Our History

YWCA Halifax was founded in 1874 as a residence for 42 young women and girls. By 1899 the organization had purchased its own premises on Hollis Street and opened a new residence on the corner of Oxford and College. Activities focused on the needs of women in the workforce—like those working in the Halifax’s cotton mills.

Important Milestones in Our Development:

1919

Summer Camps

Summer camps were established in both Hubbards and Wallace for young business women and students.

1920

Community Chest

Co-founded “Community Chest”—a precursor of today’s Metro United Way.

1922

Girls Education Program

YWCA Halifax established physical education programs for girls prior to it being taught in Halifax schools.

1931

YWCA Halifax Building Developed

 A new YWCA Halifax building was developed on Barrington Street by a group of tenacious women who were undaunted by the great depression. During WWII the building housed an anti-aircraft gun on its roof.

1939-1945

Supporting War Brides & Service Personnel

 Joycliffe, a YWCA Halifax summer campsite was utilized by military personnel on leave. For many war brides immigrating through Pier 21, the organization became a place of solace after a long sea journey, and before their departure for their trip across the province to their new home.

YWCA Halifax was well established when it came time to join the war effort. With a gun installation on its roof, the building was an easy to spot beacon for service personnel during World War II. In fact, the organization’s history reports that 450,000 military personnel were housed, entertained or helped by the YWCA Halifax between 1939 and 1945.

After the war, the YWCA Halifax’s Traveler’s Aid branch was present to meet war brides and immigrants at Pier 21.

YWCA Halifax conductresses accompanied new arrivals on the trains to their assorted destinations, offering invaluable companionship and advice. Many women traveling alone were comforted and protected by a YWCA member.

1963

First Licensed Child Care

 In collaboration with the Junior League, the YWCA Halifax established the first licensed child care service in Halifax.

1965

Pool Added to Barrington Street Building

A pool was added to the Barrington Street building, in response to limited municipal swimming facilities for women and their children.

1972

Expanding Fitness Opportunities for Women

 A weight studio was built to accommodate and expand fitness opportunities for women.

1980s

Preparing Women for the Digital Workforce

The Centre for Computer Studies was established to prepare women for IT developments that were sweeping across the workforce.

1990s

Prioritizing Women’s Health and Wellness

The late nineties brought the establishment of an on-site health clinic, and new programming for the pool – enhancing the commitment to women’s wellness throughout the life cycle.

2003

Launching the Most Dramatic Period of Change

The YWCA Halifax began an ambitious journey that would ignite the most dramatic period of change experienced by the organization in 75 years.

2004

From Proposal to Purchase: Building Transition

The organization issued a request for proposals for the redevelopment, lease, or sale of the building to public, private, and non-profit organizations. In August 2005, an agreement of purchase and sale was confirmed.

2005

A Year of Growth: Employment, Health, and Youth Programs

The YWCA Halifax doubled the areas of service from fitness, residence and child care to include the delivery of employment, health promotion and youth programs. During this time it was recognized that the Barrington Street building was underutilized and increasingly a drain on the financial health of the organization. Late in the year, the sale of Barrington Street was completed. The YWCA child care centre moved to Fort Massey United Church, and YWCA administrative offices were moved to Bayer’s Road Shopping Centre.

Through the renewal planning process, programs and services were measured against the guiding principles and fit with a mission. As a result, service to women doubled. 2005 marked a new beginning for YWCA Halifax Housing programs, as the Women in Supported Housing Program (WISH) was launched. The program has been recognized as a national best practice by CMHC.

2008

All Under One Roof: Program Expansion

The YWCA Halifax leases space in the new building erected on the old Barrington Street site. Administrative offices, programs, and child care are all under one roof again. After returning to Barrington Street, YWCA programs grew exponentially to better serve families, women, and young women at critical turning points in their lives.

2012

From Planning to Progress: SHYM Collaboration and Spryfield Centre

YWCA Halifax revisits its strategic plan and adapts current program focus areas. Since 2005, the organization has more than quadrupled the number of women and families served, and tripled the operating budget. The organization joins forces with Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM), a likeminded organization, and broke ground in the Spryfield building a new Child Care and Program Centre, which opened in 2012.

