Halifax Communauté Nouvelles

There's concern that government and public support for people experiencing homelessness in the province will wane as restrictions related to COVID-19 are lifted and Nova Scotians are encouraged to return to some sense of normalcy, say those who work on the front lines of homelessness. A new report on the impact of the pandemic on people experiencing homelessness in Nova Scotia found some workers believe an increase in federal and provincial support was in part due to fear of unhoused individuals contributing to the spread of COVID-19.

While she’s only been involved in minor hockey a short time, Brianna Burris is someone who consistently goes above and beyond for the children. The Great Village resident is the first winner of the new Cobra Strong Volunteer of the Year Award that was created in honour of Cobra family members who lost their lives in the April 2020 mass shooting: Jamie and Greg Blair, Lisa McCully, Heather O’Brien, Kristen and Baby Beaton.

Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia has been given a $203,500 grant to help make a neighbourhood of 77 affordable housing units in Halifax a reality. Donna Williamson, executive director of the non-profit organization, said the funding from the provincial government will go toward hiring a project manager who will create a business plan for the development.

A group of volunteers from across the Maritimes is on a mission to make toys that anyone can play with. Volunteers from a program called Makers Making Change recently modified more than 20 new toys to be accessible for children with disabilities and donated them to a toy library at the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax.

Nova Scotia is offering one-time grants of $10,000 to help volunteer fire departments, ground search and rescue organizations and First Nations fire departments recover from fundraising losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the province, more than 340 organizations will qualify for the $3.5 million investment.

As the Cape Breton Hospice prepares to open to residents in Membertou in January, a pilot project will be kicking off two first-time volunteer programs being formed.