Note: DEFERRED ADJUSTMENT: ESBCY uses deferred accounting. To show donors this information on a consistent basis, Ci adjusts for these deferred revenues. This affected revenue by $6.3m in F2023, $48k in F2022, and $110k in F2021. ENDOWMENT CONTRIBUTIONS: Ci includes endowment contributions in donations. This affected revenue by $1k in F2023, $4k in F2022, and $5k in F2021.

Impact

There is no doubt that the last two years have brought unique challenges to us all, testing our strength and resilience as individuals and organizations. We are thrilled to say that Easter Seals has not only successfully survived, but has thrived, continuing to build capacity and deliver essential programs and services to be stronger than ever. By choosing to press on despite difficult circumstances, we became stronger, more creative and innovative.

Because of our need to pivot and change our program offerings due to public health orders, our staff, board and supporters surged ahead and created alternatives that enhanced and continued to serve the citizens of British Columbia and Yukon. The COVID-19 pandemic also brought even greater challenges for children, youth and adults living with physical and cognitive disabilities. Our creative approaches consistently addressed these issues at the forefront, always striving to improve conditions of isolation and socialization.

Easter Seals is grateful to have played a part in helping our community navigate their way through the uncertainty of the pandemic. Through community connection that is at the core of our programs and services, families found new friendships, children and adults with disabilities learned new skills, and our guests were warmly welcomed through the doors at Easter Seals House.

Key highlights from fiscal 2020-21 include:

1. Summer Camp

Impact:

• 475 campers registered for summer programs.
• Age breakdown: 56% were between the ages of 6-18 years, 35% between 19-29 years, and 9% between 30-49 years.
• Disability breakdown of those attending camp:
  • 43% - Autism
  • 18% - Down syndrome
  • 16% - ADHD
  • 15% - Developmental delay
  • 12% - Cerebral palsy
  • 6% - Anxiety disorders
  • 6% - Epilepsy/seizures
• Benefits of camp for persons with disabilities are:
• increased confidence and independence
• activity and exercise
• the opportunity to interact with others just like themselves and develop friendships
• positive role modeling by adults
• a chance for parents to have a much-needed break
• Camp provides the physical benefits of increased activity. Many children and adults with disabilities or chronic illnesses are sedentary and don't get to participate in the sports or recreational activities that their peers do. They therefore miss out on the social and health benefits that exercise brings. Our camps provide an environment where campers can bond with others with similar disabilities.
• All kids, and adults too, benefit emotionally and physically when they're outdoors and running around. But persons with disabilities can't always take part in sports teams or gym class because the activity is not set up for someone with a disability. This is why our camps are so enriching because we provide accessible activities that allow them to be more physical, get out of their comfort zones, try new activities, and learn new skills.
• Our camps have a camper to staff ratio of 3:1 and a 24-hour medical team on-site. All camps, in-person and virtual, have counsellors trained specifically to work with persons with disabilities. Every provision has been made for guarding the health and well-being of all campers.
• Video highlights from Camp Shawnigan in 2020: https://youtu.be/YnZoGd9Mlfo

2. Due to COVID-19, our overnight summer camp program pivoted to day camps both in nature settings at our three camp properties, and in a city setting in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.

Impact:

• After attending day camp, campers with disabilities felt they had improved their skills in:
  • Independence – 64%
  • Confidence – 58%
  • Friendship – 64%
  • Personal development – 58%
• More than 100 families received respite time while their children enjoyed day camps.
• Video highlights of City Adventure Day Camp in 2020: https://youtu.be/bmzIhZf1a1Y

3. With travel limitations put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families of children with disabilities had even less travel options than the limited ones they normally have. Opening up our camps to families brought a connection and adventure that was needed after another year of isolation and disconnect that our families had in their day to day lives.

Impact:

• 109 people went to family camp over two weekends
• 92% expressed achievement of personal development after attending family camp

4. A week of our virtual camp gives people with disabilities a sense of belonging and peer to peer support, plus the fun of overnight camp without the “overnight” part, all while also extending a much needed respite to parents and caregivers.

Impact:

• 567 virtual camp days were offered to ages 6-49 years
• 78% of camp and online class participants saw their personal development increase

5. Online Programs now run all year long, providing educational experiences, socialization and fun, along with respite for families and caregivers.

Impact:

• 900+ hours of online classes were provided to children and adults with disabilities
• 6 music/dance classes, 7 art classes, 12 social clubs, 1 fitness class, 17 all day classes/camps

6. Easter Seals House continued to operate for medical accommodation, and we repurposed our excess capacity to partner with other organizations to serve individuals at their time of need.

Impact:

• 18,349 people stayed at Easter Seals House from October 2020 – September 2021 when traveling to Vancouver for medical appointments, treatments or to visit a patient, relieving them of the stress and financial burden of finding somewhere to stay in an expensive, and unfamiliar city, while still having to pay their bills back home.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

• During the 2020/21 fiscal year, Easter Seals ran its operations with a surplus of $20K.
• Partnering with BC Housing improved revenue by $476K when mission-based capacity was reduced at Easter Seal House due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
• With overnight summer camps unable to proceed, day camps and family camps were offered to our community.
• Capital investments included:
  • considerable progress on Shawnigan Lake redevelopment
  • replaced aging network infrastructure
  • improved Winfield camp buildings
  • renewed the Easter Seals House garden; and
  • renovated a 3rd floor suite at Easter Seal House
• Provincial government funding was awarded in the amount of $300K for the majority of these capital investments.

Investment funds totalling $1.4 million are held to provide income to operations (2021- $72,833), as well as, to provide a financial reserve available to the organization to borrow in order to meet annual operating commitments. In 20/21, the Board authorized borrowing of up to $300K, but it was not accessed by Management.

Financial Ratios

Administration was 12.1% of total expenses

Fundraising costs were 35% of total revenue

With our small surplus, our Operating Ratio was 99%