2013/2014

Launching WISH: Supportive Housing Across HRM

 The YWCA Halifax purchased ten condos across the HRM with funding through HPS and CNHC and initiated the Women In Supportive Housing (WISH) program.

2016

YWCA Halifax began engagement with provincial partners to lead an inter-jurisdictional coalition to prevent and eliminate the trafficking and sexual exploitation of primarily young women in Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia Trafficking Elimination Partnership (NSTEP). The YWCA Halifax also partnered with Alice Housing, The Elizabeth Fry Society and The Marguerite Centre to develop a three-year project entitled Home For Good: Advancing Women’s Housing Through Systems Change that will work to address the systemic nature of women’s housing instability.

Past Program Information

Cyber Bullying Prevention


YWCA Halifax’s Open New Tab program equips teachers and junior high students in the Halifax Regional Municipality, with up-to-date workshops focused on preventing cyberbullying and cyberviolence. During these workshops, Open New Tab facilitates discussion while helping students to increase awareness, build skills, foster healthy relationships, and self-reflect.

Eligibility Requirements:
Open New Tab is available to all junior high schools within the Halifax Regional Municipality of Nova Scotia.
Program outline:
Young people’s lives are becoming more connected online. As they grow in a digital world, helping youth navigate personal safety and harassment online is equally as important as lessons for offline.

YWCA Halifax’s Open New Tab program equips teachers and junior high students in the Halifax Regional Municipality, with up-to-date workshops focused on preventing cyberbullying and cyberviolence. During these workshops, Open New Tab facilitates discussion while helping students to increase awareness, build skills, foster healthy relationships, and self-reflect.

Over 500 young participants benefit from Open New Tab’s content each year, delivered by engaged Youth Programs Coordinators. These dedicated leaders facilitate open discussions, tailor workshops to match the interests and learning styles of students, and provide cyberbullying and cybersafe resources for teachers.

PROGRAMMING FOR BOYS, GIRLS, AND GENDER DIVERSE YOUTH

The pressure that young people face online and offline is different across boys, girls, and gender diverse youth. Recognizing this, Open New Tab offers multiple program groups where students can talk about their unique experiences and find support from peers of the same or similar gender.

Trans and gender diverse youth are free to join the program stream that best fits their gender, experiences, and comfort.

  1. GuySpace
    • The GuySpace group offers a facilitated, interactive workshop that focuses on issues impacting boys and some gender diverse youth.
    • Young people are often taught that asking for help or feeling hurt is a weakness, and that men shouldn’t be weak. This pressure placed on young boys, paired with a growing exposure to hateful online content, can result in boys engaging in cyberviolence or hesitating to seek support.
    • From 2018 to 2022, boys ages 12 to 17 were charged or accused in 30 per cent of cyber-related hate crimes, while girls of the same age made up only 5 per cent. (Stats Canada, 2024)
    • GuySpace opens space for boys and gender diverse youth to talk about the pressures they face, help them use healthy emotional expression, and build self-confidence.
  2. YSpace
    • The YSpace group offers a facilitated, interactive workshop that focuses on issues impacting girls and some gender diverse youth.
    • Young women under the age of 25 experience some of the highest rates of violence in Canada. Online, girls and women ages 15 to 24 are over three times more likely than boys and men to be pressured into sending explicit videos, images, or messages (Stats Canada, 2024)
    • The YSpace group creates a supportive space for girls and gender diverse youth to talk about their experiences and learn ways to safely navigate the online world, while encouraging leadership and building self-esteem.

Workshop topics for GuySpace and YSpace can include:

  • Body image
  • Bullying and harassment
  • Digital and online safety
  • Healthy relationships
  • Mental health
  • Multi-cultural awareness
  • Self-esteem

ReLaunch Atlantic


ReLaunch Atlantic is an employment program for women and gender diverse individuals above the age of 30 who are facing significant barriers to employment.

