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PORT CARES IMPACT REPORT 2025/26PORT CARES IMPACT REPORT 2025/26 40404040Y e a r s o f C aringCC ee ll ee bb rr aa ttii nn gg C e l e b r a ti n g
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE Chandra Hardeen Executive Director There is a word that keeps coming back to us as we reflect on 2025/26: together. Together, we showed up for our neighbours in their most vulnerable moments. Together, we built programs that didn't just respond to need, they helped prevent it. And together, we reminded every person who walked through our doors that they are not invisible, not forgotten, and never alone. This past year was not an easy one. Rising costs, housing instability, and food insecurity continued to grow across South Niagara and the ripple effects were felt deeply. And yet, this community showed up. Donors gave. Volunteers came. Partners leaned in. And every single person on our team poured themselves into the work with a dedication that humbles us every day. The impact in these pages is not ours. It is yours. Every dollar, every hour, every food item dropped off, it all adds up to real change in real lives, right here at home. Behind every number is a person who felt seen and supported because you chose to be part of something bigger than yourself. The work is not finished. The urgency has never been greater but neither has our resolve. Thank you for showing up, giving, caring, and for reminding us that when neighbours look out for neighbours, extraordinary things happen. With gratitude, Midge Butson Board Chair #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
Mission Helping people in our community overcome barriers to build better lives. Values We provide help without judgement Port Cares helps people regardless of who they are and what their circumstances might be. Vision A community where everyone has help, hope and opportunity. We are all accountable to one another Accountability is something we all share, to each other and our community, as an organization, as staff, as volunteers and as clients. We treat everyone with respect As an organization, we treat those we serve respectfully as well as our stakeholders and one another. We work collaboratively together We work hand-in-hand to deliver effective services to our clients and to build strong, productive relationships with our partners. We evolve by striving for excellence We embrace challenges using creativity and courage to pursue excellence in everything we do. #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
We recognize that our services are delivered on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live, work, and thrive here today. This land is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the territory protected by the "Dish With One Spoon" Wampum agreement, a covenant to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, this region is a vibrant gathering place for many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. As an organization dedicated to removing barriers and building a culture of belonging, we recognize the systemic inequities created by colonial history. We commit to using our resources and platform to foster equitable partnerships, support Indigenous self-determination, and work toward true reconciliation as we build a stronger, more inclusive community together. LAND ACKNOWLEGEMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS [2025-2026] Midge Butson Stephanie Babin Sharon Letwin Curt Benson Scott Luey Cathy Boggio Mike Cooper Melanie Slater Amy Lloyd Brennon Zwingli Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Corporate Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
Reach Out Centre Community Food Hub providing food programs and support services for residents of Port Colborne and Wainfleet. Employment Services PCWorks offers FREE employment and learning services to connect you to skills and resources to land a job. EarlyON Child & Family Centres Offer FREE programs for parents/caregivers and children from birth to 6 years old, to play, learn and connect. THRIVE Family Development A FREE multi-week program that helps parents gain job skills while their preschool-aged children receive safe, quality care onsite. Eviction Prevention & Crisis Support Helps individuals and families stay housed by providing timely personalized support during urgent housing challenges. Chestnut Place Offers safe, stable, and affordable housing units that help seniors and single-parent led families build a stronger, more secure future. PROGRAMS & SERVICES #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
By the Numbers 57 volunteers in 2025/26 1,750 hours of time donated 250 days of service a year 4 programs supported Where They Show Up Food bank sorting and distribution Hot meal program Senior food delivery Children's school lunch kits Community events & fundraising What They Make Possible Every volunteer hour means more food on a family's table. Every shift covered helps a neighbour feel seen. Every helping hand shows that our community takes care of their own. THE HEART BEHIND THE WORK Port Cares runs on community and nowhere is that more visible than with our volunteers. A NOTE OF GRATITUDE To our volunteers, you are not just filling a role. You are the reason this works. Thank you for showing up, season after season, because you believe that no one should face hardship alone. We appreciate you! #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
REACH OUT CENTRE In 2025/26, Port Cares invested in the Reach Out Centre itself, improving accessibility, flow, and the overall experience for clients, volunteers, and staff. These updates are more than physical improvements. They reflect our commitment to ensuring every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed, valued, and supported. For more than a decade, the Reach Out Centre has been the heart of Port Cares, where neighbours facing difficult circumstances find food, support, and connection. Every program we offer, from the food bank and hot meals to senior hampers and school lunch kits, is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with care and respect. #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares Not only are our clients a blessing to work for, but the people that I work with are incredible. I have volunteered in many different ways over the years but I have never worked with a group of people like the ones that I work with at Port Cares. Each one of you brings your own special style of love and compassion to the job. 1,759 Unique Individuals Served 51% of those Were Children or Seniors 876 Households in South Niagara Accessed Services 328 Hampers Delivered to Seniors 9,195 School Lunches Provided 189,027 lbs of Food Distributed 16,510 Hot Meals Served Built on care and powered by community
E M P L O Y M E N T S E R V I C E STRAINING & CERTIFICATIONSD I G I T A L S K I L L S & S U P P O R TC O M M U N I T Y & P R A C T I C A L S U P P O R T SE M PLOYE R S U P P O R TIn 2025/26, PC Works served 666 individuals with employment services and supported 236 participants in securing employment. They also hosted 4 job fairs, including leading and organizing Niagara's Largest Job Fair in partnership with multiple agencies across the region, drawing a combined attendance of 2,500 job seekers and 90 employers. The program also celebrated 45 Power of Possible graduates and delivered workplace certification training to 76 individuals. In recognition of this work, PC Works received the Employment Services Delivery Innovation Award through Fedcap Canada. By providing barrier-free, client-centered support, PC Works empowers job seekers to build confidence, develop in-demand skills, and access meaningful employment opportunities. PC WORKS EMPLOYMENT 666Individuals Served 236Job Placements 2,500Job Fair Attendees 90Job Fair Employers 45Power of Possible Graduates 76Training Workshop Attendees 4 JOB FAIRS HOSTED Including leading and organizing Niagara's Largest Job Fair in partnership with multiple agencies across the region. Employment Services Delivery Innovation AwardAwarded by 2025/26 AT A GLANCE #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares Client Success Story: Stephane B. came to us looking for a fresh start and a stable career path. Through the Better Jobs Ontario program, he successfully completed his AZ driver training and earned his commercial licence. Shortly after finishing the program, Stephane secured employment with Zavcor as an AZ Driver. His hard work, determination, and commitment to learning helped him turn a career goal into a reality, and we are proud to celebrate his success.
