Children's Peace Theatre Annual Report 2015/16

ANNUAL REPORT

2015-2016





CONTENT

02 About Us
03
05 Message Artistic Director & Board
07 Peace Camp - Raising Revolution
Youth Arts Space
09 Shared Platforms
10 Poetry Festival 2015
11 Culture Jam & Parade
13 Youth Festival
15 Black Youth Nation & Dear Native youth
17 Team & Board & Artists
19 Volunteers
20 Land Acknowledgment
21 The Space: Rental info
22 Membership
23 Financial Report
24 Donors & Supporters

ABOUT
US

Children’s Peace Theatre Creates accessible opportunities for young people to

experience the transformative power of the arts that inspire them to confidently embrace their own
identities and fulfill their highest potential.
We are nurturing an ever- expanding circle of young people and their allies to build communities of
resilience through art. We offer several projects and programs for participants to engage in and
explore multiple art forms, be part of building trust and understanding, and further the skills they are
interested in artistically, politically and socially. Children’s Peace Theatre grounds their work around
four key threads to support our growing projects and partnerships.

Collaborative art making and Conflict Transformation Programs

Core programs like Peace Camp, Peace is Possible Parade, Youth Leaders Theatre Project and
Culture Jam provide opportunities for young people and artists to create art that portrays complex
representations of their lived experiences and learn in relationship with each other.

Youth Arts Space A youth friendly arts incubation space where youth can meet to create,

debate and make social change. A space where young people and elders are creating circles of
intergenerational knowledge sharing on reclaiming ancestral wisdom, exploring gift economies
and creative entrepreneurship. A space where youth can participate in developing workshops and
programs that help youth construct healthy and positive self-images, understand the world they are
part of and therefore become more resilient to it.

Shared Platform provides an organizational home to youth led arts for social change projects.

We provide governance and administrative support to projects, to free up change makers and
leaders to focus on their vision. Our Social Innovator provides mentorship to groups to build their
own sustainable infrastructure. We are building a network of elders and mentors to strengthen the
collective leadership of local youth and city wide youth organizers through gatherings and workshop
series.

Transformative Initiatives Programs and projects co-created with community partners in

response to community needs that Increase access to the arts and expand the notion of how art can
transform the lives of young people and their communities.

Awards CPT has been honoured with the Mayor’s Community Safety Award, the Leonardo da

Vinci award for Innovation and Creativity in the Arts , a YMCA Peace Medallion and as a finalist for the
Toronto Arts Foundation youth award.

| 2ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Greetings Friends and Supporters,

It is my absolute honour and privilege to share the highlights from Children’s Peace Theatre’s 16th year
of Creating a Culture of Peace. The year launched in July 2015 with our Peace Camp production of
Raising Revolution. The show was an exploration of the ideals of democracy and a call to Revolution
to implement these lofty ideals. With a federal election looming, we were motivated by the prospect of
lighting the fires of justice and tools for engagement in the children and youth.
Raising Revolution was one of the most challenging Peace Camp Productions to date. The show took
place weeks after the closure of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the release of the Calls
to Action for Reconciliation. The show explored our Treaty responsibilities and the necessesity for
Truth to come before Reconciliation. We were amazed at how much the children already understood
about critical issues facing Indigenous and Black communities and how all these issue are connected
to colonialism, systemic racism and ideas about Individualism that are harming our relationships to
ourselves, others and the land. Raising Revolution was not about anger, fear or despair. It was, like
all of our work at CPT, about love. It was about celebrating the voices, gifts and genius of each young
person through story- telling and artistic expression. Our work is not just AGAINST, it is about exploring
BEYOND. Our unique methodology of Collaborative art, Conflict Transformation and cross cultural
dialogue teach the necessary skills to bring into existence a better world.
Following such a powerful show our team was fueled by the power of what is possible. During the
summer and fall Elder Nene Kwasi Kafele provided wisdom and support to initiate a new program
called Black Youth Nation. Jamaias DaCosta, our newest team member initiated a similar program later
in the year for Indigenous youth called Dear Native Youth. These programs laid the foundation and
gathered key data for moving forward with ongoing programming for Black and Indigenous young
people that would include land based art and permaculture.
The year wrapped up in June 2016 with our best ever Speak Your Peace Festival. The Festival now
curated by one of our young artist groups -Dream House- was totally inspiring. With mentorship
from our Social Innovators -Alixa Mukonambi and Duane Hall- the Dream House fulfilled their vision
of transforming all the spaces inside and out into stages for young artists to share their gifts with the
community while mentoring other young people in curating skills.
We are grateful for another incredible year and everyone who participated to help us develop our
unique and critical work combining youth led arts for social change with wisdom sharing between
generations and between diverse groups of people. We could not have done any of it without our
growing village of young people, artists, Elders, volunteers and community partners.
In gratitude,
Karen Emerson
Artistic Director