Eligibility Requirements:
ReLaunch Atlantic might be the right fit for you if you are:

  • A woman/gender diverse individual
  • Over the age of 30
  • Currently not in school
  • Unemployed or underemployed
  • Able to attend programming for 30 hours a week

Program outline:
PAID group training:

  • A 7-week PAID employment skills development group program
  • A 12-week PAID and supported experience-focused work placement

One-on-one support covering a variety of topics, such as:

  • Cover letter & resume development
  • Digital literacy guidance
  • First Aid/CPR & WHMIS Certifications
  • Career & education exploration

Ukrainian Support Program


YWCA Halifax offers New to Canada supports to help women, gender diverse people, and families settle into their new homes. When war began displacing citizens of Ukraine in February 2022, we expanded this programming to support those moving to Canada for safety.

Eligibility Requirements:
Ukrainian Support might be the right fit for you if you are:

  • Ukrainian women, gender diverse people, and families
  • Newcomers who arrived through the prior Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program (CUAET) or other Ukrainian immigration paths

Program outline:
The Ukrainian Support Program empowers Ukrainian families to thrive living in Halifax and in Canada by providing support in key areas of resettlement, such as housing, employment, and financial literacy.

HOUSING SUPPORT

Safe and stable housing is the foundation for building a new life. Our housing search services include:

  • Assisting with lease agreements and housing tours
  • Finding housing options that best suit a family’s needs and preferences
  • Guiding a smooth transition and move into your new home
  • Helping understand the Canadian rental system

FINANCIAL LITERACY

Our two-week program (total of eight hours), gives free financial skills for newcomers to make informed decisions about their money. Program topics include:

  • Budgeting
  • How to bank in Canada
  • Understanding Canadian tax and financial systems

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Employment support services are one week program (four hours total) that help Ukrainian newcomers access employment opportunities that fit their skills and goals. Skill building includes:

  • Learning job search strategies
  • Preparing for a job interview
  • Writing a resume and cover letter to fit Canada’s job market

Business Builders


A special condensed four-week business hub dedicated to helping newcomer women discover and develop their entrepreneurial ideas into reality. Participants will engage in class sessions to increase their understanding of basic business concepts as well as learn from industry experts on key business topics such as taxation, marketing, building a network and business plan writing.

Eligibility Requirements:
Immigrants holding a Canadian Permanent Residency status and whose self-identification is female.
Program outline:
Following the in-class sessions, women will be matched with local business mentors to help them broaden their understanding of the market as they hone their business plan. The hub experience will conclude with an opportunity for all participants to present their completed business plans for review before launching their new business.

Step Ahead


Step Ahead is designed to support women and gender diverse people who need guidance on how to start working and re-enter the workforce after receiving Employment Support and Income Assistance in Nova Scotia. Whether you’re returning after a break or seeking your first job, we’re here to guide you through the process with this FREE program.

Eligibility Requirements:
Step Ahead might be the right fit for you if you are:

  • Women and gender diverse people
  • Receiving Employment Support and Income Assistance
  • Will be receiving Employment Support and Income Assistance in the near future

Program outline:
Step Ahead is divided into three stages of group programming, with some programming taking place online virtually and some in-person.

The program runs for a total of 16 weeks with programming taking about 15 to 20 hours a week.

STAGE 1) PRE-EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING

Over six to eight weeks, participants will be taught important employment readiness skills through both in-person and virtual group sessions.

Workshop and training topics include:

  • Employment values
  • Goal setting
  • Job interview preparation
  • Resume and cover letter writing
  • Skill assessments
  • WHIMS certification, First Aid, and Mental Health First Aid

STAGE 2) COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT

Over four to six weeks, participants will work together on a Community Action Project that benefits and supports their community. Participants collectively decide on the project’s focus which can range from fundraising or awareness campaigns, to garden projects and charity item drives.

Working together on this project gives participants an opportunity for personal growth, skill development, networking, and teamwork.

STAGE 3) VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT

Over four weeks, participants will secure a volunteer placement with the support of YWCA Halifax staff.

Placements will be matched to each participant’s interests, provide the chance to learn new skills, support future job goals, and may lead to longer term community connections.

Volunteer placements are designed so that participants can continue to receive Employment Support and Income Assistance while completing the program.

Financial Support

Participants will receive a small monthly stipend of $150 that will not interfere with their Employment Support and Income Assistance status.

Additionally, all program materials are provided for free and funding is available for those without connection to internet.