[CAH] Community Events and Announcements

[Darcy Harvey]

Hello members, 

Hear is the latest on events and announcements happening in the coming weeks. These events are not organized by CAH so it is best if you use the contact information listed to get further information.

Thanks, and hope to see many of you out for Housing Week!

Darcy
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Renovations Get Rolling on Supportive Housing for 

Young Mothers

  



Halifax, NS - Friday, October 13, 2006

 

After a long road of struggle, supportive housing for young mothers in the HRM will no longer be just a dream; it will be in its final stages of becoming a reality. 

 

On Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 11:30 am, at 341 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth, Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM) will officially kick off the start of their major renovations to the old school house that will become the new home for HRM's young families in need.  SHYM plans to open the doors of this one-of-a-kind facility in spring, 2007, which will offer a supportive and independent living opportunity for twelve young mothers and their children who are at risk of being homeless.  

 

Currently, there are few alternatives for young women in Metro unable to provide safe and secure housing for their families.  Through this new transitional housing program, SHYM will be able to give these capable individuals the helping hand needed to launch themselves toward their own, independent success.  Providing programs and guidance around parenting skills and educational advancement, SHYM will assist each young mother in reaching her own goals for herself and her child.  Nikki Deveau, Vice-Chair of SHYM, explained that, "We want to help young mothers who have the desire to excel in life, jump over the barriers of the 'cycle of poverty' by allowing them to focus on their future, rather than their immediate survival."  Reflecting on her own experience several years ago, Deveau recalled that, "The only thing holding me back from succeeding as an independent parent was not having a secure place to live. (a program like this would have been a huge help/saved me a lot of grief)."

 

This new program is made possible through the financial support of several key partners.  Halifax Regional Municipality provided the land and former school.  Service Canada is providing Capital Funding under the National Homelessness Initiative.  Program development and service delivery funding will come from United Way Halifax Region, Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, the IWK Foundation Community Grants Program and the Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat - Department of Education.

 

SHYM's "ground-breaking" event will coincide with Halifax Housing Week.  The celebration will include testimonials from young mothers and a symbolic sod turning by a young mother's child.

 

- 30 -

 

There will be an opportunity for interviews and photos after the presentation.

 

If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, please contact Nikki Deveau at (902) 209-1676.

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Halifax Coalition Against Poverty

Double the Rates

Press Conference

Monday October 16th

Noon at HCAP Office (2420 Agricola Street)



HCAP will be holding a press conference on Monday October 16th at noon to release their demands for the Department of Community Services to Double Income Assistance Rates in to address the poverty level of Income Assistance recipients.

Speakers include:

Jeanne Faye (long time community advocate)

 HCAP Representatives

Income Assistance Recipients.



For more information call Keli at 444-5060






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Social Assistance Reform: Moving Forward a Woman Positive Public Policy Agenda

Progress Update. Please spread the word.

 

  1.. Municipal Campaign Update! 
  2.. Timing of Women's Solidarity March! 
  3.. Contact info for the Prime Minister. Ready Boots? Start Walking!  
1.         Municipal Campaign.

 Mayors from the following 20 towns and municipalities have endorsed our call to action for the International Day to Eradicate Poverty and expressed their support of the recommendations for policy change put forth by women living in poverty. In many cases the council as a whole has supported and signed the proclamation and our campaign to eradicate poverty in Nova Scotia. Please note that some towns and municipalities have policies that prohibit them from signing any proclamation. When we encounter this, we ask for the support of the Mayor. The list of those who have not signed (Queen's and Annapolis Royal - they have this policy and we cannot get through to the Mayors) or who we have not yet had a response from is attached, along with a press release that we will be sending out today.

 Amherst

Antigonish

Berwick 

Canso

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Clark's Harbour

Digby

Halifax Regional Municipality (As of today!)

Mahone Bay

Middleton

Municipality of the County of Colchester

New Glasgow

Parrsboro 

Pictou

Springhill

Stellarton

Trenton

Truro

Westville

Windsor

Wolfville


2.         Women' Solidarity March

 Please note that on Tuesday October 17 women will begin to organize at 11am at Victoria Park in Halifax (across from the Public Gardens) and the rally will begin at 11:30am. We are asking women to arrive before the rally to allow time to distribute the shirts. The march will begin at 12:00 pm to Province House. 

 Don't forget to bring your old shoes for the action at Province House. 

 


3.         'Ready Boots? Start Walking!'

 Remember that if you are not able to attend the march in Halifax, or if there is not an anti-poverty event in your area on October 17, you may want to fax off your shoe print as a way of telling the government leaders to 'take a walk in the shoes of poverty.' 

 Premier Rodney MacDonald's fax number is (902) 424-7648

 Please note that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's fax number is 613.947.0310

 The number (613) 996-6740 that was previously provided is the Prime Minister's phone number. 

 Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Rene

 Rene Ross, Project Coordinator

Social Assistance Reform: Moving Forward a Woman Positive Public Policy Agenda

1-6034 Compton Avenue, Halifax N.S. B3K 1E7

(902) 425-8047 or (902) 456-8945

 A partnership of the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre, Pictou County Women's Centre and Every Woman's Centre, Sydney. 

Proudly funded by the Status of Women Canada.


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