West End Resource Centre

What West End Resource Centre does

West End Resource Centre (WERC) is a non-profit community resource centre headquartered at 823 Ellice Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, serving the Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews neighbourhoods. Founded in 2007 (with some sources citing 2008) and operating under the umbrella of the Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews Community Association, WERC delivers a multi-vertical suite of social services including food security programs (Good Food Bag at $15 for $35-50 of produce, West End Pet Pantry, Afterschool Snack Program), employment services (PREP Employment Readiness Program, Career Compass English-for-Employment, Job Search Computer Access, Job Board), housing support (Housing Resources information hub, DMSMRI Home Exterior Fix-Up Grants of up to $2,500 per property), environmental programs (60+ community garden plots across three locations, Yard Works, Neighbourhood Cleanups, sustainability workshops), and community programming (Best Years Seniors Club 55+, Community Drop-In, Window Service).

The organization operates with approximately 11 full-time staff led by Executive Director Hortense Coffi, supported by a Programs Director, Operations Director, Employment Program Supervisor, Environment and Sustainability Specialist, Greening Team Supervisor, Bookkeeper/Admin Assistant, Resource & Referral Counsellor, Project Assistant, Employment Program Assistant, and Resource Centre Worker. Service delivery is multi-channel: in-person at the Ellice Avenue centre, a window service operating Monday through Friday, a weekly Thursday community drop-in, plus partner-mediated outreach. Technology infrastructure is minimal — a Wix-hosted website for program information, event calendars, newsletter signup, and donations — with no proprietary software product or AI components.

WERC's revenue model is a hybrid of charitable donations (processed via the Zeffy platform which returns 100% to the non-profit), municipal and institutional grants (notably a long-running partnership with the City of Winnipeg and Spence Neighbourhood Association for the Home Exterior Fix-Up Program), small program fees (Good Food Bag $15/unit, nominal board room rental), and corporate sponsorship for specific programs. The Community Small Grants Program has cumulatively administered over $1.1M in funding to dozens of community organizations from 2007-2025, while the Home Exterior Fix-Up Grant Program has provided $806,488.52 to 745 properties from 2007-2024. Geographic eligibility for grant programs is restricted to the Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews neighbourhoods, reinforcing a hyper-local, place-based service model.

Name

West End Resource Centre

Legal name

West End Resource Centre

Website

https://westendresourcecentre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

West End Resource Centre is a non-profit community organization in Winnipeg serving the Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews neighbourhoods with food security programs, employment services, housing grants, environmental workshops, and community drop-in services from a single Ellice Avenue hub.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: General donations support all vital programs and help keep operations running. Donations accepted through Zeffy platform which provides 100% of donations back to the non-profit.
2. Program Fees: Small program fees such as $15 for Good Food Bag Program (provides $35-50 worth of produce) and nominal board room rental fees in some cases.
3. Grant Administration: Between 2007 and 2025, the Community Small Grants Program provided over $1.1 Million in funding to community organizations. DMSMRI Home Exterior Fix-Up Program provided over $806,488 in grants to 745 properties between 2007-2024.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

West End Resource Centre (WERC) is a non-profit community resource centre serving residents of the Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews neighbourhoods in Winnipeg's West End. It provides a comprehensive suite of free or low-cost programs including food security (Good Food Bag Program, Afterschool Snack Program, West End Pet Pantry), employment services (PREP Employment Readiness, Career Compass English training, Job Search Computer Access), housing resources (DMSMRI Home Exterior Fix-Up Grants), environmental programs (community gardens, neighbourhood cleanups, sustainability workshops), and senior/youth programming.

