Not only is January a time when lots of folks commit or re-commit to making their overall wellness and mental and physical well-being a priority, but we are also currently dealing with a resurgence of Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant which is impacting people's mental health and wellness. In order to support those of you who are looking for supports during this time, and particularly free/low-cost and virtual supports, we wanted to compile a list of resources for you that may help.

Nutrition, Movement, and Physical Well-Being

• Eating Disorders NS Support - New Year's Resolution Season can be very triggering and challenging for those who have a difficult relationship with food and exercise. Eating Disorders NS has a free, Virtual Peer Support Group every Thursday. "This time of year, a little extra support can go a long way. Check out our Peer Support Group, facilitated by our trained Peer Mentors. No diagnosis, no referral, no judgement. Get the Welcome Package and Zoom link here: https://bit.ly/3nLHDzg" ED NS also puts on regular virtual workshops, and offers counselling and nutrition counselling (these last two services are not free, but there is some financial help available to access)
• NS Health Virtual Health and Wellness Programming - NS Health Community Health Teams has put together a wide range of online sessions and programming for the winter months to assist you in learning how to meet your physical health and wellness goals. Topics such as Meal planning and recipe inspiration, Food and mood, Beginners guide to plant-based eating, 'Beyond weight, shifting focus to health', Ready Set Move, Sit Less / Move More, Finding an online exercise program, the truth about weight and exercise, and more. Check out the winter program guide for more information and to register.
• Virtual Chair Yoga with Alexandra  - Every Tuesday at 10 am via ZOOM. Free. "This is a great class for students who are new to yoga, or unable to participate in a regular yoga class due to injury or mobility limitations. Postures are adapted to sitting in a chair and also using the chair for balance and assistance in standing poses. Emphasis on de-stressing, breathing, and gentle movement to deepen flexibility, increase range of motion and healing mindfulness and relaxation. Open to all levels." Join the Zoom  Meeting HERE. Meeting ID: 851 5684 5376 / Passcode: 234196
• Virtual Vinyasa Yoga with Tracy - Free! "Create inner heat as you move with your breath through poses that will improve your balance, strength and flexibility, as well as open and expand your emotional body and heart. Open to all levels." Saturday mornings at 9:30. Join the Zoom Meeting HERE. Meeting ID: 848 3565 8570 Passcode: 377166
• Winter Recreation Guide - Information about how to learn to snowshoe for free,  as well as info on local trails and hiking, how to borrow a bike and other winter equipment (snow shoes, cross country skis) for free, free indoor walking and running this Winter!
• Free Zumba on Zoom in January - Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, a pair of local Zumba instructors have committed to holding 4 free Zumba sessions on Zoom a week during the month of January! Check the schedule out here for more details.
• South Shore Public Libraries Winter Programming - Chair yoga, Learn to hike, Garden Club and more. SSPL programming is largely in-person, and always free. Check out the SSPL winter program guide!

Do you know of any other free/low-cost programming and activities that support mental and physical well-being that are happening over the next few weeks that we missed? Please let us know at info@secondstory.ca.

December is a time for reflecting back on the year and counting blessings. Second Story is tremendously grateful for the support we have received this year and we would like to recognize some of the folks whose contributions have helped keep our doors open and our services available in 2021. 

Funders
These are some of the  businesses and organizations that have awarded us grants to support on our mission of supporting women, girls and gender-oppressed people.

• Province of Nova Scotia 
• Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
• J and W Murphy Foundation
• Credit Union Atlantic 
• Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association
• Bell Let's Talk Fund 
• Mental Health Foundation of NS - Be the Link
• Canadian Women's Foundation 
• Leanne Children’s Foundation

Third Party Fundraisers
These are some of the individuals, businesses and organizations that have undertaken fundraisers for us, allowing us to remain focused on our mission of supporting women, girls and gender-oppressed people. 

• Lunenburg School of the Arts
• Liessa
• Melissa Morrison Jewellery
• Meguma Meadows Flower Farm
• Salt Shaker Deli
• Fishermans Memorial Hospital staff
• Chester Municipality staff
• Lunenburg Consignment store
• Thrift Ahoy
• Flipped Restyle Mercantile
• Lunenburg Barre
• Solterre Design
• Lunenburg Bound Books

Businesses and Organizations
These are some of the local businesses and organizations who have financially supported Second Story this year. 

