CMHA CANADIAN

MENTAL

HEALTH

ASSOCIATION

WOOD BUFFALO REGION Annual Report

2013/2014

“Invest In Yourself”

Page 2

2013/2014

The Canadian Mental Health Association is a

nationwide charitable or-ganization which formed

in Canada in 1918, Alberta in 1955, and then in Fort

McMurray in 1984.

Vision Mentally healthy people in a healthy society.

Mission A nation-wide voluntary organization that promotes the mental health of all and supports people experiencing mental illness.

President’s Message

V. Thompson Dr. Vincella Thompson

Chair

President’s Message

This year has been one of challenge and triumph like no other! We encountered some challenges

with maintaining a stable staff which resulted in several new hires. We are thankful for the opportunity to

work with some great people who are passionate about working for Canadian Mental Health Association of Wood Buffalo. We experienced some triumphs as we established new partnerships with industry which

allowed us to expand our programs and reduce our reliance on gaming. Having a stable board was also a

triumph and meeting some of our strategic goals have allowed us to look to the future with confidence.

On a national level, individuals with mental illness and their families had a challenge in the

passing of Bill C-14 the Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act that was intended to enhance victims’ rights,

ensure public safety is the paramount concern, and create a new “high risk accused” category within the Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) regime. We are disappointed by the creation of this category. “This ‘unjust

high risk accused’ category may result in people with serious mental illness, who are in fact Not Criminally

Responsible, going to jail instead of a health facility where their needs, and society’s, would be better served” (Dr. Sandy Simpson, Chief of Forensic Psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health-

www.cmha.ca/news). The national CMHA will continue to lobby government for changes to this ACT.

On a triumphant note 6- time Olympic medalist and national spokesperson for the Bell Let’s Talk campaign, Clara Hughes cycled across every province and territory in Canada to raise awareness of Mental

Health and Mental Illness. Bell Let’s Talk day was once again a great opportunity for everyone to join the conversation about mental illness in an effort to educate others and reduce the stigma around mental illness.

At the provincial level, the first ever Hoarding Interventions Conference was held in Edmonton to

provide support and training individuals and families dealing with this disorder. The CMHA, Alberta Division bade fond farewell to long time Executive Director Tom Shand and welcomed David Grauwiler as

the incoming Executive Director. We thank Tom for his years of service to CMHA and extend our best wishes

to him and his family. At the Regional level we celebrated Mental Health Week in May and Mental Illness Awareness

Week in October with special events and activities with proclamation by Mayor Melissa Blake. One of the

highlights continues to be the annual “Taking off the Blindfold “golf tournament. Executive Director Karen McMillan, staff and volunteers made it the biggest ever! The annual Charity Jam signature event has

continued to gain popularity and was also a huge success. The third annual Walk for Mental Illness Aware-

ness was also a tremendous success. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported our efforts. We continue to provide workshops and programs in the schools through the Fun Friends and

Friends for Life programs. We are active in the community with events held to support the United Way, and

our consumers. The Annual Consumer Christmas dinner is always a highlight of the year as we share a festive meal with our consumers and their families.

As we come to the end of the year we know that we have come a long way but still have a way to

go. In particular we will continue to look for opportunities to deliver programs such as the Friends for Life and Fun Friends in some of our Regional schools. We also need to expand the number of Support groups to

better meet the needs of people living with mental illness and their families. To accomplish these we will

continue to look for partnerships and volunteers who can assist in facilitating our workshops. This year has been one of significant progress and overall growth amid the challenges and tri-

umphs. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank our many faithful and generous sponsors and supporters,

and Executive Director, Karen McMillan for her leadership and commitment to CMHA Wood Buffalo. To our staff working diligently to make great things happen every day I say a big thank you, you are the hands and

feet of this association! To the many volunteers who facilitate, and support our events, thank you although

you are often unseen you are an integral part of what we do. To our consumers and their families you are the reason that we are here, thanks for the privilege to serve you! Thanks to the Board for all you do in your many

and varied roles.

Respectfully Submitted,

V. Thompson

Dr. Vincella Thompson

President

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2013/2014

Our People

Board of Directors

Staff

Vincella Thompson President

Lana Sweeney Vice President

Pat Pestell Treasurer

Lana Hodder Secretary

Frank Creasey Director

Chris Campbell Director

Heli Patel Director

Dolores Gough Director

Ross S. Mayer Director

Anna Noble Director

Diana Noble Director

Karen McMillan Executive Director

Yvonne Badry Finance Coordinator

Kelly Downes Consumer Advocate (2013)

Nicole Martyn Consumer Advocate (2013)

Sabrina Morrison Consumer Advocate (2014)

Jennifer Quinn Family Support Volunteer Coordinator (2013)

Gabriela Galeana Events & Fund Development Coordinator (2013)

Emma Murray Mental Wellness Program/Events & Fund Development Coordinator (2014)

Kristi Bland Mental Wellness Program/Events & Fund Development Coordinator (2014)

