Each year, REACH undertakes a Quality Improvement process that includes receiving feedback from service participants, and from other community agencies that work with us planning and providing services, and planning community initiatives. The following summary provides highlights about what we learned from the people we serve as well as our community partners over the last year, and what we are doing to make our services better.

What people who have used our services told us:

• Across all programs, participants indicated a good to high level of satisfaction with the services they received
• People reported feeling respected, supported and listened to by our staff
• Feedback was consistent in identifying that staff were always ready to listen, were respectful, knowledgeable and professional
• Individual outcomes were noted with many positive changes reported including learning new problem solving and coping skills
• Feedback received that indicated the importance of service coordination for children, youth and families who are involved with several services at a time

What are we doing over the next year in response to this feedback?

• REACH continues to work on the development of internal processes focused on service coordination to ensure that people involved with several different services are effectively working together with the child/youth/individual/family effectively.
• Individual programs and services are reviewing systems and developing strategies to increase the amount, and the type of feedback we receive from service participants to ensure we are able to measure our programs and services most effectively
• REACH continues to develop and implement marketing strategies to ensure that people are aware of programs and services available to them

The 30th Annual General Meeting for Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. was held on June 22nd, 2011 at the Greens at Renton.

The AGM theme was "Celebrating our Partnerships" and included displays and presentations by guest speakers who shared their stories of partnerships and working together with HN REACH.

This gathering provided an opportunity to hear about the agency's activities of the past year, priorities for the coming year and served as an occasion to celebrate the exceptional efforts of our staff, volunteers and community partners.

As we celebrated our partnerships at this year's AGM, outgoing Board President Lisa Wallace noted that it is through the strength of these relationships that we are able to address the pressing issues of our local area and focus our collective resources to provide the maximum benefit to our children, families and communities. HN REACH is fortunate to operate in communities whose agencies support this collaborative spirit.

We thank all of our community partners and our membership for your continued support!

For more information  please access the following links ......

- Board of Directors President's Message

- Executive Director's Report to the 30th AGM

The Evert Kuiper Volunteer Award award was created in 2005 in memory of Evert Kuiper who was a volunteer driver for Haldimand-Norfolk REACH Volunteer Services.
 
Each year in honour of Evert Kuiper's life, REACH celebrates the contributions of one of our dedicated volunteer drivers. At our 30th AGM held on June 22, 2011 we recognized Margaret Reniewick.

Margaret is a cheerful and giving individual whose patience and flexibility are a gift. All of these characteristics make her an amazing role model as a volunteer. Margaret is a wonderful asset to our agency who, on average, donates over 30 hours per month to supporting the families our agency serves. Without Margaret, numerous families would be unable to make it to important medical appointments, counselling appointments and community activities. In addition to volunteering with us Margaret also makes time to support other community programs and individuals.

Margaret gives 100% to support the vision of our agency and we were honoured to present her with the Evert Kuiper Award!
 

In 1992 the H-N REACH Merit Award was established. Through this annual award, Haldimand-Norfolk REACH recognizes members of our community who have made a significant contribution to children/youth and/or children/youth's services in the Haldimand and Norfolk communities. Nominations for the Award are collected by the Agency staff and the recipients are selected by the Board of Directors.
 
The Haldimand-Norfolk REACH Merit Award was presented this year to two of our volunteers; Ruth Graham, OEYC Houghton Hub Parent Advisory Committee Member and Sue Stevenson, volunteer for OEYC - Waterford site.

Ruth Graham is an extraordinary volunteer. She is a vital member of the Parent Advisory Committee at the Ontario Early Years Houghton Hub and has spent many hours decorating the centre, posting flyers and telling families about our programs. She also received training in safe food handling so that she can prepare snacks for the children. Ruth was very instrumental in the planning and preparations related to the Grand Opening of the Houghton Hub. She also spear-headed a fundraiser at our Centre, that helped many families in our community to have a better Christmas.

Thirty nine years ago Sue Stevenson was one of the founding parents of the Mom's and Tots group that met in the Waterford United Church. This group, which is now an Early Years Centre, continues to thrive and over the years Sue has consistently stayed involved volunteering her time to help support families with young children. Every Tuesday morning Sue is at the Church to open the doors for the Early Years staff and other volunteers. Sue helps with the set up and clean up of the program, and she prepares and provides snacks for the children. Sue is an ever-friendly face, quick to welcome new families to the group. Sue is a wonderful example of community spirit and we are sure that there are many children and families whose lives have been enriched and helped through Sue's willingness to be a hand outstretched. Sue is a humble person yet her dedication to serve deserves recognition.

We were very pleased to present the Merit Award this year to Ruth Graham and Sue Stevenson.