TABLE OF CONTENT
ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORTS
2002 Activities Report
CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS
The Counselling Foundation of Canada is a charitable grant making foundation with a mandate to fund activities which strengthen the career counselling profession and/or aid in the healthy development of Canada’s children (and their parents) who are most at risk. We do not deliver programs and services directly nor do we solicit funds (government or private) to support our operations. Our mandate focuses solely on investing in the ideas and interest of others. In 2002, The Counselling Foundation of Canada paid out over 2.6 million in grants and the Board of Directors approved almost 3.4 million in new grants.
Our annual community investment strategy, which has, in recent years totaled approximately 3.5 million, did shift slightly in 2002. This shift reflected the end of some long-term investments, some unprecedented successes in a number of on-going projects and our continued commitment to fund new and innovative programs.
In 2002, The Counselling Foundation of Canada took an unprecedented step of directly communicating in writing with over 5000 career practitioners in Canada to convey an important decision, concerning our community investment strategy. The Counselling Foundation of Canada, after 16 years as a co-sponsor of NATCON (National Consultation on Career Development) would not be co-sponsoring NATCON in 2003.
All things have their own life span and there comes a time when it is appropriate to move on. We believed the time had arrived with the resignation of the University of Toronto as conference management. Our long time partner and co-sponsor of NATCON, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), has assumed all financial responsibility for this conference, and, though the Canadian Career Consortium has appointed a new steering committee to oversee the conference. This HRDC driven strategy makes our sponsorship unnecessary. We do understand the future of NATCON is secure and that surplus dollars guaranteed by the 2003 conference, and conferences thereafter, will be retained within an HRDC associated organization to create a “fund” designated for future NATCON'S.
The Counselling Foundation of Canada did in 2002 continue to invest in our historic “raison d’ etre" – career counselling and the counselling profession. Approximately $1 million was paid to agencies, organizations and institutions to develop enhance and expand; career counselling programs and services. An additional $1 million was provided to develop and implement mentoring programs and services which were career based. The tri-mentoring initiatives, in particular, the efforts of Ryerson University, have gained international accolades. Contact Point- a web-based resource for career counsellors remained a cornerstone of our investment strategy with a whole new look and new services being developed. On-line professional development opportunities and the job board have become very popular. We also are very pleased to have in 2002 provided the funding for “Orient Action” the francophone website for career practitioners. This new website has been developed by Contact Point with the association Société-GRICS.
The Foundation investment strategy also involved over $840,405 being provided to children and family service programs and services. We are very honoured to have been involved in the development and delivery of the Pathways to Education program of Regent Park Community Health Centre. This community succession project helps economically disadvantaged kids get to school, succeed in school and move onto post secondary programs by providing a unique blend of educational, social and financial supports. Graduates of the Pathways to Education program who go onto post secondary careers may return to the community to be the next generation of health centre and community professionals. The project has been recognized with local and national awards for innovative and success. The mentoring component has involved volunteer from across Metro Toronto. Congratulations to Carolyn Acker and the dedicated staff at the centre.
Our investments in 2002 distributed broadly across the country including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. The tri-mentoring initiatives are truly pan-Canadian efforts. On behalf of the Board of directors, I thank all grantees for inviting us to be part of their successes. We look forward to working with existing and new grantees in the coming year.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,Donald G. Lawson
