Despite a very challenging year, NYSA was able to effectively provide services and support to the youth of the mid-Island region. As our financials show, despite operating with reduced numbers in our training programs, we maintained our fiscal health due to lower spending and assistance from pandemic-focused support provided by government. As well, we maintained full employment for all staff throughout the year.
NYSA employees deserve kudos for adapting to the changed environment in 2020-2021. They embraced social distancing and mask wearing while taking turns making sure NYSA premises were cleaned and disinfected regularly. As well, youth residing in our housing centre paid attention to the restrictions and helped us get through the challenges of COVID largely unscathed. Thank you everyone!
Financially, NYSA showed a positive improvement over 2019-2020. This was due to pandemic-related funding as well as paying attention to lower operating revenues and adjusting costs accordingly. As we go into the new year, we are aware that fiscal challenges will again be the order of the day. Lower support from government as the pandemic abates and higher costs of goods and services will again put pressure on our operation’s finances.
To respond to the changed environment, NYSA’s Board of Directors has been focused on improving the organization’s governance, revisiting the strategic plan and developing new options to improve support for Vancouver Island’s youth population. Over the next year, our operation will continue to adjust to the new reality facing us as we move forward.
NYSA has developed several working partnerships over the past couple of years that are worthy of mention. We are grateful to our partners for helping us to serve youth that were not part of the “traditional” NYSA audience. Our thanks to Snuneymuxw First Nation, Petroglyph Development Corporation, Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council. We look forward to continuing our work with you by our sides.
In conclusion, we are excited by new opportunities developing in our changed world. NYSA will have several new things to share with you over the year and we look forward to hearing from you – tell us your reaction to the 2021 version of NYSA as it unfolds. We would like to thank our supporters, individual and groups, for their assistance over the year. And we hope you will continue to be supportive of the organization as we strive to create new futures for many of the youths in our community.
Chief Administrative Officer