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YWCA Halifax Launches CUSP, A Youth Volunteering and Community Changemaking Project

On Tuesday, March 4th, Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, announced an investment of $2,882,206 in funding for YWCA Halifax on behalf of the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth.

YWCA’s CUSP- Youth Volunteering and Community Changemaking Program will offer youth participants meaningful service placements within their communities, where they will develop social competencies and enhance their physical, financial, digital, and mental literacy.

CUSP aims to serve up to 107 youth participants who are Black or racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, newcomers, members of official language minority communities, youth with disabilities, youth from low-income households, and youth living in rural or remote areas of the Halifax Regional Municipality. CUSP will involve activities that require youth participants to volunteer at local organizations. It will provide onboarding and capacity development through in-person workshops, virtual training sessions, mentorship, community action, reflection, and peer sharing, along with regular check-ins and one-on-one meetings.

YWCA Halifax extends our gratitude to The Government of Canada and Canada Service Corps (CSC) for their support of community youth programs. Please note the opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the Government of Canada.

Mount Hope Village

YWCA Halifax announces 32 townhomes for women and their families at affordable prices in Mount Hope Village.

Families have moved into their new houses and are settling into the neighbourhood. Of these 32 units, 10 are reserved for Indigenous families who are in core housing need and experiencing homelessness. 12 units are for families currently living in hotels and shelters for women and children. The remaining 10 units are filled by participants of YWCA Halifax housing programs. Pricing for these houses range from deeply affordable to affordable starting at $1,050/month (including utilities), $1,350/month (including utilities), and $1,750/month.

YWCA Halifax made an incredible impact by housing families in Mount Hope Village, reducing the By Name List by one-third. The By Name List is a list of people in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) who are experiencing homelessness and looking for stable housing. YWCA’s visionary plan to construct more housing for women and their families promises an exciting future for affordable housing in the HRM.

“This project demonstrates the art of the possible when we work together. When we lean into each of our respective expertise and with the support of all orders of government, we can achieve affordability and complete communities at scale. Quality modular housing and solid partnerships offer a viable way out of the housing crisis.” Miia Suokonautio, Executive Director of YWCA Halifax.

The Future of Affordable Housing

Together We Make a Positive Impact

When speaking with our Director of Housing and Facilities, Krista Dunn, she shared that in her almost ten years with the YWCA Halifax, she has been “floored and humbled by the perseverance of the individuals and families we serve and the dedication and commitment of the staff team.” Krista points out that many participants have already overcome significant barriers by the time they join YWCA programs. For her, it is a privilege to be part of their journey. She has watched families reunite and exit the child welfare system after generations of involvement, participants graduate from high school and post-secondary education programs, and individuals recover from addictions. Though there have been many challenges, there have been countless more successes.

Krista recalls *Misha, a former housing participant who said, “I didn’t have anyone to help support me in becoming a new mother. I was surprised to find out what a healthy home looked like. I learned to feel safe and create the stability needed to provide for my son and me.”

Over the next five years, YWCA Halifax aims to build 369 affordable housing units, which will provide homes for approximately 1,000 individuals – individuals like *Misha. And we need your support to do this. We cannot lose momentum. Please donate today.

In 2024 alone, YWCA Halifax successfully opened 63 housing units. Of these, 32 are brand-new homes housing 119 people, reducing the HRM By Name List by an astounding one-third. The HRM By Name List prioritizes homeless and precariously housed individuals and families based on need and matches them to suitable housing.

Together we can build neighborhoods where children play freely, families live without fear of eviction, and individuals focus on their hopes and goals. Join us in making this vision a reality.

Let’s change lives in the HRM. Imagine a Halifax where no one must sleep on the streets, where families can stay together, and where individuals can rebuild their lives with dignity. This vision can become a reality with your help. Please donate today.

YWCA Halifax also accepts donations via e-transfer. Simply send your e-transfer to: finance@ywcahalifax.com and use the password: Housing. You are also welcome to drop a cheque off between 8:45 – 4:30 Monday to Friday at 358 Herring Cove Road, Spryfield.  

Together, we can make a difference. 💜

Featured Story

YWCA Halifax is partnering with MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, Prescott Group, and The Youth Project to co-create the Integrated Youth Services Centre in west-end Halifax.
With oversight from the IWK Health Centre Mental Health and Addictions Program, in partnership with several government departments, the Youth Services Centre will assist youth aged 12 to 25 through in-person, outreach and virtual services.

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Featured Story

An upcoming YWCA Halifax program will create 32 new supportive housing spots for women and gender diverse people in Halifax/Kjipuktuk. The creation of this high need program comes from a thoughtful partnership between the Government of Nova Scotia, Grafton Developments, and YWCA Halifax.

Located at the historic and repurposed Waverley Inn, participants will have access to their own individual space and 24/7 on-site support from staff. The range of supports offered will include mental health and addictions counselling referrals, employment services, skills training, and more.

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We’re excited to officially share the YWCA Halifax 2022/2023 Annual Report with you!

Inside you’ll find stories about:

• YWCA Halifax and The Dartmouth Child Development Centre coming together;
• The expansion of Family Home Childcare;
• A participant’s story in her own words;
• The recognition of incredible staff;
• and more!

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Featured Story

On July 3, YWCA Halifax childcare joined Swings Daycare to open an Elmsdale Early Learning Centre. After 25 years, owner of Swings Daycare, Shelley Boyce, started her well-earned retirement after transferring ownership of the daycare to YWCA Halifax.

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