Executive Director’s Report 2019

Typically a child’s world is very small, but even they know that the world is an uncertain place.

Partnering with Moorelands Kids means you have the opportunity to transform a child’s life. Your support helps them write their own success story.

At Moorelands Kids’ we help children prepare for a better future. We know that providing the opportunity for children to develop positive habits and qualities gives them the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and experience success in relationships, education and employment.

Globally, we look to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) *— a plan to transform the world by 2030. Their blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all includes: ending poverty, promoting lifelong learning, and preparing children for their economic future.

At Moorelands Kids, this is the essence of what we do.

In 2019, 89% of BLAST kids reported that their time at program had taught them to be more respectful; 91% of LED participants told us that they had grown in confidence; 92% of camper families reported their child could use their newfound leadership skills in the community. We invest in children, teaching them skills and instilling hope for a strong, positive future.

This is transformation.

You may remember Molly. Last year, she was the youth speaker at our Annual General Meeting where she shared what the support of Moorelands Kids has meant in her journey. She was looking forward to the summer as she had been hired as a Cabin Leader at Moorelands Camp.

Seeing Molly’s work with the campers inspired me; her strength was evident. At the end of the first camp session, even as one of the younger staff, she was known as a strong leader, a great example, skilled and smart! Her leadership skills will bring her success in the future.  Seeing her strength and influence in the community gave me hope for the future of so many of our kids.

In 2019, we served more kids in every one of our programs and had the opportunity to serve kids more through many initiatives. However, we experienced a shortfall in fundraising which made balancing the budgets a challenge. As leaders, we focus on what we can learn from this experience and move forward. We need to reach more kids. Toronto is the inequality capital of Canada. There is so much need among our children. Our fundraising efforts will continue while we pursue new resources and relationships to ensure that more children can experience success at Moorelands Kids.

In the following pages you will see the transformative effects of your support in the lives of the children we serve. None of this would be possible without our amazing staff, board members, volunteers, donors and community partners.  I want to thank you for your time, commitment, dedication and support over the past year – I have personally felt that on all levels. You are such an incredible community of people and sharing our strengths makes us stronger.  I am so proud to be on this mission with each and every one of you.

Lynda Tilley

Executive Director, Moorelands Kids

__________

*each of our city after-school and camp programs already have deliverables that tie into key parts of the United Nations SDGs including Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 4: Quality education, Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.