The Extra Mile Ministries (EMM) is a Toronto-based Christian charity committed to making an impact in underserved communities. Our mission is to uplift low-income and newcomer families and individuals by meeting their fundamental needs and empowering them toward self-sufficiency.

We understand both the difficulties of breaking the cycle of poverty as well as the challenges of adjusting to a new country, such as the lack of recognition for one’s qualifications, food insecurity, and meeting basic needs for oneself and family. We have a proven track record of assisting low-income and newcomer families and individuals by drawing on personal experience and community input to apply the principle of “nothing about us without us” in each of our projects.

Through direct assistance, financial literacy education, and skills training, we are dedicated to driving sustainable change in the communities we serve. With strong ties to local communities, EMM connects individuals with essential resources and programs to help others not only survive but flourish.

EMM was founded in 1999 by humanitarians who, concluding their overseas missions, found a renewed sense of purpose in pursuing their charitable efforts within Canada while supporting colleagues still engaged in missionary work abroad. Our journey in the GTA began with a simple vision: to be a helping hand to those in need. Beginning with a simple food bank, we steadily expanded our offerings based on the needs of our community, promoting social integration, supporting employability, and enhancing the overall quality of life for newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and low-income residents.

Beyond our local programs, EMM maintains a significant role in bolstering Canadian missionaries on a global scale. Operating as a mission board, we establish the necessary legal framework for their initiatives, guaranteeing their actions align with ethical and legal benchmarks. Serving as a robust support system, we empower these missionaries to enact meaningful and positive change across the world.

As we look back on our history of service, we are humbled and inspired by the resilience of those we serve, and we remain dedicated to fostering positive change through our faith-driven initiatives.

Our past programs:

• EMM’s food bank program addressed food insecurity in Scarborough’s underserved neighborhoods.
• Free ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, with a focus on practical communication and navigating cultural differences, and fostering understanding. This program was one of the first of its kind to be offered in the neighborhood.
• Our Settlement Counselling program provided newcomers with orientation, documentation guidance, resource referrals, and more. We helped individuals and families establish a sense of belonging, stability, and self-sufficiency in their new homes while respecting and preserving their cultural identity.
• Throughout the years, as a testament to our belief in collaboration, we have also distributed and shared in-kind donations from local businesses to fellow local nonprofits.