People of faith are among our greatest supporters. They always seem to get it. Organizations working with marginalized and unhoused individuals require financial support, as government funding for adult services is rarely enough for stability and long-term solutions. Fundraising is always a necessity. The call is always heard by people of faith. They also understand the need for food, clothing, and household supplies. The care is significant. Perhaps though, your greatest gifts are your prayers, contemplations, and social justice discussions which move your actions from not only charitable but to informed progressive solution focused, support and changes.
I am leaning into my 9th year with Shelter Nova Scotia. I feel good about the work happening inside the organization, and if I don’t look outside, I see progress and stabilization. However, on my way to and from work I see people whose lives are full of strain and impossible circumstances to thrive or even exist.
One of our two shelters, Metro Turning Point, marked its 50th year of operation in 2023. This is nothing to celebrate. Originally founded by the municipal units, which now make up the Halifax Regional Municipality, it was to be short term measure for about two-dozen people who were experiencing homelessness. They just needed affordable housing with some support and the shelter would close, I am told. Why didn’t that happen? The answer is long and complicated. But the short response is they weren’t a priority, short term, quick fixes were put in place, and their circumstances were not included in planning. They were blamed, dismissed, misunderstood, and forgotten. Now here we are with a recent report identifying over 800 people with no permanent place to go, standing outside, looking for food as their mental and physical health declines.
This circumstance is also impacting people who are transitioning from prisons. Their goal is to start again, with a clean slate. Unless there are families to return to, they have nowhere to go either when their day parole at Nehiley House and Fleming House ends.
Our two supported housing programs, The Rebuilding and Herring Cove Apartments are doing outstanding stabilizing work, however we only have room for 31 people, there are waiting lists.
To be part of a different solution we opened a walk-in service center, named The Hub, about 18 months ago. The response is so significant to our offering of one shower, one set of laundry machines, some food, advocacy, and friendliness, a search is on for a larger location. Again, nothing to celebrate.
We continue to refine and re-envision the future of Shelter Nova Scotia with the noble goal of one day closing our shelters Metro Turning Point and Barry House when everyone has a place to live. Until then we will persevere with the commitment and skill of employees and board members, and the generosity of donors and volunteers. We count on the continued support and growing insight of all levels of government, as they make decisions impacting Haligonians, Nova Scotians and Canadians.
Since my hiring, I have admired Shelter Nova Scotia’s commitment to a non-judgemental approach and respectful social justice solutions, which remain well entrenched. We will hold on with our strength and stretch in evolution to meet the realities of our new normal, with input, observation, research, and our belief in better times to come. There is no other choice. Thank you for believing with us.
Linda Wilson MSW RSW
Executive Director
