2025-2026
Annual Report
Together, we’re building belonging.
Looking forward to a future shaped by community, choice and inclusion.
Chair, Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
A message from our Chair and CEO
Over the past year, Prescott Group has continued to grow, adapt, and lead through one of the most important periods of change our sector has ever faced. Throughout this journey, we have stayed grounded in what matters most: the people and families at the heart of our work. By listening deeply, planning thoughtfully, and embracing change with courage, we have remained committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have access to meaningful opportunities, supportive communities, and lives defined by choice, dignity, and belonging.
This year has been one of both remarkable progress and heartfelt transformation. We proudly opened Progress Place, our new accessible community hub, creating a space built for connection, inclusion, and possibility. At the same time, we have continued preparing for the future by aligning our services with the Human Rights Remedy and strengthening more flexible, person-directed supports. Through it all, our Board of Directors has provided steady leadership and vision, helping guide Prescott with integrity, accountability, and hope.
Every day, through employment, recreation, caregiver support, self-advocacy, and individualized services, we are honoured to walk alongside more than 400 individuals and families as they build fuller lives in community. None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of the Province of Nova Scotia, the Canadian Progress Club Halifax, United Way, and the many partners who believe in our shared vision.
Together, we are doing more than responding to change—we are building a future where everyone belongs, where every voice matters, and where inclusion is not simply imagined, but lived.
With gratitude and resolve,
Derek Flynn
Alice Evans
Table of contents
From leading on our Board to supporting daily programs and events, our volunteers bring compassion, and expertise, to Prescott’s work.
We are deeply grateful to our donors, funders, and community partners. Your generosity makes everything we do possible.
From employment to engagement, here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished together in 2024–25.
Progress Place is more than a building, it’s a bold new chapter for inclusive community life in the heart of Halifax.
Together we’re building a more inclusive future.
Treasurer’s report and financial statements
Annual Report: 2025-2026
Our thanks to you.
The dedication and generosity of individuals, local businesses, funding partners and of course the amazing team of volunteers is what powers Prescott Group.
Our Supporters
Thank you to everyone who so generously donated, fundraised and supported Prescott Group and Club Inclusion, including:
2 Crows Brewing
Anonymous Donors
Arts Nova Scotia
BANC Properties
Blain King Insurance & Financial Services
Bruce Towler and Judy Steele
Canadian Progress Club, Halifax
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Daun & Tom McGarragh
Dalhousie University Department of Medicine
Davsco Excavating Limited
DirectionNS Council, Home Services
East Coast Lifestyle
Efficiency Nova Scotia
Eleanor Marriott Fund
Evolve Fitness
Flemming Charitable Foundation
Fred and Edith Greene Foundation
Government of Canada, Canada Summer Jobs
Government of Canada, New Horizons Fund
Grace United Church
Halifax Visiting Dispensary
Inclusion NS Society
James & Deborah Munro
JoAnn, Chris & Nicola Murphy
Jan Vosman
Jays Care Foundation
Lianne Yoshida
Lisa LaChance, MLA
Mark, Uta, Molly & Audrey Donahue
Michelle Screpnechuk
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Gaming – Support 4 Culture
Nova Scotia Health, Community Health Board
ParticipACTION
Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Opportunities and Social Development
Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Justice
Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Justice, Office of Equity and Anti-Racism
Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care
Province of Nova Scotia, Disability Support Program
Province of Nova Scotia, Summer Skills
Robert MacDonald
Rod Wilson, MLA
Rosie Evans & Adam Marshall
Sharon Fiske-Muise
Sobey’s Community Action Fund
St James Anglican Church
Telus
The Canadian Red Cross Society Community Services Recovery Fund
The Atallah Family
The Ritcey Family
United Way, Maritimes
Ummah Society
Videa
Waye Mason
YMCA
YWCA
And everyone who helped with the Bluenose Marathon, auction, fundraisers and generous monthly donors to Canada Helps and our Builders of Belonging Campaign.
In loving memory of Amelia Donahue, Jacques Desrosiers, John Murrans, Dr. Joseph Kempton Hayes and Michael Murray.
