Take a little walk with me...

2007-2008 annual review Northern BC & Yukon region

FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS OF THE CANADIAN RED CROSSNORTHERN BC & YUKON REGION

7-Eleven Canada Inc., A & K MacPherson EnterprisesBandstra Transportation Systems Ltd., HYDRECS - BC Hydro

Bechtel Group Foundation, City of Prince George, District of MackenzieFMC of Canada Ltd., Gairns Santos Engineering Inc., Government of Canada, Government of Yukon, IDL Projects Inc., Investors Group Financial Services,

Kinsmen Club of Prince George, Kiwanis Club of Williams LakeKnights of Columbus Bishop Bunoz Council #5282Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council #8927

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Prince George Central Lions ClubPrince George Community Foundation, Province of British Columbia

RONA Building Centre - Terrace, RONA Home Centre – Williams LakeRONA Tyee Building Supply Ltd. – Prince Rupert, Rotary Club of MackenzieRotary Club of Williams Lake, Royal Canadian Legion #43 Ladies Auxiliary

Scotiabank, Shaw Communications Inc., Spotless Uniform Ltd.Twin Rivers Developments Ltd., Wal-Mart Canada – Dawson Creek,

Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Terrace &Whitehorse Williams Lake Lions Club

Our Mission

To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

The Fundamental Principles

Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, Universality

MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT This year has been both successful and challenging.

We have faced natural disasters in several communities in our region and while personally devastating for those impacted, they have allowed us to grow as an organization and build community leadership.

We have undertaken new projects, formed exciting delivery partnerships, and trained people from all walks of life to help us achieve our mission of improving the lives of vulnerable people.

This year has also brought changes in personnel but as always, with change comes opportunity. We continue to work hard to build a strong staff and governance team. I am confident we are ready and able to lead the organization and help to set direction for the coming year.

I invite you to take a little walk with me through the events of the past year. I would like to recognize and applaud the generosity of caring communities and individuals as well as the hard work of our dedicated volunteers and staff that made it all possible. Wendell Hiltz Regional Council President

H

HUMANITARIAN VALUES Weprotectlivesandensurerespectforthehumanbeing.

•Northern BC & Yukon staff, volunteers and supporters formed the Northern Bug Patrol as a part of the national Malaria Bites fundraising campaign and have raised $3,766 to support the distribution of mosquito nets in Africa.

• A presentation on the Red Cross Malaria Bed Net Campaign was delivered to 15 students in the International Studies department at the University of Northern BC.

• An Introduction to the Movement presentation was delivered to the International Organization class at University of Northern BC.

• 23 Disaster Management volunteers have particpated in the Red Cross, Introduction to the Movement course.

• The Yukon Territorial Goverment made a $20,000 donation to support the Canadian Red Cross appeal to aid the survivors of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh.

• Red Cross Tsunami Delegate, Jean Slick, visited Prince George in March to share her experiences leading recovery operations for the Canadian Red Cross in Indonesia with donors, volunteers, students, and the general public.

• Red Cross representatives from Northern BC participated in the National Aboriginal Coordinators Conference in Ottawa in March, hosting nine other Aboriginal serving organizations.

“What else can be more satisfying than to improve the lives of the most vulnerable and the Red Cross provides many means to achieve this as it is the sole reason for its existence.” -Amar Dhillon, Past President, Regional Council

Families from the village of Molodo in Mali bring their children to a vaccination and Malaria bed net distribution site, Photo courtesy of Wendell Phillips.

DISASTER & CONFLICT Weprovidereliefwhenindividualsandcommunitiesrequiresupport.

“I appreciate the support Red Cross has given to my family during this very difficult time. It made me feel safe and gave me hope.” -Flood affected resident from Prince George, BC

• As a result of the flooding in North West BC, 15 Red Cross disaster management volunteers were activated to provide recovery assistance, such as; in-depth needs assessments, vouchers for food, clothing, and water, RONA clean-up kits, plush toys for children and short-term housing for those forced from their homes. Red Cross staff and volunteers assisted just under 200 clients.

• The Disaster Management Community Hazard and Assessment Tool (DMCHAT) was completed for Northern BC & the Yukon to assist with planning, project needs for future responses.

• The Northern BC & Yukon Emergency Response Team had 23 active members from across the region that participated in various levels of the national training program and three disaster management instructors were trained.

• The Red Cross QuakeSafe program was delivered to the Child Development Centre staff in Prince George.

• A Red Cross presentation on preparedness and intervention in disaster was delivered to the UNBC Social Work Department.

• A Recovery Centre was opened in Prince George Red Cross office following the Nechako River Ice Jam and Flooding.

• 17 Red Cross volunteers were activated during the Prince George Winter Flood Response to provide support services to the operation and direct services to clients. 34 needs assessments were completed and 36 families received assistance.

• Red Cross was invited to have a representative on the First Nations Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative, to build community and governmental capacity to respond to disasters threatening Aboriginal communities.

Nechako River Ice Jam and Winter Flood, Photo courtesy of The Prince George Citizen

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION Wereducesuffering,savelivesandbuildsafeandhealthycommunites forindividualsatvulnerabletimesintheirlives.

•Volunteers reached 2,318 youth through RespectED presentations on bullying and harassment, relationship violence and child abuse.