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Message from Liuba Mamonova

Chair of the Board

It’s been another exciting year at the Children’s Peace Theatre as
we continue to build our capacity with the amazing young people
and community groups on our shared platform model.

For the first time, CPT has grown to 7 full time staff who have
been working hard to meet the demand for our programs in the
community. The board has also focused on formalizing internal
processes and staff benefits in order to strengthen the operations
of CPT. These efforts will continue throughout 2017 as we enhance
internal controls and better leverage technology to meet the
growing demands of the organization.

The Youth Arts Space (YAS) is in its 3rd year and has continued to
grow through generous funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation
as well as the hard work of our staff and community partners. This
year, YAS’s micro grant recipients have launched a variety of music,
media and film projects that explore pertinent social issues and
provide avenues for expression and healing. Providing funding for
these types of initiatives is key in inspiring youth to explore topics they are passionate about through
artistic means and to create open dialog on social justice and community issues.

With further funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, one of our shared platform projects –
Youth Social Infrastructure (YSI) collaborative has been able to grow its impact across Ontario. We
are very excited to continue to support grassroots community initiatives like YSI and mentor young
people in starting up projects that they feel deeply passionate about. It is even more exciting to see
such initiatives get recognized by major funders and grow.

With many more exciting opportunities awaiting CPT next year and many more great programs to
run, I want to thank the staff of CPT, volunteers, and Board members for another progressive year!

Liuba Mamonova, P.Eng, PMP, PgMP
Chair, Board of Directors

| 4ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

PEACE CAMP

Our Flagship program Peace Camp is an annual summer collaborative theatre production

that engages professional artists, children and youth to create works based on social justice
issues performed for the community.

Peace Camp invites all participants, artists, children and
youth to be involved in all aspects of the creation. The
tensions between the realities of each participant’s lives
are shaped by larger local and global social forces and
inequities, that become the spark to ignite creativity.
Personal lived experience and political and social realities
fuse and morph into authentic and powerful art.
The work culminates in three performances for over 600
audience members. The personal and collective creative
products reveal histories, identities and experiences that
speak to others in
the community.

40 children between 8-13 who otherwise have limited

access to the artistic process or opportunities to express
themselves creatively, learn Conflict Transformation and
develop community building skills

18 youth employed and mentored by professional

artists to develop leadership skills, self confidence and
many transferable skills.

5 youth employed in arts administration (funded by

Canada Works) to develop arts and life skills.

Employed and trained 12 professional artists in

Collaborative Art-Making and Conflict Transformation

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P”RERACeavEisCoiAlnuMgtPi2o0n15”

Raising Revolution was the result of 50 children and youth collaborating with 12 amazing
artists including Director Tanisha Taitt, Music Director Brownman Ali, Visual Arts Director
Melisse Watson, Darla Contois, Jamaias DaCosta, Jermaine Henry, David Straus, Seanna
Kennedy, Mercedes D’Almeida, Jeremiah Cashore, and Darcy Patrick.
Raising Revolution set out to explore the true state of democracy in Canada and what it
means to have a voice in matters that impact our lives.

