Nova Scotia’s Bill 201: Extending Support for Youth Aging Out of Care
“Extending the age of support creates a safer and more supportive bridge into adulthood.”
Anchor Youth Space Sydney is a safe, welcoming space where youth and their caregivers can access mental health and wellness services and supports. It's more than a space, it is a community. Built by youth, for youth, it’s a hub for connection, support, and creativity where your ideas and your voice matter. It’s a place to make new friends, try new things, and discover your strengths and your talents.
Anchor Youth Space Sydney is part of a provincial Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiative designed to provide community-based programming, resources, and services to support youth aged 12 to 25.
The IYS model combines health, wellness and social services in a “one-stop shop” where youth and their caregivers can access a range of services without the need for appointments or fees. The service providers work as a team to make it easy for young people to get the services they need on-site.
Each IYS location is shaped through meaningful input from youth and caregivers, ensuring that the services offered reflect and respond to the unique needs of the local community. This model is grounded in the belief that every young person — regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances — should have fair and equitable access to the supports they need to thrive.
Located inside the
New Dawn Centre, 37 Nepean Street
Walk-in support services:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Teen Drop-in (Ages 12-18):
Wednesday and Thursday 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
YA Drop-in (Ages 19-25):
Wednesday and Thursday 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM
Undercurrent Youth Society
BGC Cape Breton
Cape Breton Youth Project
This initiative is supported by the provincial government and IWK Health. For more information you can visit the IYS Nova Scotia website.
Low-barrier Support
No referral needed. Walk in or book an appointment — whatever works for you. We’ll connect you with the supports that fit your needs, from counselling and peer support to group programs. We're here to help.
Programs and Community Connections
Take part in a wide range of group offerings including recreational activities, caregiver support groups, book club, yoga, discussion circles, cooking classes, art sessions, resume building, and more — designed to build confidence, connection, and practical skills.
Healthcare Services
Access primary care and sexual health services in a supportive, youth-friendly setting.
Education, Employment, and Training
Explore opportunities for learning and growth through education supports, job readiness training, and employment programs.
Life Skills and Well-Being
Get support with everyday life — housing, mental health, substance use, and building the skills needed to navigate challenges and move forward with confidence.
You’re invited to the Anchor Youth Space Youth Feedback Forum!
Anchor Youth Space Sydney has been up and running for 6 months, and we want to hear from youth (ages 12 to 25) about opportunities for us to keep supporting you.
You’ll be able to voice your opinions in conversation, in writing, using your phone, or using emoji stickers.
Hot meal and grab bag provided to all who participate.
Wednesday April 1st from 5pm to 7pm (in lieu of drop-in) at Anchor Youth Space (37 Nepean St.)
The Anchor Sydney team worked with a Youth Advisory Committee and a Caregivers Advisory Committee to design the physical space and services to meet the needs of the community. The engagement process included the creation of mood boards and 3-D models to visually represent the vision for the space. Participants were asked to think about how they would like the space to feel, to sound, to smell, to taste, and to look.
From this feedback, Anchor Youth Space Sydney was created to be an inviting, relaxed, inclusive, safe place where youth feel at home and supported. When you visit, expect a calm, cozy space with plenty of comfortable furnishings, plants, and friendly faces.
The Sensory Room and Movement Room offer opportunities to engage the senses and get the body moving, helping to redirect energy, regulate emotions, and explore therapeutic movement.
A smaller casual group space is perfect for hosting movie nights, board games and cozy conversations, while the Zen Den with its fireplace and low, squishy seating creates a chill vibe.
For homework and focused tasks, the private desk stations provide a quiet environment to concentrate. Hammocks offer a comfortable spot to brainstorm, collaborate, and spark new ideas.
A commercial teaching kitchen to support nutrition education, cooking programs, and shared meals, alongside a welcoming dining area and snack spot where youth can grab healthy snacks.
Looking for the perfect space to host your next event, meeting, or program?
Find out more about Anchor Sydney's many inviting spaces, request a tour, or book a spot now!
As a member of the non-profit New Dawn Enterprises family, all profits generated are reinvested back into our community to support programs such as New Dawn Meals on Wheels which delivers over 20,000 meals annually to those in need. Clients of New Dawn are indirectly supporting our community and for that, we thank you for choosing us!
A vibrant hub for children, youth, families, and the wider community
Safe, supervised, and supportive transitional housing for youth ages 16-24.
See all Our Work
| Title | Schedule | Wage/Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Outreach Worker | Permanent, Full-Time | $70,000-$80,000 annually | APPLY by July 25, 2025 CLOSED |
| Recreation Therapist | Permanent, Part-Time | $40,000 annually | APPLY by June 25, 2025 CLOSED |
| Occupational Therapist | Permanent, Part-Time | $40,000 annually | APPLY by June 25, 2025 CLOSED |
| Title | Address | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
No current vacancies in Anchor Youth Space |
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“Extending the age of support creates a safer and more supportive bridge into adulthood.”
“Through the sessions, I gained practical knowledge, useful resources, and greater confidence in preparing for my career journey.”
“I’ve experienced the ups and downs of life, so that’s something that really informs my practice.”
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, 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.