Open Arms Resource Centre

10/29/2026

𝐎𝐮𝐭 & 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡!

Our Outreach Team is spending the day in Kentville today, and it looks like they found a pretty sweet spot to stop for a coffee! They popped into the new Total Donut Solutions for a little treat while making their way around town.

We're going to start sharing more about where our Outreach Team is working and what they're getting up to in our communities.

Whether it's checking in with folks, building relationships, or helping people connect with supports and resources, our team is out there making connections every day.

📍 Today, they're in Kentville!

Need to connect with our Outreach Team? They're available by phone from 8 am to 8 pm daily.
📞 902-691-2801

Keep an eye out for more updates from our team as they're out and about! 💙

10/08/2026

WE'RE HIRING an Outreach Case Worker

Meaningful support starts with a relationship. At Open Arms, we walk alongside people as they move from crisis toward safety, stability and lasting housing.

We’re looking for a compassionate, motivated Outreach Case Worker to join our team in Kentville, working throughout the Annapolis Valley. You’ll build connections with people experiencing homelessness, provide individualized support, and help people access housing, healthcare and community services.

About the role:

• Full-time, one-year position, renewable pending funding
• Wage range: $25.00–$26.50
• Based at 98 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, with travel throughout the Annapolis Valley

What we offer:

• At least three weeks of paid vacation annually for full-time employees
• Paid sick time
• A benefits program after probation, including extended health, dental, vision and an Employee Assistance Program

If you bring relevant education or equivalent experience, at least two years of experience in outreach, homelessness services, case management or a related field, and a commitment to treating people with dignity and respect, we’d love to hear from you.

View the full job description and apply: https://www.openarms.ca/careers

Please submit a résumé and cover letter sharing your experience and interest in the role. Selected applicants will be invited to an initial virtual conversation, followed by an in-person interview.

Know someone who could be a great fit? Please share this opportunity.

09/25/2026

We echo these important words from our partners at The Portal.

As conversations about homelessness continue in our community, we hope we can hold space for all of the things that matter: safe public spaces, support for residents and businesses, appropriate services and supports, and the dignity and humanity of people experiencing homelessness.

People experiencing homelessness are our neighbours. They deserve the same privacy, compassion and sense of belonging as anyone else in the community we all share.

We encourage you to take a few minutes to read and reflect on this thoughtful piece from The Portal.

Imagine your worst, most vulnerable moment becoming somebody else's Facebook content.Here at the Portal, we have been thinking a lot lately about how people are talked about in our community.We are increasingly concerned by the public humiliation and dehumanization of people who are already extraord...

09/24/2026

Yesterday, Open Arms spoke with CTV Atlantic News about OASIS (Open Arms Shelter & Individual Supports) and the conversations happening in our community around homelessness and the future of emergency shelter services in Kentville.

We appreciated the opportunity to be part of the conversation, and wanted to share a little more context about the work happening behind the scenes.

OASIS was established in 2014 and continues to provide essential emergency shelter and support every day. But the needs of our community have changed significantly over the past 12 years, and the infrastructure we are working within was not designed to meet the complexity of the needs we are seeing today.

We're happy to share that Open Arms, the Town of Kentville and the Province of Nova Scotia have been meeting weekly to discuss what a more modern and sustainable model for OASIS could look like, including the facilities, resources and funding needed to better serve our community into the future.

We see the growing call for investment in new infrastructure and resources as an opportunity to move that work forward.

A new location or facility will not solve homelessness, addictions, mental health challenges or every concern being experienced in our community. But better infrastructure can help us deliver stronger services as one part of a much broader, collaborative response.

There is no single organization or single solution to these challenges. We are committed to continuing this work alongside our municipal, provincial and community partners.

Read the CTV News story on their website.

09/24/2026

Yesterday, Open Arms spoke with CTV Atlantic News about OASIS (Open Arms Shelter & Individual Supports) and the conversations happening in our community around homelessness and the future of emergency shelter services in Kentville.

We appreciated the opportunity to be part of the conversation, and wanted to share a little more context about the work happening behind the scenes.

OASIS was established in 2014 and continues to provide essential emergency shelter and support every day. But the needs of our community have changed significantly over the past 12 years, and the infrastructure we are working within was not designed to meet the complexity of the needs we are seeing today.

We're happy to share that Open Arms, the Town of Kentville and the Province of Nova Scotia have been meeting weekly to discuss what a more modern and sustainable model for OASIS could look like, including the facilities, resources and funding needed to better serve our community into the future.

We see the growing call for investment in new infrastructure and resources as an opportunity to move that work forward.