“Raising Revolution wasn’t about
teaching them where 24 Sussex Drive
is or how many seats are in the House
of Commons. It was about engaging

with them in a discussion about
the system we are governed by and
the subsequent societal ills that it
creates. It was about daring ourselves
to take a long, hard, truthful look at
the inequities we benefit from and
the injustices that lead to uprisings. It
was about asking ourselves how we

could do better.”
- Director, Tanisha Taitt

| 6ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

2015 MICRO GRANT RECIPIENTS

16BARS

Founder Jae Lejit created 16BARS
to provide music education, artist
development, business expertise and
mentorship to youth, based on the
Five Elements of Hip Hop.

JERMAINE HENRY

Jermaine Henry is social ARTrepreneur who
is passionate about inspiring people to
self-actualize. Past These Struggles explores
a very powerful message of overcoming
with resilience through the power of love.

PRETTY WINGS

Pretty Wings Dance Mentorship Project,
initiated by Jena Alma, is a FREE 5-month
program geared towards marginalized +
vulnerable young women, that explores
healing through movement.
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OUR YOUTH ARTS SPACE

Thanks to funding from the Ontario Trillium
Foundation, in collaboration with the
Neighbourhood Youth Alliance, the
Children’s Peace Theatre Youth Arts Space is
growing. In acknowledgment of the gifts that
youth have given us, we are continuing to find
ways to be a better support system and as such,
will increase our capacity to mentor youth and
facilitate the development of the Youth Arts

Space.
We are grateful for being
surrounded by the wealth of
communities of practice, as well as
grassroots movements grounded in
social justice. Thank you for taking
responsibility for our young
people and providing structures
that continue to support and sustain
them.

| 8ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

Shared PLaforms

BLMTO Freedom School

BlackLivesMatter Freedom School is a 3 week long summer program for children aged 4-10.
The purpose of the project is to respond to a lack of humanizing, self-affirming, queer
positive educational opportunities for Black children in the GTA. The program is designed
to teach children about Black Canadian and diasporic history, to engage children in creative
resistance to anti-Black racism and state violence through a trans-feminist lens, and to offer
children an entry point into the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

YSI Collaborative

The Youth Social Infrastructure (YSI) collaborative is an intergenerational network and community
of practice that co-creates the supports that young people need to make good things happen in
their communities.

YSI offer venues, skills, opportunities and relationships so that diverse generations and cultures can
learn from each other, grow more resilient as a network and community, and take our contributions
and innovations to the next level of impact.
We: convene diverse organizers & allies • connect in participatory ways • cultivate shared
knowledge • support local organizing.

Children’s Peace Theatre is currently supporting YSI through its Shared Platform initiative.

GRASSROOTS YOUTH COLLABORATIVE

Grassroots Youth Collaborative supports young organizers/youth-led initiatives with a focus on
anti-oppression, social justice, and art, through networking opportunities, capacity development
& collective advocacy. This year GYC had the pleasure of being mentored by Children’s Peace
Theatre through the Live Arts Mentorship Program provided by the City of Toronto. As part of
the mentorship program, GYC collaborated with YSI and AVNU to host the Grassroots COLLAB
Symposium, a summit designed to address the challenges grassroots organizers across the city
are experiencing and come up with tangible solutions.
The symposium was incredibly successful and grassroots organizers continue to meet to build
infrastructure for organizing in Toronto.

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Poetry Festival 2015

An afternoon of superb poetry hosted by Poet Laureate of
Toronto - George Elliott Clarke

Joyfully hosted by Children’s Peace Theatre, East End Arts and the City of Toronto
Many thanks to George Elliott Clarke for his

vision for a celebration of East End writers and musicians.

| 10ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

Culture Jam

Culture Jam is a partnership between Children’s Peace Theatre and Access Alliance
Multicultural Health and Community Services, developed to provide arts exploration
programs for newcomer and refugee children in the Taylor Massey Neighbohood. As
Toronto welcomed the Pan Am Games, Children’s Peace Theatre and Access Alliance
Multicultural Health Services provided arts programming for over 200 children and
youth.
Participants of Culture Jam
explored culture,identity and
learned new skills in Conflict
Transformation and promoted
the strengths that come from
being the most diverse City
in the world. The three - week
programs culminated in two
Peace is Possible Parades-
one on Danforth East and
one in the West End.

