About Wesley Urban Ministries
Wesley is a long-standing local non-profit, offering support for people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and barriers in the community. We provide programs and services to meet diverse community needs in Hamilton as well as Halton Region and Brantford – Brant, Ontario. As a multi-service organization, we provide Children, Youth & Family Services, Housing & Homelessness Services and Newcomer & Community Services. As an organization, we are diverse, innovative, creative, evidence-based and financially responsible. We began in 1955 with one program in the basement of Wesley United Church in downtown Hamilton and now offer more than thirty different programs in twenty different locations. Wesley’s services are possible through a broad base of funding support from government, business, foundations, churches, groups and individuals. Wesley’s legal charitable name is Wesley Urban Ministries Inc. and our operating name is Wesley. We were ranked by Charity Intelligence as one of Canada’s top 100 charities in 2019 and 2020 and featured in Maclean’s and Money Sense magazines.
Our Impact
The long-term impact of our programs includes improved education, successful employment and supportive independence for people who are vulnerable and marginalized.
In our Housing & Homelessness programs, we are working with youth, families and adults who are facing multiple barriers such as addictions, mental health, poverty and homelessness. Our short-term impacts are meeting basic immediate needs such as access to washrooms, laundry facilities, food, and a safe place to be, especially critical during cold and hot weather alerts. Our long-term supports include access to housing, healthcare and harm reduction.
In our Children, Youth & Family programs, we are investing in kids who are growing up in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada. We provide meals, snacks and free activities as well as life skills, opportunities to go on trips outside of their neighbourhoods and positive role models.
In our Newcomer & Community Services, we are welcoming and settling government-assisted refugees to help them begin their new life in Canada, working with isolated seniors, supporting youth and adults in gaining employment and more.
How your gift will be used
Legacy gifts help us begin new projects and initiatives and respond to emerging needs in the community. Past legacy gifts have helped us to launch new social enterprises, training programs and complete capital projects to upgrade facilities. Legacy gifts have been critical in helping us to respond to COVID-19, by keeping six essential programs open every day of the pandemic and ensuring the safety of our clients and staff. We also use legacy gifts for our annual scholarship program for clients who are starting school or training programs.
Donors can make a lasting and meaningful impact on their community and local people in need by remembering Wesley in their will. Donors can choose to make their gift to benefit the greatest need at Wesley or can direct their donation to homelessness, children, newcomers or another program area of their choice.
