Chisholm Services for Children

Chisholm Services for Children is a not for profit organization that provides residential care for eight children using a trauma informed care framework of practice. In addition to the residential care facility, Chisholm also operates the LINKS Children’s Literacy Program, a literacy skills development program providing support to students in grades primary to six throughout four sites in the Halifax area. The LINKS program provides literacy support for children who are reading below grade level and/or who are diagnosed with a learning disability.

HISTORY

Chisholm Services for Children has a long history of providing service to women, children and families dating back to 1890. The service was founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd and adapted to the needs of the community over the years, providing a range of services for often misunderstood and marginalized members of the community.

In the early seventies two community based programs were established to provide a place for young women, 12 years of age and older, to live when they were unable to live at home. These programs were called Chisholm Centre and Barnett House. On June 3, 2004, Chisholm Youth Services incorporated under the Society’s Act of Nova Scotia, and on July 1, 2004 Chisholm Youth Services officially took over the operations of Chisholm Centre and Barnett House.

Continuing to adapt to the changing needs of our community, in partnership with the Department of Community Services, Chisholm now provides residential care for co-ed children 12 and younger who have experienced complex developmental trauma. As a result of the trauma, these children are unable to live at home. With this change in mandate, the service officially changed its name to Chisholm Services for Children on June 29, 2012. Today, Chisholm is proud to offer the only long-term program for children requiring such care in Halifax, reaching across Nova Scotia to provide care for children as needed.

The Chisholm Foundation for Children was established on November 19, 2010 to assist Chisholm in providing a residence for the children to live, as well as support the delivery of the service as required. For more information on the Foundation, click here.