2018
Annual Report
The Veterans Transition Network (VTN) is a Canadian charity bringing counselling and skill development programs to veterans from coast to coast.
The work we do simply wouldn’t be possible without supporters like you.
From the Leadership
Thanks to the consistent stewardship of our dedicated donors, we successfully addressed rising demand across Canada by increasing the total number of programs offered, now available in 9 provinces overall, while concurrently scaling up our French-language and women’s programs. Since inception, the lives of 950 veterans, and their families and friends, have been positively impacted by the Veterans Transition Program. Nevertheless, our work is far from over. Each year, we are contacted by hundreds of veterans and service members courageously coming forward and asking for help, so our waitlists continue to grow.
As the VTN matures, we set our sights on ensuring long-term sustainability, so that we can continue to deliver on the mission set by our founders: To provide timely, effective and comprehensive group services that help veterans transition to civilian life, serving to launch them into their best possible future.
In 2018 we said good-bye to our Clinical Director, Dr. Michael Dadson, and our Director of Communications and Development, Dace Marsh. Michael and Dace’s fierce belief in the VTN’s mission drove a tireless work ethic in their roles. Michael repeatedly travelled from coast to coast to deliver programs and mentor our clinical teams. Dace worked late nights to build the VTN’s communications and marketing from the ground up, ensuring we connected with the veterans we serve.
Of course, there is always sadness in saying goodbye, but as our team has evolved over the years we’ve learned to honour that sadness and appreciate the time we’ve shared together. As one VTN staff member put it; “the epitome of good grief”.
2018 was also cause for celebration as we marked the 20 th anniversary of what we now call the Veterans Transition Program. This year-end served as an opportunity for us to look back to our roots, and especially reflect on how far we’ve come since the incorporation of the Veterans Transition Network just 6 years ago. Our program, and along with it, the VTN, were established off the sides of a few desks at the University of British Columbia by a small group of ambitious and driven founders.
Their vision and dedication quickly propelled us forward from a basement room in UBC’s Faculty of Education building into a nationally accredited health services network providing programs to veterans across Canada. As our mandate as advocates, leaders, and health service providers continues to move forward, we remember that the beating heart of our organization is first and foremost our long term relationships.
With that in mind, we’d like to take this moment to thank all of you who are making this journey possible. Your donations and support mean the world to our team, and to the men and women we serve. As always, we look forward to doing more together.
Nunquam Unus,
Oliver Thorne
Executive Director
Dr. Paul Whitehead
National Clinical Director
Oliver Thorne
Executive Director
Dr. Paul Whitehead
National Clinical Director
2018 At a Glance
Program Delivery
In 2018 we delivered 25 Veterans Transition Programs across Canada. That’s 6 more programs than in 2017! We continued to establish our roots in the most recent provinces to receive VTP delivery, Quebec and Manitoba and delivered our first programs in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Our programs are now delivered in 9 provinces across Canada.
150
Veterans Served in 2018
950
Veterans Served Since Inception
2018 At a Glance
Program Delivery
In 2018 we delivered 25 Veterans Transition Programs across Canada. That’s 7 more programs than in 2017! We continued to establish our roots in the most recent provinces to receive VTP delivery, Québec and the Prairies and delivered our first programs in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Our programs are now delivered in 9 provinces across Canada.
150
Veterans Served in 2018
950
Veterans Served Since Inception
Clinicians
Every year, our specially trained clinicians and counsellors demonstrate commitment to the successful transition of Canadian veterans. We now have a total of 27 psychologists and clinical counsellors local to almost every province in Canada!
Paraprofessionals
We are proud to now have 100 Paras across Canada who return to our programs after graduating in order to assist fellow vets and provide important advocacy by recommending our programs to their peers.
Staff
In 2018, our Operations team worked with efficiency and care to ensure a smooth delivery process for programs and progress in our organizations expansion.
What our participants say
“After taking the VTP, I feel less alone. I continue my daily routine always keeping in mind the VTP group’s energy and what we shared together. Now I can move forward with my head held high, one step at a time.”
“With PTSD… more than often people don’t have hope. Doing [the program] one step at at time towards a goal, it gives you hope that even with PTSD you can still go forward.”
Research
UBC Counselling Psychology Professor Dr. Dan Cox’s 2018 report once again demonstrates significant and continuous improvement in VTP Graduates’ health. We pride ourselves on offering veterans an evidence-based transition program built on 20 years of research, development and delivery; the only one of it’s kind in Canada.
24% increase in life satisfaction
65% decrease in depressive symptoms
24% increase in self esteem
34% increase in sleep quality
36% decrease in suicidal ideation
In the Community
VTN staff and supporters participated in many community events in 2018 including Quebec Veterans Foundation‘s 1st Gathering of Veterans Services in Montreal, the Australia based Ride to Survive bike ride, local Legion Branch events and a podcast episode dedicated to one VTP Grads first-hand account of our program.
Financials
Revenue: $2,278,884
Dollars Invested in Veterans Services
Management and Admin Costs
Break Down of Expenses: $2,256,823
For full audited financials, see our 2018 audit report.
