Who We Are & What We Do
We’re a coalition of community members dedicated to working strategically and collaboratively towards community wellbeing and a better quality of life for everyone. We exist to connect a community of action-oriented organizations and people who are committed to social inclusion and building a Nova Scotia where no one lives in poverty.
Our Mission
Our Vision
We work strategically and collaboratively, provide leadership and advocacy to secure effective public policy to reduce poverty and related inequities in Nova Scotia.
A Nova Scotia where no one lives in poverty.
Our Values Call On Us To Work For
Community Well-Being
We will actively resist and work to remove, the attitudinal, social, environmental, economic and policy barriers that maintain systemic poverty.
Equity
We will work to ensure that the coalition is representative of the diverse identities of Nova Scotians and for more diverse representation in all aspects of Nova Scotia’s social, economic and political systems.
Human Rights
We will work to uphold and further the realization of human rights.
Our Goals & Desired Outcomes
Dignified Employment, Income and Social Security
All Nova Scotians are ensured dignified access to a livable income.
Housing Security
Safe, secure, accessible and affordable housing is a realizable human rights for all Nova Scotians.
Public Education, Health and Social Services
All Nova Scotians have access to free public education and to compassionate services that ensure physical and mental health, and social wellbeing.
Food Security
All Nova Scotians have access to safe, sufficient, nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food as a realizable human rights.
Transportation
Everyone has access to affordable and accessible public transportation within and between all urban and rural communities in Nova Scotia.
We Work to Achieve our Goals Through
Political and Policy Engagement
We act on current political and policy issues impacting wellbeing and in solidarity with people and communities who are marginalized advocate for equal opportunities and the redistribution of income, wealth, and privilege.
Public Education and Awareness
We inform Nova Scotians about social justice issues and the far-reaching effects of poverty.
Community Engagement
We connect with communities to foster a shared vision of community wellbeing, inclusive communities, and a province where no one lives in poverty.
NSACCW Organizations
The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers exists to serve and protect Nova Scotians by effectively regulating the profession of social work. They work in solidarity with Nova Scotians to advocate for policies that improve social conditions, challenge injustice and value diversity.
Learn more about NSCSW.
The Nova Scotia branch of the CCPA was founded in November 1999, to provide greater balance to public policy debates in the province. CCPA-NS:
- shows that there are choices and alternatives in public policy, even in the context of “globalization”.
- promotes a participatory and accountable approach to the development of public policy in Nova Scotia.
- promotes policies that are socially and economically just and environmentally sustainable.
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service is a community-based office in the north-central neighbourhood of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It also is a clinical program for law students and is operated by the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.
Dalhousie Legal Aid has a three-part mandate:
- to provide legal aid services for persons who would not otherwise be able to obtain legal advice for assistance;
- to conduct research, provide information, make recommendations, and engage in programs relating to legal aid and law reform in the Province of Nova Scotia;
- to provide an educational experience in the solution of legal problems for students enrolled in the Faculty of Law of Dalhousie University who participate in the work of the service.
The Antigonish Coalition to End Poverty (ACEP) – formerly the Antigonish Poverty Reduction Coalition (APRC) – is an alliance of local individuals and groups who are actively working to alleviate the effects of financial distress in Antigonish Town and County while actively engaging in local and regional poverty eradication initiatives and action.
The ACEP, through community conversations with multiple stakeholders, identifies nine key areas of focus: income security, food security, housing and housing security, transportation, access to education opportunities, access and availability of childcare, access to health services, access to appropriate and affordable recreation; and, energy and heat security.
Hope For Mental Health formerly The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia was established in 1982 to support individuals living with Schizophrenia and their families/friends.
To make a positive difference in the lives of people, families and communities in Nova Scotia affected by Schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar and all related mental illnesses.
Hope For Mental Health provides a continuum of programs and services for people living with a mental illness and their family/friends. These programs promote and support wellness. “Living Well in Community”, is about providing the necessary supports to individuals with lived experience, which enable them to experience recovery and to live a full life as part of the community.
Participants develop skills and knowledge about how to access supports empowering them to live in community and to develop the ability to recognize when added supports are needed to remain in community.
The mission of the North End Community Health Centre is to support the health and well-being of our community through quality primary health care, education and advocacy.
The North Grove is a dynamic community hub. Our Family and Community Food Centre offer programs, services and space for people to learn and connect through family support, food and friendship.
They are a community hub where people come together to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food and a healthy and fair food system
They offer programs, resources and activities that promote healthy child, parent and family development
Their space provides opportunities for supportive relationships to form among families and community members
They advocate for public policies that promote the well-being of individuals, families and communities
They work with partners to achieve common goals.
Community Links is a province-wide organization that supports the establishment of age-friendly, inclusive communities in Nova Scotia by linking individuals and organizations to promote needed changes. Community Links was established in 1992 as a community development project called Challenge in Participation with a goal of working in partnership with rural communities to meet the needs of seniors.
CUPE Nova Scotia represents over 19,000 members in 131 locals across the province who provide quality public services in long term care, schools, hospitals, municipalities, child care, universities, highways, social services, home support, transition homes, emergency services, airlines and more.
As a union, they work together for a better standard of living, wages, pensions and health benefits, as well as safe working conditions – for all. Their members are proud to deliver the quality public services needed to maintain a strong economy and healthy communities.
Every Woman’s Centre exists to promote, develop and support the enhancement of women’s lives in Cape Breton communities within the context of a feminist analysis. The mandate of Every Woman’s Centre is to promote the economic, cultural, social and educational interest of women and to initiate and promote programs for the improvement of the physical, emotional and social welfare of women.
Inclusion NS is a provincial not-for-profit organization committed to ensuring that individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families have the support they require to live full and inclusive lives in the community. Inclusion NS works strategically with other disability rights organizations and, in particular, with Nova Scotia People First.
Founded in 1833, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is an international lay organization, united in the mission to serve persons in need. In Canada alone, the SSVP helps more than 350,000 people each year. They provide material support in the form of non-perishable food, clothes, household items and furniture to individuals and families across the country. Whether in their homes, on the street, in shelters, in hospitals or in prison, their work knows no boundaries. The Society also provides assistance to refugees, immigrants, and northern communities.
Face of Poverty Consultation are a faith-based coalition working to eliminate poverty.
Founded in 1989, ILNS is a registered charity supporting persons with disabilities through programs and services that promote Independent Living (IL). ILNS runs the only Independent Living Resource Centre in Nova Scotia and is one of the 24 IL organizations across Canada.
Red Bear Healing Home is a non-profit society registered with the Province of Nova Scotia (June 23, 2011) that assists people who are experiencing social and/or economic disadvantages in Nova Scotia. Information, referrals, resources and services are provided to help people develop the capacity to sustain themselves and realize their unique potential. The Seven Sacred Teachings/Laws; The Teachings of the Four Directions; and, The Twelve Teachings of the Sacred Tree guide their work to build respect for all life.
ABSW is a volunteer charitable organization consisting of Black Social Workers and Human Service Workers throughout the Province. ABSW was originally formed in Montreal, Canada in 1977. A group started in Nova Scotia in 1979, with a membership of 4. ABSW was reactivated in 1987, and now has a growing membership.