ImpactReport 2025
Contact
StoryPlanet
986BathurstStreet
Toronto,ONM5R3G6
Mailingaddress: 846PalmerstonAvenue
Toronto,ONM6G2S1
LizHaines,ExecutiveDirector
liz@storyplanetca
416-893-4486
CoverartbySheenaMacDonald Charitablenumber827252057RR0001
DearFriends,
As I reflect on the past year, I’m filled with deep gratitude. From joyful in-school workshops to inspiring collaborations, and from student performances at Tarragon Theatre to our first summer camp in over a decade it’s been a year full of creativity, connection, and stories.
A highlight was our partnership with York University, where 20+ refugee children shared food memories and created illustrated recipes for a story cookbook launching in Fall 2025.
We raised nearly $20,000 at our second annual Lob for Literacy tournament; welcomed four new board members and two new staff; and published more than 15 books. We also had a full circle moment with alumni Ali and Arthika, who returned as camp counsellors for our summer programs!
I’m so grateful to do this work with such passionate and kind people. As we look ahead, your support means more than ever. Whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing our story, you help us continue to spark creativity in the kids who need it most.
Thank you for believing in the power of young voices.
LizHaines ExecutiveDirector
Awarding the “Lobby” to the winning team at our Lob for Literacy fundraiser tournament in May
OurMission
Story Planet is dedicated to igniting the powerful voices of young people in Toronto’s equity-deserving communities. Our creative writing programs inspire children to imagine, write, and share their unique stories, fostering literacy, confidence, and a strong sense of self-worth.
We stand at the vibrant crossroads of the arts, social justice, and education.
Below: Published with pride every program ends with a book of student work for kids to share, sign, and celebrate
Above: Schools served, concentrated in Jane and Finch and Scarborough
We prioritize longer-term programs in schools where students face multiple barriers to success, including low family income and limited access to the arts. By moving away from one-off workshops, we’ve created space for stronger mentorship, deeper relationships, and more meaningful creative growth.
Bestof2025
Right: A group of refugee students cooked and wrote about the dishes they love (including Ethiopian tibs and meat pies) in a joint program with York University
Left: From page to stage: Young Playwrights took audience questions after performing their original works on stage at Tarragon Theatre
Left&Right: Book deliveries were moments of celebration, with young authors signing and proudly sharing their work in print
Right: Only one team took home the “Lobby,” but community and creativity won the day at our Lob for Literacy fundraiser
Left: WorldMaker continued to inspire magical lands, including this epic tower-filled neighbourhood
Right&FarRight: We welcomed a fabulous summer team to lead our free camps in Regent Park, including two former Story Planet students!
Above: At Met Radio’s block party, our booth invited visitors to share their stories during a day of live radio and community fun
Programming
WhereSELMeetsLiteracy
This year, with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we deepened the impact of our creative writing programs by integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) more intentionally into everything we do.
Through expert consultation with educators like Dr. Deena Simmons (SEL and racial equity expert), Jasmyn Wright (founder of The Push Through Organization), and Jana Leggett (trauma-informed education specialist), we strengthened our curriculum to better support students’ emotional wellbeing alongside literacy.
GROK
Above:
Right:
cards and other tools aided reflection and empathy in our cookbook workshops with refugee children
Social-emotional learning training with Dr Deena Simmons
We also introduced a new Program Manager role to guide classroom teams, provide real-time support, and ensure consistent, student-centred delivery.
This investment helps us meet the growing need for programs that nurture confidence, empathy, and self-expression especially for students facing systemic barriers.
Left: Seeing themselves in stories fosters belonging, voice, and stronger reading and writing skills
Below: Ivy Vu, our new Program Manager, has a background in elementary education
Above:Students work on poetry writing
Left: Sheena uses art to spark imagination and bring student ideas to life
SchoolPrograms
After a quieter fall spent investing in SEL learning, we ramped up in a big way, closing out the year with 60 high-energy workshops across 8 schools—reaching morethan300students in communities with limited access to arts programming.
We reimagined our long-running CityMaker program as WorldMaker, a name that better reflects the boundless, imaginative realms students create. It remained our most popular program, proving uniquely engaging for different literacy levels and styles of learners.
Our other offerings—StoryMaker and Young Playwrights—also blended writing and art to fosterself-expressionandbuildconfidenceandvoice.
