ANNUAL REPORT

2017

SENIORS SERVICES SOCIET Y

Our agency?s roots date back to two parent organizations from the 1970?s which amalgamated in 2006, and formed who we are today as Seniors Services Society of BC. February 2017, marked our 11th Birthday. Currently, we offer 15 unique programs to frail and isolated seniors; in New Westminster and across the Lower Mainland. We continue the legacy of our roots by supporting seniors to find an appropriate place to call home, to age in place with dignity and remain active in their community.

We have come a long way in reshaping the programs and services required for a growing and aging senior population. In quoting Neil Diamond: ?Money talks, but it can?t sing and dance and it don?t walk?, but do you know who does? People. This year, we have strengthened our most important piece of foundation- our people: board members, volunteers, staff and donors. This focus has been an ongoing strategic goal from both the board of directors and the operations, and has been a true accomplishment of this past year. Together, as a team of like-minded individuals, we have diverse, skilled and effective people, who passionately fulfill our mission: To assist seniors with housing, social and support programs.

Each of our 15 programs have continued to grow! 2016-17 has been all about partnerships and those partnerships have allowed us to continue with a number of existing programs, develop new ones and to help put seniors needs on the map by raising the profile of seniors in our community at large.

The senior demographic continues to grow in

New Westminster and across the Lower Mainland. The struggle we faced and met this past year is our need for greater awareness of the struggles of the hungry, helpless and homeless seniors. We successfully grew our two annual society fundraisers: An Evening in Tuscany Dinner and Coldest Night of the Year Walk which combined raised $59,000.

Our biggest challenge moving forward is creating a funding future for all our programs. Most people assume we receive all of our support from the government and are surprised to learn that only 53% is government funding and that we rely on grants and donations from year to year. Our goal is to move away from relying on grant funding and focus on growing our donor base and expanding our development streams.

Big thanks to the many hands behind the vital work that happens day to day: Our Staff, Board of Directors, and Volunteers, who work all year long ensuring thousands of seniors stay active, healthy, comfortable, connected, nourished and housed.

MESSAGE FROM T HE EXECUT IVE

Kara-L eigh Bloch

Executive DirectorMarg MckeePresident of the Board

? COMPANY FOUNDER

A community whereseniors live with dignity in

a safe, comfortable andhealthy home

OUR V ISION

Marg Mckee, President

Brenda Southam, President Elect

Cal Donnelly, Past President

Christopher Utley, Treasurer

Lorraine Logan, Secretary

Sherry Baker, Director

Linda McGowen, Director

Betty McIntosh, Director

Elizabeth Philip, Director

Philip Bonardelli, Director

Wolf Strecko, Director

Evelyn Gut, Director

Alana McIntyre, Director

Richard Dolmat, Director

GOVERNING OUR SOCIET Y

2016-2017BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To assist seniors withhousing, social and

support programs

OUR MISSION

Respect and Dignity

Acceptance and InclusionIntegrity and Trust

OUR VALUES

IN 2016 W E ASSIST ED

3,274SENIORS W IT H HOUSING, SUPPORT AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS

Suppor t Services programs assist with everyday tasks, and provide social engagement opportunities for seniors. These services enable seniors to live independently and maintain their quality of life. Programs include Meals on Wheels, Telephone Support Calls, Medical Transportation, Information & Referral, Dining Club, Lunch Bunch, Out & About, and an Annual Income Tax Clinic. Support Services programs are offered to seniors 55 and older living in New Westminster.s

Housing Services assists seniors through three service programs. Housing Counseling includes information and referral on issues relating to obtaining or maintaining housing for seniors throughout BC. Housing Outreach Services works with seniors who are homeless or at risk of homeless across the Metro Vancouver area. The Temporary Housing Program works in conjunction with tailored outreach services to provide a temporary furnished apartment for homeless or at risk seniors who qualify.

s

Com m unit y Educat ion Services gives presentations and workshops on topics relating to seniors housing and support services. Housing Counsellor Training is offered twice a year for service providers, volunteers, and community members who wish to learn more about providing information and referral for seniors.

OUR SERVICES: MAKING A DIFFERENCE

724SENIORSRECEIVED SUPPORT AND SOCIAL SERVICES

ISOL AT ED

750+

EDUCAT EDAT 12 PRESENTAT IONS AND WORKSHOPS

PEOPL E

2,550RECEIVED

ONE-ON-ONE HOUSING SUPPORT AND INFORMAT ION

SENIORS

CHANGING L IVES: ONE SENIOR AT A T IME

There are many stories to tell and unique people in my life. I have been a pro-active advocate engaged in international, national and community affairs, a public relations ambassador, and have frequently worked in unique and interesting projects.

There is however a group of people in my life that surpasses all; the individuals associated with Seniors Services Society, to whom I was introduced to three years ago.

Five years ago my life came to a drastic halt when I contracted a rare combination of bacteria. Over the next year this resulted in a perforated colon, emergency admission into intensive care, three surgeries, and a hidden internal infection which exploded, causing a paralysis of my lower body. My medical prognosis was considered 99% fatal, but I was determined to recover. Eventually I was released to go home.

