LOOKING AHEAD TO DO MORE
Expansion of HEALTH CLINIC, in spring 2025, from 178 to 1,000 square feet—more than five times bigger!
New clinic will broaden health services beyond the men in our shelter to women, children, and seniors in our community who may also be without a family doctor.
The addition of a nurse practitioner will provide daily care for prescriptions, diagnoses, and ordering tests. A health administrator will help keep the clinic organized and running smoothly — managing patient flow, appointments, and referrals to ensure that we can serve as many people as possible with quality care.
In January 2025, Scott Mission is launching a social enterprise initiative to create a sustainable source of alternative revenue, which will be reinvested into our organization’s mission. This initiative aims to unlock potential opportunities within our existing infrastructure, to support our clients on their journey of transformation. The catering arm of this social enterprise will offer a range of food services for shelters, camps, daycare centers, churches, community partners, and other social events.
Launch of LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS, starting in February 2025, for residents in the communities we serve. Workshops will feature a series of guest speakers, who will cover various topics like parenting, budgeting, cooking, nutrition, and more—all to support the physical and mental well-being of our neighbours.
Our 25,000 square foot centralized HUB of operations continues to deliver even more meals, groceries, clothing, and additional vital resources. Everything goes out from a centralized warehouse and kitchen to our spoke locations and community partners across the GTA—serving thousands of neighbours who need access to food, clothing, and other support systems.
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
â—Ź Centralized purchasing model and warehouse management system allows for operational efficiencies across multiple locations.
â—Ź Our fleet of trucks enables us to receive more, serve more people, and give more generously.
● 11,586 skids of donations (Gifts in Kind) received and processed in 2024, compared to 7,590 in 2023—an increase of 53%.
â—Ź In 2024, the value of GIK received was $21.7M, compared to $16.3M in 2023. An increase of 33%.
15 COMMUNITY PARTNERS RECEIVED AND DISTRIBUTED:
â—Ź 5,500 bags of groceries
â—Ź 3,685 bags of clothing
â—Ź Meal support for 2,080 people in under-served communities.
In 2024, Scott Mission continued with
a focus on solutions to the problems
faced by our neighbours who are
without the basics needed to survive.
The Problem: Homelessness and Lack of Affordable Housing
● More than 80,000 people in Ontario were homeless in 2024—25% more people are living in shelters or on the streets compared to two years ago.
â—ŹThere were 12,000+ people experiencing homelessness in Toronto in 2024.
â—Ź As of 2024, there were 100,361 households on the waiting list for subsidized housing in Toronto.
Our Solution: Safe Overnight Shelter for Men
The Problem: Climbing Demand and the Rising Cost of Living
â—Ź 3.49 million people visited Toronto food banks.
â—Ź 38% increase compared to the previous year.
â—Ź 273% increase since pre-pandemic levels.
â—Ź More than 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks.
FOOD INSECURITY INDICATORS
â—Ź 29% food bank clients reported going without food for a whole day.
â—Ź 50% missed a meal to pay for something else.
â—Ź 24.9% GTA households (753,000+ people) struggle to meet basic food needs.
PEOPLE USING FOOD BANKS
â—Ź 23% are children or youth.
â—Ź 80% live in rental accommodations.
â—Ź 59% have a post-secondary degree or higher.
SOURCE: Daily Bread Food Bank’s 2024 Who’s Hungry Report
https://www.dailybread.ca/research-and-advocacy/ research/whos-hungry-report/
Our Solution: Meals Plus Food and Clothing Banks in 2024
The Problem: Lack of Accessible Health Care
Poverty and homelessness can cause worsening health for those who are without a family doctor. Canada as a whole is experiencing a crisis-level shortage of family doctors. An estimated 22% of Canadian adults, about 6.5 million people, do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner they can see regularly.
SOURCE: CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/primary-care-canada-10-000-canadians-report-1.7125990
The Problem: Poor Mental Health for Those Experiencing Poverty
â—Ź Poverty and mental illness are among the leading contributors to homelessness, addictions, and broken lives across our city.
● It’s estimated that as many as 67% of people experiencing homelessness, suffer with various forms of mental illness.
