New Dawn

06/02/2026

Each year, the New Dawn Board of Directors and their loved ones meet for a weekend in Iona to reflect on the work that's been done and all that remains to be done.

This year, the conversation touched on our vision, our assets, the importance of community leadership, and our aspirations for the next fifty years.

We were joined by Nick Matheson, who facilitated our time together and shares his thoughts on life at the edge and the work of the organization in a new Substack post.

Read more here: https://newdawn.ca/2026/06/01/postcards-from-the-edge/

05/29/2026

New Dawn Meals on Wheels is expanding access to nutritious meals across Cape Breton Island!

Our new frozen meals are available Island-wide now through the Cape Breton Food Hub. This week's ordering cycle is open until 7 pm on Monday!

The Frozen Meals Program ensures seniors and others who rely on meal support have access to delicious, dietitian-approved meals during storms, emergencies, and other unexpected service interruptions.

And thanks to our volunteer taste-testers, we know you're going to love the meals we have on offer! Choose from:

• Roast Turkey Dinner
• Baked Chicken Dinner
• Chicken with Scalloped Potatoes
• Slow-cooked Pork Dinner
• Roast Beef Dinner
• Shepherd’s Pie with Vegetables

“We’re proud of our frozen meal offerings and excited to expand the network of people we serve.”
– Sara Roth, Manager, New Dawn Meals on Wheels

Learn more here: https://newdawn.ca/2026/05/29/new-dawn-meals-on-wheels-launches-frozen-meals-available-island-wide/

05/26/2026

Update: Thank you for the wonderful response to this training opportunity. The afternoon session is now full, and an additional morning session has been added to help accommodate the continued interest.

New Morning Session
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (AT)
Eltuek Arts Centre – Gallery 209
170 George Street, Sydney, NS

There is no cost to attend, but registration is limited to 40 participants.

Register here:
https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/new-dawn-open-masterclass/

Join us for an upcoming Resilience Scale Masterclass facilitated by Michelle MacKinnon from the Palix Foundation

This 3-hour session will explore the Brain Story principles and how the Resilience Scale can be used as a practical tool to understand, assess, and strengthen resilience in individuals, communities, and ourselves. Taken together, these concepts and training are helpful in professions where we are supporting others including teaching, early childhood education, housing support, support for adults with disabilities, public health, youth support and engagement.

You can read about the impact and academic assessments of this model as its been rolled out by Alberta Family Wellness Initaitive (AFWI) over the last decade here: https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/who-we-are/evaluation-report/. They have been used hundreds of organizations across Alberta and are producing measurable, positive outcomes.

Registration is limited to 40 participants and there is no cost for the training.

Registration Link: https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/new-dawn-enterprises-open-masterclass/

Resilience Scale Master Class
Wednesday June 17, 2026
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (AT)
Eltuek Arts Centre – Gallery 209
170 George Street, Sydney, NS

05/21/2026

Join us for an upcoming Resilience Scale Masterclass facilitated by Michelle MacKinnon from the Palix Foundation

This 3-hour session will explore the Brain Story principles and how the Resilience Scale can be used as a practical tool to understand, assess, and strengthen resilience in individuals, communities, and ourselves. Taken together, these concepts and training are helpful in professions where we are supporting others including teaching, early childhood education, housing support, support for adults with disabilities, public health, youth support and engagement.

You can read about the impact and academic assessments of this model as its been rolled out by Alberta Family Wellness Initaitive (AFWI) over the last decade here: https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/who-we-are/evaluation-report/. They have been used hundreds of organizations across Alberta and are producing measurable, positive outcomes.

Registration is limited to 40 participants and there is no cost for the training.

Registration Link: https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/new-dawn-enterprises-open-masterclass/

Resilience Scale Master Class
Wednesday June 17, 2026
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (AT)
Eltuek Arts Centre – Gallery 209
170 George Street, Sydney, NS

04/29/2026

Another opportunity to join our team! New Dawn is hiring Youth Workers at Abbey Ridge.

Are you passionate about supporting young people as they build life skills, navigate challenges, and move toward their personal goals? In this role, you’ll help create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for youth at Abbey Ridge, working alongside families, schools, community partners, and other support networks.

Why New Dawn?
For fifty years, we've been focused on building stronger, more resilient communities. We're a social enterprise working across housing, healthcare, youth and family programs, immigration, the arts, community development, and more.

Interested? Learn more here: https://newdawn.ca/jobs/youth-worker-2/

04/24/2026

Volunteering has always been part of the MacRae family story — and it’s something they’ve passed down from one generation to the next.

From Donnie’s decades of service, to Todd continuing the tradition, to Preston joining in as a kid and eventually taking on his own deliveries, it’s been a way for three generations to connect while giving back to their community and learn some skills along the way.

“It’s helped me a lot. I put Meals on Wheels on my resume and that was one of the reasons I got my job, because I had experience driving and delivering food,” says Preston, who is now 20 years old and has a full-time job delivering chips for Old Dutch.

Their story shows how sharing these moments as a family can spark a lifelong connection to community and leave a lasting impact on the next generation.

We’re so proud that they choose to volunteer with New Dawn Meals on Wheels!

Read their story here: https://newdawn.ca/2026/04/24/volunteering-is-a-family-value-for-the-macraes/

📸 Steve Wadden

04/23/2026

04/23/2026

Installation in progress today & opening tomorrow (!) is Sa’se’wamukwa’sit / Changes, new works by artist Alex Balkam.

Join us in the gallery tomorrow evening, Friday from 7–8pm, with the artist present.

Free to attend. Come experience these beautiful works.

Gallery hours:
Monday - Friday, 9am–4pm.
Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Sundays and evenings by request.

04/23/2026

Join our team! New Dawn is hiring a Human Resources Coordinator.

Are you passionate about people, workplace culture, and making a meaningful impact in your community? In this role, you’ll support recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and day-to-day HR operations, playing a key part in creating a positive and supportive workplace.

Why New Dawn?
For fifty years, we've been focused on building stronger, more resilient communities. We're a social enterprise working across food security, housing, healthcare, youth and family programs, and more.

Interested? Learn more here: https://newdawn.ca/jobs/human-resources-coordinator-2/

04/22/2026

Did You Know: Volunteering is fun!

And, it turns out, it's good for business, too!

Research shows good things happen when employees have the chance to give back to their community:
💡 They feel more motivated
💡 They’re more connected to their workplace
💡 They’re more likely to stay at the company

In fact, most employees say volunteering makes them feel more engaged and fulfilled at work, and that’s something every organization can benefit from.

And the best part?

It’s a simple way for teams to come together, step outside their day-to-day, and make a meaningful impact in their community.

Whether it’s through a team volunteer day or a regular volunteer commitment, the Corporate Volunteer Program at New Dawn Meals on Wheels has lots of opportunities for your team to get involved.

Learn more at: https://newdawn.ca/community-health/meals-on-wheels/

📸 Mike Morrison (NovaStream)