Good Shepherd

What Good Shepherd does

Good Shepherd is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization founded in 1961 in Hamilton, Ontario, providing health, housing, food, shelter, and crisis support services to vulnerable individuals and families. Today operating across Hamilton, Toronto, and the Niagara Region, Good Shepherd runs roughly 30 distinct programs organized into four pillars: emergency shelter and housing (men's, women's, youth, family, asylum-seeker, and transitional shelters, plus supportive housing programs including HOMES, Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes, Dorothy Day Place, Regina's Place, and Barton-Tiffany Temporary Shelter); mental health, addiction, and crisis services (Barrett Centre for Crisis Support, Brennan House, RAAM Mobile Program, Youth Services Mental Health Program, Steps to Health); health and senior services (Health on Wheels mobile clinic, Shelter Health Network clinics, Palliative Care Outreach Team, Emmanuel House Hospice, Assisted Living for Seniors, Seniors at Risk in Hamilton, SAM Adult Day Programs, SAM Aphasia Program); and basic-needs and education programs (Venture Centre Emergency Food and Clothing, Notre Dame House School, Jeanne Scott Parent & Child Resource Centre, Community Support Services for Women & Children). All services are provided free of charge, 365 days a year, without judgment, inspired by Catholic teachings and the hospitality of St. John of God.

Good Shepherd is owned by the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God – Province of the Good Shepherd in North America, following the 2015 fusion of the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd with the Hospitaller Order. Day-to-day operations are led by CEO Brother Richard MacPhee and two COO functions split between the Hamilton Centres and the Toronto Non-Profit Homes entity. The organization serves more than 1,000 vulnerable individuals daily, houses 630 individuals and families, serves over 10,000 hot meals and supports 3,000+ households monthly, and is supported by 5,000+ volunteers annually.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The funding model mixes transfer payment agreements with the Ontario Ministry of Health, the HNHB Local Health Integration Network, Ontario Health, and the City of Hamilton with individual donations, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, monthly giving (Shepherds of Change), and special events including Harvest Dinner, Art Gems auction, Golf Classic, Christmas Wonderland, and Lemonade Stand Fundraiser. The portfolio operates through a dense web of partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, government agencies, faith-based institutions (St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, Refuge Newcomer Health, Salvation Army, Wesley Urban Ministries, Mission Services, Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board), and holds CARF three-year accreditation across all programs.

Name

Good Shepherd

Legal name

Good Shepherd Centre – Hamilton

Website

https://goodshepherdcentres.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Good Shepherd is a Canadian non-profit, founded in 1961 and affiliated with the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, providing free health, housing, food, shelter, and crisis support services to vulnerable populations across Hamilton, Toronto, and the Niagara Region through roughly 30 program lines serving 1,000+ individuals daily.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social and Community Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Supportive housing programs
• Mental health support
• Community food programs
• Human services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funded by Ontario Ministry of Health, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network, Ontario Health, and City of Hamilton
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, monthly giving, special events fundraising
3. Special Events: Revenue from events such as Harvest Dinner, Art Gems auction, Golf Classic, Lemonade Stand Fundraiser

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Good Shepherd is a non-profit charitable organization that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, mental health services, healthcare, food, clothing, and crisis support to vulnerable populations in Hamilton, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Service users are typically individuals and families experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, poverty, or food insecurity, and services are funded through donations, grants, and community sponsorship rather than paid client fees.

Product overview

Good Shepherd is a non-profit social services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of health, housing, and human services across Greater Hamilton and Toronto (ON) areas. The organization operates as a portfolio of distinct programs rather than a unified technology product — services include emergency shelters (The Good Shepherd Centre, Mary's Place, Martha House, Notre Dame House, Barrett Centre for Crisis Support), transitional and supportive housing (Dorothy Day Place, Regina's Place, HOMES, Reaching Home, Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes Hamilton/Toronto), mental health services (Youth Services Mental Health Program, Steps to Health), healthcare services (Health Clinics/Shelter Health Network, Health on Wheels, Palliative Care Outreach Team, Emmanuel House Hospice), senior services (Assisted Living for Seniors, Seniors at Risk, SAM Adult Day Programs, SAM Aphasia Program), food and clothing programs (Emergency Food Program, Venture Centre), education programs (Notre Dame House School, Jeanne Scott Parent & Child Resource Centre), addiction services (RAAM Mobile Program), and community support services (Community Support Services for Women & Children). All services are provided free of charge, inspired by Catholic teachings of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Creative Works Studio: A community arts-based studio providing healing and recovery through the arts for people living with severe and persistent mental illness, founded in 1995.
• Bakhita House
• Dorothy Day Place

