Adsum Association for Women & Children

The Adsum Association for Women & Children is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) under the business number 132257031RR0001, it operates as a registered charity.

History and Establishment

Adsum for Women & Children was established in 1983 with the opening of Adsum House, an emergency shelter designed to help women, youth, and gender diverse persons in need. Over the years, the organization has expanded to include multiple locations and various housing support services tailored for women, families, and gender diverse individuals facing homelessness or insecure housing.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Adsum is to lead change in housing through advocacy, support services, and programs aimed at ending homelessness. The organization envisions a future where everyone has a safe and secure home.

Services and Programs

Adsum offers a range of services including emergency shelter, permanent and affordable housing options, and specialized programs for those at risk of homelessness. These programs extend to support women, children, youth, and transgender persons through both housing and outreach initiatives.

Some of its notable projects include housing 92 individuals in permanent and affordable locations across the Halifax Regional Municipality, and providing support to hundreds more through shelter diversion and housing support teams. Additionally, Adsum is involved in partnerships to provide shelter rooms and services to a wider community, enhancing support for those in need.

Populations Served

Adsum serves a diverse population, including:

• Women
• Non-binary individuals
• Teens
• Families
• LGBTQ individuals
• Transgender persons
• Immigrant communities
• Military families
• Trafficked persons
• Prostituted persons

Facilities and Housing

Adsum House provides emergency shelter facilities, while other properties offer short-term and longer-term safe, affordable housing options. However, Adsum does not provide pet accommodations in its shelters.

In addition to these facilities, Adsum has introduced new developments such as the Sunflower in Lakeside, which adds 25 affordable and sustainable homes to its portfolio, named in honor of health and housing advocate Patti Melanson.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Adsum collaborates with various departments and organizations to enhance its programs and reach. Notably, its partnership with Welcome Housing and departments of Community Services and Health supports providing shelter and services to additional individuals in need.

Overall, Adsum for Women & Children plays a crucial role in addressing homelessness by offering comprehensive support and housing solutions in its community.