EARLYON CHILD & FAMILY CENTRES I have been bringing my kids to EarlyON since they were babies. The are now 4 & 7 years old. We love EarlyON because it is such a safe, positive and welcoming environment with so many different ways to help children learn as they grow. They were able to socialize with other children at a young age. There is also so many activities available that helped their motor skills, problem solving, etc. The staff is absolutely incredible! - Natalie In 2025/26, EarlyON welcomed 7,015 children and 5,812 parents/caregivers across 7 locations, delivering numerous programs and facilitating 28,573 visits. From first friendships and developmental milestones to meaningful intergenerational collaborations and family engagement opportunities, EarlyON continues to help families build confidence, connection, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning. #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares Total Visits 28,573 Locations 7 Caregivers Welcomed 5,812 Children Welcomed 7,015
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT For too many people across South Niagara, safe and affordable housing has felt out of reach. Seniors on fixed incomes. Single mothers navigating impossible odds. Families facing rising rents and shrinking options. Chestnut Place was built for them. On February 28, 2025, Port Cares opened the doors of Chestnut Place, a five-storey, 41-unit affordable housing residence that marked one of the most significant milestones in our 40-year history. After years of planning, partnership, and community investment, what began as a vision to address Niagara's growing affordable housing crisis became something real: 41 households with a safe, stable, affordable place to call home. #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares A place to call home More Than Four Walls While affordable housing is the foundation, we know that a home is about more than just shelter. At Chestnut Place, residents have access to the broader network of Port Cares programs and supports, creating a continuum of care that addresses not just where people live, but how they live. From food security to employment services to community connection, residents of Chestnut Place are surrounded by the resources they need to thrive. Who We Serve Chestnut Place welcomes low-income seniors aged 55 and older and single- parent led families from across South Niagara, two of the most vulnerable and underserved groups in our region's housing landscape. For many residents, Chestnut Place is not just a new address. It is a new beginning.
GENEROSITY IN ACTION Time and again, our community shows what it means to care for one another. Every dollar donated and every pound of food contributed supports Port Cares programs, from the food bank and senior food delivery to weekly lunch kits for children. The impact highlighted in this report is only possible because of the generosity of our community. Individual donors supported Port Cares through one-time gifts, monthly contributions, and everyday acts of giving, while local businesses and organizations partnered with us to strengthen our programs and expand our reach. Together, they represent something that cannot be measured in numbers, a community that does not look the other way. A community that sees a neighbour in need and chooses, without hesitation, to show up. That spirit is what has sustained Port Cares for 40 years, and it is what will carry us forward for 40 more. Thank you for believing in this community enough to invest in it. Every gift you gave became someone's relief, someone's meal, someone's hope. - Chandra Hardeen, Executive Director #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares Because of you, no one faces it alone.
