Peer-Support Group in Yarmouth Receives Grant

A non-profit organization offering mental wellness supports for youth in Yarmouth will now be supported by government to purchase the building they are currently renting.

Today, April 15, Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill announced $125,000 for the Aidaen Mae Fund, known as Aidaen’s Place, in Yarmouth.

“Mental health isn’t just about getting treatment in a hospital or medical clinic. It’s also about meeting people where they’re at and creating local solutions,” said Mr. Churchill. “Community support is vital for Nova Scotia youth who are facing challenges. Investing in an organization that provides a safe place for youth to drop-in, feel supported and be heard is great news for the community and the clients they serve.”

Aidaen’s Place opened in October 2019 and currently about 15 youth are supported each day by a team of 22 volunteers. All services are free of charge and offered in a non-judgmental, all-inclusive environment.

Programs Aidaen’s Place offers include a:

• peer support program to teach leadership skills, life skills, self-confidence and daily life coping mechanisms
• life skills program to teach general life skills such as cooking, cleaning and organization
• community development program to provide opportunities to develop leadership skills through community outreach projects, such as the Purple Lunch Box program

In addition to programming, Aidaen’s Place provides access to supports including daily meals and snacks, laundry services, community clothing closet, personal hygiene products, and a small library and creative arts studio.

Funding comes from the federal Safe Restart Agreement.

Quotes:

“Houses like Aidaen’s Place are extremely important. This grant guarantees a permanent house for our volunteers to work their magic without worrying about rent payments. We no longer need to focus more on fundraising than keeping youth alive. They are our future and our most valuable resource.”

– Kelly Mitchell, founder, Aidaen’s Place Youth Wellness Center

Quick Facts:

• government’s investment in mental health and addictions has increased to $336.5 million this fiscal year
• federal Safe Restart Agreement funding is available for community organizations that serve those most vulnerable to the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19
• the Aidaen Mae Fund was also a successful recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, which received over $1.6 million in December to distribute grants to organizations provincewide

Additional Resources:

Province of Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/mental-health/

Government of Canada Safe Restart Agreement: https://www.canada.ca/en/intergovernmental-affairs/services/safe-restart-agreement.html

Nova Scotia Health Authority Mental Health and Addictions services: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en

IWK Health Centre Mental Health and Addictions: http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/mental-health

Aidaen’s Place Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/aidaenmaefoundationofhope/