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and Parade

Kudos to the summer student team Pamini, Bella and Merbib who developed curricu-
lum and provided three weeks of arts based Conflict Transformation with children 7-12
and youth 13+ culminating in an exciting PIP Parade complete with Samba Band and
dance performances for the Rockcliffe Smythe community.
Meanwhile on our home base in the Taylor Massey Community, Dion, MacKenzie, Jessica
and Natasha redesigned the Conflict Transformation curriculum highlighting the importance
of Toronto, the Worlds most multicultural city, hosting the Pan Am Nations. For three weeks
they delivered free programming for over 75 children and 20 youth helping them to explore
identity and culture and learn skills in Conflict Transformation.
They also all did an amazing job with the 12th Annual Peace is Possible Parade bringing out
over 150 people to the Danforth Village with their messages of celebrating diversity.
Parents in both communities are reporting a rampant use of the Breath of Peace (BOP) and
the Three C’s (Courage, Compassion and Creativity) at home! Special Thanks to the Samba
Kidz for providing the rhythms for the Parade .

| 12ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

Youth Festival

Speak Your Peace Festival 2016

The Speak Your Peace Youth Festival showcases and celebrates the work of diverse youth groups
in the Taylor Massey neighbourhood and beyond. The Festival features youth-led performances,
workshops, information booths and discussions as well as performances by emerging diverse youth
artists designed to foster intercultural appreciation, dialogue and understanding.
2015/2016 saw a decided growth in the festival organization and attendance. Dream House
Collective took on the curation and promotion of the festival, during which time we were able to
employ and mentor 40 youth artists, and work with 30+ volunteers to make the festival a success.
We saw an increase in attendance over the years, with 450 attendees for 2016.

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| 14ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

Black Youth

Nation

Black Youth Nation is an emerging pilot project led by our honorable elder (in-residence), Nene
Kwasi Kafele.
BYN has been providing an empowering space for young people to come and explore their
identities, discuss the issues that matter in their lives and in our communities, and explore the
tools that they/we need in becoming their highest selves.
Participants have been deepening relationships and sharing their gifts and creativity in
abundance with everything from warrior mapping activities, spoken word sessions an epic
debate on reparations, all grounded in a revolutionary love and re/learning black excellence.
In answering the call to serve the most vulnerable in our communities, we are blessed to be
surrounded with a group of gifted, creative, and passionate young leaders who are committed
to sharing their invaluable energy and gifts in sustaining this program through the next cycle of
our evolution.
Special Thanks to:
Nene Kwasi Kafele providing leadership in developing this project
Ian Kamau for Facilitating the Fall sessions
Afi Browne, Audette James, and (our social innovator) Alix Mukonambi, and Jo-anne Atherley,
co-facilitating Summer sessions in collaboration with young leaders Dion Daly & Rashawn
Farquharson

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Dear Native Youth

Dear Native Youth is a project in partnership with ENAGB Youth.
Since October DNY has been providing an empowering space for young people
to come and explore their identities, discuss the issues that matter in their lives
and in our communities, and explore the tools that they/we need in becoming
their highest selves.
Participants have been deepening relationships and sharing their gifts and
creativity in abundance using spoken word sessions, radio recording sessions
and more.
In answering the call to serve the most vulnerable in our communities, we are
blessed to be surrounded with a group of mad gifted, creative, and passionate
young leaders who are committed to sharing their invaluable energy and gifts in
sustaining this program through the next cycle of our evolution.
Special Thanks to:
Jamaias DaCosta for designing and implementing the project
Lena Recollet for facilitating and ENAGB youth

| 16ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

Team and Board

Staff

Karen Emerson, Artistic Director
Jamaias DaCosta, Manager of Programs and Development
Khalvin Herbert, Manager of Finance and Operations
Alix/a Mukonambi, Social Innovator
Duane Hall, Social Innovator Associate
Lana Lovell, Communications Manager
Jena Singh, Facilities Manager Board of

