• WHO WE ARE

    An independent non-profit supporting vulnerable kids and youth in Nova Scotia.

  • OUR MISSION

    The Children’s Aid Foundation of Nova Scotia partners with communities to ensure vulnerable children and youth have the support they need to thrive.

  • OUR VISION

    Stronger Kids. Stronger Communities.

Helping vulnerable kids thrive since 1997

  • There have always been gaps in the system for Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable children and youth. While governments and organizations work hard to support at-risk young people, not all of their essential needs are met.

    That’s why the Children’s Aid Foundation of Halifax was founded in 1997—to help fill those critical gaps. From day one, our mission has been to raise funds to ensure vulnerable kids and youth receive what they need, when they need it: tutoring, dental care, emergency support, recreation, camps, and more. Our mandate was purposefully broad so we could respond with flexibility to the changing needs of those we serve.

  • Since our beginnings as the fundraising arm of the former Children’s Aid Society of Halifax, we’ve proudly provided over $1 million in support to enhance the lives of more than 10,000 children and youth across the province.


    In 2021, reflecting our longstanding commitment to communities throughout Nova Scotia, we officially became the Children’s Aid Foundation of Nova Scotia.


    Today, we continue to work hand-in-hand with partners and communities to ensure that every vulnerable child and youth in Nova Scotia has the opportunity to thrive.

  • We're focused on building organizational capacity to support grants and programs for children and youth. Enhancing our provincial presence to reach more communities across Nova Scotia. Increasing revenue to expand services, grants, and opportunities. Growing and strengthening partnerships with donors and community partners province-wide.

    SEE OUR PROGRAMS 

Meet our team

  • Headshot of Kate Pepler

    Kate Pepler

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Kate Pepler (she/her) graduated from Dalhousie University with a BA in Sustainability, Environmental Science, and a minor in Marine Biology. For a year after completing her degree, she was feeling overwhelmed with the doom and gloom narrative of our Earth’s health. This helped her “Eureka!” moment of creating The Tare Shop which was a package-free grocery store operating in Halifax and Dartmouth. The Tare Shop closed in 2023. Kate now is the Executive Director of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Nova Scotia - supporting the province’s vulnerable kids and youth. 

  • Monique Andrea

    GRANT COORDINATOR

    Monique Andrea (she/her) has always had a passion for helping people. She attended Dalhousie University for both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Social Work and is a Registered Social Worker. She worked in the Halifax region with families, children and youth in the child welfare sector for 19 years. Upon leaving child welfare she realized she could put her passion for fitness and for helping people together and works in the fitness industry helping people reach their full potential in a different way. Monique still has a passion for supporting the provinces vulnerable children and youth reach their full potential and is the Social Worker for Children’s Aid Foundation of Nova Scotia.

Board of Directors

  • Pearl Michael

    Chair

  • Satie Borden

    Vice Chair

  • Margaret Michael

    Treasurer

  • Jennifer Aftanas

    Secretary

  • Susan Fitzgerald

    Executive Committee Member

  • Atula Joshi

    Director

  • Vicki Grant

    Director

  • Tiffany Allaway

    Director

  • Louis Brill

    Director

  • Annie Gray

    Director

How our community partners make a difference

Shockingly, there are over 1000 kids in foster care at any given time in Nova Scotia. Children and youth who experience abuse-related trauma often face academic and social challenges that can put them at a disadvantage. They often endure multiple moves, have problems in school, and can miss out on experiences in childhood that many of us take for granted. It is only thanks to our incredible community partners that CAFNS is able to help provide vulnerable Nova Scotian kids and youth with the support they need to thrive.

A BIG thanks to our community partners:

  • Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
  • The Windsor Foundation
  • Halifax Youth Foundation
  • Department of Opportunities and Social Development
  • Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
  • Make Way Foundation
  • Sisters of Charity
  • Flemming Charitable Foundation