Thank you to our business partners for bringing Progress Place to life:
BANC
CBRE
Lindsay Construction
SGH Design Partners
Atlantic Accessibility Consulting
Our Volunteers
Thank you to the amazing volunteers who make such a difference in our lives:
Admiral Insurance staff team
Alex Oxner
Alice Reynolds-White
Amber Thornton
Ashley White
Avery Anstey
Beatrix Van Leeuwen
Brooke Diamond
Carly Slade
Carole Arsenault
Chloe Pelletier
Christina MacLeod
Cory Meister
Emily Cormack
Evva Rudnicki
Frances Jamieson
George Joby
Gwen Ettinger
Habiba Khalifa
Hajung Kim
Hannah Fuller
Holly Nauss
Holly Septon
Jaz Ferreira
Jenella St George
Jennifer Johnson
Jessica Bailey
Jessica Sacks-Kilback
JoAnn Murphy
John Brownlee
Julia Elliott
Julia MacMillan
Julian Oxner
Juniper Balch
Kate Ross
Kaylee Connors
Kelly Kayser
Kieran Price
Kyle Clarke
Lauren Brennan
Lillian Leonard
Lindsey Nalunga
Luky Barker
Mackenzie Keating
Madison Oulton
Maggie McColl
Margot Bunz
Martha Young
Meghan Wright
Michael Murray
Molly Carruthers
Molly Kehoe
Mya Paterson
Naomi Onyechi
Nellie Helmkay
Nic Pike
Parker Langille
Paul Lozano
Phoenix Youth Centre
Raegan Lindsay
Raghav Pahwa
Robert Mann
Rod Wilson
Rose Mersereau
Sam Beaton
Sarah Maclean
Sidra Martin
Susan Coulter
Suzannah Cook
Stantec volunteer team
Taylor Nichols
Tom Lorenz
Wendy Jones
Students and staff from Sacred Heart School, Citadel High School, Dalhousie University, NSCC, Maritime Muslim Academy, Mount St Vincent University, St Mary’s University.
In memory of Michael Murray, much loved volunteer who is missed by us all.
Thank you to our 2025 – 2026 Board of Directors
Derek Flynn
Cindy Mills
Ayeshah Ali
David DiPersio
Douglas Baker
Eshan Arora
Forest Kenney
Heather Myatt
Jennifer Richardson
Jessica Deveau
John Thompson
Mark Tector
Mary Ellen Rainey
Megan Lawlor
Patrick Flewelling
Tegan Bielawski
Zach MacDonald
with Annie Haider
and Waye Mason
Annual Report: 2025-2026
Our year in numbers
Moments of impact. Connections made. Confidence built.
219
people
took part in daytime activities
192
members
Drop-In Club
52
members
Club Dartmouth
120
campers
took part in Summer Camp and rec club
106
people
in Supported Employment
48
entrepreneurs
providing their skills.
33
people
Supported in community jobs
20
graduates
Saturday Job Program
200+
trips
Bus outings across HRM
11
years
Music with the Inclusive Choir
53
sessions
Horse and dog therapy
300+
items
Borrowed from local libraries
45+
Caregivers Connections
15+
parties
Themed social events
40+
Connections with Seniors
46+
Community partners
16,187
cookies
Baked and sold at the cafe.
17
markets
Entrepreneur fairs and markets
421,000
bingo cards
Packed by Prescott Mailing Service.
300+
pounds
Items recycled or repurposed with Pinkie’s Thrift.
1
Community
Our Community
Where do the people we support live?
The majority of people we support through daytime activities live in the community with their families.
How old are the people who take part in our programs?
Most of the people with disabilities who take part in our activities are under 40 years old.
Annual Report: 2025-2026
Progress Place: Building belonging in the heart of Halifax
Big thank you to Canadian Progress Club, Halifax for leading the way to a future where we all belong.
This year, Progress Place became more than a vision – it’s a dream come true!
Located in the centre of downtown Halifax, Progress Place is now a vibrant, accessible community hub where people with disabilities are not on the margins of community life, but fully part of its energy, opportunity, and connection. Surrounded by transit, local businesses, public spaces, and civic life, Progress Place creates something powerful: real inclusion through presence, participation, and belonging.
For the individuals and families we support, community hubs like Progress Place are life-changing. They provide more than programs – they create pathways to greater independence, confidence, and self-determination. In a welcoming, accessible space designed with people with disabilities at the centre, individuals can build skills, develop friendships, access employment opportunities, strengthen self-advocacy, and explore their community with greater freedom.
Progress Place offers consistency and connection in a world that can often feel full of barriers. It is a place where people can safely build routines, take meaningful risks, and expand their lives on their own terms. From employment and recreation to caregiver support, arts, wellness, and community leadership, this space supports the whole person.
Importantly, Progress Place also strengthens Halifax itself. By placing disability inclusion in the downtown core, we are helping shape a city where accessibility, diversity, and belonging are visible and valued. We are creating a stronger, more connected community for everyone.
This extraordinary milestone would not have been possible without the leadership and generosity of the Canadian Progress Club Halifax, whose transformational support helped bring this dream to life, alongside the support of the Province of Nova Scotia, United Way, the Donahue family, Flemming Foundation, and many committed partners and donors.
Progress Place is more than a building. It is a bold statement about the kind of community we are creating together- one where everyone belongs, every person has value, and inclusion is built into the very heart of our city.
This is your moment to make a lasting difference
Will you be a Builder of Belonging?
