Hamilton, Ontario
YWCA Hamilton
Meeting the Unique Substance Use Health Needs of Women and Gender-Diverse Individuals
Requested amount: $80,000
This project has been fully funded – thank you for your support!
The Challenge
Hamilton, Ontario is disproportionately impacted by the toxic drug crisis, with paramedic overdose responses and fatalities 45% above the provincial average. In February 2026, Hamilton recorded its highest-ever number of drug poisonings requiring EMS response (199 in 28 days). The systematic dismantling of harm reduction services across Ontario has left women and gender-diverse people experiencing homelessness with virtually no gender-specific substance use support.
YWCA Hamilton’s recently closed Urgent Public Health Needs Site (UPHNS) was a safer use space co-located within its overnight drop-in and adjacent to its 64-bed transitional living program and 20-bed emergency shelter. The UPHNS served women, trans, and non-binary people experiencing homelessness and using substances, averaging 22 unique service users per day. Wraparound services include harm reduction supply and naloxone kits distribution and training, drug checking, low-barrier reproductive health care, STI/STBBI testing and treatment, and connection to gender-based violence counselling and justice service navigation.
Despite the effectiveness of this service – which in 2025-2026 had 1208 visits and responded to 127 drug poisonings with zero fatalities – YWCA Hamilton had to shut its doors as of July 31, 2026.
The Approach
YWCA Hamilton is now looking to offer rapid overdose response (mobile prevention and response within our drop-in, housing, and adjacent outdoors / community) rather than supervised consumption, alongside essential wraparound support.
What Success Looks Like
YWCA Hamilton wants to continue to support the health and safety of marginalized women and gender-diverse people in its community. Sustained or increased engagement in the following areas would indicate that the approach is working:
- Number of interactions and number of clients served by YWCA Hamilton Substance Use Support Services
- Number of drug poisoning responses and their outcomes
- Number of drug checks
- Number of referrals to wraparound supports, including wound care and reproductive healthcare
- Amount of harm reduction supplies distributed
- Number of people connected to treatment services, such as detox and substance use counselling.
Project Timeline
Since no new resources are required to operate this service, YWCA Hamilton can make use of raised funds immediately. The minimum time required to assess impact is four months.
Funding Need
YWCA Hamilton can operate the rapid overdose response team and wraparound support with $20,000 month, for a total of $80,000 over four months.
Budget available upon request
If you’d like to support or reach out with any questions about this project, please contact:
Chelsea Kirkby, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Program Development, YWCA Hamilton
Phone: (905) 522-9922 ext. 128
Email: ckirkby@ywcahamilton.org