“Everyone Deserves a Chance” is our program to support individuals who, for reasons beyond their control, face obstacles they cannot easily overcome on their own. Our support focuses on three areas:
Poverty and food insecurity
1 in 6 households in Nova Scotia is food insecure due to unemployment, lack of affordable housing, systemic racism and oppression, lack of affordable childcare, mental and physical health challenges, and increased cost of living.
This year, we are supporting Lions After the Bell, a Wolfville (Nova Scotia) Lions Club program. This program provides weekend food hampers to kids in need at Horton High School in Wolfville. We provide financial funding to the program that covers 25% (3 months) of their annual food budget.
Also, this year, we are providing direct financial support to a young student who has been living in poverty her entire life and who graduates from high school in 2022, hoping to pursue studies at university. The funding we provide will be used to purchase clothing, a laptop, and cover part of her tuition and living costs at university.
HR support to organizations
We provide cost-free or heavily subsidized recruitment and human resource assistance to organizations that help disadvantaged individuals who face significant barriers in life. For example, we have recruited executive directors for each of these organizations at minimal cost:
- Alcare Place is a residential recovery centre helping men recover from alcohol, drugs, and gambling addiction.
- Brunswick Street Mission provides food, clothing, and other essential supports for those struggling with poverty.
- Dartmouth Adult Services Centre (DASC) provides employment, vocational, and day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.
- Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia brings together non-profit and voluntary organizations to ensure they can meet the needs of all Nova Scotia’s communities and citizens.
- Feed Nova Scotia collects and distributes food to more than 146 member agency food banks, shelters, and meal programs throughout Nova Scotia.
- Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) provides services to immigrants, including settlement, language training, employment assistance, counselling, and childcare.
- Community Justice Society works with youth to provide an alternative avenue to the court system and repair the harm caused by their actions.
Job search support for immigrants
Skilled immigrants to Canada face an uphill battle finding suitable employment. Language barriers, discrimination, lack of recognition of foreign credentials and education, and employers’ requirement for Canadian work experience contribute to this challenge. Most immigrants are unfamiliar with job search practices in Canada and lack the network of contacts so crucial in a job search. Working through the Halifax Partnership’s Connector Program, we deliver four one-day job search workshops a year (on a volunteer basis) to help these individuals land a suitable job in Canada. Over the years, almost 500 individuals have participated in this program.
