Congratulations to Nova Scotia’s first IYS site

At New Dawn, we are beyond excited to celebrate the opening of Nova Scotia’s first Integrated Youth Services (IYS) site in Amherst! The new site, Anchor Youth Space Cumberland, offers youth aged 12 to 25, along with their caregivers, a one-stop location for services ranging from mental health and substance use support to education, employment, housing, and much more.

While we’re celebrating Amherst’s new IYS site, we’re also excited to share that Sydney’s IYS site is just around the corner! Set to open in June 2025, the Sydney site will bring the same comprehensive services to the youth and families of Cape Breton. IYS Sydney is a collaborative project led by New Dawn and partner organizations BGC Cape Breton, Undercurrent and the Cape Breton Youth Project, along with advisory groups made up of youth and caregivers.

The province-wide IYS initiative aims to provide a holistic approach to meeting the diverse needs of youth, ensuring they receive the care, guidance, and support they deserve. By bringing together various services under one roof, these sites will significantly reduce barriers to care, making it easier for youth and their families to access the resources they need in a welcoming and supportive environment.

As we congratulate Anchor Youth Space Cumberland on this incredible achievement, we invite you to stay tuned for updates about Sydney’s IYS site. We look forward to seeing how the IYS model will help support youth across Nova Scotia and create stronger, healthier communities for all.

Check out CTV’s coverage of the launch in Amherst here.