211 Nova Scotia Awards Shawn Parker with the Believer’s Award

NEBA is pleased to announce that Shawn Parker has been awarded the 211 Nova Scotia Believer’s Award in recognition of his tireless efforts to support and empower unhoused Nova Scotians.

211 Nova Scotia presents the Believer’s Award annually to honor the legacy of the two hundred and eleven believers who supported and advocated for 211 in Nova Scotia over 20 years ago. These original believers ignited the spark of 211 by sharing their own personal and professional challenges that they encountered while searching for resources for those in need. With their help, the support for 211 grew leading to 211 Nova Scotia being launched in 2013.

Shawn Parker’s unwavering commitment to providing an empathetic, non-judgmental ear to those experiencing unmet needs led to him receiving multiple nominations for the Believer’s Award from the 211 Nova Scotia team.

As a Street Navigator, Shawn Parker supports unsheltered, street involved, and homeless individuals who are unwilling or unable to access the support people that work out of Halifax’s shelters. The Navigator Street Outreach Program, which is funded by the North End Halifax Business Association, Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission, and the Halifax Regional Municipality offers a proactive, positive lifeline for individuals who struggle with securing and maintaining housing and employment due to addictions, mental health issues and homelessness.

As Nova Scotia continues to experience a rise in homelessness, the importance of Shawn, and those in roles similar to his, has becomes increasingly important to ensure that individuals who are living rough are connected with resources and are treated with respect.

“We’re pleased to be able to recognize and honor Shawn. Shawn embodies the same spirit, dedication, and compassion that we value as a team and organization” says Mike Myette, Executive Director for 211 Nova Scotia. “He is a beacon of positivity, and we have the utmost respect for him and his work” continues Myette.

In 2022, 211 Nova Scotia received over 70,000 contacts from individuals looking for information and resources. Of those contacts, 29% were related to basic needs and 19% were for referrals related to mental health and substance use disorder. “One reason that Shawn’s role is particularly important is because individuals who are living rough don’t necessarily have the same level of access to services as other individuals experiencing the same unmet needs” shares Myette.