Letter from Executive Director, Ron McCauley
It gives me great pleasure to be able to report on what has been a very challenging and successful year at New Leaf.
This past year the Ministry of Community and Social Services agreed to fund the fire suppression sprinkler installations at our final six remaining group homes. The one-time finding for this round was $467, 344. The total cost of installation of sprinklers in all 12 homes has cost a total of $1,289,943 and we are very grateful to the ministry for their support.
As you may know, in the last provincial budget the government allocated $810 million to the Developmental Services (DS) sector over a 3 year period. A portion of this funding has been allocated to address staff salaries across the sector. This funding is being referred to as “Developmental Services System Capacity Investment”.
Although, we and most agencies across the province have been more than a little frustrated by the imposed rules on exactly how this funding was to be delivered, we are nonetheless very pleased to receive this funding. In the case of New Leaf we received a combined total of $504,898 annualized and permanently added to our base budget for the sole purpose of providing front line staff with well-deserved salary increases.
New Leaf has over the past year built local community partnerships and alliances to better serve the needs of the people we support, as well as to promote the agency as a valued member of the local service sector. To this end we have been very active participants and supporters of the local initiative known as the Network North Collaborative. Network North brings together residents, businesses, organizations, and government to examine efficient ways to work together and to plan for the future in East Gwillimbury. Participation in this collaborative has dramatically and positively increased local awareness of New Leaf in our community. It has also provided to our clients an opportunity to positively participate in and give back to their community.
As another example, this past year New Leaf was approached and asked to take a central role in the collection, sorting and distribution of tons of food raised as part of the annual local food drive. Our staff and clients rose to the challenge and did an amazing job. It is certainly a privilege for our residents and staff to give back to the community in such a meaningful way. We would like to particularly thank our Day Services Manager, Andrew Fagan who has been our lead and champion with these exciting community collaborations.
In closing let me take this opportunity to thank our staff, and management team for their ongoing commitment to the vision and mission of New Leaf. Their work and commitment truly makes us proud. Thank you finally to our committed board of directors who volunteer their time and talent to ensure the ongoing success of this agency. Their support and guidance is truly appreciated.
Queensville Players Collaboration
Participation in this collaborative has dramatically and positively increased local awareness of New Leaf in our community. It has also provided to our clients an opportunity to positively participate in and give back to their community.