Community Resources

Annapolis Valley Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia - 902-349-9318: The Annapolis Valley Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia provides support, networking, and social learning opportunities to Autistic individuals, persons with autism, families and community support.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Annapolis Valley - Mentoring and programming for children and youth ages 6-18.

Camp Brigadoon - A year-round facility, on Aylesford Lake, for residential camps for children and youth living with a chronic illness.

Chrysalis House - Provides safe shelter, support and counseling to abused women and their children.

Department of Community Services - Social and economic well-being for all Nova Scotians through child, youth and family support, income assistance, employment support services and the disability support program.

English as a Second Language - Acadia University’s English Language Centre and Valley Community Learning Association has been providing English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes for many years. There are three main levels of learning – basic, intermediate and advanced.

Evangeline Club - A safe, supportive space for people living with mental health experiences, dedicated to addressing social isolation, and bringing the best out of individuals.

Family Matters - Develop, coordinate and deliver programs, services and support that are proven to promote the health and well being of children aged 0 to 6 years and their families, guardians, and caregivers in Annapolis County.

Family Resource Centre of West Hants - Offers supports for parents and children. They offer a series of playgroups and programs. They offer breastfeeding cafes and support.

Food Banks - Helps provide food to those in need.

Greenwood Military Family Resource Centre - The Greenwood Military Family Resource Centre provides opportunities for military families to participate in the development, delivery, utilization and evaluation of programs and services that address the uniqueness of the military lifestyle through a community development process.

Hants Learning Network - Offers a series of free programs for parents, guardians and other adults who are interested in learning ways to help their elementary school aged children with reading, writing, and math.

Kings County Family Resource Centre - Dedicated to supporting healthy family development by providing progressive parent, child and personal development programs.

Open Arms - A community supported registered charity comprised of a network of approximately 300 volunteers from Hantsport to Bridgetown who have connected through many different churches, community groups, businesses, schools and more.

Rowan’s Room - Creating a learning and supportive environment that adapts to each child’s needs while they learn age and developmentally appropriate life and social skills.

SMILE Program - Provides an environment of play and fun that fosters fundamental motor development for children and youth with varying ability levels and develops leadership skills for Acadia University Students which lead to a lifetime of success. 

Valley African Nova Scotian Development Association (VANSDA) - 902-678-7410:  Employment services and many programs for African Nova Scotian programs.

Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) - Helps Nova Scotians improve their literacy and math skills. It offers other skills training as well.

Valley Care Pregnancy Centre - Offers a series of services, programs, support and supplies for those who are in an unplanned pregnancy situation.

Housing Support Programs

Disabled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Homeowners - Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110. This program is equally funded by the federal and provincial governments and offers financial assistance for homeowners to make their homes more accessible for persons with disabilities.  

Emergency Repair Program - Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110.This program provides funding for homeowners and residents in rural areas in need of emergency repairs to continue to safely live in their homes. A significant portion of the program funding is for Indigenous Canadians.  

Family Modest Housing Program - Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110. This program provides funds for lower and middle income families to help build or buy modest housing.  A mortgage of up to $70,000 is available. To be eligible for this program:

• Your total household income is below the established income limit, which varies depending on household size and the area you live in
• You do not currently own adequate housing, with the exception of mobile homes
• You must have a good credit rating and the ability to repay the mortgage
• You must have worked at least one year with the same employer

Heat Fund - The HEAT Fund offers a maximum assistance in the amount of $400 for individuals and families.  Apply online!

Heating Assistance Rebate Program -  The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. You can apply by the end of March annually.  Apply online!

Home Ownership Preservation - Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110. This program assists homeowners to make major repairs or renovations to their homes to meet the minimum level of health and safety standards. 

Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs - Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110. This program is equally funded by the federal and provincial governments and provides financial assistance to people who own and occupy homes that do not meet minimum levels of health and safety.  The maximum amount of funding available is $18,000 and can be forgiven over a maximum of five years. 

Home Warming Program - Home Warming offers home energy assessments and upgrades for income-qualified homeowners, at no cost.  Call toll free at 1-877-434-2136.

Parent Apartment Program - This program creates affordable housing options for senior family members by providing low interest loans for additions or renovations to existing single family homes.  Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110

To be eligible for this program:

• You must own and live in the home you want to renovate
• You must have a good credit rating
• The senior must be 50 years of age or older
• Your total household income is below the established income limit, which varies depending on household size and the area you live in
• The additions/renovation must include a bedroom (minimum of 120 sq. ft) and closet space. Washroom and kitchen spaces are optional, but if they are not included, they must be easily accessible

Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program - This program is equally funded by the federal and provincial governments and offers financial assistance for homeowners to make emergency repairs to their homes.  The maximum amount of funding available is a $6,500 grant to help cover the cost of labour and materials.  Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110

Seniors Care Grant - An annual reimbursement program of up to $500 to help cover the costs of household services. It can be used to reimburse costs for such things as snow removal, home repairs, lawn care, grocery delivery, and more. It is available to homeowners and renters.

Small Loans Assistance Program - This is a provincially funded program to improve housing conditions by providing low interest loans to qualified applicants.  The maximum loan amount is $20,000.  Contact Housing Nova Scotia, at 1-844-424-5110

To be eligible for this program:

• Your total household income is below the established income limit, which varies depending on household size and the area you live in
• You must own and live in the home you want to renovate
• You must have a good credit rating

Mental Health Supports

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kings County - 902-679-7464: access to programs, support and housing navigation 

Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis Line - 902-429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167 (toll free):  Available 24/7 to support individuals experiencing mental health distress and also supports families, friends, community agencies and others to manage mental health crises through education, outreach and consultation.

Hope for Wellness - Helpline 1-855-242-3310: Immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people across Canada.

Talk Suicide Canada - Toll Free: 1-833-456-4566 Text (4pm-midnight): 45645. Free mental health and suicide safe talk. navigation 

Youth Services

Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868:  Call or chat anytime with a professional for mental health support.

Portal Youth - 1-855-261-3773: Free programs, services and housing for youth 16-24 experiencing homelessness.

Red Door - Provides confidential sexual health services, health education and health promotion to youth 13-30 years of age.

Schools Plus - Collaborative interagency approach supporting the whole child and their family, with the school as the centre of service delivery. Central Kings Rural High School - 902-538-4730, Horton High School - 902-599-3870

The Trevor Project - 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678:  Contact a counsellor by phone or text if you’re struggling, find answers and information, and get the tools you need to help someone else.

Valley Restorative Justice - Provides Restorative Justice to youth (aged 12-17) who are in conflict with the law and those who are harmed by them. They provide services that promote peace and healing within communities affected by incidents of criminal actions.