In December Kids Can Fly lost

one of our greatest Champions

and a dear friend as Mr. Bill

Campbell lost his battle with

cancer. He and his wife

Dorothy had been major pa-

trons of the Launch Pad pro-

gram since 2008. They were con-

vinced that the research of Dr

Fraser Mustard—investing in

early learning—was one of the

most important things to give to

your community. This generosity

allowed us to open the Launch

Pad and provide a haven for chil-

dren and families for the past 8

years. They covered the cost of

the taxi and also provided seed

money for other projects like our

first Parachute Program, Educa-

tion through Music and other pro-

fessional developments for early learning professionals. Bill loved

to drop into the program to mingle with the children, sing songs

and have some fun! We miss his humour, his optimism and his

sincere leadership. Kids Can Fly was honoured to receive over

$10000. in donations in memory of Bill to the Imagination Library.

Kids Can Fly Loses a Great Champion!

Report from the Interim Chair: Patti KunashkoReport from the Interim Chair: Patti Kunashko

The 2014-15 year was an exciting but also sad year for Kids Can Fly. Our remarkable friend and supporter Bill Campbell passed away. Bill and his wife Dorothy were the sole funders of the Launch Pad at the Graham Bell Victoria School. His love of children, families and education will be sadly missed by all of us. On a happier note, the annual Storybook Breakfast moved to a new and bigger location (New Covenant Church). A whole new look to our already awesome event went off without a hitch and everyone young and old enjoyed the morning. Of course without the help of the board and all the amazing volunteers and sponsors this event would not happen. In March, our chair Patti Berardi stepped down. As vice-chair I was asked to fill the vacancy. In April the board met for 2 strategic planning sessions. A lot of brain-storming took place and the facilitator made recommendations so hopefully this coming fall we can start to implement what we learned and continue to grow. Finally, I would personally like to thank all our dedicated board members, volunteers, and partners in the community for helping Kids Can Fly do what we do! Respectfully submitted: Patti Kunashko

September 2015 charitable #884476904 RR0001

Executive Director’s Report

Sharon Brooks

Kids Can Fly continues to make a

significant impact on children and

families within Brantford-Brant. In

keeping with our Mission we are a catalyst for

early learning and have adapted our focus to fill a

community gap in the area of postpartum depres-

sion support. We are proud that Kids Can Fly has

taken the lead in providing various supports for

women with PPD as well as encouraging literacy

right from birth (Imagination Library) and nurtur-

ing children to be tolerant and understanding.

(Roots of Empathy). We continue to follow the

teachings of Dr Mustard and proudly provide our

Launch Pad Program where parents are supported

in their child’s critical first years .

We are grateful to our sponsors, partners and

volunteers without whom we would not exist.

We are also very proud of our dedicated and

talented staff members who are the BEST at what

they do! RIP BILL CAMPBELL

Sharon Brooks RECE

Executive Director

________________

Board of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of Directors

Patti Kunashko Interim Chair

Robin Matthews-Osmond Interim Vice chair

Terry Adkins Treasurer

Michelle Falkiner

Melissa Ferrao

Shannon Kingsbury

Nora Leung

Zeta Phillipo

Joe Persia

Cathie Rice

Sarah Roarke

Heather Wilson

Note our Chair Patti Berardi stepped

down from the board during this

fiscal year. Vice chair Patti Kunashko

moved into Chair and a new Interim

Vice Chair was elected.

110 German School Road, RR # 1 Paris Ontario. N3L 3E1 www.kidscanfly.ca

Tel 519 448 1713 Cell 519 755 9692 Email info@kidscanfly.ca Kids Can Fly– Early Child Development & Parent Support/ Incorporation # 156380 March 2003

Kids Can Fly Annual Report

2014-2015

The Wild West came to the Best Western for the 2014 RECE

Banquet! The participants got right into the spirit with cowgirl

outfits, games and step dancing. The sold out event featured

a menu of western fare and the committee outdid themselves

in creating a memorable evening for all of our early

learning professionals. Awards for outstanding achievement

as well as 20 , 30 and the NEW 40 year recognitions were

given. A FUN night to remember!

