Demographic and Service Use Data Analysis and Research Infrastructure Development for Mishka Social Services

Abstract

Mishka Social Services (Mishka) provides essential supports to Muslims and other newcomers, immigrants, and refugees across Hamilton and the Niagara region through programs focused on food security, case management, social work, community education, and wellness. While Mishka collects intake data across all programs, these efforts currently occur through separate, program-specific processes, limiting the organization’s ability to develop a clear, organization-wide understanding of who is being served and how services are accessed. This project was undertaken to consolidate available intake data, identify key demographic and service use patterns where possible, assess gaps in current data collection practices, and provide practical recommendations to strengthen Mishka’s intake system in ways that align with organizational capacity.