SOCIETY OF SHARING INNER-CITY VOLUNTEERS

ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012

A Message from the President and the Executive Director

Mariza Garcia

Executive Director

Last year was a landmark year for Society of Sharing; the agency celebrated its 30th anniversary as an organization that provides much-needed services to seniors and adults with disabilities living in our community. To honour this momentous occasion, Society of Sharing devoted its annual gala dinner to reflecting on where the agency has been and it's vision for the future. Held at the elegant Rosewater Room, the gala was well attended, raising over $12,000 for the agency. With a growing need for our services in the community, Society of Sharing is so grateful to the many supporters who both joined us in the celebration of our 30-year anniversary as well as those who are committed to delivering the services we offer through volunteering. This year, the agency responded to the growing need for volunteers by developing a formal pilot program aimed at volunteer recruitment. Hiring a part-time Recruiter of Volunteers, we saw a significant increase in volunteer inquires, ultimately increasing the agency's volunteer capacity by more than 15 per cent in the coming year. We look forward to continuing to grow our network of volunteers in the coming years. Another way Society of Sharing is committed to providing services to those in need is working creatively and collaboratively with like-minded organizations. Given the current fiscal realities we are all living in, exploring possibilities to share resources in order to meet the agency's needs and priorities, could not only achieve efficiencies and cost-savings but also ensure we are maximizing the funding we receive from our generous partners. We are excited about the prospect of moving toward a model of service that involves the support of our fellow community partners. Within the past year, Society of Sharing has incorporated the requirements outlined in the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) into our policies and procedures. The AODA - which became law in 2005 and is expected to be fully implemented by the year 2025 - is designed to ensure that people with disabilities are offered service in a manner that is respectful of and sensitive to their needs. Committed to being in compliant with the Customer Service Standard, Society of Sharing has already provided its volunteers and staff with training on a number of areas as outlined in the Customer Service Standard. This additional component has been added to our existing training which will further enhance the customer service standard of the agency, by ensuring the services we provide reflects each individual’s unique needs. Finally, as you may recall from last year’s AGM report, Society of Sharing was in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan, with updated mission, vision and value statements. We are pleased to report that the Strategic Plan was approved by the Board and will be implemented over the next 3 – 5 years. The plan demonstrates Society of Sharing's commitment to evolving as an agency in order to continue to meet the needs of those we serve. As Society of Sharing bids farewell to its first thirty years of operation, we would like to thank all those who have been part of all these years of hard work and dedication – our funders, donors, volunteers, Board members and staff. It is with great anticipation and optimism, that we look forward together to the next thirty years - serving an inner-city community that looks to the agency for hope, compassion, a warm smile, a friendly voice and a helping hand.

Alexandra Pecoskie

Board President

OUR MISSION

To improve the quality of life and reduce isolation and vulnerability among seniors and adults with

disabilities in the community. We achieve our vision of independent living by providing services and

programs with the support of our volunteers.

OUR VISION

To ensure seniors and adults with disabilities live independently and stay connected to their community

with our support.

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COLLABORATION

Client Testimonials

“The Society of Sharing has been very helpful to me...the service is convenient, efficient and reliable.

I do not have to worry...”

“The volunteers are very friendly and helpful... [and they] make me feel happy to have their service.”

“The Society is doing a worthwhile service”

“Services provided have been fantastic!”

“We [the volunteer and I] are good friends now.”

Highlights for this past year...Highlights for this past year...

Program Expansion A part-time Recruiter of Volunteers was hired for a one year pilot project to increase the agency’s capacity to expand and susta in the volunteer program by recruiting and training at least 15% more volunteers. The Recruiter of Volunteers has done presentations and outreach to universities, colleges, parishes and various groups. The agency now has a recruitment booth that can be easily set up in high traffic areas to promote and increase awareness of the agency. Within the first six months, the agency has seen the number of volunteer inquiries increase. The Society of Sharing has surpassed the midterm benchmark - we have increased our volunteer base by 9% in the past six months. We anticipate in the upcoming year that more inquiries will be made and more volunteers will be recruited as the agency continues to be promoted.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

The Society of Sharing developed new policies and procedures to fully incorporate the requirements of the customer service standard outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The AODA training is now required for all staff and volunteers. This provides training on how to communicate with clients who have disabilities, how to interact with clients who use assistive devices and have service animals and more. Lastly, our policies also include a feedback process which allows for comments and suggestions to enable us to better improve the agency’s customer service we provide to our clients. As of January 1, 2012, the Society of Sharing has achieved full compliance with the AODA Customer Service standard.

