacombe Ltd.GES Global Experience SpecialistsGilmore GuitarsGilray, BrendaGoodlife Kids FoundationGord’s Smoke Shop Ltd.Gostola, Les & BarbGoulden, Keith Dr.Government of Alberta, Dept of Culture & TourismGray, AngelaGreer, JaimeGreer, LorieGrose, EdwardHaller, DanaHarris, Ryan A.Hayden, ColleenHenkelman, Karen DorothyHenkelman, SharonHeritage LanesHillsdown Womens’ InstituteHockin, Jill & GregHoffman, PaigeHoliday Inn Hotel & Suites Red Deer SouthHome Depot Of CanadaHorizon Crane ServicesHorsley, MayHRJ Consulting Ltd.Hudak, DeniseHudak, Nick & DeloresHughes, DianneIF1 Solutions Inc.JNB Oilfield Ltd.Johannson, LisaJohn Hull ArchitectJohnson Controls LPJohnson, AlishaJohnson, Travis & TeraJulie MacKinnon PhotographyKal TireKal-Boss Consulting LtdKellough Enterprises Inc.Kibambe, FreddyKids In HarmonyKimmotions Family Day Home AgencyKim’s Country Catering & Western PizzaKing, JasonKnox Presbyterian Church Ladies GroupKomaratat, AmyKraay Family FarmKrenzler, AudreyKromm, Barry or KarenKromm, CherylLachance, LindaLakestone Insurance BrokersLand, Wally

Leclair, GuylaineLittle Jon’s Portable Toilet ServicesMacNairn, BrianMagee, April MarieMarcinek, SonjaMarydream CakesMcBain Camera Ltd.McDonagh, AudreyMcKechnie, John & AdeleMcNaney, RobertMichnik, Derek & BrendaMiller, BarbMitchell, Johanna C.MNPMohave Smokehouse & BarMoneytree Management Inc.Moore, MichelleMorrill, Ronald & MaryNational Bank Financial Ltd.Newman, ShelleyNicoll, Nolan & YvonneNoble, JeanNossack Food GroupNu-Fab Fabrication & DesignOlymel L.P.On The Mark Productions IncOnce Upon A Child Red DeerOptimist Club of Red DeerOriginal Joe’s Restaurant & BarOwen, LukeOxley & Associates Private Wealth ManagementParker, MichelleParkland Industries LimitedParkland MallParkland Nurseries and Garden CentreParkland Party & Equipment Rentals Ltd.Parlby, Rick & KittyPedersen, CathiePediatric Consultants AssociatedPersimmon PatchPidherney CentrePiper Creek Optimist Club Of Red DeerPrecision Well ServicingPremier AcademyPrimas, BarbPrinting Place Print & Design Inc.ProVerus LLPPumps & Pressure Inc.Quality First Welding LtdQuist, LaurieR & R RentalsRadisson Red DeerRaines, KathleenRainy Daze Medi SpaRBC FoundationRealty Experts GroupRebel Energy Services Ltd.Red Deer AdvocateRed Deer Central Lions Club

GENEROUS DONORS

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Together we can make a difference.

Red Deer CountyRed Deer Driver Take Home & DeliveryRed Deer Elks BPOE # 85Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity Local 1190Red Deer Kinsmen ClubRed Deer Rebels Hockey ClubRed Deer Regional Airport AuthorityRexall FoundationReynolds, Heather DawnRimbey Lions ClubRisser, CathyRobert Munsch Enterprises LimitedRobins Weir, JudyRocky Mountain Flatbread CompanyRoss, AlainaRotaract Club Of Red DeerRotary Club Of Red Deer SunriseRotary Club Of StettlerRowden, Stan & SandraRowden, Trevor & ErikaRoyal Tyrrell MuseumSafeway Port O’ CallSandman Hotel Red DeerSave On Foods NorthSchnick, Shawna Schnoor, JordanSecure Energy ServicesServus Credit Union Ltd.Sharp, MarieShaw, LauraShelly Graham PhotographySheraton Hotel Red DeerSherwin-Williams Paint Store #8903Silver IcingSky Of Dreams Aviation TrustSlobodian, AllanSluchinski, MichelleSmillie, Ross & TheresaSmillie, SaraSmith, Chris Sobeys Gaetz SouthSole To Soul RejuvenationSource Energy Services Canada LPSouthside Dodge Chrysler Jeep & RV CentreSportballSt. Albert Inn & SuitesSt. Mary’s Anglican ChurchStach, DebraStantecState & Main Kitchen and BarStauffer, TraceySteel Pony FarmStewart, Douglas & KathySuarez, LisaSugar By TracySugarbelle CakerySugar-Free & More Ltd.SuperstoreSure Path Travel InsuranceSutton, Bill & DianaSylvan Lake AgenciesTailblazersTainsh, Brian & Terri

TD Bank GroupTeam TELUS Charitable GivingTelus Community AffairsTelus Spark, the New Science CentreThe Benevity Community Impact FundThe Busy Nurse Art & PhotographyThe Co-operatorsThe Co-operators Lacombe Advantage Insurance GroupThe Coverall ShopThe Ed Stelmach Community FoundationThe Jam Spot Inc.The Lions Club Of Alix AlbertaThe McGuire TrustThe Tasty BakeryThe Worx SalonThomas, DanielleTim HortonsTisdale, GlenTony Roma’sTotally Gluten Free BakeryTraditions PhotographyTroubled Monk BreweryTwin Peaks Furnace CleaningTwisted TortesUniglobeUnited Cycle SportUnited Way Of Central AlbertaUnited Way of Greater TorontoVajda, LauraVance-Tavarez, DeyaVermilion Energy Inc.Veroba, MichelleVillage SobeysVold Audio Group Inc.Volunteer CentralWalmart SouthWapple, Gary & KimWarren Sinclair LLP (Donna Purcell, Q.C.)Wazny, CurtisWest Edmonton MallWest Lake Grill - Heritage RanchWesterner ParkWheeler, DeboraWhyte, Alison MaryWickenheiser, HayleyWickham, TimWoods, Chris & DanielleWyntjes, Allan & DianneYakiwchuk, KristaYoung Guns Charitable Golf FoundationYoung, VictoriaZenari, Janice

Thank you to our donors; you are all an integral part of Aspire’s success!

Beyond the names listed here there have been many anonymous donors. Our best efforts have been made to recognize all donors who gave between September 1st, 2015 and August 31st, 2016. If there are any errors or omissions, please contact Aspire at 403.340.2606.

GENEROUS DONORS

Left: Jasmine Cardinal, Aspire parent and donor, and her sons.

Left: Days of Caring Volunteers from Nova Chemicals.

Left: RBC Foundation funds Aspires Behaviour Intervention Training Program.

Left: Best Buy donated iPads to Aspire’s EASE program, and their staff also participated in our annual Walk for Aspire.

Right: The Red Deer Lions Club made a donation towards new sound and video equipment for one of our assessment rooms.

Right: Lakestone Insurance Brokers sponsored the 4th Annual Walk for Aspire.

Right: Paul Beaumont, longtime Aspire donor.