Founded in 1980, Sistering helps women in Toronto who experience social isolation, homelessness, trauma and violence, discrimination, substance abuse, or need mental health support. Sistering aims to give these women equal access to opportunities to thrive in inclusive communities. Sistering’s main programs include: 24/7 Drop-In & Parkdale Outreach, Community Support Workers, Sisters Kitchen, Harm Reduction, On the Path to Employment, Spun Studio, and Advocacy.

Sistering’s drop-in centres offer women meals, showers, laundry facilities, clothes, shoes, internet access, counselling, legal aid, and more. In F2020, Sistering reported that 95,253 women visited its two drop-in centres. Sistering served 156,480 meals and distributed 84,572 personal care items at these locations.

Sistering’s Harm Reduction program held 290 events for its clients. It distributed 20,407 harm reduction kits and distributed 209,782 harm reduction resources.

On the Path to Employment offers workshops, supports women pursuing higher education, and helps women find permanent jobs. In F2020, this program served 405 participants. 180 clients received violence against women training and 147 received pre-employment services.

Sistering received donations of $2.6m in F2021. It also received $5.3m in government funding in F2021, representing 67% of total revenue. Administrative costs are 9% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 3% of donations. For every dollar donated, 88 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Funding reserves of $2.2m can cover four months of annual program costs.

Ci has sent this profile update to Sistering for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 16, 2021, by Shira Wine.