â—Ź Wait times for free or cost-accessible counselling are long, and fee-based clinical counselling is expensive ($125-$225 per session in Toronto), putting it out of reach for the most vulnerable.
SOURCE: TORONTO FOUNDATION, CAMH
https://torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TF-VitalSigns2023-Tagged-Nov14.pdf#page=37
https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics
Our Solution: Clinical Counselling Program
Your compassion in action allows the Mission to offer a counselling program that integrates case management with evidence-based clinical counselling, interpersonal relationships, and pastoral care.
IN 2024:
The Problem: Increasing Numbers of Chronic Homelessness
● Higher chronic homelessness numbers demonstrate failures that extend beyond housing—reflecting deep gaps in substance abuse resources, healthcare, mental-health services, and a lack of FREE recovery programs.
â—Ź In 2024, it is estimated that 41,512 Ontarians experienced chronic homelessness accounting for more than half of all known cases of homelessness.
(SOURCE) MUNICIPALITIES UNDER PRESSURE:
The Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis, By Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Our Solution: Scott Mission’s New Life Recovery Program
The four holistic program phases are designed to address the spiritual, emotional, social, physical, and intellectual well-being of the participants and to provide them with tools, resources, and evidence- based strategies to support ongoing stability and growth beyond the program.
THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PARTICIPANTS IDENTIFY:
â—Ź Root causes of addiction.
â—Ź Coping strategies.
â—Ź Relapse prevention.
â—Ź Social support systems.
â—Ź Significance of mental health in the recovery process.
â—Ź Life skills workshops.
â—Ź Ways to strengthen their spiritual foundation through the love of God.
The Problem: Lack of Community and Friendship
â—Ź Approximately 300,000 Torontonians reported having no one to rely on for support.
â—Ź Only 28% of Torontonians reported having six or more close friends. This decline in social connections contributes to feelings of isolation.
● Canadian men aged 35-54 are less likely than any other age and gender group to feel God’s presence (56 percent say they have never felt God’s presence).
(SOURCE) TORONTO FOUNDATION: https://torontofoundation.ca/socialcapital/release
Our Solution: Community, Friendship, and Transformation
● Transformation through prayer and Bible studies in English, Spanish, and Mandarin encourage our neighbours on their faith journey—sharing the good news of Jesus, while attending to the needs of our community.
â—Ź Celebration and ministry events throughout the year at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
● The Ministry Team hosted nine finance and wellness workshops, art classes, community BBQs, and more—bringing neighbours together to foster a sense of belonging.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
LIFE TRANSFORMING PROGRAMS
Your heart to support children and youth allows Scott Mission to lead programs that result in countless young lives being transformed by God’s love. Each program promotes learning, leadership, spiritual growth, and fun, all in a nurturing environment. Hundreds of young people are being equipped with the tools they need to thrive.
Our Solution: Scott Mission Camp and Leadership Programs
Scott Mission Camp and Youth Leadership Programs provide safe spaces for kids to thrive where fun, learning, leadership, and spiritual growth is promoted.
The Problem: The High Cost of Childcare in the GTA
Out of reach childcare costs are a struggle for working parents who are trying to make ends meet while providing a safe and nurturing childcare environment for their children.
â—Ź The average monthly cost for full-time childcare in Ontario ranges from $1,200 to $2,000.
â—Ź The City of Toronto offers fee subsidies, but there are long waiting lists.
â—Ź Currently, there are 14,183 children on the waiting list.
SOURCE: Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Annual Report 2024
Our Solution: Scott Mission Childcare Centre
The Mission provides a focused, holistic, and family-centred approach to childcare with early education practices to create a warm, caring, and interactive atmosphere.
● Our licensed Childcare Centre provides a positive Christian early education experience and adheres to the requirements of Ontario’s Day Nurseries Act.
â—Ź A new classroom was built to accommodate 16 additional pre-schoolers.
â—Ź All of our childcare families receive a government subsidy as we are part of the Canada Wide Early Learning Childcare (CWELCC) plan.
The Problem: Worsening Mental Heath of Children and Youth
Children from lower socio-economic backgrounds need better opportunities to receive educational and social support.
â—ŹÂ 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence.
â—ŹÂ 1 in 5 kids in Canada have diagnosed mental health challenges.
