Halifax Society for Children, Youth, and Families

National Child Day is celebrated on November 20th each year. National Child Day has been celebrated across Canada since 1993 to commemorate the United Nations'... adoption of two documents centered on children's rights: the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989. By ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, Canada made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. This commitment includes the opportunity for children to have a voice, be protected from harm and be provided with their basic needs and every opportunity to reach their full potential. Celebrating National Child Day is about celebrating children as active participants in their own lives and in communities, as active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decision-making. For fun activities and more information, check out https://www.canada.ca//childhood-a/national-child-day.html

Honour the experiences of 150,000 Indigenous children who suffered great harm at residential schools by raising awareness on Orange Shirt Day this Saturday. Res...idential schools were established with the purpose of assimilating Indigenous peoples into mainstream Canadian society by attempting to erase their cultures and force them into Christianity and speaking English or French. Students were discouraged from speaking their first language or practicing native traditions. If they were caught, they would experience severe punishment. Throughout the years, students lived in substandard conditions and endured physical and emotional abuse. One in twenty-five Indigenous children died while attending residential schools. There have also been convictions of sexual abuse. Students at residential schools rarely had opportunities to see examples of normal family life. Most were in school 10 months a year, away from their parents; some stayed all year round. All correspondence from the children was written in English, which many parents couldn't read. Brothers and sisters at the same school rarely saw each other, as all activities were segregated by gender. Some schools carried out nutritional experiments on malnourished students in the 1940s and '50s with the federal government's knowledge. When children returned to the reserve, they often found they didn't have the skills to help their parents, and became ashamed of their native heritage. The skills taught at the schools were generally substandard; many found it hard to function in an urban setting. The aims of assimilation meant devastation for those who were subjected to years of abuse.

"LETTUCE" help you with your taxes! Starting today the Community Action Team will be hosting free tax clinics here at the community food centre. We have been ...busy over the past few weeks training to become Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparers, so you can "LETTUCE" help you with your taxes. We can help you prepare your income tax and benefit return if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. You must register for an appointment, you can do so by calling 902-407-4610 ext. 204 or stopping by at the food centre. See more

We're thrilled to be participating with some wonderful partners to host Akil Augustine for two youth events next Friday (in Halifax) and Saturday (in North Preston). HRM children/youth without transportation can apply to CYF Halifax for a travel grant to attend!