Calgary Drop-in

About Calgary Drop-in:

Established in 1961, Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre (the DI) helps people who are poor or homeless. In April 2018, the Point-in-Time Homeless Count revealed that 2,911 people are homeless in Calgary on a given night.¹ Calgary homeless shelters have 1886 beds, with 1006 located at the DI facilities. Last year, close to 20,000 Calgarians used the DI’s emergency shelters or one of the other programs such as counselling, healthcare, education, or affordable housing. About 60% of people using the DI are 46-65 years old, meaning that the charity adapts programs, such as computer and financial literacy training, to be accessible to older adults. The DI focuses on helping people find sustainable housing, providing the necessary services and supports to do so.  

Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre provides more than 50 programs, each addressing at least one need based on Maslow’s hierarchy. Emergency shelter, food, and clothing address basic physiological needs. A medical team of 2 registered nurses and 1 assistant nurse see over 5,000 patients at the DI every year to address health and safety needs. Musical performances and maintenance of a community garden encourage positive socialization. Education and employment training act to improve self-esteem. Finally, the affordable housing program charges rent at 30% of a client’s income, allowing them to avoid homelessness while becoming self-sufficient.  

In F2017, Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre served 1,217,694 meals and distributed 111,813 clothing items. There were 168 graduates from a 3-week employment training program, and 9,659 clients were sent out on jobs in the community.

Results and Impact: Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre reports that 80% of people from its shelter return to the community within 30 days and do not reappear at the DI shelter.

The Di is an agency that receives funding from Calgary Homeless Foundation. In July 2018, Calgary Homeless Foundation reported that the number of people who are homeless in Alberta on a given night dropped by 19% from 2008 to 2018. Since 2008, more than 9,300 people have found homes in Calgary.

Recent News: Calgary media have reported workplace bullying at Calgary Drop-In Centre. Its management and directors have issued a statement saying they are taking this matter seriously and it may warrant an internal or independent investigation. On March 6, 2018 Debbie Newman, Executive Director, resigned. June 2018, CBC reports that the province has reviewed these allegations and is satisfied with the leadership change and recent steps to improve its workplace. In August 2018, Sandra Clarkson was named as the new Executive Director of the DI. 

Financial Review:

Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre is a medium-sized charity with $3.5m in donations during F2017. Most of the charity’s funding comes from government grants, totaling $14.2m, or 61% of revenue in F2017. Administrative costs were 4% of revenues and fundraising costs were 15% of donations, up from just 4% in F2015. Despite the upward trend in fundraising costs, for every $1 donated, 81 cents go to the cause. This falls within Charity Intelligence’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Funding reserves of $7.0m can cover 35% of annual program costs, or just over 4 months of programs. This indicates a need for funding.

This charity report is an update that is has been sent to Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on May 29, 2018 by Madison Kerr.