A very special thank you to all our volunteers who give so A very special thank you to all our volunteers who give so

much of themselves to support and help our clients...much of themselves to support and help our clients...

Aileen Baluyut Catherine Grandison Hosnia Iman Laura Awosanya Samina Shahid

Aimee O'Driscoll Chris Peat Huong Luu Lorraine VanWagner Shirley Young

Alexandra Pecoskie Damien Hall Idalyn Louis Margaret Caravaggie Stephanie Selby

Ana-Maria Teohari Daphne Dias Stuart Rutten

Angela Huang Darren Dias Susan Rosgen

Ann Aziz Douglas Lawson Teresa Sebastian

Anna Hiris Eileen Galloway Maria Ip Teresa Smegal

Bea Jun Elenita Diaz-Raiha Ingrid Garcia Marlene Jacob Thomas Phillips

Beth Waldburger Emilia Gilmour Jen Handley Mary Ann Husband Thomas Wang

Erin MacCarthy Joanne Daley Mary Remedios Tony Genua

Frances Gamelo John Galloway Ofelia Feril Xavier Pinto

Francois Mifsud John Tipold Patricia Wong Yvonne Hutchinson

Gabrielle Silano Joseph De Luca Porfirio Garcia Yvonne Sinclair

Geoffrey Rytell Joseph Michael Kulandi Sally Ann Callander

Gyuszi Berki Joyce Alden Conaty

Betty Chua Habiba Raham Judith Delaney

Carmel Moffatt Heather Thompson Julie MacDonald

Catarina Asrat Henrietta Daniels Karen Hawkins

Students from the Catholic Chaplaincy of York University

18,594 HOURS provided by volunteers in all programs.

7,375 HOURS accompanying clients to

medical appointments and meeting clients’

shopping-related needs 873 HOURS set aside by Board

Members to ensure the continued success of the

agency.

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This past year marks the Society of Sharing’s 30th anniversary. Anniversaries are a time for celebration and recognition

but it also provides a great time for reflection. The agency has provided 30 years of much needed help and care for its

clients—this includes 25 years of our socialization group, Tea and Talk, in operation. We also need to reflect and

recognize that one of the main foundation and support for this agency are our volunteers. A growing client base cannot

be made successful without a group of committed volunteers. As the numbers of clients continue to grow, the effort

put In by our volunteers also increases. We also cannot forget to express our gratitude for our donors and funders for

their generousity over the years, particularly during the current economic decline.

To celebrate our successes and achievements, the Society of Sharing held a gala dinner to honour its 30th year of

operation. The well-attended event took place at the Rosewater Room in downtown Toronto. Gala guests were

treated with a delectable dinner, a presentation by motivational speaker Michel Neray, a raffle draw for a Toronto

weekend getaway, and a silent auction that featured a varied array of items – from tickets to Toronto’s most popular

attractions to original works of art. The gala raised over $12,000 – funds which will allow Society of Sharing to continue

its work, serving those in our community who are the most in need. We thank all of our guests for their contributions

and our fundraising committee for their hard work in putting together such a memorable and enjoyable evening.

Celebrating our Celebrating our 30th Anniversary30th Anniversary

Program Statistics 2011-2012

Number Friendly Visiting Clients Served 253 Socialization Groups Clients Served 65 Number of weeks 52 Medical / Shopping Escorts Clients served 147 Number of Escorts 1475

Number Christmas Gift Bags Distributed 145 Information & Referral Services 94 Total Volunteers 136 Volunteer Hours 19,924

Client Breakdown By Primary Program

Program Funding Sources

Summarized Financial Statements 2011-2012

SOCIETY OF SHARING: INNER-CITY VOLUNTEERS Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012

Summarized Financial Statements 2011-2012

Statement of Operations and Changes in Net Assets for the year ended March 31, 2012

Complete financial statements were issued with an unqualified Independent Auditors’ Report dated June 20, 2012.

