Family SOS was founded in 1978 by Dr. John Anderson, a Pediatrician at the IWK. While working in the Emergency Room, Dr. Anderson witnessed first hand the need for a proactive approach to support families in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Family SOS Association was founded to respond to this need, taking a preventative approach to assisting families through developing parenting confidence and skills and providing child-centered programming.

Mission

Family SOS supports children and families in the HRM by providing guidance and tools to successfully navigate their circumstances.

Vision

An HRM where all children are physically and emotionally secure.

Values

Sustainability: The organization’s longevity is ensured through effectively managing its resources and adapting to the community's changing needs. 

Accountability: Responsible to our funders and those we serve through transparency and by upholding the organization’s values and best practices.

Family-focused: An equitable, empathetic, and inclusive approach to serving families in our community.

Empowerment: Programs and services that offer families help today for a better tomorrow.


Who are we?

Family SOS is a local, non-profit, child-centered organization directed toward building strong and healthy families. As an inclusive family support agency, Family SOS offers FREE comprehensive programs that will benefit all family members. At Family SOS, we focus on:

  • Increasing parenting confidence

  • Developing relationships within families

  • Fostering self-awareness

  • Improving confidence in children and youth

  • Encouraging pro-social choices

  • Strengthening communication within families

  • Improving health and well-being

  • Empowering self-sustainability

Accessing our services

Many clients accessing our programs and services are self-referred. We also receive referrals from the Department of Community Services, the IWK, mental health providers, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, day treatment programs, and the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team.

For more information about our Parenting Programs, please email: parentsupport@familysos.ca, or call 902-455-5515 ext. 280

For more information about our Greystone Centre Programs, please email: healthykidz@familysos.ca, or call 902-455-5515 ext. 350


Charitable Number: 134859073RR0001