YOUR IMPACT IN ACTION This year, Port Cares didn't work alone. We worked with our community, through partnerships and initiatives that brought people together for a shared purpose. Port Cares in partnership with the Port Colborne Lions Club, this annual food drive brought together volunteers and donors from across the community to help stock our shelves heading into a critical time of year. The generosity shown through this partnership continues to be a cornerstone of our food security efforts. 50/50 raffles hosted throughout the year give our community a fun and easy way to support Port Cares while having a chance to win big. These fundraisers brought in vital, flexible funding that helped us respond quickly to emerging needs and reminded us that giving back can be exciting, too. When facing Back-to-School season each September, families across Port Colborne and Wainfleet are reminded that with a new school year comes new costs. Through our Back-to-School Drive, we were able to lessen this pressure by providing backpacks, supplies, and essentials to children heading into the classroom because every child deserves to start the year feeling ready and confident. #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
2025/26 AT A GLANCE #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
2025/26 AT A GLANCE #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
OPERATIONAL REVENUE Grants/Agency Funding 3,224,027 Rental Income 446,254 Donations 326,796 Foundations 260,548 50/50 Draws 198,950 Other Income 170,082 Trillium 145,100 United Way - Niagara 52,500 4,824,257 OPERATIONAL EXPENSE EarlyON - Children Centres 1,664,523 Employment Services 1,072,460 Reach Out Centre 825,546 Chestnut Place - Affordable Housing 435,392 Operation & Admin 218,154 Housing 255,225 Get Set- Literacy Skills 237,787 4,709,087 FINANCIAL STATEMENT #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares To view our full 2025-2026 audited statements, please visit portcares.caEarly On - Children Centres 35.3% Employment Services 22.8% Reach Out Centre 17.5% Chestnut Place - Affordable Housing 9.2% Housing 5.4%OPERATIONAL EXPENSEGrants/Agency Funding 66.8% Rental Income 9.3% Donations 6.8% Foundations 5.4% 50/50 Draw 4.1% Trillium 3%OPERATIONAL REVENUE
REACH OUT CENTRE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES EARLYON SERVICES EVICTION PREVENTION & CRISIS SUPPORT 2025/26 IMPACT #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares The Reach Out Centre is fully funded by our community and receives no government program funding 189,027 Pounds of Food Distributed 1,759 Unique Individuals Served 876 Households Served 16,510 Hot Meals Served 328 Hampers Delivered to Seniors 9,195 School Lunches Provided 45 Power of Possible Graduates 666 Individuals Supported 2,500 Job Fair Attendees 90 Job Fair Employers 236 Job Placements 76 Training Workshop Attendees 7,015 Children Welcomed 5,812 Caregivers Welcomed 28,573 Total Visits 7 Locations across Niagara Region 82.4% success rate of housing loss prevention 41 units of affordable housing at Chestnut Place
PARTNERS WITH EARLYON CENTRES Bridges Community Health Clinic NCC - Inclusion Quality Coordinators NCC - Speech and Language Pathology Niagara College PARTNERS AT THE REACH OUT CENTRE Bridges Community Health Centre John Howard Society Ontario Works REACH Health Bus Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Niagara Assertive Street Outreach (NASO) Public Health Public Health Men's Clinic PARTNERS AT HEAD OFFICE Alzheimers Society of Niagara Birchway Niagara Canadian Mental Health Association Centre de Santé Downtown BIA Niagara Community Legal Clinic Niagara Sexual Assault Centre Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Ontario Works (OW) Probation & Parole Service Canada COMMUNITY HUB #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE The need in our community is not slowing down and neither are we. Over the past year, we've watched the number of people turning to Port Cares grow steadily, month after month. Behind every one of those numbers is a person, a parent making impossible choices, a senior on a fixed income, a young person trying to find their footing. These are our neighbours, and they are telling us, clearly, that the need is real and it is growing. As we look ahead, our focus is on making sure Port Cares can meet that growing need, not just today, but for years to come. That means building stronger, more sustainable programs that don't just respond to crisis, but help prevent it before it takes hold. It means deepening our partnerships with local organizations, schools, and businesses who share our vision for a stronger, more connected community. And it means continuing to listen, to our neighbours, our volunteers, and our donors, so that what we offer reflects what is truly needed, not just what has always been done. We are also exploring new ways to expand our reach, including new programs designed to address gaps we've identified in our community, and stronger collaborations with partner agencies to ensure no one falls through the cracks. Whether that means rethinking how we deliver services or building new relationships across the region, our goal remains the same, to be there for the people who need us, in the ways they need us most. None of this is possible without you. The challenges ahead are real. But so is the strength of this community, and that strength has carried Port Cares for 40 years, through every kind of hardship and every kind of season. We are confident it will carry us through whatever comes next, too. Thank you for believing that a stronger, more caring community is not just possible, it's something we can build, together, one step at a time. #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
Monetary Donations Donate online at portcares.ca OR by mail to: 92 Charlotte St, Port Colborne, ON L3K 3E1 In-Kind Contributions Donate food and essential items, including hygiene products, pet food, and infant formula & diapers. Drop off at the Reach Out Centre located at 61 Nickel St. Legacy Giving Include Port Cares in your will or estate planning to create lasting change for generations to come. Corporate Sponsorships Partner with us to support large- scale initiatives, from events to campaigns to capital projects like our new greenhouse. WAYS TO SUPPORT Host a Fundraising Event Rally your workplace, school, or community group around a cause that matters. From bake sales to bottle drives, every event makes a difference. Volunteer Your Time Join our team on the ground, from the food bank to community events. Visit portcares.ca to get involved #HereForOurNeigboursPort Cares
Port Colborne Community Association for Resource Extension is an independent charity that serves South Niagara communities. Charitable registration number #119096493RR0001 THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERSCONTACT US(905) 834-3629 portcares@portcares.ca www.portcares.caHEAD OFFICE 92 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne REACH OUT CENTRE 61 Nickel Street, Port Colborne