Building Brighter Futures for Youth

May 23

Dear Friends,

Imagine being 18 years old and facing the world without a safe place to call home. For far too many young people in Nova Scotia, this isn’t just a possibility—it’s their reality.

Right now, thousands of youth in our communities find themselves grappling with unstable housing situations, risking their futures, their well-being, and their ability to thrive. With one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country and dramatically-increasing rents, the housing crisis is far from over in Halifax.

But here’s the good news: with your help, Phoenix Youth Programs is making strong headway to meet the complex and varied needs of the youth and families we serve.

Thanks to you and our incredible community of donors and partners, last year we:

Provided 17,155 nights of safe, dignified housing across our 10 residential properties.

Increased the capacity of our scattered housing sites by 500% through the acquisition and renewal of two apartment buildings in the North end of Halifax.

Empowered 199 youth in employment and skills-based programming at Phoenix Learning & Employment Centre.

Offered 132 special outings and events to youth in our residential programs, where youth and staff built community and experienced moments of joy—together.

Every day at Phoenix, we see first-hand the transformative impact that stable housing can have. Youth who had been in a constant state of fight-or-flight—simply surviving—are now building confidence, pursuing their goals, and contributing to their communities.

By donating today, you can help empower youth like Fabi through the essential work we do at Phoenix.

We believe that every young person deserves a safe, stable home—a foundation from which they can grow, learn, and succeed. In fact, 77% of youth engaged in our supported and semi-independent housing programs are studying, working, or a combination of the two. Housing offers not just shelter, but also a stepping stone to education, employment, and more vibrant futures.

Phoenix provides housing options for youth that match where they are on their respective journeys – whether that is emergency shelter, supportive housing, or truly affordable units at one of our scattered sites.

To meet the ever-increasing need for our programs and services, Phoenix continues to do big things. In partnership with the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS), we opened the doors of two new apartment buildings in the North end of Halifax in April.

These buildings provide safe, dignified housing for up to 22 Phoenix youth and young families, as well as tenant support through an on-site member of our frontline staff. We will continue to support these youth and families after move-in day. They are now actively connected to Phoenix’s services—which includes everything from parent support to how to write a résumé. We are here for them.

Freshly painted and upgraded, fully furnished and truly affordable, these units are a prime example of how owners, governments and non-profit agencies can creatively team up to increase community housing stock for real and lasting change.

There is no doubt that profound transformation happens when we all work together.

Pictured: One of the fully furnished living rooms in our newest housing program, and Phoenix staff ready to welcome youth to their new homes.

Your support today can help impact even more lives. When you give to Phoenix, you are providing more than a roof over someone’s head—you are offering hope, opportunity, and a chance for youth to build brighter futures.

Together, we can continue to give youth the stability they need to grow and thrive. Let’s invest in their futures, one home at a time.