Children and Youth
If you know that a child is being abused or neglected call Child Protection Services immediately.
Emotional and mental health supports
The Naomi Society, offers support for children and adolescents who have experienced violence in their homes to address low self-esteem, emotional difficulties and feelings of insecurity.
Strait Regional Centre for Education SchoolsPlus staff are helping our children, youth and families connect to a range of programs by working and collaborating with school staff and multiple partners and service providers.
Examples of some of the programs offered by SchoolsPlus staff:
healthy relationships,
violence awareness and prevention
anger management
restorative practices
personal health and fitness.
Referrals can be made through your child’s school or by calling your local Facilitator.
Savannah Antle, Parent Navigator
Marguerite MacGillivray, SchoolsPlus Facilitator marguerite.macgilliv@srce.ca
Innis MacDonald, Community Outreach Worker innis.macdonald@srce.ca
Alana Lawn, Community Outreach Worker alana.lawn@srce.ca
The Big Brother / Big Sister Program is a mentoring program that connects youth (aged 6 - 16) with trained volunteer mentors.
An Enrollment Coordinator will work with you and your child to review your situation and determine how a mentor would be of benefit. Factors that would be considered regarding your child’s needs include:
Parent or guardian support
Adult involvement other than the parent(s) or guardian(s)
Peer relationships
School performance
Involvement in community activity
Living environment
Ability to form and maintain a healthy, safe relationship
Ability to perform self-care
Youth in this program can also benefit from donated toys and winter coats if needed.
Big Brother / Big Sister Program of Pictou County
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Tuesday: 2:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Free family activities and items
Kids First Family Resource Centre offers free programs and activities for families and children. Programs are open to all, with a special focus on families considered at risk: those that are low income, socially and/or geographically isolated, and those in abusive situations.
Some program examples include:
Play groups
Pre- and post-natal workshops (Baby & Me)
Breastfeeding Support Circle
Parenting Education Classes
Communication and connection through play
Free items include:
Free winter coats, snowpants and mittens for kids
Free toy exchange
KidSport Nova Scotia offers up to $300 per child to low-income families to purchase sports equipment ($200) and registration ($100). Funds are given directly to the retailler and sports league.
Applications are accepted all year with seven deadlines: January 2nd, March 1st, May 1st, July 2nd, September 1st, October 1st and November 1st.
You must have your tax information for all household members from the previous year when applying.
Low-income is defined as making less than:
2 person family - $33,141
3 person family - $40,743
4 person family - $49,467
5 person family - $56,105
6 person family - $63,276
7 person family or more - $70,449
[Apply online or download form [PDF]] | [Apply online [online form]]
The Town of Antigonish Recreation Department loans out equipment for public use.
Things you can borrow in the summer:
PFDs (life jackets)
group activity bags (parachute, balls, cones, etc) - from the library
walking poles
Things you can borrow in the winter:
skates
helmets
snowshoes
The County of Antigonish loans out equipment for public use.
Things you can borrow in the summer:
PFDs (life jackets)
group activity bags (parachute, balls, cones, etc)
adaptable tricycles
walking poles
Hippocampe (beach wheelchair)
watercraft (kayaks, paddleboards)
Things you can borrow in the winter:
skates
helmets
a snow coach
snowshoes
Sledges (seated skaters)
The Antigonish Minor Hockey has an equipment borrowing program for hockey players in need.
[Learn about what equipment your child needs to play hockey]
Antigonish Minor Hockey
Funding Programs are available to parents who need help paying for sports equipment and registration.
St Vincent de Paul is a Catholic organization that provides emergency support to community members. They can give you donated kids items if you can't afford to buy them. You can request specific items. Call for more information.
St Vincent de Paul
The Antigonish Imagination Library is a branch of musician Dolly Parton's Imagination Library project that sends age-appropriate one book per month to a child from birth to age five. Parents can sign up their kids online or by paper (at the Antigonish Library). The program and books are free to any child in Antigonish Town or County.
Paid Programs
Small Roots provides age appropriate sensory based workshops for toddlers and infants in addition to providing home care.
Teddie & Sons provides age appropriate imaginative play spaces. Parents can pay by the day, hour or buy art and other materials individually for in-store craft-making, or to take home.
Legal Support
Elizabeth Fry Society's Youth Justice Coordinator for Antigonish County with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia. Services that can be provided to youth that are facing the criminal justice system (may be accused of a crime and/or a victim of a crime) include help with court system navigation, court accompaniment, advocacy, support, programming, referrals to community organizations and more.
More help and support
Search for information about government programs.
By Topic (ex. Housing)
By Department or Service Provider (ex. Community Services)
By Program or Service Provided (ex. accessible transportation)
Search for contact information of program and service providers across the province.
Fill out a simple, confidential survey to see what government benefits you are eligible for.
The regional library’s website has a directory of services and collections of brochures on subjects including:
The Health & Wellness section, in particular, has multiple links to information on subjects as wide-ranging as Affordable Housing to Grief to Diabetes.