Supporters in our Network
Everything we do is made possible by our generous and dedicated supporters. In 2018, we received $1.3 million in donations for veterans. Our volunteers held creative fundraisers across Canada. And with the help of supporters like you, we delivered more programs than ever.
Here are a few supporters who got extra creative in their efforts:
Shaw
In 2018, Shaw played our public service announcement across Canada a total of 176,955 times. That’s a value of over $1 million in advertising towards reaching veterans and viewers who may not otherwise have known about our programs. Thank you Shaw!
UBC Opera | Silent Night
The UBC Opera and UBC School of Music worked alongside VTN’s co-founder Dr. Marv Westwood to present Silent Night, an Opera based on Christian Carion’s famous WWI set screenplay. Donations collected at the Opera were contributed to the VTN’s place of founding, the Centre for Group Counselling and Trauma.
Joint Force Tactical
Thank you to Joint Force Tactical in Chilliwack, B.C. for creating this special edition JFT hat with a portion of the proceeds going towards our Veterans Transition Program.
Portraits of Honour
Portraits of Honour attended Our Nations Heroes Hockey Night in Kingston alongside the VTN and other organizations to raise awareness and support for Canadian vets. A donation from Portraits of Honour was given to the VTN. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to Canadian veterans!
Out in the Cold
Alpha Delta Phi Memorial Chapter creatively stood Out in the Cold to raise funds in support of veterans and service members in transition to civilian life. Thank you for your support!
Elevator Campaigns
Thank you to IHN media for showing our PSA on their elevator screens in Canadian cities once again this year, creating invaluable awareness around our programs in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day.
2018 Featured Donors
The Stewarts
Estate of Gertraud Whitbeck
J.P. Bickell Foundation
Karen Van Dongen
Jane Inch
Our Longest Standing Supporters
BC / Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation
The BC / Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation, our biggest and longest running supporter, has funded our programs since the very first group in 1998. By providing us with support from day one, the RCL/BC Yukon Command empowered us to grow the VTP into a nationwide service. We cannot thank them enough.
True Patriot Love Foundation
True Patriot Love Foundation is one of the VTN’s longest standing and most considerable supporters. Since 2012, TPL has aided the VTN’s expansion to Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and the training of VTP Clinicians in Central Canada. Thank you to TPL for their ongoing support.
Introducing…
Quebec Veterans Foundation
In 2018, the Quebec Veterans Foundation provided a $45,000 grant to the Veterans Transition Network to support the delivery of the Veterans Transition Program (VTP) in Quebec. Quebec Veterans Foundation’s contribution has helped Quebec veterans to overcome service-related challenges and transition into meaningful civilian lives.
Jane Inch
In 2018, Jane Inch’s generous donation provided 67 hours of group counselling for Canadian veterans. Jane says, “I support VTN so that other veterans and their families can get help early, before challenges become disorders that turn lives upside down.” Jane, thank you for your generosity and care.
2018 Featured Donors
The Stewarts
Estate of Gertraud Whitbeck
J.P. Bickell Foundation
Karen Van Dongen
Jane Inch
Our Longest Standing Supporters
BC / Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation
BC / Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation, our biggest and longest running supporter, has funded our programs since the very first group in 1998. By providing us with support from day one, the RCL/BC Yukon Command empowered us to grow the VTP into a nationwide service. We cannot thank them enough.
True Patriot Love Foundation
True Patriot Love Foundation is one of the VTN’s longest standing and most considerable supporters. Since 2012, TPL has aided the VTN’s expansion to Ontario, Québec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and the training of VTP Clinicians in Central Canada. Thank you to TPL for their ongoing support.
Introducing
Quebec Veterans Foundation
In 2018, the Quebec Veterans Foundation provided a $45,000 grant to the Veterans Transition Network to support the delivery of the Veterans Transition Program (VTP) in Quebec. Quebec Veterans Foundation’s contribution has helped Québec Veterans to overcome service-related challenges and transition into meaningful civilian lives.
Jane Inch
In 2018, Jane Inch’s generous donation provided 67 hours of group counselling for Canadian Veterans. Jane says, “I support VTN so that other Veterans and their families can get help early, before challenges become disorders that turn lives upside down.” Jane, thank you for your generosity and care.
Donors
Our work wouldn’t be possible without you. Together, you helped 150 veterans and their families in 2018. Thank you for changing lives with us.
Platinum Supporters
$10,000 +
• True Patriot Love Foundation
• BC / Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation
• The All One fund
• The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command
• Boeing Ottawa
• Boeing Vancouver
• The Stewarts
• The Estate of Gertraud Whitbeck
• Quebec Veterans Foundation
• Echo Foundation
• J.P. Bickell Foundation
• The Royal Canadian Legion Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Command
• Karen Van Dongen
• Jane Inch
Gold Supporters
$1,000 +
Silver Supporters
$500 +
Bronze Supporters
$250 +
Community Supporters
$160 +
Become a Supporter in Our Network
Participate in a Program
Are you a Canadian Forces or RCMP veteran interested in our Veterans Transition Program? Find a program near you today.
Hold a Fundraiser in Your Community
Become a VTN Creative Sponsor by holding your own fundraising initiative for veterans care.
Donate to Change Lives
Give a Canadian veteran the gift of peace.
