About Us

Adsum for Women & Children is a non-profit, community based organization that has been active since 1983 in the Halifax region.  Currently, Adsum operates three facilities that are dedicated to providing safe shelter and housing, services and support to female youth, women and children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  Through our work in community, we demonstrate a number of core values:

• the dignity, worth and potential of everyone
• the importance of hope, security, self-esteem & choice
• participation in the betterment of one's life
• and our responsibility to advocate and care for one another.  

Locations

In 1983, Adsum House was opened to provide emergency shelter to women who were homeless. Four years later, the Board of Directors took the visionary step of building 16 affordable apartment units in Dartmouth.  Adsum Court (formerly Venite Court) was built with assistance from three levels of government along with Adsum's own funds.  A mortgage on the initial development continues to this day.  Two years ago, a federal grant enabled Adsum to build and open eight more units at the Court.  Click here to visit the photo gallery.  

Through years of experience working with women, Adsum identified the need for a second stage housing program.  Adsum Centre opened in 2004 with the goal of empowering women to manage the underlying issues that contribute to their inability to maintain stable housing.  Adsum Centre (formerly Nahum Centre) also involved a partnership involving all three levels of government.  As a relatively new program, the Centre offers a tremendous opportunity to women at risk, to live and grow.  

Adsum House

The emergency shelter opened in a heritage property in 1983.  Since then, we have provided direct service to more than 12,000 youth and women (and their children).  Many more have received indirect assistance; they've used some of Adsum's supports but not actually slept at the shelter.

In addition to safe shelter, the House offers a wide range of services including nutritious meals, a clothing room, referrals, individual counseling, advocacy and evening programming.  The House has staff on-site 24-hour a day, 365 days a year.  Two social workers also work at the shelter. 

Adsum House has no guaranteed government income, but receives a per diem from municipalities in Nova Scotia that contributes to the cost of providing service to most clients. Active fund raising in the wider community, including private and corporate donations, allows us to shelter persons who are considered ineligible for government assistance. 

Adsum Court

This development has 24 single unit apartments in Dartmouth.   The Court is Adsum's way of responding to a lack of safe and affordable housing in the community.  Women living at the Court contribute to their rent to a maximum of 30% of gross income, meaning that rent is geared to income.  Adsum has staff on site for about 35 hours a week to provide programming, advocacy, referrals and supportive counseling.

Adsum Centre

This location is a second stage supportive housing program that assists women in achieving their personal and independent living goals.  Housing is set up in four fully equipped apartments, each with four bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry facilities, living room and bathroom.  The Centre has 24-hour onsite staff including a fulltime certified parent educator and two social workers. 

During their 6-12 month stay at the Centre, women work on life, communication, education and employability skills.   These skills are developed through individual and group programs.  Residents also take part in programs focused on self-care and social advocacy. 

As part of their exit strategy, women develop a long-term plan that encourages reflection.  It also includes tools to assist them to maintain safe, stable housing and the changes they’ve realized in their lives.

Board of Directors

A volunteer Board of Directors governs the organization.  Daily operations, activities and outcomes are the responsibility of the Executive Director.   

Vision

Adsum seeks to be a recognized community leader able to secure resources to reduce homelessness and promote independent living for women and children.

Mission Statement

To advocate for women and children and meet the needs of our clients by promoting their personal growth through the provision of emergency and longer term housing, programs and resources in a client-centered, non-judgmental way.

History

Last year marked the 25th anniversary of Adsum's beginnings.  It started with Adsum House, which was founded by five spiritual organizations: Sisters of Charity, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Christ Anglican Church, Grace United Church and St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Parish.  Their goal was to provide safety and shelter to women on the street who had no resources and no safe place to stay.  Over the years, the House has done just that, by opening its doors to more than 12,000 women and children. Click here to view our photo gallery.

In 2004, the Association for Women’s Residential Facilities legally changed its name to Adsum for Women & Children.

Annual Statistics

Statistics ~ 2009

• Adsum House provided shelter to 187 individuals in 2009, 24 of them children.
• Occupancy averaged 92% over the course of the year.  This means that 14.68 of 16 beds were filled every night.
• The average length of stay in 2009 was 18.6 days.
• More than half of all clients reported that they came to the House because they were without housing.  The next most important reasons related to partner or family abuse, safety and family conflict.
• The single largest group of clients, by age, was 18-24 years.  Excluding children, 48% of all clients at the House were between 18 and 34 years.
• Four percent of all clients were 55 years of age or older.
• In terms of education levels, 38% of the women had completed high school and/or gained some post-secondary education.
• About half of the youth and women who departed the House in 2009 did not say where they were headed.  Of those who did, 13% moved into apartments; another 4% went to stay with family; and 6% went to a supportive living arrangement. Two percent indicated that they were leaving Nova Scotia immediately, bound for another province.

• All apartments at Adsum Court were filled throughout 2009.

• A total of 21 residents moved out of Adsum Centre in 2007.  Six women and four children moved into their own apartments; one moved into an apartment with her partner; six moved into a family member's or friend's household; two went to shelters and two did not indicate where they were going.
• Four residents had custody of their children while living at the Centre last year.  All had open cases with a child protection agency during their stay.
• The average length of stay in 2007 was 126 days, as compared with 132 days and 163 days in previous years.

2009-2010 Financial Statements

2009-2010 Annual Report

2008-2009 Financial Statements

2008-2009 Annual Report 

2007-2008 Financial Statements