• Ploughman's Lunch  
• West Nova Fuels
• Lunenburg Marine Museum Society
• St. James Parish, Mahone Bay
• St. John's Anglican Church, Lunenburg
• St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Rose Bay
• Lunenburg Lighting of the Trees
• The Sinner production company
• Nourishing Communities Food Coupon Program - Farmers Markets of NS

Youth Programming
Thanks to the donations of funds and in-kind services from the following folks, we were able to engage more than 70 youth in our programming this year! 

• South Shore Labour Council 
•  HRDC Canada 
•  Clean Foundation Nova Scotia
• SuperNOVA
•  Cape Lahave Adventures
•  Nova Scotia Sea School
•  SchoolsPlus 
• United Way of Lunenburg County
• Antigonish Women's Resource Centre
• Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
• Canada Post 
• Many, many volunteers!

We would also like to acknowledge the many individuals who donated to Second Story this year who wish to remain anonymous. We are so appreciative of your support. 

We would like to acknowledge the friends and families of those who passed this year who donated in memory of their loved ones. We are honoured and grateful for your support. 

Finally, we would like to acknowledge our amazing crew of almost 40 active volunteers who collectively donated more than 1400 hours of their time to Second Story this year! We are truly grateful for your generous contributions to our organization.

Second Story will be closed from Monday, December 20, 2021 until Tuesday, January 4, 2022. This includes our weekly Wednesday walking group, which will next meet on January 5, 2022. Best Wishes for a safe and happy holiday season! We will see you in the New Year!
If you need immediate assistance or support while we are closed, please contact:

☎️ Emergency Services - 911
☎️ 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line - 1-888-429-8167
☎️ Harbour House 24 hour Support Line - 1-888-543-3999
☎️ Wellness Together Canada - 1-866-585-0445 (adults) / 1-888-668-6810 (youth). Or Text WELLNESS to 741741
☎️ NS Crisis Text Line (24/7) - Text NSSTRONG to 741741
☎️ Indian Residential School Survivor 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1-866-925-4419
☎️Canada Suicide Prevention Service 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (text services only available 5PM – 1AM)
☎️ Good2Talk (Post-Secondary Students) - 1-833-292-3698
☎️ Hope for Wellness Help Line (Experienced and culturally competent counsellors available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut) - 1-855-242-3310. Online chat available at hopeforwellness.ca
☎️ Youth / BIPOC Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or text 'home' to 686868 for kids. Indigenous Peoples can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by texting FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 and Black youth can text RISE to 686868 for specialized supports as well
☎️ Trans Lifeline - (Trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive) - 1-877-330-6366
☎️ 24/7 Community Resource Directory - 211

​Heads up, Second Story will be closed today for a staff day today. We will re-open tomorrow as usual. If you need immediate assistance or support while we are closed, please contact:

• Emergency Services - 911
• 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line - 1-888-429-8167
• Harbour House 24 hour Support Line - 1-888-543-3999
• Wellness Together Canada - 1-866-585-0445 (adults) / 1-888-668-6810 (youth). Or Text WELLNESS to 741741
• NS Crisis Text Line (24/7) - Text NSSTRONG to 741741
• Indian Residential School Survivor 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1-866-925-4419
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (text services only available 5PM – 1AM)
• Good2Talk (Post-Secondary Students) - 1-833-292-3698
• Hope for Wellness Help Line (Experienced and culturally competent counsellors available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut) - 1-855-242-3310. Online chat available at hopeforwellness.ca
• Youth / BIPOC Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or text 'home' to 686868 for kids. Indigenous Peoples can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by texting FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 and Black youth can text RISE to 686868 for specialized supports as well
• Trans Lifeline - (Trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive) - 1-877-330-6366
• NISA (Muslim Women's Helpline) - 1-888-315-NISA (6472)
• 24/7 Community Resource Directory - 211

Attention new parents and guardians! Interested in participating in an online postpartum support group via Zoom? Email kathryn.stone@dal.ca!