WELCOME TO THE
Boys & Girls Club of Thompson of
Inc.
2015 Annual General Meeting
Executive Director’s Report
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
2015 Annual General Meeting
MISSION AND CORE VALUES
EMPOWERMENT
MISSION
We believe all young people can grow into responsible,
contributing and self-reliant members of society. Children and
youth are at the centre of everything we do. Through
adventure, play and discovery, we encourage and empower
them to develop healthy lifestyles, a life-long passion for
learning, leadership, life skills and a sense of social
responsibility.
To provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth
can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build
positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.
CORE VALUES
In our work with children, youth, families and communities, all
Boys and Girls Clubs are guided by the following Core Values.
They define us as a movement and are the standard against
which all Boys and Girls Club services are measured.
INCULSION & OPPORTUNITY
We strive to offer children and youth from all, economic,
cultural and social backgrounds access to the resources,
supports and opportunities that will enable them to overcome
barriers and achieve their positive potential in life.
REPSPECT & BELONGING
We provide a safe, supportive place, where every child is
listened to, respected and valued, in an environment of
inclusion and acceptance. Our staff and volunteers model
honesty, fair play, positive attitude, cooperation and respect
for self and others.
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
COLLABORATION
We work together with families and volunteers in each
community, in partnership with the public and private sector,
to create healthy community solutions to providing children
and youth with what they need for optimal development.
SPEAKING OUT
We speak out on behalf of the children, youth and their
families to reduce disadvantages, enhance their lives and
enable their voices and ideas to be heard.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CANADA, FEDERAL CHARTER,
JUNE 11, 1948
2015 Annual General Meeting
made the first phase possible. This project will likely occur in
three phases:
Phase 1-Build a berm (back-fill and build up the ground). The
raised ground provides a path to the entrance of the club that
will be paved. The Automatic doors will also be installed in this
phase.
Although each year presents new and tremendously
challenging issues, the Boys and Girls Club of Thompson
(BGCT) has diligently identified and pursued innovative ways
to stay current, stretch a dollar, maintain standards, evolve
and adapt. Our strategic plan plays a major role and the
organization has an obligation to set goals that are consistent
with our mission statement and core values. For this reason,
the BGCT has a two pronged approach that all but guarantees
the inclusion of all children and youth in the Thompson
community and those that may travel here from outlying
communities.
First, the BGCT primary location at 365 Thompson Drive North,
will undergo renovations for wheelchair accessibility. We have
indeed been fortunate that Community Places Program, the
Thompson Community Foundation, Employment and Social
Development Canada and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries have
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
Phase 2-Upgrade and renovate our main floor washroom to
comfortably accommodate a wheelchair. And as this will
remove an office...
Phase 3-Will require building a new office
Secondly in the same vein of increasing accessibility to our
programs, we are currently preparing to open a Boys and Girls
Club of Thompson satellite club in the Eastwood area of the
city. The Multi-Cultural Centre of Thompson (MCCT), a longstanding staple of the community, have offered to partner in
this endeavor by providing the venue which will enable the
delivery of services currently provided at the primary location.
The BGCT and MCCT goals and values align in many ways and
present a strong foundation for a “safe place to be”,
community engagement and neighbourhood revitalization.
Although this is still a work in progress, we hope to hold the
grand opening very soon.
2015 Annual General Meeting
As we strive to maintain services, improve programming,
collaborate with community stakeholders, create new
opportunities, manage strategic goals and commit to the
adherence of our core values and mission statement, it is
important to note the efforts and support from some of our
ongoing and major funders.
The Royal Bank of Canada has donated well over $300,000
over the years. These funds have assisted with staffing costs
and training opportunities that provide guidance and support
to those individuals that regard themselves fortunate to carryout the duty of helping to raise a community. We were also
fortunate to have had RBC employees volunteer for our
annual fundraiser, Run Thompson, from our local RBC branch.
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
Vale provides support for several programs that include:
Summer Camp which requires extra dollars to increase
programming hours. Youth Build by providing employment
presentations and attainable goals for young adults who are
looking for permanent and meaningful employment. Vale also
continues to be a generous donor for annual fundraising
events and guidance on youth engagement and the workforce.