Left: Trained artists and educators are united by a passion for inspiring young storytellers
Below: Engaging, visual activities spark imagination and open the door to writing in our WorldMaker program
A new program with Tarragon The Alternative School—a TDSB schoo an intensive playwriting journey. With improv, guest artists, and lots of creativity, students developed original scripts and performed them live in a thrilling final showcase.
A huge thank you to the Rideau Hall Foundation and Catapult Canada for funding this program
SpecialPrograms
RecipesofLove
In partnership with York University, we worked with 20 newcomer youth from Africa to create Recipes of Love—a one-of-a-kind cookbook filled with their stories, art, and cherished family recipes. Through writing, cooking, and storytelling, these young writer-chefs explored how food connects them to home, belonging,andthepeoplethey love.
A collaboration with The Reading Partnership, this program brings together students from across Scarborough. With mentorship at its heart, the program connects kids with authors whoreflecttheir community: this year, Randell Adjei shared his writing journey and inspired students to write their own stories, which were celebrated in a publishedbookandbooklaunch.
“One student in particular who is very introverted and not very confident felt safe enough to be vocal and participate in front of the whole class. This was an amazing milestone to see. ”–Grade 5/6 Teacher
Impact
BookPublishing
Publishing is a vital part of every Story Planet program! We deliver a beautifully designed and bound book featuring the students’ original writing and art: every child, classroom, and school library receives a copy to keep.
Students light up when they see their names in print many rush to sign each other’s books and proudly show them off to family. Teachers display them with pride, celebrating their students as authors and artists.
Some programs end with a book launch, complete with readings, signings, and Q&As an unforgettable moment for young storytellers.
A Traveller’s Guide to Dream Land
By Ms. Chong’s Grade 3/4 Class
Whispers from the Story Tree
By 18 Scarborough Authors
Above:Student authors eagerly signing each other’s books
Left:Ali, now in university, proudly holds his book from 2014 students cherish them for years!
A Traveller’s Guide to Starlight By Ms. Kapoor’s Grade 5 Class
School
ProgramEvaluations
After every program, we collect a mix of quantitative and qualitative feedback from students and educators to evaluate how well we’re meeting our goals of building confidence, creativity, and literacy.
StudentFeedback
164 total responses
Ihadfun creating and writing in this program.
Ilearnedsomethingaboutcreating storiesandcharacters.
Thisprogrammademefeelgoodabout myideasandimagination.
Thisprograminspiredmetocreate morestoriesinthefuture.
Right:Ms. Reid receiving a copy of I Need a Hint!, featuring her grade 7 students’ original scripts
TeacherFeedback
11 total responses
Did this program inspire your students to be creative and write?..............................................
Were you pleased with the level of your students’ engagement?.................................
Did the program help students gain confidence?....................................
Would you like to do another Story Planet workshop in the future?......................................
“[I saw] cooperation and engagement from students who would not normally engage. ”
Yes
Yes
Yes
“I loved that you did not prioritize any one voice! The students truly collaborated. I have had three students write books on their own since!”
Yes
“[My students were] very excited, even quiet ones contributed.”
Financials
The below financial information for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 will be audited in November 2025.
Right: Team spirit in action at our 2nd annual Lob for Literacy tournament — friendly competition, big smiles, and nearly $20,000 raised for school programs
LookingAhead
We’re excited to share what’s next for Story Planet! Our focus is on expanding our impact, growing our internal capacity, and deepening community connections. Here’s how:
ExpandingOurImpact
We’re building more ways to support students from elementary through high school—like new after-school programs and a Youth Advisory launching this fall. These former Story Planeteers will help shape the future of our programs.
GrowingOurInternalCapacity
To meet rising demand, we’re investing in fundraising to support more stable staff roles and strengthen our internal systems.
DeepeningCommunityConnections
We’re continuing to collaborate with local partners to boost our collective impact and ensure our programs complement, not duplicate, existing services.
With your support, we’re building a future where every young person feels confident using their voice and knows it matters.
wwwstoryplanetca ContactUs info@storyplanet.ca
416-893-4486
@storyplanetTO
@storyplanetTO FollowUs
Cover art by Sheena MacDonald Charitable number 82725 2057 RR0001