Founded in the basement of Wesley United Church in 1955, Wesley Urban Ministries (Wesley) aims to transform the lives of people who are homeless or living in poverty in Hamilton, Halton, and Brantford. According to the charity, Hamilton has the third-highest poverty rate in Ontario, which amounts to more than 6,000 children in poverty. Wesley runs three main programs: Housing and Homelessness Services; Children, Youth, and Family Services; and Newcomer and Community Services.

Housing and Homelessness Services made up 41% of program costs in F2020. Wesley offers drop-in services, emergency shelters, and specialized care for clients struggling with addiction. In F2020, Wesley served an average of 98 lunches per day at its drop-in centre and provided 5,803 overnight stays in its alcohol special care unit. Wesley also runs supportive housing services, which offer structured programming and recreational activities for residents. During the year, Wesley opened a new supportive housing unit in Brantford, offering 30 new apartments for people with multiple diagnoses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, or intellectual disabilities.

Children, Youth, and Family Services were 31% of program spending in F2020. In areas with high poverty rates, Wesley offers childcare services, before- and after- school programs, and children’s camps. Wesley’s staff also provide resources and support to pregnant women and new parents, such as by helping with breastfeeding, nutrition, and referrals to local services. In F2020, the charity supported 365 new families through home visits by trained staff. It also provided 55,852 snacks at its children and youth programs during the year.

Newcomer and Community Services made up the remaining 28% of program costs. Wesley supports Canadian immigrants and refugees through job training programs and temporary housing. Its staff and volunteers speak over 60 languages to meet clients’ needs. Wesley Urban Ministries reports that it helped to settle 955 newcomers and provided 275 people with work assistance each month in F2020. Wesley also offers services for vulnerable or isolated seniors, such as grocery shopping and home visits.

Wesley also operates three social enterprises with profits going toward its programs. These include First Start Farm, First Start Café, and Interpretation Services. Wesley’s café hires people who have difficulty finding work.

Recent News: In response to covid-19, Wesley opened a new isolation centre for homeless people in Hamilton. Wesley’s drop-in centre recently experienced a covid-19 outbreak in February 2021, which was resolved by March 10.

Wesley had donations and special events revenue of $2.8m in F2020, as well as $895k in donated goods. The charity received $11.8m in government funding, representing 72% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 7% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 11% of donations and special events revenue. This results in total overhead spending of 18%. For every dollar donated, 82 cents go to the cause, which falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Wesley has $4.4m in funding reserves, of which $32k is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover 33% or around four months of annual program costs.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to Wesley for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on May 6, 2021.