Love and refuge for youth in Halifax

During the 1980s, All Nations Christian Reformed Church in Halifax was involved in “Sunday Suppers,” a partnership between local churches that helped feed the homeless in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. Out of these suppers, it became clear that vulnerable youth in the city also needed a place to go and gather as some organizations, like shelters and soup kitchens, didn’t allow anyone under the age of 18. After several conversations and a boost from some generous donors, The Ark was conceived and received charitable status in 1998.

The ministry aimed to keep their doors wide open to youth in Halifax, removing barriers such as ID requirements and ‘no pet policies,’ so that they could “create a place for youth to call home,” shared Dorothy Patterson, a staff member at The Ark. While they were never an overnight shelter, they offered two hot meals a day, shower and laundry facilities, a music recording studio, as well as several programs including pottery and silk screening.

As the organization grew into a bustling drop-in centre, volunteers from the church helped it to secure a grant from NewGround in 2004 in order to hire a full-time Financial Development Coordinator. (Back then, NewGround was known as Operation Manna).

Since then, the Ark has continued to develop for the past 20 years. Times have changed and so has the demand for a large drop-in space, but the Ark continues to make a difference in Halifax today. From their new space, they continue to offer a place of community and home: “a space where youth don’t have to be in survival mode,” Dorothy shared. The staff provide one-on-one assistance and advocacy for youth and newcomers in downtown Halifax, using their network of resources to help them navigate difficult, and sometimes oppressive, systems. “Networking is crucial to our lives; none of us can do everything.”

The Ark continues to be supported by several churches and monthly donors, with about one-third of their funding coming from the Coldest Night of the Year walk which is hosted by All Nations CRC. Dorothy reminds us that as churches “it’s important to think about your place of power and privilege, and to listen – to really hear people – and collaborate. If we’re not doing that, we’re not going to last.”

NewGround (Operation Manna) is happy to have played a role in cultivating this community ministry, as it continues to impact the people of Halifax with expressions of God’s love. Over 100 community ministries that NewGround has supported are still going strong today! You can find out more about NewGround here: https://diaconalministries.com/newground.

This article is made possible through a partnership with CRC Ministries within Canada.