Suellen Ware Friends for Life Facilitator

Terri-Lynn Weare Fun Friends Facilitator (2013)

Invest in your Workplace

Visit our website at www.woodbuffalo.cmha.ab.ca

Check out our Facebook page and Twitter

Account!

www.facebook.com/

CanadianMentalHealthAssociaitonWoodBuffaloRegion

@CMHAWB

Stay Connected

Community Events and Programs

2013/2014

Invest in your Community

Throughout the year CMHA staff, board members, and the Family

Support Volunteers take part in a variety of special community events

and programs. In addition to conferences and public forums, CMHA

was involved in the following community initiatives:

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Health Week

Consumer Christmas Dinner

Seniors Month

Adopt-a-Trail

Senior’s Resource Committee

Community Registration Day

STHT (Support Through Housing Team)

United Way “Seeing is Believing” Tours

CCOT (Collaborative Community Outreach Team)

Community Network

Interagency meeting

Homeless Connect

Keyano’s Orientation Day

SOS Smorgasboard

Volunteer Management Breakfast

Keyano Students Mental Health

Committee

Vitalize

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CMHA Fundraising Events

2013/2014

Invest in your Community

This year, CMHA held a variety of successful fundraising

events! These fundraisers would not have been possible

without the tremendous amount of support we received

from community members and local businesses, and the

hard work of our staff, board members, and volunteers.

The events included:

Bake Sale fundraiser in support of the United

Way of Fort McMurray

Sponsor a Bed Program

TELUS All Request Weekend fundraiser on Mix

WinterPLAY Festival fundraiser

Alberta Teachers Association fundraiser

Charity Jam & Silent Auction

“Taking Off the Blindfold” Golf Tournament

Casino Fundraiser

Home Hardware BBQ

RE-MAX Community Drumming Circle

We would like to extend a big thank you to MacDonald

Island Park for partnering with CMHA for our Annual Signa-

ture Event: the Charity Jam & Silent Auction and Miskanaw

Golf Course for their continued

support of our Annual “Taking Off the Blindfold” Golf

Tournament. Page 5

Education & Services

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2013/2014

Invest in your Community

It is our mandate to provide mental health programs and services that are responsive

to local needs. We provide training and workshops on a variety of topics affecting

individuals in our community including:

Consumer Advocate

Our Consumer Advocate works cooperatively with the Community Mental Health

Services and other local agencies to provide assistance and support to those

suffering from persistent mental health concerns. The Consumer Advocate can aid

with housing and financial needs as well as completing a variety of applications

and forms such as disability, income taxes, and passports.

Parenting Workshops - Building Self Esteem in Your Child

Self Esteem Workshops - For men

- For women

- For youth (girls)

- For youth (boys)

Anger Management for Adults

Anger Management for Youth

Friends for Life Program (Anxiety

Management Program)

Stress Management

Bipolar Disorder Support Group

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills

Training)

Mental Health First Aid Training for Adults who Interact with

Youth

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2013/2014

Our Supporters

ACDEN

Angel Mendez

Alberta Health Services

AMA

AMP

Alberta Teachers Association

Billboard Direct Promotional

Billboard Direct Graphics & Design

Blankies and Bums

Brooke McMillan

The Brick

The Brick Sales Team

Campbell’s Computer

Campbell’s Music

Canadian Jewellers

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Tire

Caribou Flowers & Gifts

Chocolates & Candlelight

Coldwell Banker- Colin Hartigan

Coles

Cougar Fuels

Country 93.3

Cruz 100.5

Culligan

Darrin Murphy

David Ball

David's Tea

Decorators Choice

Denisse Idle

Diana Noble

Drop Dead Darlings

Dunvegan Gardens

Earls

Emily McMillan

Enbridge

Erin Stinson

Excess Beauty

Finning

Foto Source

Fuji Japanese Restaurant

Fort McMurray Industrial Cleaners

Fort McMurray Hotel Group

Fort McMurray Public Library

GPPD Metal Works

Gabriela Galeana

Grace Wills

Heather Mead

Home Hardware Building Centre

HVAC Solutions Ltd.

Invest in your Friends

ID Innovative Design

Ivan Magdic

Jared A.

Jean-Marc Guillamot

Just Kidding

KAOS 91.1

Karen Larkin

Kathy Bowers 3% Realty

The Keg Steakhouse

Kelvin Sawatzky

Keyano Theatre

Landmark Cinema

Lana Sweeney

Leon’s Heavy Equipment

Leather Mix

Lil Barefoot

Liebherr Canada Mining

Lifeforce Herbal Healing Centre

Lorsim Services Ltd.

