Youth Outreach Program

The Youth Outreach program is a community-based program designed to improve the immediate and long-term social, educational/vocational, economic and health outcomes for vulnerable youth. Programs serve youth 12 to 24 years old. 

Outcomes for youth receiving support by the Youth Outreach Program:

  • Improved physical, cognitive, spiritual and emotional health
  • Increased hope and optimism about the future
  • Resilience/ability to cope in times of stress and crisis
  • Self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Positive connection and engagement with community and cultural supports, services and activities
  • Positive, healthy relationships and boundaries with peers and adults
  • Understanding of consent
  • Positive behaviours and use of strategies to reduce risk of harm
  • Increased feelings of safety
  • Improved achievement of academic or vocational success
  • Access to basic needs, stable housing and concrete supports in times of need
  • Problem solving, life and communications skills (including media literacy)
  • Increased ability to identify and pursue personal needs and goals
  • Opportunities and support to exit sexual exploitation/trafficking

Youth Outreach has three program streams: General, Sexual Violence Prevention, and Youth in Care. Some service providers deliver more than one stream.

General stream: Youth who are 16-24 years old experiencing risk factors, and who may, or may not be connected to Child Welfare programs.

Sexual Violence Prevention and Supports stream: Youth who are 12-19 years old and who are at risk of being subjected to or perpetrating sexual violence.

Youth in Care stream: Youth 12-19 years old in the Minister’s care, including temporary and permanent care.

Service providers may offer programming for various ages and needs to support healthy youth development. Services may include:

  • Drop-in for youth to hang out with peers in a safer space to connect and get support
  • Emergency response to help address significant risks and immediate crisis
  • Outreach to meet youth where they are and where they feel most safe
  • Support to navigate and interpret systems and services
  • Referrals and linkages to better access diverse opportunities, resources and networks
  • Family work to build relationships through support sessions for families and loved ones

For a youth-friendly, safe supportive place, contact a Youth Outreach program nearest you.

Youth Outreach program locations

Northeastern

Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia
295 George Street, Suite 302
Sydney, NS B1P 1J7
Tel: (902) 539-6868
Geographic area covered: Sydney, CBRM, North of Smokey Mountain, Inverness-Richmond

Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Breton-Whitney Pier Youth Club  
111 West Street, Box 806
Sydney, NS  B1N 1S3
Tel: (902) 567-0240
Fax: (902) 567-0853
wpyc@ns.sympatico.ca
Geographic area covered: Whitney Pier – Sydney

Native Council of Nova Scotia (part-time)
(Aboriginal Youth off-reserve)
235 Charlotte Street, Unit 1
Sydney, NS B1P 1C4
Tel: (902) 567-1240
Fax: (902) 893-7680
nsca@eastlink.ca
ncns.ca
Geographic area covered: Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County
PO Box 781, 323 MacGregor Street
New Glasgow, NS   B2H 5G2 
Tel: (902) 752-6260
Fax: (902) 752-6262 
bigbrothers@bellaliant.com
pictoucounty.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Geographic area covered: Pictou, Guysborough, Antigonish

Pictou County Roots for Youth
603 East River Road
New Glasgow, NS B2H 3S4
Tel: (902) 695-3241
pcrootsforyouth.ca
Geographic area covered: Pictou County

Canadian Mental Health Association
Colchester East Hants Branch
PO Box 1413, 859 Prince Street        
Truro, NS  B2N 5V2
Tel: (902) 895-4211
Fax: (902) 895-4027
cmha.ceh11@gmail.com
ceh.cmha.ca
Geographic area covered: Truro, Amherst, East Hants

Central Region

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Halifax
60 Farrell Street
Dartmouth NS   B3A 4B3
Tel: (902) 435-3204
Fax (902) 435-1441
bgcgh.ca
Geographic area covered: Dartmouth North

Native Council of Nova Scotia
(Aboriginal Youth off-reserve)
Head Office
129 Truro Heights Road
PO Box 1320
Truro, NS   B2N 5N2
Tel: (902) 895-1523
Toll Free: 1-800-565-4372

Satellite Office
260 Wyse Road
Dartmouth, NS    B3A 1N3
Tel: (902) 405-4730
Fax: (902) 405-4731
nsca@eastlink.ca
ncns.ca
Geographic area covered: Truro-Halifax

East Preston Family Resource
1900 Highway 7, Suite 501
East Preston, NS  B2Z 1E9
Tel: (902) 462-0054
paapnp@gmail.com
Geographic area covered:  Easy Preston, North Preston, Cherrybrook, Lake Loon

Phoenix Youth Program 
Box 60006, RPO Prof. Ctr.                           
5991 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, NS  B3H 4R7
Tel: (902) 818-5737
Toll free: 1-877-332-3331 
Fax: (902) 422-7656
outreach@phoenixyouth.ca
phoenixyouth.ca
Geographic area covered: HRM

Western Region

Portal Youth Services
400 Main Street
Kentville, NS   B4N 1K8
Tel: (902) 365-3773, (902) 691-6556 (M)
Toll Free: 1-855-261-3773
info@portalyouth.ca
portalyouth.ca
Geographic area covered: West Hants, Kings and Annapolis counties

SHYFT Youth Services Society 
Box 2000
Yarmouth, NS  B5A 0B2
Tel: (902) 881-3111
Toll Free: 1-855-781-3111
Geographic area covered: Digby, Shelburne, & Yarmouth

Split Rock Learning Centre Association/Youth Service Centre
P.O. Box 491
Yarmouth, NS   B5A 4B4
Tel: (902) 742-5509 / 740-5093
Geographic area covered: Yarmouth, Digby & Shelburne

Family Service of Western Nova Scotia 
48 Empire St
Bridgewater, NS  B4V 2N1
Tel: (902) 543-7444
Fax: (902) 543-0932
Toll-Free: 1-877-882-7722
Geographic area covered: Lunenburg County