Adsum for Women & Children - Comprehensive Analysis Report
Summary
Adsum for Women & Children is a leading non-profit organization established in 1983, dedicated to addressing homelessness, poverty, and gender-based violence in Halifax (K'jipuktuk), Nova Scotia. Its core mission is to lead change to end homelessness through housing, services, and advocacy, with a vision centered on ensuring everyone has access to a safe and secure home. The organization operates on the fundamental belief that secure housing is a human right and a pivotal solution to the ongoing housing crisis. Adsum is a significant force in its community, providing emergency shelter, permanent affordable housing, and comprehensive support programs, while actively advocating for systemic change and operating with principles of reconciliation and decolonization on unceded Mi'kmaq territory.
1. Strategic Focus & Objectives
Core Objectives
Prevent Homelessness: Implement interventions focused on early prevention, such as eviction prevention and rapid re-housing, to keep families and individuals from experiencing shelter stays.
Provide Emergency and Long-term Housing: Offer a continuum of housing solutions, from emergency shelters to permanent affordable housing units, ensuring access to safe and secure homes.
Advocate for Systemic Change: Engage in advocacy to influence policy and drive broader systemic changes necessary to address the root causes of homelessness and housing insecurity.
Expand Affordable Housing Portfolio: Actively acquire and develop more affordable housing properties, such as renovating existing buildings and constructing new units like "Sunflower Two."
Deliver Holistic Supports: Expand and enhance comprehensive wraparound services and case management that are client-directed, anti-oppressive, feminist, trauma-informed, and based on harm reduction principles.
Specialization Areas
Adsum's expertise lies in providing safe, secure, and affordable housing solutions, coupled with robust support services for women, children, and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, systemic discrimination, gender inequality, and violence. The organization specializes in:
Emergency and transitional housing.
Developing and managing permanent affordable housing with rent geared to income.
Trauma-informed and harm reduction-based support programs.
Advocacy for housing rights and systemic change.
Culturally appropriate services, including for African Nova Scotian families.
Target Markets
Adsum primarily serves women, children, and gender-diverse individuals in Halifax (K'jipuktuk), Nova Scotia, who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, poverty, systemic discrimination, gender inequality, and violence. This includes individuals with mental illnesses, addictions, and histories of trauma. The organization also targets families in crisis to prevent children from experiencing shelter stays, and African Nova Scotian families through culturally appropriate programs.
2. Financial Overview
Funding History
Adsum for Women & Children's financial strength has seen significant growth in recent years, relying on a diverse funding model that includes donations, major gifts, and government grants and fees for services. The organization is a registered charity with Canada Revenue Agency Charitable Registration Number: 13 225 70 31 RR0001.
Fiscal Year 2021: Reported revenues of $4.1 million, a substantial increase from $2.6 million in 2020. This included $1.5 million from donations and major gifts and $2.1 million from government fees for services.
Fiscal Year 2022: Continued strong performance with $1 million from donations and major gifts, and $2 million from grants and fees for services. An additional $658,731 in revenue was generated from managing individuals in hotels.
Notable Funding Rounds and Utilization:
The Sunflower Court: Secured a $4 million grant from the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative for “Sunflower Court,” a 25-unit housing development. An additional $1 million is being raised for an adjacent community space, demonstrating strategic investment in expanding affordable housing.
Province of Nova Scotia's Master Lease Program: Adsum is a participant in this program, which provides government funding to service providers to lease housing units, moving individuals out of hotel shelters. Government funding for service providers in this program is approximately $3.1 million in 2024-25, with a budget of $15.4 million for 2025-26. This partnership significantly supports Adsum's efforts to provide secure, affordable homes.
Impact on Company Growth: The increasing revenue and secured grants have enabled Adsum to expand its housing portfolio, develop new properties, and broaden its range of support services, directly impacting its capacity to serve more individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
3. Product Pipeline
Key Products/Services
Adsum for Women & Children offers a comprehensive suite of programs and services designed to provide safe housing and holistic support.
Emergency Shelter (Adsum House): Provides daily emergency shelter, meals, and social work support to an average of 17 people.
Development Stage: Operational and continuously running.
Target Market: Women, children, and gender-diverse individuals requiring immediate emergency shelter.
Key Features and Benefits: Immediate safety, food, and professional support during crises.
The Bridge Emergency Shelter: Offers shelter meals and support services to 185 individuals daily, housed in a former hotel.
Development Stage: Operational.
Target Market: Individuals experiencing homelessness needing temporary shelter and support.
Key Features and Benefits: Large-scale emergency accommodation, meals, and social services.
Permanent Affordable Housing Program: Owns nine properties, including multi-unit residential buildings and condominiums, housing over 100 people, including children. Rent is capped at 30% of household income. This includes the 25 units at The Sunflower in Lakeside.
Development Stage: Operational and expanding.
Target Market: Individuals and families seeking long-term, stable, and affordable housing.
Key Features and Benefits: Secure, affordable, permanent housing, critical for ending cycles of homelessness and providing stability.
The Rose: Offers homes to 18 families.
Development Stage: Operational.
Target Market: Families in need of stable housing.
Key Features and Benefits: Provides dedicated homes for families, fostering stability and community.
Diverting Families from Shelter to Home: Works with families in crisis to prevent shelter stays.
Development Stage: Operational.
Target Market: Single and two-parent families at risk of homelessness.
Key Features and Benefits: Includes eviction prevention, rapid re-housing, rent supplements, arrears payment, and moving expenses, minimizing trauma for children.