Launch Pad: Changing Lives!

Page 2

I am very grateful for the professional development that

Kids Can Fly invests through me each year. This past year I

attended the Family Resource Conference as well as the

Education Through Music Colloquium, did training for Moth-

ers in Mind (developed at the Child Development Institute)

which is a a research based program group intervention for

mothers with a history of violence and/or trauma and chil-

dren under the age of four.

Launch Pad averages about 12 children / 6-10 adults a day.

This year we have used the gym two mornings a week for

gross motor activities. We continue to have a full spectrum

of attendees including moms, dads, grandparents, foster

parents and caregivers. Community agencies refer their

clients and frequently attend the Launch Pad with the par-

ent on their first visit. Through out the year we have visits

from Lansdowne Children’s Centre specialists in child devel-

opment and speech and language. The Launch Pad truly is

changing lives! “

Respectfully submitted Jane Flinders RECE

“Change encourages me to reevaluate and reflect on the impact our

programs are having in the community. This past year with the loss

of Bill Campbell I certainly did a lot of reflection on how the Launch

Pad has impacted families and our youngest community members.

This past year, moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers have taken

home songs, play ideas and parenting advice and guidance when

they participated in a morning at the Launch Pad. Some families

have connected with the outside community for the first time in

their role as new parent or caregiver. Some families have experi-

enced challenging barriers in their lives such family break down,

post part depression, language challenges, transportation chal-

lenges and special needs of their children. At Launch Pad we have

created a culture of support where a parent, a professional support

worker and caregiver feels safe to bring their children and clients

for a meaningful and play based morning. Children connect with

other caring adults and begin to learn to navigate relationships with

other children. Adults get support and validation in the most impor-

tant job they will ever do. Research is supporting this important role

of early social / emotional stability and competence in child’s future

success in school and navigating life.

My reflection has led me to ponder the bigger impact of Launch Pad

and how this program was a vehicle to meeting some very crucial

needs in this community. Would we as an organization ever been

aware of the lack of services for moms struggling with PPD had not

they been provided with a safe place as Launch Pad to share their

stories and express their frustration with the lack services for

them. ?

These parents were a catalyst for us at Kids Can Fly to get more

knowledgeable and eventually rework Parachute Program to create

a support program for these moms.

ECE Banquet Goes Western

2015 ECE Banquet

Committee

Financial Report 2014-2015 respectfully submitted by Terry Adkins/ Treasurer

The 2013-2014 fiscal ended with an excess of expenses over revenue of $22,913 and a bank balance of $205,121.

A sincere heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of our funders and volunteers whose efforts and support allowed Kids Can Fly to generate over $202,865 of free programs to the community.

Financial Highlights Total Revenue for the year ended March 31, 2014 $229,53 Total Expenses for the year ended March 31, 2014 $252,499

Program Revenue 97.3%

Direct Program Expenses 88.3% Operating Expenses (excluding Public Education) 20.2%

Respectfully Submitted Terry Adkins

A copy of the Kids Can Fly audit can be made available by contacting

our Treasurer Terry Adkins 519 755 5778

The 2015 Storybook Breakfast found a new home at the Church of the New

Covenant. This vast space gave us incredible license for decorating, less

crowding and a more enjoyable experience for families. The large entry hall

allowed them to wait indoors and the AV was helpful to share information.

We are grateful to Scotiabank for once again being our major sponsor and to

all of the amazing volunteers, sponsors and board members for the work and

creativity they put into making this event so special for children. We raised

$19000. and the importance of reading to your children. The picture below

says it all re the magic of this morning. Thanks everyone!!!