2012 2011

ASSETS

Cash and short-term deposits $ 156,181 $ 166,053

Amounts Receivable 15,934 3,160

172,115 $ 169,213

LIABILITIES

Account payable and accrued liabilities $ 6,278 $ 3,908

NET ASSETS 165,837 165,305

$ 172,115 $ 169,213

2012 2011

OPERATING REVENUES

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto $ 87,799 $ 87,795

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care 61,589 60,679

City of Toronto 14,655 14,655

164,043 163,129

OPERATING EXPENSES

Personnel 146,880 137,153

Rent 16,040 16,010

Office and General 9,875 9,409

Professional Services 8,336 11,492

Telephone 5,570 3,780

Volunteer Expenses 2,837 2,563

Transportation 552 1,399

Insurance 63 64

Amortization of Capital Assets - 1,407

190,153 183,277

NET OPERATING REVENUES (EXPENSES) (26,110) (20,148)

NET FUNDRAISING REVENUES 26,642 22,396

EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES 532 2,248

NET ASSETS, Beginning of year 165,305 163,057

NET ASSETS, End of year $ 165,837 $ 165,305

Society of Sharing: Inner-City Volunteers 10 St. Mary Street Suite 607, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1P9

Telephone: (416) 413-0380 Fax: (416) 413-4814

Email: info@societyofsharing.org Charitable Registration Number: 10799 0699 RR0001

A Special Thanks

Fontbonne Ministries: Sisters of St. Joseph

Holy Name Parish

St. Helen Parish

St. Elizabeth Health Care

Sunshine Centre

St. Justin Martyr Parish

Catholic Chaplaincy at York University

University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology Mary Street

Char. P. Management and tenants of 10 St. Mary Street And Private Donations

Our Donors

Abigail Brown Ida Louis

Andy Wild John Wilson

Angela Severino Joseph R. De Luca

Ann Aziz Karen Hawkins

Anne Cabri Kathleen Conway

Anne O'Brien Leah Salvador

Anthony Genua Leonor Hall

Bernhard Friz Lorenza Ferrara

Beth Waldburger Lorraine Van Wanger

Carl De Luca Lucy Chavez

Carlo Berardi Lynda Cunningham

Carmel Moffatt Margaret Kerr

Carolyn Galbraith Marina Remedios

Catherine Grandinson Mariza Garcia

Christopher Romano Marta De Luca

Claire Bartleman Mary Prokipchuk

Damien Hall Mary Remedios

Daphne Dias Matthew Wilson

Debra Czegledi Michael McPherson

Denise Emile Michel Emile

Diane Knight Norman Da Costa

Doris Chan Norman Erickson

Edward Rathe Ormond Kemp

Eileen Fitzpatrick Pierre Marchildon

Eileen Ryan Reynolds Mastin

Emily Ackert Rutten Robert Phillips

Erin MacCarthy Sandra Ashby

Father Andrew Morasse Sharon Hart

Fiel Cotta Shirley Shimamori

France Rays Shirley Young

Frances Barnes Stella Wong

Frank Campo Stephen Quinn

Genevieve Jackson Susan and Maya Gallardo

Geoffrey Rytell Susan Rosgen

Godfrey Palmer Teresa Smegal

Gordon Kaiser Tom Phillips

Grace Taylor Verna McCarthy

Hayley Phillips Veronica Payne

Henry Jerome William Jackson

Hiroko Keith Zeina Nassar

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto

Catholic Women's League of Canada

Craftsmen Group Inc.

Dominican Friars of Toronto

Knitting Group coordinated by Carol Hallam

Corporate Donors

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Canadian Music Centre

Canadian National Exhibition

CHUM Charitable Foundation

CN Tower

Fidelity Investments Canada

For Walls and a Roof - Antonella Ferrone-Wild

Fossil Canada

Hakim Optical

Harbourfront Centre

Hockey Hall of Fame

Il Fornello

Liberty Entertainment Group

Loreena McKennitt and Quinlan Road

M&M Meat Shops

Marineland

Medieval Times

Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre

National Ballet of Canada

NHLPA

Ontario Science Centre

Peek Frean Bakery

Scotiabank

Second City Toronto

Sutherland Chan Clinic

The Keg Steak House

The Rosewater Room

Tilley Endurables

Toronto Star

Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto

Xerox Canada Society of Sharing: Inner-City Volunteers is an incorporated, charitable, non-

profit organization funded by:

Our Funders

Mariza Garcia, Executive Director

Carolyn Galbraith, Coordinator of Volunteers

Dexter Garcia, Recruiter of Volunteers

Irene Vien, Administrative/Program

Assistant

Staff

Alexandra Pecoskie, President

Tony Genua, Vice President

Damien Hall, Treasurer

Carmel Moffatt, Secretary

Thomas Phillips

Daphne Dias

Joseph Romano DeLuca

Karen Hawkins

Idalyn Louis

Fr. Francois Mifsud

Board of Directors