Who We Help

United Way Funded Agencies of HRM

A combination of human and financial resources allows the United Way of the Halifax Region to tackle two main issues within HRM communities - poverty and health. By recognizing the root causes of these issues, the United Way is able to team up with many local agencies and programs, such as those listed below, to make the greatest possible impact and social change within communities.

In the Halifax Region alone, there are more than 55 agencies and over 100 programs which receive funding. These agencies include:

Alcare Place
Alcare Place provides a supportive, structured, long-term residence for men with addictions. 75% of clients, six months following program completion, are not using drugs, alcohol or engaged in gambling activity and 90% are employed or attending school.
Alice Housing
Alice Housing provides safe second stage housing and supportive counselling for women and children leaving domestic violence. 87% of women leave Alice Housing and move into non-violent homes.
Bayers Westwood Family Resource Centre
Bayers Westwood Family Resource Centre creates a secure, supportive, learning place for families in the community. 95% of families report their family life improved.
Boys and Girls Club of Cole Harbour
Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. 88% Jr. Leaders initiate or assist in community activities.
Boys and Girls Club of Dartmouth
Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. 80% of club members complete high school and 65% go on to post secondary education.
Boys and Girls Club of East Dartmouth
Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. 100 % of parents report that their Ready, Set, Play participants were better prepared to start school.
Boys and Girls Club of Preston
Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. 58% of tutoring program participants showed outstanding improvement and enthusiasm for their school work.
Boys and Girls Club of Sackville
Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. 76% of Torch Members and 89% of the Keystone members become advocates for the safe, legal, responsible consumption of drugs and alcohol. (i.e. encouraging parents to drink responsibly)
Boys and Girls Club of Spryfield
Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. 68% of youth participants take on leadership roles in the club, at school or in the community.
Canadian Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia
The Canadian Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia Promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of those with mental illness. Social Clubs give participants the opportunity for social and recreational activities, information and referral. 86% of Building Bridges members felt that the program had given them more purpose and meaning in their lives.
Canadian Paraplegic Association, Nova Scotia
Assists persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self reliance and full community participation. Participants are encouraged to curl, play wheelchair basketball, billiards, and to sail as a result of Peer Support and partnerships with other community groups. SailAble is a unique program for people with quadra or paraplegic challenges. The program includes 22 in basketball, 8 in bocce, 6 in baseball, 2 in rugby and 13 in billiards.)
Coverdale Courtwork Society
Coverdale works with women who are involved or at risk of becoming involved in the justice system and offers opportunities for personal growth and change to prevent new offences. 50% of the women reported making changes in their lives following counselling.
Dartmouth Family Centres
Dartmouth Family Centres has programs and activities focused on child-centered development for children and their families. 92% of parents report that their knowledge of parenting and child development has increased since coming to the Centre and 78% say they are able to use the parenting knowledge they have gained with their children.
Deafness Advocacy Association of Nova Scotia
DAANS promotes the rights and the needs of an estimated 55,000 deaf, hard of hearing and late deafened Nova Scotians. DAANS hosted a joint partnership to create a Deaf Studies Program to train deaf leaders at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) with many deaf individuals enrolled. DAANS has developed an American Sign Language DVD for HRM. And in addition resolved four long and complex interventions resulting in positive resolutions and changes to policy and practice within Government and private industry.
Dress for Success Halifax Society
The Dress for Success Halifax Society promotes the economic independence of women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and life. 98% of women feel more confident attending their job interview after participating in the Suiting for Confidence Program.
East Preston Day Care Centre
Community centre promoting early childhood education in a daycare setting for young and school-aged children. In partnership with the IWK, it offers prenatal clinics, family education and health programs. 90% of parents of youth program participants reported improved communication with their teen.
Eastern Shore Family Resource Association
Programs and services to support parents from Lake Echo to Ship Harbour. 89% of parents who participate in the education workshops say their children are responding positively to new parenting strategies.
Elizabeth Fry Society
The Elizabeth Fry Society serves women in conflict with the law and those at risk by providing a safe, healing environment for strength and growth. Defends the rights of women, while working to ensure fair treatment in the criminal justice system. 62% of women decrease criminal activity and remain committed to follow through on their community plan.