Margot Kneale with the 7

Dwarfs she created for us

Cheque presentation from Adkins Financial 2015

“The moment where you doubt

whether you can fly;

You cease for ever being able to do it.” J.M. Barrie Peter Pan

PPD Telephone Support Line Report from Tracy Woodford, Program Coordinator

Over the last year, activity on the PPD telephone support line has steadily increased with all 7 volunteers mentoring at least one mother by March 2015. A pattern has emerged over the year whereby there is a decrease in calls in the warmer months and an increase in the fall and winter months. This trend is considered to be indicative of seasonal changes affecting mood and the subsequent decrease or increase in need for mental health services. We continue to receive the majority of calls from mothers who were referred to our line by professionals and community service provid-ers (e.g., physicians, midwives, social workers). This finding is significant as it indicates that our program is being viewed by professionals as a credible and valuable adjunct to treatment and service provision of perinatal mood and anxiety dis-orders. It also speaks to the importance of increasing our visibility within the professional community and in developing stronger relationships with these health service providers. In November of 2014, we held a Doctor’s forum at the Brant-ford General Hospital with perinatal mental health specialist Dr. Ryan Van Lieshout, (Psychiatrist, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton). Professionals from the Brant Avenue Medical Clinic (Obs/Gyns) attended. Feedback was very positive. Re-sponses to the support line were also positive with attendees indicating they would refer patients to the program. Community Outreach and Education initiatives continue with most recently the design of a new poster and brochure aimed at stigma reduction and demystifying PPD. Our goal is to educate the general public by listing 10 myths and facts about PPD and anxiety while at the same time, encour-aging mothers to speak to their health care providers and to call the line for support. Materials are being distributed again to local doctor’s offices and clinics. In. . Tracy was invited to speak at the National Conference of the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs in March of 2015. She discussed the successes and challenges of implementing a telephone based peer support pro-gram within our community to those interested in implementing a similar program in their community.

To date, there has been no interest in our public health unit to partner with us, which has been a disappointing barrier. However, we have shifted our focus to a promising partnership between St. Leonard’s Community Services and Kids Can Fly. We firmly believe that this collaboration would enable us to reach a larger audience as their presence in the community is well-respected, and their phone line which is available 24-7 is frequently accessed.

We have retained 6 of the original 7 volunteers trained to mentor struggling moms, and they remain very dedicated and enthusiastic about the program.

Supporting women who are struggling with depression and anxiety during the motherhood transition is very challenging work. I am so very proud of these women for their genuine compassion and generosity of spirit. Our community is fortu-

nate to have these volunteers giving so selflessly of their time and they are truly the ones that make this program a success. This testimonial from one of our mentored mothers reflects this sentiment:

“As a busy mom of two young children this telephone service is so vital to my mental health. Instead of unloading on my husband I look forward to talking with another mom who has faced similar challenges as I do. It is comforting to know there

is help and I am not alone. I hope this service continues to be funded as I think it’s a great service.”

Kids Can Fly is grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for providing funds for this extremely valuable service

1 in 6 women will

experience

postpartum

depression or

postpartum anxiety

In other communities

the public health unit

provides funds and

staff for programs.

Transitioning to Parenthood submitted by Jane Flinders RECE

Over the past year mom’s and babies have delighted in our knee bouncers, shaking bells and a windy parachute overhead. Both Parachute programs begin with music, which is not only an aesthetic experience but builds mom’s sense of competency, enhances overall development of baby. This special coming together unifies the group into com-munity as only singing together can. The music playlist varies little from week to week which allows us to check in over the months on how each baby at different ages and stages responds to the song /games. We also have so much fun as well. Brantford Public Library The third floor room at the library is pretty exciting on Monday afternoons as moms roll strollers up for the Parachute program which begins at 12:30. We have out consistently 5 -7 moms each week with their babies. For the most part the same moms attend each week until their baby ages out at 12 months. We do make exceptions when the case warrants as we did this year for a mom who will attend Launch Pad once it starts up. This past year mom’s have developed a cook book from shared recipes, Sheryl Puckering has offered her sensitive and therapeutic yoga instruc-tion, Cathie Rice has shared her nutrition expertise, Tracy Wood-ford has demonstrated the benefits and how to’s of baby wear-ing. Mom’s enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner catered by the Sherwood Restaurant, had a movie night and during the summer we had two of our classes at Mohawk Park the form of a picnic. TB Costain Community Centre– Followers of Christ Church This past fall we moved Parachute to The Followers of Christ Church located in the TB Costain Community Centre. The gener-ous free use of the two rooms has been great as well as cost sav-ing. Parking is very accessible and free, the mother’s lounge is private and comfortable and the playroom area for music making and baby cuddling is lovely. Nancy Corke joined the Parachute Program as our volunteer cuddler coordinator. We continue to have an amazing group of dedicated volunteer baby cuddlers to whom I am very grateful; as are the moms. Because of them some of these moms are leaving their babes for the first time in someone else's arms. It doesn't always appear obvious; but these moms are there for a reason which sometimes they share and sometimes they don’t. They all have a challenge of sorts. This group has the same speakers with the additions of Dr. Bev-erly Jones, a lactation consultant and guests speaking about their own postpartum journey. Moms have developed a camaraderie and supportive friendships. One teenaged mom has come every week since her son was 3 weeks old. Our programs have been a lifeline for her and her two children this past year. She has used the taxi for all visits and all of us working in the programs are so pleased with this young lady’s growth as a parent. This has been a good investment -building future citizens. The Parachute Program is one of the most important projects of Kids Can Fly—filling a community gap and need.

