As winter closes in, our thoughts turn to the growing number of people sleeping outside and the importance of our daily work at Phoenix, in all that we do together with our community's support to be there for youth and their families during these incredibly challenging times. 

The largest number of people needing housing and the most people sheltering outdoors since the Halifax Explosion in 1917 has recently been reported in our city. Even more Nova Scotians are pushed into crisis as they struggle to support their basic needs, and the number of new youth accessing our services is steadily on the rise. Our housing programs are at full capacity and we are seeing an alarming number of youth sheltering outside; even more are couch surfing, living in hotels or cars with some forced to shelter in dumpsters, stairwells and lobbies. The situation is dire, and we fully anticipate that challenges will only intensify before they improve.

Through it all, we are here.  Together we are committed to the well-being of those most vulnerable in our community and to doing everything we can at Phoenix to support them through advocacy, outreach, supports and services. 

Gifts to the 2023 Holiday Campaign received by December 13th will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $15,000 by The Canadian Tilling Foundation.

Our youth and families need us now more than ever and we thank you for your care and consideration.

From the Phoenix family to yours, best wishes for health and happiness today, and in the new year to come.