Sleep Out for Shelter Nova Scotia

On Saturday Sept. 30, 2017, Fifty two Haligonians will ‘sleep rough’ for one night at Sleep Out for Shelter Nova Scotia, an event to raise awareness and funds for the more than 1200 people the organization serves each year.

Sleep Out for Shelter Nova Scotia is an evening of reflection for people from all walks of life who want to make their community stronger – families, politicians, business leaders, community members, and health care practitioners. The evening includes group discussions that are designed to shift the conversation about poverty, marginalization, judgement, isolation and homelessness.

This year we will be hosting guest speakers to lead the discussion groups. Steve Foran, the founder and CEO of Gratitude at Work will take participants through processes of identifying unexpected gratitude. Engage Nova Scotia’s Chief Engagement Officer Danny Graham will speak about the need to focus on Nova Scotia as a place with affordable housing and without marginalization.

Sleepers will arrive at Victoria Park (Spring Garden Road) at 7 p.m. and will stay until 6 a.m. the next morning. Each sleeper will be given a piece of cardboard and asked to bring a sleeping bag or blanket. Attendees not spending the night will depart after the conversation portion of the evening, and those staying will settle in with a notebook and pen, spending the night among the sights and sounds of downtown Halifax.

The work of our organization compliments the work of other agencies. We look forward to this annual event as it allows us to spend time with our community and make new friends. The cost of poverty diminishes us all.