SOURCE: CMHO, Children First Canada
https://childrenfirstcanada.org/raising-canada/new-report-reveals-record-increases-in-violence-poverty-mental-health-issues-and-sexploitation-
among-canadas-kids/
Our Solution: Scott Mission’s After-School Programs
Your support means that during and after school programs provide educational, social, and spiritual activities to help students raise test scores, improve behaviour, develop strong life skills, and gain healthy self-esteem—to encourage healthy life choices.
â—Ź After-school programs, are designed to grow life/social skills, plus character and spiritual development, in an encouraging and fun environment.
â—Ź After-school mentorship sessions help to coach and encourage students through personal life challenges with active listening and discussion techniques.
â—Ź We host community events like barbeques, which help our team to engage with the schools and community members so everyone sees our team as a supportive part of the school’s environment.
Larry O’Hara
“I first learned about Scott Mission when I was driving a bus full of kids to Scott Mission’s camp in Caledon. Once I realized that they had other services like food and clothing banks in addition to the camp, I decided to become a monthly donor. I’m a great believer that the greatest blessing is to give.
I realize that it’s a lot of work to operate a food bank and to provide meals not only on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but every single day. Knowing that I’m helping others makes me feel better and I don’t see it as a handout, no it’s a hand up—a way to get people the support that they need and to hopefully help them get out of poverty.
I like to support a charity like Scott Mission because they show people how to work through their situations by allowing them to first pause and take a deep breath. They let people know that they will work through the challenges with them, so they don’t feel like they are alone and floundering. I am blessed to be a blessing through Scott Mission.”
Michael and Betty Howes
“One day a few years ago, we received an email from The Scott Mission. It described the food, clothing, shelter, and the love of the Lord for those in need. Because we both are passionate about God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10), we started giving right away.
Shortly thereafter, we received a call from a Mission staffer, who has become a welcomed friend to us because she keeps in contact to update us with news and developments happening at the Mission.
We look forward to an ongoing relationship with the Mission, in its efforts to reach those in our city, who need it most. It is our belief that Scott Mission best represents us in our partnership to seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33) as they meet real needs with food, clothing, shelter, and sharing the Good News of the Gospel. We thank the Mission’s board members, the leadership, day-to-day staff, and volunteers for what they do to serve our society’s most vulnerable citizens.”
BECAUSE OF YOU LIVES ARE BEING TRANSFORMEDÂ
Thank you for standing with Scott Mission. Together we are delivering life-changing services, coupled with the love of Jesus, to help our neighbours build a better future.
ONGOING CHALLENGES
LANGUAGE BARRIERS
The Mission often faces language barriers with our neighbours who frequent the Mission from other countries. We are currently using technology to assist with translation.
NEED FOR LONG-TERM TRANSFORMATION
Many of our guests struggle with trauma, mental health issues, addictions, and intergenerational oppression. Scott Mission has always offered programs that help meet the basic needs of our neighbours with food, clothing, and emergency shelter. However, some guests would benefit from additional holistic, intentional, and long-term programs to help participants in the following ways:
1. Identify roadblocks to transformation
2. Address root causes
3. Receive the tools and resources to support ongoing stability and growth
To address this challenge, the Mission is piloting a two-year recovery program, which requires funding support.
RISING COSTS
Rising costs and inflation have triply affected Scott Mission. First, our guests’ dollars are stretched, so we are seeing a rise in demand for all our services. Second, many of our donors are feeling the effects of rising prices and giving less. Finally, Scott Mission is having to spend more money on purchases due to rising costs. We are also finding the need for more protein items in our Food Banks and would like to find a partner who would be willing to donate additional sources of protein.
BUILDING REPAIRS
A few of our buildings are aging and require repairs and updating so we can better serve our neighbours.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to find the most efficient ways to serve our neighbours who need a helping hand across the GTA.
A Christian Ministry of Mercy & Love. The Compassionate Neighbour for 80 Years and Counting.
SERVE ONE ANOTHER HUMBLY IN LOVE.
GALATIANS 5:13
GALATIANS 5:13
CONTACT US
MAIN: 416-923-8872
DONATION LINE: 416-923-2400
Food Bank: 416-926-3916
Fax: 416-923-1067
EMAIL: info@scottmission.com