Directors

Liuba Mamonova, Chair
Matthew Haldoupis, Treasurer
Nuwan Rajapakse, Vice-Chair
Michelle Cruickshank
Tharani Balachandran
Maxine Brown
Hayley Glaholt
Andrea Scott
Lubomyr Bilyk
Bashir Kasir
Lilia Shillingford
Shaista Inam

Summer Staff Elders

Kineesha William, Peace Camp Coordinator Nene Kwasi Kafele
Makaila Wenezenki, Summer Events Coordinator Reverend Aina-Nia Ayo'dele
Dion Daly, Peace Is Possible Parade Coordinator Gerard Sagassige
Mohd Abdul Buiya, Summer Camp Assistant
Mohammad Bilal, Summer Camp Assistant

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Artists

Tanisha Taitt Mercedes D’Almeida Jodie Jemmot
Brownman Ali Seanna Kennedy Devontée Cormier-Grubb
Keita Juma David Straus Haviah Mighty
George Elliott Clarke Kwanza Msingwana John Samuels
Jamaias DaCosta Naomi Tessler Charlotte Fabro
John Oughten Rehaset Yohannes Matthew Anderson
Catch Petch Victoria Mejicano Andrea White
Sidrah Ahmad Amai Kuda and Y Josephine Justin Tornato
Patrick Waters Jean Paul Mohammed Amaka Ekenkwo
Jill Jorgenson David Emanuel Nathan Baya
Ayesha Mansur Victoria Mata Yasmine Ibrahim
Alejandra Higuera Najla Edwards Michael Morales
Melisse Watson Arber Makri Omari Charlton
Robert Wilkinson Merril Matthews Simon Yohaness
Jeremiah Cashore Pierre Bimwalla Jahmeika Reid
Darla Contois Sara Escott Sety Weldegebriel
Darcy Patrick Adam Perry Fredericks Reginald
Jermaine Henry Katie Marshall Flaherty Timaj Garad
Shaniqua Roberts Arys Allen-McPherson
Luan Phong Aneela Qureshi
Emily Steinwall Dre Ngozi
Nigel Edwards

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Volunteers

Abishake Indran Hyerin Jeong
Evodie Lubula Nirujan Sathyaseelan
Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma team Juliette Leach
Kyle Cole Sandra Lo LaFleur
Mayan Ebrahim Melissa Depompa
Melissa Gibson Nadia Chowdhury
Melissa Reese Charmanda Rahming
Nicole Nogueira Noor Hossain
Noor Hossain Heather Horner
Ramisa Razi Kathi Silke
Rolan Ebrahim Lorna Brooks
Rupinder Kaur Jasmin Blackman
Saroneh Dalir Mayan Hesham
Thérèse Ayo Barro Kathleen Connolly
Rheba Adolf Michaela Connolly
Khalvin Herbert Zahra Amedi
Lincoln Collins Rolan Hesham
Kevin Courtney Ramah Ebrahim

A BIG Thank You to all our volunteers!

19| CHILDREN’S PEACE THEATRE

Land
Acknowledgment

For time immemorial, long before Children’s Peace Theatre
and the Massey Goulding Estate in which it operates were
even dreamed of, there existed the sacred land and the
ancestors of the original people. Tkaronto, “where the
trees stand in water,” is a part of the traditional territory
of many nations: the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee,
the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit. This
land is subject to the Dish with One Spoon wampum belt
covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee
Confederacy and a confederacy of Anishinabek and allied
nations to peaceably share and care for the resources

around the Great Lakes.

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OUR SPACE

Children’s Peace Theatre occupies the Massey Goulding Estate,

a 5,000 square foot Arts and Crafts style heritage home in Taylor Creek Park
in Toronto’s east end. It is a peaceful setting – a taste of the country hidden
within urban Toronto.

