currently

ARK is on Sebastian street in the North End, renting space in a community commons. 

Most days are filled with small moments of significant connection: organizing donations to bring to families who need various things; providing grocery or gas gift cards; meeting someone in the park for conversation; accompanying someone to a legal appointment; interpreting situations and systems – like housing, CRA paperwork, community service interactions, bills, etc. – for newcomers to Canada and those in survival mode; finding money in the community for specific needs, like power and oil; and more.

housing advocacy 

ARK’s work involves navigating the diverse layers that contribute to housing precarity. We are deeply engaged in supporting people through their unique situations and barriers to accessing resources. This includes access to fuel, food, and appropriate health care. Together we advocate, provide assistance accessing emergency shelter, secure long-term housing, move in and find furniture. Housing is a human right.

food justice

Nearly 1 in 3 households in Nova Scotia are food insecure (Feed NS). The sharing of food has always been intertwined amongst our lives and relationships. We see and understand the importance of access to and choice of food. Currently, we provide a weekly meal to 40 community members, run a small community pantry & fridge in our space and coordinate food deliveries and pickups. 

network of community organizations

As the homeless population is growing, we are increasingly affirmed that our need for strong community connections is key to addressing this. ARK co-founded a monthly gathering of local community organizations (about 40 are connected). Our aim is to build relationships among community workers, network, share knowledge and resources, and collaborate to address community-identified issues.

legacy

Through several conversations with alumni youth, an exciting project came about: an online legacy gallery that exhibits photos, artwork and mementos from the drop-in days. It celebrates and honours our community and we hope it will be a gathering place for those who used the Halifax drop-in as their home base for many years. We love hearing from former youth, in Halifax as well as in other parts of Canada, doing significant community work. They communicate their gratitude, questions and desire for mentorship with us. This culminated in ARK publishing a photo book called “Coming Home.” These books have been distributed across North America to alumni youth.

ARK’s community is listening to each other to pursue the possibilities in what has changed and what is growing. We respect and hold the value of what each person brings. 

Together we create a place to call home.