Nonprofit Organizations in Halifax

In the early 1970’s the city of Halifax was concerned about the rising costs of social assistance, and the increased dependence of more and more people on it. On December 13th, 1977 a non-profit organization (Human Resource Development Association, now MetroWorks Employment Association), “was launched by the city of Halifax largely through the efforts of the municipal social planning department to provide learning, training, and employment for people on social assistance as an alternative to welfare.”

At a time when funds were limited we understood that new solutions needed to be found to better use existing resources and turn them into sources of growth. We pioneered the use of welfare funds to capitalize businesses that hired persons facing persistent multiple barriers to employment. Our approach would change how North America, and the world, looked at poverty reduction, the rising costs of social assistance, unemployment, and economic development.

Forty years later our idea of creating hybrid business structures (for-profit and non-profit) continues to drive transformational change encouraging people to work across traditional fields of responsibility to develop new ideas (products, services, models) to tackle the rising needs of:

- individuals living with mental illness and ability differences
- individuals living on a low or fixed income (social assistance)
- single parent households
- individuals who are under-employed or unemployed

Through our hybrid business structures we have ensured a continued link between economic development and the goal of increasing social equity and individual dignity. Our organizational structure and mandate has been described as “one of the most imaginative initiatives in North America.” For over thirty years (1982 – 2013) our activities were referenced in numerous books, reports, and case studies gaining us international recognition. In Canada, we were selected by Carlton University’s Community Economic Development Technical Assistance program as a “host provider.” A study released in 1993 (and validated by KPMG) determined that the net benefit to government during our first fifteen years of operation totaled $7 million.

Over the past 40 years we have operated 14 social enterprises, including:

- Stone Hearth Bakery (in operation for 35 years)
- Stone Hearth Café and Catering (in operation for 3 years)

Recent recognition and awards include:

- 2017 Halifax Business Awards: Gold in Small Business of the Year and Silver in Innovative Business of the Year
- 2017 Champion of Mental Health: Named by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
- 2017 Great-West Life, London Life, and Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award: Honourable Mention

MetroWorks has persevered to create innovative solutions to close the gap between work and welfare. Our organization is a bridge and safe place for individuals from all backgrounds to access the support they need. We are a place where the general public, businesses and government can learn and understand the societal concerns we address. We are proud of our accomplishments, and that we have been able to clearly demonstrate that individuals facing persistent multiple barriers to employment would rather work for a living than depend on social assistance.

Mission Thrift Store helps you save money and the planet by giving used goods a new life – redirecting them from landfills.

Every purchase helps transform millions of lives in more than 40 countries by funding dozens of initiatives through our joint ministry with Bible League Canada.

The Mobile Food Market is a 21-week pilot project that sells fresh and affordable fruit and vegetables in communities across the Halifax region. Every Saturday, a Halifax Transit bus is transformed into a mobile fresh produce market. The Mobile Food Market stops in 5 communities; North and East Preston one week and Spryfield, Fairview and North End Halifax following week.

The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) Youth Advisory Council is a network of students from colleges and universities across the country, aimed at engaging young adults in discussions about mental health in their own age demographic. The NYAC High School Subcommittee is a group of high school and university students that aim to promote mental health advocacy for youth across Canada through social media, outreach, events, webinars, and more! We are currently recruiting members to join our team through our application: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeH6guVnDVeVoGcg1o-rl12kVAGI9tPhFZN8lheAdf_1Wlh6Q/viewform.

If you’re passionate about mental health and want to make a difference in the national movement of youth raising mental health awareness, apply to join the High School Subcommittee!

<strong>Please note that this an opportunity for youth all across Canada!</strong>

Simply put, we are helping to enhance mental health care in communities through partnerships among people with lived experience of mental illness and pharmacists. We are working to create a network of pharmacists who will work to enhance their mental health related services in their communities.

We are thrilled to announce that once again, Halifax will have a multicultural event: <strong>The Mosaic Festival.</strong> Breaking the mould of past festivals, we are creating a unique celebration of our city’s diverse cultures – pairing a vibrant parade of music and dance with a waterfront party of concerts and vendors.

With the support of Halifax Waterfront Development, Downtown Halifax Business Commission, Port Authority and Halifax Regional Municipality, plans are underway for the one-day event on <strong>Saturday, August 18</strong>. To make this event a success and fun for everyone, we are searching for a team of volunteers to help during the parade and waterfront party portions of the event.

