Annual Report

They are our inspiration...

Impact of Your Support

Thanks to the generous support of all our funders, donors, partners, volunteers and staff, we accomplished great things this year!

2023-2024 Annual Report

Message from the CEO and Board Chair

The Centre: going above and beyond to help children and their families since 1953.

The Centre’s overarching story since 1953 is going above and beyond, innovating to help children and their families through direct services and fostering inclusion.

The Centre for Child Development is now serving a HUNDRED TIMES as many children as 70 years ago. We have grown from serving hundreds to over 7,000 children with special needs last year! But the need for our services is continually increasing. We received nearly 7,000 new service requests last year!

Over the past 70 years we have developed unique services that are accessible and welcoming for all children and families. Our “one stop shop” reduces barriers and develops creative, coordinated, collaborative and integrated services. We have:

A feeding and nutrition team that supports some of our youngest and most medically fragile children so they can survive and thrive
Free custom therapeutic casts and splints which we fabricate to reduce financial burdens on our families
An equipment team that tailors seating and mobility solutions to enhance children’s equitable participation with their peers
Supportive and Inclusive childcare settings for children with disabilities
Free interpreter services for all children and families to ensure access to all – a valuable service in a region where more than 40% speak a language other than English at home
Sensory friendly spaces including our hydrotherapy pool, treatment/therapy spaces, playroom and reception
Barrier free access and connection for vulnerable young children and families to the care they need through our Early Years Program’s skilled navigators
Early adoption of innovations in service delivery to support as many children as possible and maximize our impact through a blend of:
- virtual sessions
- in person sessions
- clinic days for children who need short term support before transitioning into kindergarten
Groups, parental support and education sessions including drop-in groups for families whose first language is not English.

Feeding & Nutrition Team

Casting & Splinting

Early Years Program

Every child we serve has their own unique journey. Our highly qualified, specialized and deeply caring medical rehabilitation professionals are proud to support that journey. We do that in partnership with their family, extended family, caregivers, and friends within the richness of their culture, language and heritage.

We are grateful for the confidence and trust of our funders and community partners who dream big and work hard with us to support even more children and families. Together, we have achieved 24 years of continuously balanced budgets; this year with an increase of 13% to $18.3m.

We are grateful for the guidance and support we receive from our Centre and Foundation Board Directors, with special acknowledgement of the Foundation Chair, Rachel Dyck, and the community leadership of the Surrey Firefighters’ Charitable Foundation.

We thank our executive team and staff for their teamwork and grit in delivering innovative solutions to support our children and families through such incredible growth.

Gerard Bremault
MSW, RSW
Chief Executive Officer

Mary E. Martin
Chair, Board of Directors

We Continue to Grow

The Centre for Child Development’s continued focus is on our mission of helping children with special needs reach their potential. This includes our goal of helping as many such children as possible.

We could not succeed in our mission without our government partners, corporate supporters, donors, Board Directors, volunteers and dedicated staff.

With your support, we can continue expanding our services to help even more children!