MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR For more than 25 years Amcal Family Services has been providing a unique residential program for teens in difficulty as well as support and counselling to their parents in a time of crisis. Amcal has grown from an eight-bed residence for teens to a multi-service agency serving the needs of parents and youth who, for a variety of reasons, are experiencing a disruption in their family relationships. Amcal’s expanded services now include outreach counselling to families, as well as school-based groups about issues of anger management and peaceful conflict resolution, character development, and social skills for young children. Amcal also sponsors annual professional development conferences and parent workshops, featuring noted guest speakers, to provide quality training and promote community awareness about issues facing contemporary families. Amcal takes great pride in its community partnerships, and works in close liaison with other organizations which share our commitment to developing the core values and strengths of the family. For the past three years, in conjunction with the CLSC Lac St. Louis, Amcal has provided a drop-in center—“Our Place”—featuring educational and social activities for young vulnerable and new immigrant mothers.  Even in the midst of the perceived affluence the West Island community there exist many unanswered needs.  Amcal plays a key role working with various advocacy groups to improve services for families and children. For over a decade, Amcal has worked in conjunction with Batshaw Youth and Family Centres to provide a Supervised Visitation Program—seven days a week—which enables children in foster care to have court-mandated visits with their biological parents. Amcal’s unique programs and services are funded partially by a grant from the Ministry of Health and Social Services but more importantly by the generosity of our community partners and constituents. The professional staff and I are continually amazed by the support of the community, the dedication of Amcal’s Board of Directors, with their diverse skill sets, and especially the courage of the parents who trust their children to our care. As part of a yearly Strategic Planning process, Amcal’s Board of Directors and Management will be participating in a seven-month, long-range planning process to evaluate the agency’s programs and services, and to reassess our mission, vision, goals and objectives. This process will provide a road map for the future of Amcal Family Services and its programs. Community input and feedback from past users of Amcal’s services will constitute important parts of the process.  Amcal continues to be an innovative leader in providing cutting-edge professional programs and services to respond to the unique and varied needs of the community we serve. And we remain committed to our mission to “promote and preserve healthy family relationships.” Heather Parker Executive Director Featured regularly in BoomersView Magazine, under topics related to family dynamics.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2007/2008

EXECUTIVE

Karen Turnbull,  PRESIDENT

Louis Tassé,  PAST PRESIDENT

Michael Hiles,  VICE PRESIDENT

Irene Horbowy,  TREASURER

Eric Mills,  SECRETARY

Heather Parker,  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DIRECTORS

Suzanne Charette

John Deakin

Glenn Doré

Grant Gehlsen

Theresa Germano-Saucier

Michael Regan

Elizabeth Stafiej

Daniel Urbas

AMCAL STAFF

Heather Parker Executive Director
Diane Marsland Coordinator - "Our Place" Program	Caroline Mills Development Assistant
Delia Noel Coordinator-Residence	Eva Havas-Lobel Bookkeeper
Laurie Wallace Team Leader - Families First Program	Susan Layne Coordinator of School-Based Services and Community Groups
Sherman Blunte Coordinator - Supervised Visitation Program