My son and family had assumed that I would not survive, and when I was released they insisted I move to New Westminster. The move was traumatic. I had still been in recovery and treatment and was left to fend for myself without support or direction.

In July 2014, Fraser Health recommended I contact Seniors Services. Kelly Friesen was an expert in organizing support services for

seniors with complex medical situations. At the time I had a DVT blood clot in my right leg and was still battling the infection. Kelly was encouraging, understood my dilemma, and immediately organized medical transportation for my daily visits to Royal Columbia Hospital. Seniors Services Society became a lifeline for me.

Since July 2014 Kelly has co-ordinated volunteer drivers for all of my medical and surgical appointments. My appointments can be time consuming, but the volunteer drivers are all charming, compassionate and caring people, who understand every one of these medical appointments have been lifesaving and life giving to me.

The saying "No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another", Author Unknown, should be Seniors Services? motto, as that is what the Society means to its clients. Seniors Services Society has given me patience and hope to endure. I and my grandchildren thank you all.

"SENIORS SERVICES SOCIET Y IS A

L IFEL INE FOR ME"-DORIS

DorisSincerely,

-BY DORIS, A SUPPORT SERVICES CL IENT

Located in Port Coquitlam and owned by Sienna Senior Living, Astoria is a seniors retirement residence where the residents and the staff go out of their way to make everyone feel at home, and help those who do not have have a home of their own.

Over the years Wendy, a Seniors Services Society Outreach Worker who works with homeless and at-risk seniors, has built a strong relationship with Astoria, and shared the growing need, and numbers, of at-risk and homeless seniors.

Astoria's residents rallied, and started promoting Seniors Services at their events. Together they raised $2,500 for our Temporary Housing Program in the last year, and donated approximately $20,000 worth of lightly used furniture. Without their assistance we couldn't have met the needs of many homeless seniors we serve. Thank you Sandra, Wendy and Ina!

Marg Mckee?s team, Marg?s Snowflakes, were once more hard at work for our 3rd Annual Coldest Night of the Year walk. On Feb. 25th over 120 people joined together and walked to raise funds and awareness for homeless and at-risk seniors in the Lower Mainland. With over 200 attendees, the event raised more than $33,000!

Marg?s Snowflakes, the biggest team with 16 walkers, raised almost $3,000. Marg and her teammate Pat Dunnett say that their awareness strategy for gaining walkers and donations was simple: Save & Support Seniors! They know firsthand that there are seniors living at the poverty level who do not have the financial and social supports they need. Together they share a mission to raise awareness, open the minds and hearts of others, and raise funds while doing it!

With their upbeat and passionate personalities, Marg and Pat have spread word of vulnerable seniors and their needs across the community. Thank you Marg and Pat for your hard work and dedication to snowballing the Snowflakes and our seniors needs right along!

HOMEL ESS DOESN'T HAVE TO MEAN HOPEL ESS

T HE SNOW BAL L ING OF MARG'S SNOW FL AKES

SENIORS TAKING ACT ION

The 2016/17 year was fiscally successful, ending with a $17,991 surplus. This surplus has been added to the Society's unrestricted funds to contribute to future operations.

Donations and fundraising events have continued to grow through the efforts of staff, board members and volunteers.

T HE T REASURER'S REPORT

FINANCIAL S: MAKING T HE MONEY WORK

Chris Utley, CPA, CABoard T reasurer

These results are a testament to the staff and volunteers who have excelled in obtaining additional funding and controlling costs.

The Society remains in a strong financial position to meet next year?s budget.

EX PEN SES

Adm in ist rat ionProgram CostsFundraising

TOTAL EXPENSES

$174,045$953,262$3,689

15%84%0%

$1,130,996

REV EN U E

Receip ted Donat ionsNon-receip ted Donat ionsOther Char it iesGovernm ent Fund ingOther Revenues

TOTAL REVENUE

$20,710$6,963$277,022$599,287$231,610

2%

1%24%52%20%

$1,148,987

Fundraising $13,396 1%

Seniors Services Society of BC | Charitable Tax #: 801388547 RR0001

750 Carnarvon St., New Westminster BC V3M 1E7

Phone: 604-520-6621 | Fax: 604-520-1798 | www.seniorsservicessociety.ca

www.facebook.com/seniorsservicessociety | https:// twitter.com/Support_Seniors

Evening in Tuscany

Sant a for SeniorsColdest Night

of t he YearTax Clin ic

Sun. October 1st 5:00pm

Fundraiser Support Services

December 2017

Gift Drive for isolated and

low-income Seniors

Sat. February 24th 5:00pm

Fundraiser for Housing Services

March- April

Free Tax Clinic for low-income

seniors

BC Gaming

BC Housing

BC Association of Farmer?s Market

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

OUR FUNDERSMAKING EVERYT HING POSSIBL E

City of Vancouver

City of New Westminster

Homelessness Partnering Strategy ? Service Canada

United Way of the Lower Mainland

Fraser Health Authority

Royal City Farmer?s Market

New Horizons for Seniors

May and Stanley Smith Trust Foundation

OUR YEAR AHEAD