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Find the Support You Need

At The Portal, we are dedicated to helping youth aged 16-24 navigate challenges and find the support they need. Whether facing homelessness, at risk, or needing assistance with life skills, we're here to help.

Emergency Shelter Contacts

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, here are resources that can provide immediate assistance:

Shyft

6 Trinity Place, Yarmouth

1-855-781-3111

Note: Transportation is available; call ahead for availability.

OASIS (Open Arms)

32 Bridge St, Kentville

902-679-1202

sheltercoordinator@openarm.ca

Phoenix Youth Shelter

1094 Tower Road, Halifax

902-446-4663

1-888-878-5088

shelter@phoenixyouth.ca

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Crisis Lines

These crisis lines provide:
  • Immediate Assistance: One-on-one support in a safe, confidential space.
  • Confidential Support: Your privacy is respected
  • Active Listening: Professionals will listen, offer support, and provide guidance.
  • Resource Connection: Help in connecting with local resources and services.

Mental Health Crisis Team

902-429-8167

Toll-Free: 1-888-429-8167

Kids Help Phone

Text: 686868

Toll-Free: 1-800-668-6868

Suicide Crisis Helpline

Phone or Text: 988

How the Portal Can Help

The Portal Youth Outreach Programs provide support to individuals aged 16 to 24 across Kings County, Annapolis County, and West Hants who face a range of challenges, including poverty, social isolation, unstable housing, family and sexual violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, intergenerational trauma, and discrimination.

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If you or someone you know needs assistance, youth can contact us directly by calling or texting 902-691-6556 or using our toll-free number 1-855-261-3773.

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For more support, consider these resources:

  • Dial 211: Information and referral services for community, social, and government assistance. 

  • Call 811: Non-emergency advice on mental health and addictions. 

  • Good2Talk: Confidential support for post-secondary students. Phone: 1-833-292-3698.

  • Access Wellness Nova Scotia: Free supportive counselling for individuals, couples, or families. Phone: 1-833-691-2282.

  • Peer Support Phone Service: Safe space for those 18+ to connect with peer supporters. Call tool-free: 1-800-307-1686.

We want to acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. The “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” cover this territory, which Mi’kmaq WƏlastƏkwiyik (Maliseet) and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726. The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but recognized Mi’kmaq and WƏlastƏkwiyik (Maliseet) titles and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

Additionally, we would like to acknowledge that within Nova Scotia, people of African ancestry settled and contributed to the building of many formative developments, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries; this includes the Black Loyalists who fought on the side of Britain during the American War of Independence, The Maroons, who fought and never surrendered to the Spanish and British in Jamaica and Southern American Black Refugees, who fought on the side of the British during the War of 1812.

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Email: info@portalyouth.ca

Phone: 902-365-3773 | Toll-free: 1-855-261-3773

Address: 440 Main Street Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 1K8

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