A new location or facility will not solve homelessness, addictions, mental health challenges or every concern being experienced in our community. But better infrastructure can help us deliver stronger services as one part of a much broader, collaborative response.

There is no single organization or single solution to these challenges. We are committed to continuing this work alongside our municipal, provincial and community partners.

Read the CTV News story here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/kentville-ns-mayor-says-addiction-vandalism-becoming-problems-in-town/

09/24/2026

Yesterday, Open Arms spoke with CTV Atlantic News about OASIS (Open Arms Shelter & Individual Services) and the conversations happening in our community around homelessness and the future of emergency shelter services in Kentville.

We appreciated the opportunity to be part of the conversation, and wanted to share a little more context about the work happening behind the scenes.

OASIS was established in 2014 and continues to provide essential emergency shelter and support every day. But the needs of our community have changed significantly over the past 12 years, and the infrastructure we are working within was not designed to meet the complexity of the needs we are seeing today.

We're happy to share that Open Arms, the Town of Kentville and the Province of Nova Scotia have been meeting weekly to discuss what a more modern and sustainable model for OASIS could look like, including the facilities, resources and funding needed to better serve our community into the future.

We see the growing call for investment in new infrastructure and resources as an opportunity to move that work forward.

A new location or facility will not solve homelessness, addictions, mental health challenges or every concern being experienced in our community. But better infrastructure can help us deliver stronger services as one part of a much broader, collaborative response.

There is no single organization or single solution to these challenges. We are committed to continuing this work alongside our municipal, provincial and community partners.

Read/watch the CTV News story here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/kentville-ns-mayor-says-addiction-vandalism-becoming-problems-in-town/

08/07/2026

❄️ COOLING CENTRE OPEN TODAY! ❄️

Due to the current weather conditions, Open Arms will be operating a cooling centre:

📍 98 Aberdeen Street, Kentville
📆 Friday, August 7 (Today) from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

This location is wheelchair accessible.

Open to anyone in the community who may need relief from the heat. Water and snacks will be available onsite.

For questions, please contact our outreach line at 📞 902-691-2801

07/28/2026

We've seen the posts circulating today about Open Arms, and we understand why they've struck a nerve. Concerns about safety in your own neighbourhood are real, and we take that seriously. We also want to make sure our community has accurate information.

To be clear about a few specific claims:

We do not act as surety for anyone. Open Arms has no role in bail decisions, court conditions, or vouching for someone's release. That authority sits entirely with the justice system.

We do not set or supervise curfews, check-ins, or release conditions. Any conditions an individual is subject to, including hours, check-ins, or monitoring, are set and enforced by the justice system, not by us. We are not equipped to, and it is not our role to, supervise anyone on behalf of the justice system.

We know it's frustrating to hear "that's not our role" when what you want is reassurance that your community is safe. That reassurance must come from the systems responsible for supervision and risk, and we'd encourage anyone with safety concerns about a specific situation to bring them to the authorities.

We won't share details about the people who stay with us. Everyone who comes through our door deserves privacy, the same as anyone would want for themselves or a family member going through a hard time.

If you have questions about what we do and how we operate, please reach out to us directly before sharing details that may not be accurate. We're happy to have that conversation.

07/07/2026

Vaccine Clinic is open until 4:00 today!

Open Arms Resource Centre and Nova Scotia Health's Public Health Mobile Unit are partnering to host a free Vaccine Clinic

Tuesday, July 7 from 11 am - 4 pm
• Open Arms Resource Centre:
98 Aberdeen Street, Kentville
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

✔️Speak directly with Public Health nurses
✔️Ask questions about vaccines and eligibility
✔️Vaccinations available on-site throughout the day
✔️No appointment required to attend V Take-home Naloxone kits available

Vaccinations will be available on-site throughout the day for those who want them.

All are welcome to attend, and no appointment is necessary.

07/06/2026

Open Arms Resource Centre and Nova Scotia Health's Public Health Mobile Unit are partnering to host a free Vaccine Clinic on Tuesday, July 7 from 11 am - 4 pm at Open Arms (98 Aberdeen Street, Kentville).

📅 Tuesday, July 7
📍 Open Arms Resource Centre:
98 Aberdeen Street, Kentville

🕥 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

✔ Speak directly with Public Health nurses
✔ Ask questions about vaccines and eligibility
✔ Vaccinations available on-site throughout the day
✔ No appointment required to attend
✔ Take-home Naloxone kits available

Vaccinations will be available on-site throughout the day for those who want them.

All are welcome to attend, and no appointment is necessary.

Town of Kentville Town of Wolfville Town of Berwick Town Of Middleton New Minas Baptist Church