How Your Support Made a Difference in 2024
Homelessness and poverty affect thousands of individuals across Canada every day.
Thanks to your generosity, lives have been changed across every community we serve.
Provided in 2024…
892,963
Meals were served
1,269
Guests moved into housing
604
Guests employed
74,219
Health & wellness services provided
But there is still a vast need. In 2022, 9.9% of Canadians - about 3.8 million individuals – lived below the poverty line, and 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year.
Understanding Homelessness
Homelessness is a complex problem with complex causes. While there is rarely one specific reason, the causes that lead to homelessness are typically a combination of systemic issues and personal circumstances. Through joint efforts with valued and critical partners, The Mustard Seed exists to end homelessness in the communities we serve.
Why What We Do Matters
At The Mustard Seed, we believe that addressing the root causes of poverty and homelessness is just as critical as meeting immediate needs. Behind every statistic is a person. Our work is not just about services — it's about restoring hope, dignity, and community. Through partnerships, and your support, we’re helping to rebuild lives.
Challenges and Learnings
The first drop-in centre operated by The Mustard Seed opened in downtown Calgary 40 years ago as a resource for those in need, and in 2006 our first shelter opened in response to a spike in homelessness. Since then, we have grown to meet the need in other communities, now providing care to guests in seven cities across three provinces.
Recently, the challenge identified was the number of resources needed for a guest to obtain permanent housing when navigating on their own. In 2024, in accordance with national housing strategies, The Mustard Seed began to transition towards a housing-focused shelter model. This opened opportunities to better connect guests with the necessary resources and find housing quickly. Our staff are now housing-focused shelter workers, trained to support guests through case management, and assist in the transition towards finding a permanent, suitable home.
In 2023, prior to this change, 744 individuals moved from our shelters into a permanent home. The next year saw 1,123 individuals move into housing by the end of 2024. This was a 51% increase in the number of people able to successfully move out of the shelters.
The results have indicated that the housing-focused approach does offer benefit to those seeking additional supports as they move beyond our shelters. Our efforts will always reflect the needs of individuals, especially as they seek to transition out of homelessness.
Report To Community
Our Report to Community is a celebration of the hope, change, and resilience we’ve witnessed over the past year. Inside, you’ll find stories of lives transformed, progress made, and the collective effort that makes it all possible. Thank you for sharing in our mission to serve our vulnerable neighbours. Together, we are impacting lives.
Shelter and Beyond: Addressing Root Causes
Basic Services
Food, emergency shelter, clothing, and hygiene items ensure that no one in our communities goes without the
basic necessities.
• 892,936 Meals provided to shelter guests, CIC visitors, students, and participants of our Men's Recovery program.
• 1,123 Individuals successfully left a TMS shelter and moved into housing, another facility, or alternative arrangements.
• 18.1% Of all TMS shelter guests in 2024 successfully moved into housing..
• 51,509 Clothing and/or living essentials (food, hygiene products, etc.) were provided to clients last year while accessing services through Community Impact Centre's (CIC), Shelters, or other TMS programs.
Housing
We provide supportive housing (which include wraparound services to help individuals find stability, and
dignity) and affordable housing to help individuals and families find a sustainable and dignified place to
call home.
• 1,269 People have successfully moved into housing last year. These people were either TMS shelter guests, or they were externally referred to property management and secured a new lease in one of our housing buildings.
• 480 Housing Units made up the total capacity of our housing buildings in 2024.
• 22.1% More housing units were added to our overall housing capacity last year than in 2023.
Community Impact Centres & Employment
We offer employment readiness programs and partner with local businesses to create inclusive job
opportunities.
• 41,008 Unique guest visits (counted once regardless of multiple visits) visited a CIC in 2024.
• 224,575 Times people entered a CIC last year.
• 604 Clients obtained stable, long-term employment in 2024, that meets or exceeds their financial needs.
Health & Wellness
From mental health supports to basic medical care, our teams meet people where they’re at to ensure physical
and emotional well-being.
• 74,219 Health & Wellness services were provided to clients last year, including third-party, social work, therapy, advocacy, recovery, and outreach.
• 6,383 Unique individuals (counted once regardless of multiple visits) received H&W services in 2024.
• 2,277 Hours last year were spent by counsellors and therapists treating clients or completing their reporting.
• 12,124 Hours last year were spent by clients receiving assistance or support toward addressing their needs.
Get Involved
You can be part of the solution. Whether through volunteering, donating, advocating, or learning — your involvement
makes a tangible impact.
You can help us provide more shelter, more homes, and more hope.