Product overview

West End Resource Centre (WERC) is a community resource centre serving Winnipeg's West End (Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews neighbourhoods) that provides a comprehensive suite of social support programs rather than a unified technology product. The centre offers food security programs including the Good Food Bag Program ($15 for $35-50 produce), West End Pet Pantry, and Afterschool Snack Program; employment services through PREP Employment Readiness Program, Career Compass English training, Job Search Computer Access, and a Job Board; community programming such as Community Drop In, The Best Years Seniors Club (55+), and Window Service; environmental programs including Community Gardens (60+ plots), Neighbourhood Cleanups, Yard Works, and Environment and Sustainability Workshops; and housing support through Housing Resources information, DMSMRI Home Exterior Fix-Up Grants ($500-$5,000), and Community Small Grants Program. Additional services include Board Room Rental for community events. WERC operates as a non-profit community organization using a Wix-based website for program delivery and communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• West End Pet Pantry A volunteer-led program offering free supplemental dog and cat food to West End pet guardians, operating every second Tuesday from 3:00-4:30pm at 823 Ellice Ave.
• Good Food Bag Program Provides residents of Daniel McIntyre and Saint Matthews neighbourhoods with $35-50 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables for $15 through bulk buying, running every second Tuesday with pre-registration required.
• PREP Employment Readiness Program Free employment services including resume development, cover letter development, job search assistance, interview preparation, and access to computers, photocopier, printer and fax machine for eligible job seekers aged 18+ who are unemployed, underemployed or low-income.
• Career Compass - English for Employment A supportive, skills-focused English for Employment program helping participants strengthen communication abilities and build confidence through guided practice, interactive activities, and mock interviews.
• Job Search Computer Access Computer lab access with employment staff assistance for resume development and job searching, available by appointment only.
• Afterschool Snack Program Daily snack and drink service for local schoolchildren and youth from 3:00-4:30pm through a service window, addressing food insecurity after school hours.
• Window Service Front-of-building service window offering snacks, clothing, harm reduction supplies, hygiene items, and information on community resources. Open Mon/Wed/Fri 1-5pm and Tue/Thu 1-6pm (harm reduction only on Tue/Thu).
• Community Drop In Weekly drop-in service offering free computer and WiFi use, phone access, print/copy/fax services, and coffee/tea, held Thursdays 1-5pm.
• The Best Years Seniors Club (55+) Programming for seniors aged 55+ featuring outings, art, bingo, guest speakers, and movies, meeting Tuesdays 1-3pm.
• Community Small Grants Program DMSMRI Community Small Grants program providing $500-$5,000 grants to support smaller community projects in Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews neighbourhoods focusing on capacity building, beautification, recreation, and skill-building.
• Environment and Sustainability Workshops Workshops on various environmental topics throughout the year including seed starting, garden planning, and DIY air purification.
• Yard Works Program Outdoor home maintenance service providing lawn mowing, weed control, tree pruning, and branch removal for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, operating Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• Neighbourhood Cleanups Community cleanup activities involving litter pick-up, sweeping, and clearing the back parking lot with supplies provided (gloves, garbage pickers, bags, maps, water, snacks).
• Community Gardens Network of more than 60 community garden plots across three locations (Orioles Community Garden with 40 plots, Lipton Community Garden with 11 plots, and Jacob Penner Park Community Garden with 15 plots), with on-site water facilities.
• Housing Resources Housing information hub connecting community members with affordable home ownership programs, housing support organizations, rental assistance programs, and home repair programs.
• DMSMRI Home Exterior Fix-Up Grant Grants covering 75% of repair costs up to $2,000 for homeowners (50% up to $2,000 for landlords) in Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews neighbourhoods for exterior projects including windows, roofs, fences, and siding.
• Bed Bug Resources Information and resources for those affected by bed bugs, including identification guides, treatment options, and referrals to city-wide programs.
• Board Room Rental Community events and board room rental space accommodating up to 20 people in the boardroom or 25 in the entire resource centre, with advance booking required.
• Job Board Local job listings platform gathering relevant employment opportunities for community members.
• Newsletter Email newsletter service keeping community members informed about upcoming events and program updates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Good Food Bag Program provides $35-50 worth of produce for $15 (more than 100% value)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Spence Neighbourhood AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Since 2018, grants have been funded through cooperation of Spence Neighbourhood Association and the City of Winnipeg, supporting the DMSMRI Home Exterior Fix-up Grant Program.
• Harvest ManitobacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing food supplies for the Afterschool Snack Program, helping WERC serve snacks and drinks to local schoolchildren and youth every day from 3:00-4:30pm.
• House of HesedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing food supplies for the Afterschool Snack Program, supporting food security for West End youth.
• ZeffycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFree donation platform partner that gives 100% of donations back to non-profits, used by WERC for receiving general donations and Good Food Bag Program payments.
• Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews Revitalization Inc. (DMSMRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated organization administering Community Small Grants Program (established 2007) and Home Exterior Fix-Up Grant Program, both operated through WERC's community office.
• Corporate Sponsors (Good Food Bag Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerous corporate sponsors support the Good Food Bag Program, enabling bulk buying to keep costs low for community members at $15 per bag worth $35-50.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Spence Neighbourhood Association: Adjacent Winnipeg neighbourhood association offering integrated community programs (food security, employment, housing, youth). WERC is already a structural partner in DMSMRI funding, making this the closest direct functional peer.
• Main Street Project: Winnipeg-based non-profit delivering harm reduction, housing, and community services to inner-city residents. Overlaps with WERC's Window Service and food security work in similar demographics.
• North End Community Renewal Corporation: Winnipeg North End community development organization providing housing, employment, and revitalization programs in a comparable urban inner-city context. Directly comparable in mission and program mix.
• Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre: Winnipeg Indigenous-led community organization providing holistic family, youth, and community services. Comparable scale and integrated service model across food, housing, and cultural programming.
• The Welcome Place: Winnipeg newcomer services organization offering employment preparation, language training, and settlement support. Directly comparable to WERC's Career Compass and PREP Employment Readiness programs.

Emerging players

• Macdonald Youth Services: Winnipeg non-profit focused on youth and family services. Overlaps with WERC's Afterschool Snack Program and youth-facing services in similar Winnipeg neighbourhoods.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Winnipeg: Regional funder and convener of community services in Winnipeg. Comparable as a multi-program community impact platform, though operating at a portfolio/coordinating level rather than as a single neighbourhood provider.
• Harvest Manitoba: Provincial food bank and distribution network. WERC is a partner/feeder organization; the food security model is comparable though Harvest operates at much larger scale as a wholesaler.

Others

• Community Living Winnipeg: Winnipeg disability and community support services organization. Thematically related as a community-services non-profit serving similar inner-city populations, though narrower in mission scope.

Regional players

• North Point Douglas Women's Centre: Winnipeg neighbourhood-based community services organization serving an adjacent inner-city catchment. Comparable in scale and neighbourhood-resource-centre model, but serves a different geographic area.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/westendresource
• Facebookfacebook.com/westendresourcecentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westendresourcecentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/westendresourcecentre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 West End Resource Centre