Roots of Empathy

Kids Can Fly continues to pro-

vide the Roots of Empathy program

within both school boards in Brantford-Brant. We

could not do this without the dedication of our trained

instructors and the families who volunteer their babies.

We are proud to have provided this evidenced based

program to over 11,000 children since 2003 and note

that it continues to show an 88% reduction of aggres-

sion as well as increasing tolerance and understanding,

In a society where cyber bulling is a huge issue we feel

Roots of Empathy is helping to raise emotional literacy

within elementary aged children and hopefully prevent

some of this by creating a more civil society—classroom

by classroom and child by child.

This year we had a special situation where three of our

ROE instructors actually delivered the program with

their own grandsons! Pictured below Nancy Corke with

daughter Katelyn and grandson Rowan, Susan Miller with

her daughter in law and grandson Lochlon and Margot

Kneale with daughter Lauren and grandson Henry.

IMAGINATION LIBRARY Report for Kids Can Fly Submitted by Jeanne Smitiuch—Imagination Library Coordinator

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is five

years old in Brantford and Brant County as of 2015 and continues to

grow. Currently 1,500 children receive the Imagination Library books

every month and over 45,000 books have been sent to families in our

community, thanks to SC Johnson, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Rotary Club of Brantford

Sunrise, Rotary Club of Brantford, Brant Community Foundation, Samuel W. Stedman

Foundation, the Lorne and Elise Hankinson Charitable Trust, Leisa Way Productions, Stepright Capital Planning Inc.

& many other corporate and individual donators.

Kids Can Fly was humbled

with the donations of over

$10,000.00 in memory of

our dear friend Bill

Campbell from both

Rotary Clubs and

individuals.

Dorothy is pleased that so

many children will be

inspired by the books that “Bill sent!” Bill Campbell with Dolly

In March 2015, the Dollywood Foundation made an investment in Ontario to have

other communities follow Brantford and Brant County’s lead of offering Imagination

Library. This included creating the position of Ontario Director which I am proud to

have been selected for. Research is continuing to build noting that participation in

Imagination Library helps prepare a child for school by increasing their literacy skills.

How it works: Kids Can Fly is responsible to fundraise for the cost of the books and

postage. The Dollywood Foundation underwrites the rest of the costs including the de-

velopment and management of the massive database, selection and negotiation of

book selection and mailing and processing 865,000 books every month globally and

positions such as Ontario Director.

Imagination Library is such a success in our

community that we do not have enough

funds for the number of

children that want to receive

books. We continue to seek

funds and are adding names to a

waiting list. When a child

graduates at age 5 we

immediately add a child from

the waiting list to this spot.

To add your children to the

waiting list or sponsor a child

go to www.kidscanfly.ca

Happy Reading!

100% of the staff of Montessori Children’s

Academy pledged the $5. a month

donation to support Imagination Library

in 2014! THANK YOU!

Dolly Cutout Receiving the 100

Women Who Care Cheque in

October 2014