MacDonald Island Park

Madeleine Nixon

Margie Cunningham

Marks Work Wearhouse

Mayor’s office

McMurray Business Machines

McMurray Law Office

Men In Black Moving Company

Michael Hill

Miskanaw Golf Course

Mitchells

Mix 103.7

MNP

Mosaic Spa & Laser

Moxies

Naghma Najmi

Nomad Fort McMurray

Northern Lights Quilters Guild

Nufloors

OJ Industrial Maintenance

Paddy McSwiggins

Paula Caines

Peter Pond Shopping Centre

Phyllis Kelly

Prestige Jewellers

Printing Unlimited

Prime Social Kitchen

Pizza Hut

Quality Inn and Conference Centre

Red Arrow Motor Coach

Remax

Restaurex Group

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Robert McMillan

Rock 97.9

Rona

Rudy Loy

Sally Lockhart

Sangsters

Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre

Sport Check

Simon and Patricia Budd

Shoppers Drugmart

SMS Equipment

Sobeys Liquor Store

Sobeys Thickwood

Staples

Stillbrook Spa

Stokes

Suncor

Super 8 Motel

Sweet Moments

Sweet Scape

Syncrude Sports and Wellness Centre

Treasure Cooper

TD Bank

Tec Services

TELUS Fort McMurray

The Brick

The Brick Sales Team

The Final Touch

The Keg

Total E & P Canada

United Way of Fort McMurray

Vera Fustic

Vincella Thompson

Wood Buffalo Brew Pub

Wolff Taitinger Lawyers

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” - . Jean B.

Volunteers

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2013/2014

Invest in your Friends

Alice Beuker

Alie Warnes

Alfred Hoffman

Angel Mendez

April Mantha

Ashley Robertson

Brandy Hepditch

Brooke McMillan

Catherine Gouthro

Caitlyn Evans

Cheryl Chappell

Cindy Cusick

Cynthia Arku

Darlene Predham

David Barrett

Divina Bravo

Donna McQuade

Easter BheBhe

Emelda Delfin

Emi Delacruz

Emma Adsocoy

Emma Sanchez

Erin Parent

Floyd Perrier

Gayle Phillips

George Gavel

Grace Rodillas

Gwen Leepart

Helen Duncan

Helen Hutchins

Hona Huber

Irene Proulx

Jackie Wolfe

James Patrick Fontanilla

Jane Naceno

Janet Torres

Jasmin Chaykowsky

Jen Rose

Jennifer Best

Jennifer Quin

Jenn Hearn

Jenn Ribeiro

Josh Konig

Julia Soucie

Justin Ritchie

Justina Lewis

Karen Larkin

Karen Maki

Kelly Guinchard

Kim Dollard

Kirby Purcell

Kristan Troy

Kristen Chalmers

Lana Hodder

Lana Sweeny

Lauren Vanhuize

Linda Matychuk

Lindsay Ostrom

Lisa Brown

Lise McIlveen

Loren Chisholm

Loriley White

Maureen Hall

Melanie Brett

Melissa Williams

Melissa Kontuk

Marlene Boyle

Marlene Kinley

Melanie McKimm

Madeleine Nixon

Nicole Martyn

Nick Ford

Olive Wooden

Patricia Marie Budd

Pat Pestell

Paula Caines

Pauline Landry

Renato Aquino

Rodrigo Gomez

Rob McMillan

Ross Mayer

Ruth Hoffman

Ryan MacLeod

Sasha Dolbenev

Shannon Nash

Simon Budd

Sonia Burke-Smith

Suellen Ware

Susan Konski

Theresa Emberly

Tracy Van Dyk

Troy Waquan

Vera Fustic

Vincella Thompson

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they have the heart”- Elizabeth A.

Media Award Kaos 91.1

Business Award

Higher Health Clinic

Professional Award Total E & P Canada

Outstanding Service Award

Nick Ford

CMHA F.S.V.P. Volunteer Award Catherine Gouthro

C.M.H.A. Volunteer Award Loriley White

Community Enrichment Award

TELUS Mix 103.7

2013/2014

Invest in Yourself

2013 Award Recipients

Congratulations!

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him.” - Bob M.

Page 9

2013 Board Recognition

Anna Noble

Heli Patel

Lana Sweeny

Frank Creassey

Ross Mayer

Vincella Thompson

Lana Hodder

Dolores Gough

2013/2014

Invest in Yourself

2013 Board Recognition

Congratulations!

Page 10

“True greatness consists in being great in little things.” - Charles Simmons

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2013/2014

2013 Certificate of Appreciation

Alan Reeve Karen Larkin

Elizabeth Eaton ID Innovatice Design –Janet Torres

Vinette McLean Enbridge—Shauna Durrell

Fort McMurray Public School District - Natalie Lavesseur

Wood Buffalo Housing Inc. AHS Mental Health Services AOS team Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo -

Community Services United Way of Fort McMurray

Sandy Reeve—Diversified Transportation Ltd.

MNP

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

2013/2014

Finance

Page 12

Excerpts from the Audited Financial Statements from the Auditor’s Report

Finance

2013/2014

Page 13

Canadian Mental Health Association

" If we share with caring, lightheartedness and love, we will create abundance and joy for each other,

and then this moment will have been worth-while.”

- Deepak C.

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