2015 Annual General Meeting
The Thomas Sill Foundation and Manitoba Community
Services Council, as well as RBC, have taken the leap of faith
with us to realize a goal that has eluded us thus far; that is as
mentioned earlier, to open a Boys and Girls Club of Thompson
satellite club in the Eastwood area of Thompson. Although the
opening has been somewhat delayed, we are confident that
all stakeholders are committed to the project.
The BGCT Strategic Goals include securing sustainable and
long-term funding. I am very pleased to announce that the
government of Manitoba, (Neighbourhood’s Alive, Healthy
Child, Crime Prevention Branch, and Manitoba 4 Youth) have
extended our core funding for the 2015-2016 year and agreed
to another 3 year contract which will take the Club to March
31, 2019. The Boys and Girls Club of Thompson value all the
hard work that goes into coordinating these efforts and the
project managers who provide a whole host of services and
suggestions.
Training and Employment Services Manitoba’s support of the
Youth Build Program has been and continues to be,
paramount in our ability to deliver this service. The federal
government though Employment and Social Development
Canada, shore up of the Youth Build Program and Summer
Jobs that assist with youth job placement in our community.
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
However, as the Canadian economy suffers, so too do
organizations such as the BGCT. Although we have been able
to secure funding for new projects and capital upgrades, the
After School Program is running out of grants and grant
opportunities for the nutrition portion of this program. The
BGCT is somewhat unique insofar as this service has been
provided at no cost to participants and their families. I am now
tasked with ensuring that we exhaust every possible avenue
necessary to continue this important work.
The Boys and Girls Club of Thompson has faced a tremendous
turn-over in employees over that last several years and as
such, identified as a weakness in the process of strategic
planning. Therefore, I am pleased to report that we have been
able to maintain our core employees over the past year and
have secured important new talent. I am extraordinarily
fortunate to have a team whose dedication, knowledge,
abilities, strengths and yes, weaknesses, compliment and
contrast in a way that seems to work simultaneously.
2015 Annual General Meeting
The BGCT’s current programs include:
The After School Program is Monday to Friday, 3:30 pm to
8:30 pm and is composed of structured activities (literacy,
homework club, active play, physical activity, juniors chef’s,
nutrition lessons and free time), theme months (anti-bullying,
multi-cultural and Aboriginal) and several health and wellness
presentations. The program also provides a healthy snack and
a well-balanced dinner for participants who are five years old
and older. Canadian Feed the Children has been a long-time
supporter of this program. The BGCT is also fortunate that
local school teachers communicate with our employees to
assist with homework club and address significant learning
difficulties with some children.
As part of the nutrition program, we have completed a green
house this summer. The gardening program, largely supported
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
by Healthy Together Now, has grown from one flower bed to
raised gardens and berry bushes to increasing the growing
season with the addition of the green house.
The Youth Empowerment Program gives R D Parker students
the opportunity to volunteer for credits and a safe supportive
place for youth to work-out community service hours with the
mentorship of one of our team leaders. This program also
encourages positive work habits, community involvement and
leadership possibilities.
Late Night for Youth encourage youth and young adults to
congregate is an environment that is safe, promotes creativity,
healthy living, exposure to employment opportunities and
setting career goals.
The BGCT is currently pursuing grants to augment this
program in order to attract more youth, grow organically,
2015 Annual General Meeting
include youth committees, incorporate activities designed by
participants and retain youth willing promote the Youth Club
themselves.
previously, we are funded by the Manitoba and the federal
government. But we have had a long-standing partnership
with the School District of Mystery Lake who provides the
program with an Educator, access to school services, and an
ongoing dialogue regarding ongoing challenges that are
inherent in facilitating this type of service.
This year however, due to changes in federal funding, we were
required to develop a pilot project that would adhere to the
limitations imposed but unfortunately, unavoidable at this
time. The 2015-2016 Youth Build: Skills for Life is a 50 week
program that includes academic upgrading, employability and
life skills training, an introduction to carpentry and 13 weeks
of work experience/job placement. Again, the Manitoba
government proved to be flexible in these negotiations and
committed to keeping the program going.
I would personally like to acknowledge the Boys and Girls Club
Board of Directors, who volunteer their time, provide me with
a sounding board, keep me in check and have been very
supportive over this past year.
The Youth Build Program has been a central part of the Boys
and Girls Club of Thompson for fourteen years and an
important and relevant initiative for our community. As stated
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
Ron Dearman, president, who is a fountain of information
regarding anything that relies too heavily on legal jargon and
when “I just don’t know”.