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Emergency overnight and short-term shelter beds for individuals and families experiencing homelessness across Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, St. Catharines, and the Greater Toronto Area.
• Supportive Housing Longer-term subsidized housing paired with case management and wraparound supports for individuals transitioning out of homelessness or facing housing instability.
• Mental Health Services Mental health and addictions counselling, support, and referral services for vulnerable individuals, integrated with shelter, housing, and food programs.
• Food and Meal Programs Community meal programs and food bank access addressing food insecurity for individuals and families in Good Shepherd's service regions.
• Clothing and Basic Needs Assistance Distribution of clothing and basic-needs items to shelter residents and community members experiencing poverty or crisis.
• Healthcare and Community Health Services Community-based healthcare services delivered to vulnerable populations, integrated with housing, shelter, and support programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 1,000 vulnerable individuals daily
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Funded Community Homes for Opportunity (CHO) program incorporated into HOMES supportive housing program. Operates through transfer payment agreements throughout Hamilton and Niagara Region.
• HNHB Local Health Integration NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-funder with Ministry of Health for HOMES supportive housing program serving people with mental health issues.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partner in Shelter Health Network providing healthcare services within shelters and community agencies in downtown Hamilton.
• Wesley Urban MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partner in Shelter Health Network healthcare consortium.
• Mission ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partner in Shelter Health Network healthcare consortium.
• Wayside HouseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partner in Shelter Health Network healthcare consortium.
• Men's Addiction Service HamiltonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partner in Shelter Health Network healthcare consortium.
• CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partner in Shelter Health Network healthcare consortium and PCAAT collaborative team.
• Refuge Newcomer HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Bakhita House to address emergency housing needs of asylum seekers. Provides health navigators who connect residents with community services including education, employment, healthcare, and legal assistance. Continues support for two months after residents move out.
• Wesley Urban MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Bakhita House collaboration providing comprehensive and supportive environments for asylum seekers within the emergency shelter system in Hamilton.
• St. Joseph's HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides addiction attendants 24 hours a day at Dorothy Day Place to lead addiction and harm reduction services. Residents are offered opioid prevention planning, harm reduction information and supplies, addiction supports, assessment and referral.
• Hamilton Regional Indian CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks collectively with Good Shepherd to offer culturally relevant supports and services to Indigenous residents at Dorothy Day Place. Formal partnership agreement facilitates referrals and builds capacity through education and workshops. Currently 17% of residents identify as Indigenous.
• Shelter Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers weekly clinic for residents of Dorothy Day Place to access primary medical care on-site. SHN is a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers operating within shelters and community agencies in downtown Hamilton, established in 2005.
• Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and HaltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Seniors at Risk in Hamilton program, along with St. Matthew's House. Partners transitioned clients from Catholic Family Services programs following CFS closure.
• St. Matthew's HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Seniors at Risk in Hamilton program. Part of transition plan for CFS seniors' programs.
• Alternatives for YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides addiction/substance use supports at Notre Dame House for street-involved youth.
• Hamilton Regional Indian CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Notre Dame House to provide opportunities for Indigenous youth to engage in cultural activities and reconnect with traditional teachings.
• Centre 3minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Notre Dame House to offer free studio-based course where youth learn design, print, film, marketing and sales of their work.
• ART Forms and RecreateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Notre Dame House for creative pursuits promoting self-discovery and leadership development.
• Young Parent NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Youth Housing Support team to designate worker supporting pregnant and parenting teens who access shelter.
• Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Regina's Place and Jeanne Scott Parent & Child Resource Centre to operate on-site school designed specifically for young parents.
• Ujima ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly Childhood Development Hub at Notre Dame House supporting young parents and children through programs on early development, attachment, language and literacy.
• Gore MutualminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate funding partner with Pearson Dunn Insurance. Video highlighting partnership available.
• Pearson Dunn InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate funding partner with Gore Mutual.
• Homeless Cars FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial charity partner. Donors receive tax receipt for value of car. When car donated in Hamilton, money stays in Hamilton.
• HAMSMaRTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PCAAT (Primary Care Access and Attachment in Hamilton) collaborative team connecting people to primary care.
• Refuge Newcomer HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PCAAT collaborative team connecting people to primary care.
• Toronto Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting Art Gems event and Creative Works Studio.
• Toronto Alliance to End HomelessnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting Creative Works Studio through Art Gems event.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Indwell: Christian-affiliated non-profit developing and operating supportive housing across Hamilton, Toronto, and Southwestern Ontario. Direct peer in the supportive-housing category with similar Housing First and harm-reduction orientation.
• Fred Victor: Toronto-based non-profit delivering emergency shelter, transitional housing, mental health, and employment services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Closest Toronto analog to Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes Toronto.
• Covenant House Toronto: Toronto non-profit providing shelter, housing, health, and education services to youth aged 16-24. Overlaps directly with Good Shepherd's Notre Dame House and Brennan House youth-shelter programming.
• YWCA Hamilton: Hamilton non-profit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for women and families fleeing violence. Overlaps with Good Shepherd's Martha House and Community Support Services for Women & Children.
• St. Matthew's House Hamilton: Hamilton non-profit providing supportive housing and seniors services. Direct peer in the seniors-at-risk program space and current consortium partner in Seniors at Risk in Hamilton.
• Wayside House of Hamilton: Hamilton non-profit providing supportive housing for people living with mental health and addiction challenges. Direct peer in supportive housing and a Shelter Health Network consortium partner.
• Mission Services of Hamilton: Hamilton-based non-profit providing emergency shelter, food, addiction support, and community programs. Direct local peer with overlapping service lines and consortium partnership via the Shelter Health Network.
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Hamilton: Hamilton branch of the national mental-health non-profit providing housing, case management, and crisis support. Direct peer in mental-health housing and current Shelter Health Network and PCAAT consortium partner.
• Salvation Army Canada: National non-profit operating emergency shelters, transitional housing, food programs, and community support services across Canada. Closest peer in scale and service mix, and an existing Shelter Health Network partner alongside Good Shepherd.

Regional players

• Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness: Toronto-based non-profit network coordinating cross-sector homelessness response and a current Good Shepherd partner supporting Art Gems and Creative Works Studio. Indirect peer operating as a regional backbone rather than a direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GoodShepherdHam
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDb1lcEb-uKK3n_9kuBVbPg
• Facebookfacebook.com/goodshepherdhamilton
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodshepherdhamilton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/good-shepherd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Good Shepherd