Annual Report: 2025-2026
Highlights from our year
Celebration at Progress Place’s Grand Opening
On October 23, 2025, nearly 200 guests joined us to celebrate the Grand Opening of Progress Place, including Minister Scott Armstrong, Mayor Andy Fillmore, community partners, supporters, and friends both new and old. The event was a milestone moment for Prescott Group—a celebration of a dream realized and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together around inclusion, belonging, and possibility.
Meaningful involvement and skills building for youth
Members of Club Inclusion’s Leaders in Training program volunteered at Spencer House Seniors Centre this year, helping to build meaningful social connections and strengthen intergenerational community in Halifax. Supported through the Province of Nova Scotia’s Youth Transition Fund, the Leaders in Training program provides young people with opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and employment skills while making a positive impact in their community. Through experiences like these, participants prepare for future education, employment, and community involvement.
Creating connections, friendships and supports
Our Caregivers Connect program continued to bring family members together to build friendships, share experiences, and find support among others who understand the emotional, practical, and lifelong work that often accompanies supporting a loved one with a disability. Through outings, social gatherings, creative workshops, and even a sailing adventure, participants shared laughter, solved problems together, and built meaningful relationships that strengthen both caregivers and families.
Experiencing community without limits
Even on the coldest winter days, there is something special about getting outside and embracing all that our community has to offer. Throughout the year, we explore parks, trails, waterfronts, cultural attractions, and seasonal activities across Halifax, building confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Living in Canada means experiencing four distinct seasons, and we believe every season brings opportunities for adventure, connection, and joy. Whether skating on the Oval, walking along the waterfront, or discovering a new corner of the city, we make the most of the remarkable place we call home.
Proudly participated in Abilympics 2026
We proudly took part in the 2026 Nova Scotia Skills Competition through the Abilympics program, competing in Floral Arrangement, Job Search (Interview Skills), Cooking, and Photography. The competition provided an opportunity for participants to showcase their talents, build confidence, develop employment and life skills, and demonstrate their abilities on a provincial stage. We were incredibly proud to see participants challenge themselves, learn from the experience, and be recognized alongside competitors from across Nova Scotia.
Exploring options and finding employment success
Participants in our Job Links program worked on building their résumés, exploring different job options, and learning skills that can help them find and keep a job. The program gives people a chance to identify their strengths, practice workplace skills, and build knowledge for the future. Through Job Links, participants receive support to work towards their employment goals and take the next steps on their employment journey.
Annual Report: 2025-2026
Treasurer’s report and financial statements
Our social enterprises include:
Reliable, high-quality bulk mailing.
Delicious gluten-free baked goods made with care.
Thrift, upcycling and community connection.
Featuring thrifted, new and recycled items.
25/26 Financials
Annual highlights
This year marked an extraordinary milestone for Prescott Group as we successfully continued to strengthen our merged organization with Club Inclusion while managing one of the most significant operational and financial undertakings in our history—the completion and opening of Progress Place.
The integration of Prescott Group and Club Inclusion has continued to create greater efficiencies, stronger collaboration, and expanded opportunities for the more than 400 individuals and families we serve. By bringing together programs, services, and expertise, we have further strengthened our ability to deliver fee-based inclusive, person-directed supports while maintaining careful financial stewardship during a period of substantial growth and sector transformation.
A major highlight of the year was the successful delivery of Progress Place, our new accessible downtown Halifax community hub. Through disciplined oversight, strong governance, and strategic financial management, Prescott Group successfully managed this large-scale construction project and capital investment while remaining on budget. This achievement reflects the careful planning of our leadership team, Board of Directors, Audit and Risk Committee, Facilities Committee, staff, and partners, ensuring that this transformational project was delivered responsibly and sustainably. Special thanks to Dave DiPersio for his role in leading many of the Board committees involved.
Our social enterprises continue to play a vital role in our financial stability and mission delivery. These businesses not only generate important revenue but also create meaningful fair-wage employment, skill development, and community participation opportunities for people with disabilities. Revenue growth, combined with strong donor support, government partnerships, and community investment, has helped position Prescott for sustainability as we continue adapting to the evolving Disability Support Program landscape and Human Rights Remedy.
The year ahead
As we look ahead, Prescott Group remains committed to balancing innovation with fiscal responsibility. With Progress Place now open and our transformation well underway, we are strongly positioned to continue building an inclusive future while ensuring responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.
On behalf of the Board and Audit and Risk Committee, I extend sincere gratitude to our staff, donors, funders, partners, and community for their ongoing trust and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Mills
Treasure, CPA
Annual Report: 2025-2026
Impact Stories: In case you missed it
A special message to our most valued supporters, our members.
We thank each and every one of our valued friends for continuing to invite us along for your individual journeys. It is our privilege to participate and watch you grow.
Thank you for inviting us to join in your journey.
We look forward to sharing 2026-27 with you.