Family Services of Support (SOS)
Family SOS Healthy Kidz program is a community-based program designed to promote the health and well-being of children and their families. 90%, of parents reported increased communication in the home and less arguing/tension between parents and children and 75% of parents report that their children take more responsibility in the household.
Fairview Family Resource Centre and Tot Meeting Place
Provides a safe, supportive friendly meeting place for parents and their children, while promoting a positive environment that encourages and supports healthy growth and development of all family members. 73 % of newcomers volunteer in the community, become involved in community activities and educational endeavours
Halifax Sexual Health Clinic
The Halifax Sexual Health Clinic promotes sexual and reproductive health within an environment, respecting and supporting individual choice. 82% of clients reported an increase in knowledge about sexual health as a result of attending a Health Promotion workshop
Home of the Guardian Angel - Single Parent Centre
Programs for Parents focus on personal growth and parenting skills. 68% of participants reported that their families are following Canada's Food Guide recommendations. Those who were not able to follow the recommendations related it to their low income.
Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services
A community based organization welcoming newcomers, recognizing their essential role in Canada and offering programs to help newcomers participate fully in HRM. Nonprofit organizations, government departments, private organizations, universities, immigration service providers and funding organizations can take part in workshops offered by ISIS to increase their cultural understanding of the role of newcomers in our community. ISIS designs customized workshops delivered by volunteers with the organization.
Laing House
Laing House prepares youth living with mental illness for healthy futures. 100% of members report an increase in their social support network, reduction of feelings of isolation and having a greater number of people to turn to for support if they are having problems.
Learning Disabilities Association
Offers learning programs to children and their families dealing with learning disabilities. 88% of students have made gains in reading levels.
Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE)
Reduces violence in the lives of youth and in communities by building a team of youth who communicate a message of non-violence. 81% of LOVE's high school graduates have gone on to pursue post-secondary education. 43% of LOVE's active youth entered as dependents of parents receiving social assistance. NONE of these youth, at the age of 19, are receiving social assistance.
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth Project
Provides a youth directed environment with access to information, peer support, social activities and school support. 95% of youth showed an increase in self-acceptance, 57% of youth reported thinking about suicide prior to accessing support and 93% reported a reduction in suicide ideation.
Marguerite Centre (The)
Marguerite Centre (The) A long-term residential facility for women in recovery from addictions and abuse. 40% of women remain free from the use of drugs, alcohol and gambling activities 6 months after leaving the centre and 30% remain free 1 year after leaving the centre.
Metro Community Housing Association
Metro Community Housing Association is a Non-profit, community based agency providing life support and residential services to persons who have experienced mental health difficulties. 64% of program participants learned new vocational skills leading to employment and 79% increased their work experience & reported increased job satisfaction.
Metro Non-Profit Housing Association
An agency assisting single adults who have been homeless or who are at risk of being homeless, to create and maintain their homes. 60% of tenants say they have experienced positive changes in their lives such as regaining contact with family or entering training or returning to work.
Musquodoboit Valley Family Resource Centre
Committed to meeting the needs of parents and young children in the rural community and to enhancing parental involvement in childrens' development, health and learning. Primary teachers and principals say they recognize students attending pre-school programs, have a high level of school readiness.
Nova Scotia Sea School
Promotes the Maritime tradition of boat building as a way for teens to learn the values that seafaring has taught for generations: leadership, courage, responsibility, cooperation, generosity and respect. 82% of youth report their academic status has improved.
Progress Centre for Early Intervention
Provides support, information, resources and educational programs for families with young children with developmental delays to enable children to meet their full potential. 84% of the children made gains and developed skills in three identified areas of development.
Roots of Empathy
Babies are teachers when they visit classrooms with their parents and Roots of Empathy instructors throughout the school year to build caring, peaceful and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. 85% of Roots of Empathy (ROE) students in schools reported that it taught them that it's important to help someone who is being bullied.
Saint George's Friends of Clemente
Humanities 101 is a university level program offered to individuals whose life experience has not allowed them the opportunity to explore higher education. Students develop reading, writing and critical thinking skills through the exploration of classic literature of the western world. From the 60 people who have graduated from the program in the past 5 years, 50% of students remain involved in the graduate program. In addition 26% have sought entry into post secondary education. Due to financial barriers, only 8 of these students have been able to do so.
