History

The HAF was originally named the Halifax Association For Improving The Conditions Of The Poor, and subsequently was renamed to become Halifax Association For Improving The Conditions Of The Poor and now, the Halifax Assistance Fund.  It was founded to provide relief for growing numbers of unemployed war veterans who returned to Halifax in the mid-1860's from various conflicts including the Crimean and US Civil Wars.  In light of this, the organization established the theme: "The elevation of the moral and physical condition of the poor.”  In the mid-1900s the Fund effectively formed a part of the first social assistance department for the City of Halifax.  Providing temporary relief to individuals and families, in the form of coal, wood, grain, vegetables, clothing and meals, has been a key focus for the organization since its beginnings.

Programs and Investments - 
From 1970 - 2006 our Fund invested more than $1.5 million on our Food for Thought Program, a nutritional support effort that reached over 4,500 school children each day.  This program was adopted by the Halifax Regional School Board, freeing up our funding for other important projects.  Our ongoing Basic Necessities Program provides support for students and families challenged to cover the cost of medication, dental services, eye care or other necessities.  

Here is a sample of our funding projects in recent years:

  • Continuation of our flagship Basic Necessities program, cover basic needs of HRM school children (eyeglasses, shoes, prescriptions, food, etc.) through social workers in Halifax and Dartmouth. 
  • Contributed to Elementary School milk program
  • Supported Girls Empowerment Mentoring (GEM), a mentorship program to provide positive role models for young girls
  • Funded Fairview breakfast program
  • Sponsored children to attend summer camp who could otherwise not afford
  • Supported Children Witnessing Violence counselling program
  • Funded Breakfast program for Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM, now part of the YWCA), a facility for unwed young mothers and their children
  • Also with SHYM, supported a program to teach the young mothers how to make nutritious, economical means for their young children
  • Funded Adsum Centre’s Parent Education and Support Program
  • Funded Halifax Coalition Against Poverty Special Needs Campaign
  • Provided emergency funding for Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division
  • Supported Halifax West Ecumenical Food Bank
  • Funded breakfast program at Brunswick Street Mission
  • Provided funding to Halifax Transition House, which serves primarily women and children in distress
  • Provided emergency funding for the North End Community Health Centre
  • Funded Family SOS Healthy Kidz Gottingen, a wide-ranging after-school program
  • Funded North End Community Health Centre’s “Grassroots Cooking”, a series of 10 outdoor sessions on how to cook low cost, healthy and tasty food
  • Provided emergency funding for Bryony House, many clients of which are youth living in poverty
  • Purchased 80 new beds for Shelter Nova Scotia, many clients of which are youth
  • Funded two greenhouse projects by the North End Community Health Care where youth work to grow their own good food
  • Funded a further cooking program at the North End Community Health Centre
  • Funded Salvation Army’s Community Response Vehicle, providing hot meals and warm winter clothing to the homeless
  • Provided funding for a training kitchen in the North End Community Health Centre, for clients to be trained to make reasonably priced, nutritious food for their families
  • Provided funding to the Elizabeth Fry Society
  • Contributed to Leave Out Violence (or LOVE), an organization dedicated to helping youth deal with conflict without violence
  • Delivered emergency funding money for Parker Street Food Bank, which it uses to provide emergency heat and power in winter for its clients
  • Delivered emergency funding for Canadian Paraplegic Association
  • Established funding for Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter
  • Provided funds for Chisholm Services for Children, which teaches children with learning disabilities
  • Supported Stepping Stone Youth Outreach
  • Made funds available to support Metro Turning Point, a men’s shelter
  • Funded the purchase of commercial appliances for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission


Financial Stewardship - 

Your donation can make a real difference.  Our all-volunteer effort ensures that 96% of our budget goes directly to serving our community.  We also maintain an endowment fund, built up over our more than 150 year history.  We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Halifax Youth Foundation.

Directors & Officers -

James Musgrave, KC – President
Ann Sutherland, CPA – Treasurer
Shannon Ingraham – Secretary
Patricia Woodbury – Vice President, Program
Ryan Beck, CPA

Karyn Dougherty
Curtis Karrel
Mario Rolle
Barbara McCarthy
Caitlyn Williams Cooper

 

Volunteer Opportunities - 

If you are interested in finding out more about the Halifax Assistance Fund or would like to volunteer for participation in a fund raising activity, please contact us.