Outreach Team: Supports community members in hotels or shelters throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Development Stage: Operational.
Target Market: Individuals staying in temporary accommodations, including African Nova Scotian families.
Key Features and Benefits: Provides Shelter Diversion Support and the Journey Home program, offering culturally appropriate, wraparound services.
Housing Clinic: Offers housing support, resource outlining, and advocacy.
Development Stage: Operational.
Target Market: Women, gender-diverse individuals, and families in the community seeking housing assistance.
Key Features and Benefits: Direct access to information, resources, and advocacy for housing needs.
Basic Needs Support: Provides grocery cards, meals, holiday gifts, and other supports.
Development Stage: Operational.
Target Market: Hundreds of individuals and families in various housing situations.
Key Features and Benefits: Addresses food insecurity and provides essential items for daily living.
Therapeutic and Life Skills Programs: Includes programs like the Therapeutic Change program and Healthy Living program.
Development Stage: Operational.
Target Market: Residents and community members needing personal development and life skills training.
Key Features and Benefits: Focuses on conflict resolution, healthy relationships, nutrition, and budgeting, promoting personal growth and independence.
4. Leadership & Management
Executive Team
Adsum for Women & Children is guided by an experienced Executive Director and a committed volunteer Board of Directors.
Sheri Lecker, Executive Director:
Professional Background: Over two decades of leadership at Adsum (as of February 2024). Before Adsum, she brought extensive experience in journalism, humanitarian assistance, and public health, having worked with international organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontiers and Save the Children UK.
Notable Achievements: Instrumental in significantly expanding Adsum's services and housing options, advocating for systemic change, and positioning Adsum as a leader in addressing homelessness.
Key Contributions to the company: Provides long-standing, stable leadership, drives strategic expansion, and champions the organization's mission and advocacy efforts.
LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-lecker-01186716a](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-lecker-01186716a)
The Adsum Board of Directors for 2025-2026 provides strategic oversight:
President: Raelene Kennedy
Past President: Angela Rafuse
Treasurer: Fraser Gray
Secretary: Denise Bradbury
Directors: Catherine Baker, Courtney Brown, Amanda Craig, Shirley Hazen, Breanne Hopkins, Megan Mackay, Craig Sampson, Ciara Watton.
Other key staff members contributing to daily operations include Sarah Carrier (Executive Assistant), Doreen Logan (Finance Manager), Kassandra Myer (Shelter Director), Kathy McNab (Fund Development Officer), Cheryl MacIsaac (Program Coordinator), Trina James (Culture and Diversity Manager), and Julie Hasler (Property Manager).
Recent Leadership Changes
Sheri Lecker has maintained a consistent and long-standing tenure as the Executive Director for over 21 years, providing stable leadership at the top executive level. The Board of Directors undergoes regular rotations as is typical for non-profit governance, with the current composition for 2025-2026 reflecting these ongoing changes in board membership. These changes maintain a dynamic and engaged board while ensuring continuity in the organization's mission.
5. Talent and Growth Indicators
Hiring Trends and Workforce
Adsum for Women & Children maintains a robust and dedicated workforce vital to its operations and growth. The organization employs more than 40 full-time, part-time, and casual staff members. Additionally, The Bridge facility has over 100 people staffed, providing 24-hour support to individuals. Adsum also leverages the commitment of over 100 regular volunteers who contribute significantly to tasks such as cooking meals and assisting with fundraising efforts.
Company Size and Expansion Metrics: With a substantial number of employees and volunteers, Adsum demonstrates significant operational capacity. The ongoing development of new housing units like "Sunflower Two" indicates future growth and potential expansion of its staff and services.
Employee Sentiment and Culture Insights: Employee reviews highlight a positive work environment, with descriptions of Adsum House as a "very professional, welcoming environment" characterized by "consistent staff members." This suggests a supportive and stable organizational culture.
Hiring Patterns and Open Positions: While the exact current open positions are not specified, the organization's growth in services and housing projects likely correlates with a demand for roles in social work, property management, program coordination, and front-line support, aligning with its mission to expand holistic supports.
6. Social Media Presence and Engagement
Digital Footprint
Adsum for Women & Children actively maintains a digital presence across key social media platforms to disseminate its message, engage stakeholders, and advocate for its cause.
Twitter/X: @adsumforwomen
Usage: Used for sharing news, advocacy messages, updates on homelessness issues, and influencing public discourse.
Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/adsumforwomenandchildren/](https://www.facebook.com/adsumforwomenandchildren/)
Usage: Primary platform for community engagement, sharing program updates, success stories, fundraising campaigns, and expressing gratitude for community support.
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adsum-for-women-and-children/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/adsum-for-women-and-children/)
Usage: Professional networking, attracting talent, sharing organizational achievements, and engaging with partners and industry peers.
Brand Messaging and Positioning
Adsum consistently uses its platforms to counter stigmatized narratives around homelessness, advocating forcefully that secure housing is the primary solution. Their messaging emphasizes compassion, community responsibility, and the human right to a safe home, reinforcing their position as a thought leader in housing and homelessness solutions.
7. Recognition and Awards
Industry Recognition
Adsum for Women & Children has been recognized for its crucial work in addressing homelessness and gender-based violence.
Purple Ribbon Awards: Adsum Association for Women & Children was an honoree in the "Greater than $2,000,000" category (based on organizational size by fundraising) in the 2021 Purple Ribbon Awards, presented by DomesticShelters.org. This award acknowledges the significant contributions of individuals