2015 Annual General Meeting
Ingrid Gosselin, Vice President, who is steadfast about
maintaining the integrity of our programming and after
approximately 5 years of service, is leaving the BGCT board.
Hopefully she will take some of that time to smell the roses
Shelley Anderson, Treasurer, whose commitment to children
and youth in our community is apparent in her willingness to
offer up ideas, and her personal time.
Janet Brady, Secretary, who has pushed me to be better at just
about everything. She has threatened to leave the Board of
Directors many times and after 9 years of service, she is NOT
kidding anymore. I wish her the best and hope to see her as
always, at the Club’s events.
Uriah Butler, Member, who is a man of few words but
interjects with pearls of wisdom from an altogether different
perspective.
Melissa Branconnier, Member/former employee, has been on
maternity leave and able to devote time to our cause but
sadly, she has returned to work. However, as one of our
Project Managers through Neighbourhood’s Alive, I will
continue to access her energy, knowledge of the system and
commitment to ongoing and future projects.
Matthew Boscariol, Member, who is the newest of the board
members. He is young, energetic, and knowledgeable and
already a champion of the accessibility project which will
provide services to more children and youth in our
community.
I am truly humbled by the number of organization willing to
include the BGCT in their events and I cannot overstate the
importance of these partnerships:
Allison Coles, Member, who is the soft spoken voice of reason
and whose compassionate demeanor, encourages me to
continue to press on when I feel like I have hit a wall.
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
2015 Annual General Meeting

Hope North bike jam “Wellness on Wheels”

The Fork in the Road Bike shop
Coming Events
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Parachute Kids Safety week
First Artists Co-Lab showcasing local talent
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
October 21, 2015 they Grey, Blue Bomber alum and Jumpstart
kick off our “Learn to Play Football” program
October 29, 30 and 31, 2015, the Community Haunted House
will be open to the public. CHTM radio will be doing a live
remote to raise funds for the Club on the 29th.
2015 Annual General Meeting
We also have a tentative opening date in December, 2015 for
the satellite club in Eastwood.
Please visit our Facebook page or website
www.bgcthompson.ca for more information on current and
future events, photographs and how to donate.
On behalf of the Boys and Girls Club of Thompson Board of
Directors, management and staff, thank you for your support.
Regina DaSilva-Gibbons
Executive Director
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
2015 Annual General Meeting
Boys and Girls Club of Thompson 2014-2015 Contributors
USW Local 6166
102.9 CHTM
Presidents Choice Children's Charity
Fidelity Investments Canada
Operation Red Nose
Wawatay Inn
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
United Way
Canadian Tire Foundation for
Families
Moffat Family
Anand Family Fund
Run Thompson
Don Johnson Jewellers
Polar Industries
Mercredi Ink
MB Hydro Employee's Charity
Thompson Citizen
Paint Lake Lodge
MTS Connect
McKay GM
Sunlife Financial
Hope North
Norplex Pool
Vale
Standard Auto
Perimeter Air
Family Foods
Paul's Plumbing
Safeway
City of Thompson
Remax
Mo Tus Nua Yoga
Thompson Ford
Canadian Feed the Children
Hannah - Insparations massage
therapy
Canada Helps
Dominos Pizza
Burntwood Custom Builders
After Dark Productions
RBC Visa
The Strand Theatre
RBC
Crazy Pete's
Ukrainian Catholic Women's League
Smook Brothers Ltd
Thompson Eye Care
Doug's Source for Sports
Sears MB
Days Inn
USW Local 6166
Lamberts Paint & Carpet Centre
Thompson Community Foundation
KFC
Giant Tiger
Mystery Lake Auto Boys
Boys & Girls Club of Canada
Nickel City Motors
Napa Auto
Shoppers Drug Mart
CIBC Thompson
Quality Inn
All Season Parts
Red's Septic Service
Paint Lake
United Rentals
City Centre Mall
Thompson Water Factory
Manitoba Hydro
Ricks marine
R.A. Distributors
North Centre Crossroad Lanes
Canadian Tire Jumpstart
Twin Motors
Scotia bank
Salon Italia
Province of MB Housing &
Community Development
Vema
McMunn & Yates
Kicks & Threads
Calm Air
BGCT would like to acknowledge and
thank our private donors who have
chosen to stay anonymous.
Boys and Girls Club Thompson
2015 Annual General Meeting