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Money is a relationship we all have

Sometimes that relationship feels steady.

Sometimes it feels complicated, distant, or unsafe — especially if you’ve lived through hard experiences, financial stress, systemic barriers, or times when money was used as a source of control.

If your relationship with money feels overwhelming right now, you’re not alone.

You deserve support that feels respectful, steady, and safe for your body.

At New Dawn Trustee Services, we walk with you — as you build a more secure financial foundation that supports your life and your goals.

What is a Community Trustee?

New Dawn's community trustee is a provincially-funded position that works with you to keep your housing and utilities stable.

With your consent, we receive your income, pay essential bills — like rent and Nova Scotia Power — on time, and create a simple monthly budget together for remaining expenses. We maintain clear records and statements, explain decisions in plain language, and — when helpful — coordinate with landlords and other service providers.

Throughout, our goal is to help you build understanding and empowerment around your monthly income, expenses, and aspirations. We also provide financial literacy workshops.

Support We Can Offer

  • Make sure your essential bills (rent and utilities) are paid on time
  • Create predictable plans for food, transportation, and daily needs
  • Plan ahead so you know what to expect each month
  • Review letters and forms about income or benefits
  • Talk through money decisions in a calm, supportive space

Details

Services are:

  • Free
  • Voluntary
  • Confidential
  • Available over the phone, email, and/or in-person (depending on your preference)
  • Available in Port Hawkesbury and Richmond County

Your Rights

  • To have things explained in clear, simple ways
  • To ask questions at any time
  • To bring a support person
  • To request changes to your plan (where possible)
  • To pause, slow down, or take breaks
  • To end the service whenever you choose
  • To decide what you share

Resources

Budget Planner – FCAC (Government of Canada)

Open

Why it helps: Personalized tips, charts, and a downloadable spreadsheet. The Budget Planner helps you create a customized budget in 3 simple steps.


https://itools-ioutils.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/BP-PB/budget-planner


Benefits Wayfinder – Prosper Canada

Open

Why it helps: Quickly find federal, provincial, and local benefits you may qualify for, including income support and tax credits. Your guide to government benefits that can help put more money in your pocket.


https://benefitswayfinder.org/


McGill Personal Finance

Open

Why it helps: Free, research-based tools and tips for personal finance education. From budgeting to borrowing, real estate and beyond, invest a few hours in this free, online course and you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to make a lifetime of smart financial decisions. Taught by professors from McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management, the course is open to everyone.


https://www.mcgillpersonalfinance.com/


Financial Tools & Calculators – Canada.ca

Open

Why it helps: Tools to help you choose a bank account and credit card, including retirement, vehicle and mortgage calculators.


https://www.canada.ca/en/services/finance/tools.html


Managing Your Money in Challenging Times – FCAC

Open

Why it helps: Actionable steps to reduce expenses, plan debt repayment, and rebuild credit. Budgeting, banking, money transfers, insurance and planning your finances at different life stages.


https://www.canada.ca/en/services/finance/manage.html


Money Smarts: My Financial Journey (Board Game)

Open

Why it helps: Engaging, culturally grounded financial literacy for teens and communities.


https://money-smarts.indigenousfoundation.ca/


Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE)

Open

Why it helps: Free guides and programs for youth, newcomers, and seniors.


https://cfee.org/


RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan)

Open

Why it helps: Matched savings and bonds for people eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.


https://www.rdsp.com/about/


Find a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (OSB Directory)

Open

Why it helps: The directory contains the office coordinates of all active Licensed Insolvency Trustees.


https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/tds/web/?lang=eng


211 Nova Scotia (Community & Crisis Navigation)

Open

Why it helps: Find Community, Government and Social Services.


https://ns.211.ca/


Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada (CCSAC)

Open

Why it helps: Credit counselling is not just about getting sound financial advice; it is a planned method of debt repayment through budgeting or money management and may involve a custom debt management plan. Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada is here to help Nova Scotia residents deal with their debt through counselling, budgeting and debt management plans as well as financial education services.


https://solveyourdebts.com/english/NovaScotia/


Digital Financial Abuse Safety Planning – TechSafety.ca

Open

Why it helps: Practical checklists and tips to protect accounts, passwords, and access.


https://techsafety.ca/resources/toolkits/9-01-is-digital-financial-abuse-happening-to-you


Our Approach

You bring your wisdom, lived experience, and goals. We bring structure, tools, and steady support. Together, we build a plan that helps your money show up for you in a more supportive way. Our work is:

1
Collaborative

We make decisions together.

2
Consent-based

You choose the pace and the path.

3
Mindful

We honour that money can bring strong feelings.

4
Transparent

Everything is explained in clear, simple language.

5
Grounded

We stay practical and focused on what supports your life today.

If you’d like to explore a steadier relationship with your money — one that feels more predictable and less overwhelming — you’re welcome to get in touch. You don’t need to arrive with answers. We figure things out together.

Safe Spaces Policy

Everyone deserves a
safe inclusive environment

Our Safe Spaces policy ensures a respectful, supportive atmosphere for everyone. We pledge to listen, learn, and adapt to your needs, because your well-being is our priority. Together, we will create a safer, compassionate community for all.

Safe Spaces Policy

Staff

Marguerite Conradie
Trustee 902-539-9560 Ext. 302

Contact

Port Hawkesbury and Richmond County
Tuesday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
902-539-9560 Ext. 302
mconradie@newdawn.ca

Job Postings

Title Schedule Wage/Salary Status

No current job postings in Trustee Program

Recent News

Get in touch

New Dawn Enterprises
37 Nepean St, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6A7
newdawn@newdawn.ca
902-539-9560

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Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki

Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki, newte’jk l’uiknek te’sikl Mi’kmawe’l maqamikall mna’q iknmuetumittl. Ula maqamikew wiaqi-wikasik Wantaqo’tie’l aqq I’lamatultimkewe’l Ankukamkewe’l Mi’kmaq aqq Eleke’wuti kisa’matultisnik 1726ek.

We are in Unama’ki, one of the seven traditional and unceded ancestral territories of the people of Mi’kma’ki. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which the Mi’kmaq first signed with the British Crown in 1726.

Ketu’-keknuite’tmek aqq kepmite’tmek ula tela’matultimkip wjit maqamikew ta’n etekl mtmo’taqne’l. Ula tett, ula maqamikek, etl-lukutiek l’tunen aqq apoqntmnen apoqnmasimk aqq weliknamk Unama’ki.

We wish to recognize and honour this understanding of the lands on which we reside. It is from here, on these lands, that we work to create and support a culture of self-reliance and vibrancy.