South Shore Sexual Health is a resource centre for all ages that offers services, support, and supplies.
We are pro-choice, youth-friendly and 2SLGBTQ* positive. We believe that everyone should have access to quality, non-judgmental sexual education and resources.
We offer guidance and pregnancy options counselling, as well as workshops. Folks can pick up free or low cost safer sex supplies, pregnancy tests, HIV self-tests, menstrual supplies, and gender-affirming gear.
Mission
To promote sexual and reproductive health throughout the lifespan by providing information, education and services, and encouraging informed, responsible attitudes toward sexuality.
Values
- pro-choice
- sex positive
- non-judgmental
- feminism that is inclusive of trans and non-binary folks
- 2SLGBTQAIP friendly
- trauma-informed
- harm-reduction focused
- evidence-based
- sex work positive
Affiliations
Sexual Health Nova Scotia is the provincial body of six member-centres throughout the province that are run independently in each of their communities. We are all associates of Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights.
The Halifax Sexual Health Centre is the only site that has a clinic and can provide medical services such as birth control prescriptions, Pap tests, STI testing, abortion referrals, trans-affirming care, and anonymous HIV testing.
Structure
South Shore Sexual Health is an independent charity run by a volunteer Board of Directors and small staff. Our professional backgrounds include education, counselling, health care, social work, health promotion, and non-profit administration.
History
We began as a $500 grant project at Second Story Women’s Centre in 1988. Planned Parenthood Bridgewater emerged and eventually grew larger, and into its own organization with its own Board of Directors. We shared an office space in Bridgewater until SSWC moved to Lunenburg. Planned Parenthood stayed in Bridgwater due to its central location.
We have changed locations and names through the years. Planned Parenthood Bridgewater became Planned Parenthood Lunenburg County, which then became Sexual Health Centre Lunenburg County. At the time, many organizations were leaving the Planned Parenthood branding behind to emphasize our services were more than just family planning.
Today, we have a full-time staff person and core operating funds of $60,000 that we use to leverage other funding for local grants and projects. We hope to continue growing so that we can meet the sexual health needs of our South Shore communities.