As a Social Enterprise to support our mission, we rent
the distinctive house and grounds for business retreats,
meetings, weddings, parties, rehearsals, workshops and
other activities.
The Children’s Peace Theatre and Outdoor Amphitheatre
are available for both private and community use.
You will enjoy our charming facility at reasonable rates.

Charming Historic House and Grounds | Beautiful Scenery | Fully Equipped Kitchen | 21
Open To External Catering | Convenient Location | TTC Accessible | Free Parking Available

For further information on using our space, please contact us:
Phone: 416-752-1550 Email: [email protected]

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Membership Information

CAMPAs a Member of Children’s Peace Theatre,
you play a vital role in the growth
and evolution of our organization.

The support of our members allows us to deliver on our mission, giving

youth access to the arts and a transformative platform for exploring conflict.

Why become a member?

By becoming a member of Children’s Peace Theatre you are affirming your
commitment to Peace. You, your family or your organization become part of
our family and a network of people who share values of building a culture of
peace through art and theatre.

1. 100% or your membership fee goes to supporting activities for children and youth
to help them reach their highest potential.
2. Exclusive member updates including advance notice on our programs and early
bird program registrations and discounts.
3. Opportunity to take advantage of exclusive promotional offers made available from
time to time including Peace Camp discounts, and promotional offers from our
partners*.
4. Use of Space Privileges – For an additional Use of Space rental fee, members are
able to rent our beautiful heritage home in the woods for meetings, retreats, and
private functions.
5. Your name or organization acknowledged on our website and annual report.
6. Invitation to the Annual General Meeting – Find out what we have been up to, fu
ture plans and meet other members. Voting members are also eligible to vote at the
Annual General Meeting.
7. A copy of our Annual Report made available in print and online.
8. Invitations to participate on advisory groups, planning committees and with special
events.
9. Opportunity to run for and be elected to our Board of Directors.
10. Opportunity to give us feedback on how we are doing and whether our programs
are meeting the needs of young people in the community

| 22ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016

Financial Report

REVENUE 2016 2015 2014 2013
Grants $ 296,455 $ 225,540 269,506 199,403
Programs 14,932 19,243 22,437 24,485
Donations and fundraising 27,495 28,073 41,548 27,559
Other Income 46,795 37,477 47,986 24,655
276,102
Total Revenue 385,677 310,333 381,477


169,854
EXPENSES 68,930
Programs 249,952 220,432 238,980 9,696
Personnel Costs 68,251 36,618 76,272 17,325
Office and General 39,136 15,597 15,679 1,288
Utilities & telephone 14,284 17,163 18,295 3,059
Repairs & Maintenance 9,072 5,601 8,909 1,211
Professional Fees 4,183 4,670 6,238 2
Operations Public Relations 421 224 274 304
Programs Rent 2 2 2 1,774
Consulting Fees - 1,316 1,064 273,443
Amortization 6,933 6,273 8,709 2,659
Total Expenses 392,234 307,896 374,422
Excess/(Deficit) of revenues over expenses (6,557) 2,437 7,055

Programs Programs
Donations Donations
Grants Grants

Programs
Donations
Grants

Total Revenues Growth 2016 over 2015 24%
Grants 31%
Programs (22%)
Donations (2%)

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Thank you for helping us foster a culture of peace!

Donors

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO
DANFORTH ROTI
JAWNY BAKERS
MLSE,
METRO
MOKSHA YOGA
LUSH COSMETICS

SAGE CAFÉAND CATERING
ST. CLAIR ICE CREAM
SULTAN OF SAMOSAS
THE BIG CARROT
TIFF
TORONTO ZOO
WALMART

Our Supporters

Toronto Council 1388
| 24ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2015/2016





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Children’s Peace Theatre @PeaceTheatre @peacetheatre

Contact Us

305 Dawes Road
Toronto, ON M4B 2E2

416-752-1550
[email protected]

www.childrenspeacetheatre.org