Saint George's YouthNet
Saint George's YouthNet supports children and youth of the neighbourhood, nurturing their gifts and encouraging their dreams, while building their self-confidence and self-awareness. 50% of participants showed their confidence and volunteered to perform in YouthNet's talent show. In addition many of the participants also performed their new skills at their school talent show.
Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians
Provides information, referrals, and assistance in obtaining services for individuals and their families who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. A program by SDHHNS aimed at isolated deaf adults shows a reduction in social isolation amongst 85% of program participants and 60% show significant improvement in their social connections.
Spencer House Seniors' Centre
The Spencer House Seniors' Centre provides services and programs to enable older adults to live independently, contribute to their community and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. 63% of participants report that their quality of life has improved.
St. Paul's Family Resource Institute
Programs including community kitchens, food banks, community gardens, income tax preparation and Christmas support are offered to individuals and families in the neighbourhood. 75 program participants contribute to their community by volunteering at the centre.
Stepping Stone Association
The organization supports individuals involved in the sex trade by contributing to their health, safety and well-being. An increase in health and safety for sex workers was evidenced by a 50% increase in the number of women accessing the health nurse. Through relationship development with police services, the bad trick list increased by 85%.
Supportive Housing for Young Mothers
Provides tools and access to community support and education to make safe housing available for young mothers and their children, who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. 50% of young moms report decreased stress, an increase in self esteem and having supports in place.
Urban Farm Museum Society
The Urban Farm Museum Society offers interpretive and instructional programs on the farming heritage of Spryfield. 92% of volunteers are happy with their volunteer experience and 90% have made new relationships or friends.
Veith House
Veith House, a neighbourhood house, meeting the needs of children, individuals and families, working primarily with people living in poverty. Empowerment is the ever present goal. 70% of parents in the In-home Parenting program report improved relationships with their children.
Veith Street Gallery
Provides artists with disabilities an opportunity to showcase their talents. The result is a new purpose and self-esteem for the artist, reason to celebrate success for families and gives the community the opportunity to appreciate the talents of this often marginalized group. 89% of artists demonstrated the value and purpose they feel when they choose to show their art. 46% are showing their art in community galleries.
Victorian Order of Nurses of Greater Halifax
VON's volunteer programs complement their health care services by connecting people to their community, increasing their support and providing services that help people remain in their homes. 75% of transportation clients report an increased feeling of independence.
Ward Five Neighborhood Centre
A neighbourhood centre providing programs for children, adults and seniors 90% of youth report having more pride and confidence and 85% of children feel they are becoming more confident.
Wee Care Developmental Centre
Wee Care Developmental Centre is an integrated day care program for normally developing children and those with special needs. Eight children were welcomed into community programs including Needham Recreation Centre, Northcliff and the Dickson Centre and two children were accepted into their local daycare centre with support from Wee Care
YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth
The Community Y - provides recreational and leadership development programs for youth and their families in the inner city of Halifax. 94% of youth are not involved in conflicts while at the community Y. Youth are supported so they will not engage in conflict.
YWCA of Halifax
The YWCA of Halifax The YWCA is dedicated to providing services by and for women, to further the development of women and their families in our community. As a result of young women being supported to have confidence and expand their horizons, 52% self identified and provided specific examples of how they have set goals for themselves, 61% self identified that they are now making their own decisions.
Affirmative Industry Association of Nova Scotia
As an innovative not for profit organization, Affirmative Industries invests in Nova Scotians with disabilities who strive to join the workforce, start their own business and own their own home.
Chebucto Links
As an innovative not for profit organization, Affirmative Industries invests in Nova Scotians with disabilities who strive to join the workforce, start their own business and own their own home.
Freedom Foundation
Provides services to support recovery from addictions, development of positive self image and self worth in a secure and caring environment.
Sackville Bedford Early Intervention
Supports families of birth to school age children with developmental challenges, or who are at risk for developmental delays or disorders.
Social, Cultural, Recreational, Inclusion for All
The Club is an all-inclusive social, cultural and learning environment, for persons of all ages with disabilities and learning difficulties.
Youth Voices
Assists youth residing in NS who are currently or formerly in government care in developing social skills, writing and communication skills, portfolio development and employability skills by engaging them in programs and extra-curricular activities and by referring them to other services in the community that are available to youth.