<strong>Overview of the event</strong>

Starting with a parade along Lower Water Street, the family-friendly event will feature music and dance from around the world. We are inviting representatives from as many cultures as possible, giving them an opportunity to share their unique heritage. The parade will start at Pier 21 - symbolic of Halifax’s strong ties with welcoming newcomers.

As the parade ends at Lower Water Street and Salter Street, the music will continue with a series of concerts, featuring musicians from various countries. Alongside the musical stage will be booths of vendors, giving these communities a chance to showcase and sell their crafts, food and art.

<strong>How to Volunteer</strong>

If you would like to volunteer, please email your <strong>resume</strong> to <a href="mailto:info@mosaicfestival.ca">project3@mosaicfestival.ca</a> with the following:
<ul>
<li>Which portion of the event you’d like to volunteer: parade or waterfront festival</li>
<li>Your age</li>
<li>How much time you can spend with us</li>
<li>Which culture you represent and any languages you speak</li>
<li>Any relevant volunteer experience</li>
</ul>
Thank you!

Sincerely,

Renee Horton, Communications & Marketing, Mosaic Festival

Ifeanyi Emesih, Founder, My Halifax Experience, Mosaic Festival

<b><u>VOLUNTEERS NEEDED</u></b>

Want to gain experience working at a film festival that celebrates diversity and cultural heritage right here in Halifax?

My East Coast Experience Media is looking for volunteers to help at the 4^th Mosaic International Film Festival.

The festival will be taking place on <b>Sunday, March 26, from 11am to 5pm, at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21</b>.

<b>About the festival:</b>

The Mosaic International Film Festival, presented by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, is a celebration of diversity in Halifax. It’s a forum for unique storytelling. A platform for filmmakers worldwide to share their stories, experiences, and cultural identities with the people of Nova Scotia, Canada, through the art of film.

Founded as a local event for filmmakers to promote their work, it has since evolved into an international festival, bringing together a broad range of cultures from around the world. Today, the festival is aimed at providing an immersive and educational experience to those involved in the filmmaking industry, as well as aspiring filmmakers and artists.

<b>Volunteering at the festival:</b>

Volunteer duties will include:

<ul type="disc">
<li>Greeting and checking in guests</li>
<li>Providing wayfinding services throughout the festival venue</li>
<li>Setting up and taking down corporate banners</li>
<li>Managing wireless microphones for panelists and audience members</li>
<li>Providing general operational support (runners that will be on hand to support with general needs)</li>
</ul>

Volunteer work will be split into two 4-hour volunteer shifts. Volunteers will be required to work on one of the following shifts:

Shift 1: <b>10am - 2pm</b>

Shift 2: <b>1:30pm - 5:30pm</b>

<b>What we’re looking for:</b>

Enthusiastic individuals who are committed to the tasks they are assigned, and who would like to get some first-hand experience at what it takes to run a film festival.

<b>To apply:</b>

If you would like more information or would like to apply, please reach out to Jerisa Haque on <a href="mailto:creativehub@myeastcoastexperience.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-safelink="true" data-linkindex="1">creativehub@myeastcoastexperience.com</a>.

motionball for Special Olympics is a national not-for-profit organization raising funds and awareness in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation. Hosting 50 annual events in 17 cities and on over 35 University Campuses, motionball is proud to have donated over $17M net since our inception in 2002.

The Halifax motionball Marathon of Sport will see over 300 young professionals participating in a full day of sport & celebration alongside local Special Olympics athletes. Volunteers will support in a variety of areas from registration, to raffle, to Sport Station managers! Now in it's 10th year, this event is a staple in the Halifax summer event calendar and is set to raise over $100,000 for Special Olympics! Volunteer hours available for high school students.

Moving Minds is a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping young people live well. It is the organizer of the annual Mind Ball in Halifax.

We are a family resource Centre that provides parenting programs, community relations help, children and youth programming, early childhood education, advocacy, support, and navigation resources.

The Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia is a collaborative and inclusive ​organizaiton of interested individuals, community groups, businesses, and governments focused on being a catalyst for multiculturalism in the province of Nova Scotia

It is a volunteer driven, charitable, and culturally competent organization. In pursuit of its Mission and to achieve its Vision (stated below), MANS will:

- Build awareness in Nova Scotia around multicultural issues.

- Recognize, promote and celebrate multicultural successes through out Nova Scotia.

- Advocate and champion multiculuralism so that policies and practices within government and other organizations

reflect a high level of cultural competency.

- Promote tools and resources that people and organizations can use to identify and respnd to emerging

multicultural issues.