• Beyond the Hurt peer facilitators educated more than 900 youth in the region about bullying and harassment.

• Walking the Prevention Circle was delivered to three Aboriginalnations in the region, reaching 60 participants with messages about abuse, neglect and interpersonal violence and how to begin the tranistion from the cycle of violence to the circle of healing.

• 90 youth and 23 adults were trained to deliver RespectED presentations.

• 111 adults participated in RespectED workshops to encourage proactive approaches for preventing abuse, violence, and harassment.

• RespectED formed a delivery partnership with AimHi to deliver Beyond the Hurt to elementary schools.

•Eagle Nest Community and Aboriginal Services became a delivery partner of RespectED to deliver It’s Not Your Fault to internal youth clients.

• The Black & Purple Bullying Prevention tour in Prince George was a huge success with more than 1,000 youth and school staff participating in the events.

•In the Northern BC & Yukon 20,734 youth participated in Red Cross Preschool Swim lessons and Red Cross Swim Kids.

•83 new Assistant Water Safety Instructors and 110 Water Safety Instructors were trained in the region.

•The first Water Safety Instructor Trainer was certified over distance as a pilot project in the Yukon.

“The training I’ve received through RespectED has opened my eyes to issues surrounding child abuse and neglect and it’s given me the skills to do something positive about it.” -Greg Jonuk, RespectED Volunteer

Breanne Lawrenson sings Black & Purple during a Prince George Community Performance, Photo courtesy of Focal Point Studios

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION Wereducesuffering,savelivesandbuildsafeandhealthycommunites forindividualsatvulnerabletimesintheirlives

“My husband and I are very grateful for this service and thanks comes from the bottom of our hearts.” -Medical Equipment Loan Service Client

• A total of 9,781 youth and adults participated in Standard First Aid, Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED, Babysitter Training or another type of First Aid Training.

•22 participants completed First Aid Leadership courses including; First Aid Instructor courses, Instructor Recertifications, and Instructor Transfer courses.

• Dan Anton of Yukon College, an Authorized Provider for Red Cross, was part of the national team that developed the Wilderness & Remote First Aid program that was launched in February 2008.

•The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA) made a donation of $400,000 over three years to support the MELS program.

• 129 MELS volunteers from 16 depots in Northern BC and the Yukon loaned 8,338 pieces of medical equipment to 5,036 clients.

• Northern Health Connections partnered with Red Cross to provide the free delivery of medical equipment to meet client needs in outlying communities.

• The Fort Nelson MELS depot was moved to an improved location in the Fort Nelson General Hospital.

• The Medical Equipment Loan Service (MELS) program began a youth volunteer initiative focused on washing medical equipment, involving 16 youth from two Prince George high schools.

• 60 MELS Volunteers from Northern BC & the Yukon were trained to meet the national standards of cleaning anddisinfection.

• The MELS demo bathroom was opened and a workshop was delivered to 26 Prince George MELS volunteers to provide training for demonstrations to clients.

A MELS volunteer demonstrates the use of a wheelchair, Photo courtesy of Focal Point Studios

Organizational capacity Wemobilizesufficientsupportandresourcestocarryoutour humanitarianmission.

“I feel proud when I see the Red Cross emblem displayed. It’s a great organization to belong to and it offers a wealth of learning opportunities.” -Wendell Hiltz, Regional Council President

•RespectED youth volunteer, Kerry Kandola, won the City of Prince George’s Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for her work as a peer facilitator for Beyond the Hurt.

• Regional Council and Disaster Management Volunteer, Alvina Berggren, won the Provincial Emergency Program’s ESS Volunteer of the Year Award for her work in Disaster Management.

• Gillyana Thompson, a Prince George youth who saved her grandfather from drowning,received a Canadian Red Cross Rescuer Award for her bravery.

• 12 year old, Zebrina Dennis from Dease Lake won the National Red Cross Babysitter Hero Award for excellence in babysittying.

• Red Cross Disaster Management and RespectED volunteers participated in media training to prepare them as spokespeople for Red Cross.

•56 MELS volunteers donated 3,486 hours of their time to operating the Prince George MELS Centre.

• The Province of BC awarded a $100,000 grant to be used for the MELS and RespectED programs in Northern BC and the Yukon.

• Shaw Cable in Prince George made a committment of $14,160 a year, over the next three years to support the RespectED program in Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George, and Fort St. John.

• Red Cross partnered with Wal-Mart stores in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Terrace, and Whitehorse to raise $26,568.

•$21,807 was raised through a Red Cross appeal to assist Prince George residents affected by the Nechako River Ice Jam and Flooding.

Prince George MELS volunteer Colin McIntosh, retrieves equipment for a client, Photo courtesy of Focal Point Studios.

The heart andsoul of any

organization ismuch more than

itself. It is the people that embody the true spirit of a cause. It is with great appreciation

for those individuals that we recognize their contributions toward a better, safer

society. Youare what weaspire to be.

We thank you.

Northern BC & Yukon Region1399 Sixth AvenuePrince George, BC

V2L 5L6Phone: 250-564-6566

Fax: 250-564-2688Toll Free: 1-800-278-7177

www.redcross.ca/nbcyukon