Get Involved
For more than 20 years, Autism Nova Scotia has been supporting autistic individuals, their families and caregivers with vital resources, programs and services. Learn how you can help!
Donate
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Autism Nova Scotia is able to support Autistic individuals and their families across the province through leadership, advocacy, education, training and programming. With your support, we are moving closer to a world where autism is understood, accepted and everyone is living their lives fully.
Please note: Our process is to send receipts once per year, but receipts are available by request upon donating.
Other ways to donate…
Major and Planned Gifts
Please contact Rebecca Wadden for more information about how you can support Autism Nova Scotia with a transformational gift. Leave a legacy through a planned gift, allowing you the opportunity to make a lasting difference for Autistic children, youth, and adults.
Memorial and Tribute Gifts
Autism Nova Scotia is tremendously grateful to donors who choose to remember or honour loved ones through memorial and tribute donations. For Memorial and Tribute Gifts, you can donate online (just wait for the prompt on the second page).
Corporate and Workplace Giving
We are grateful for the support of businesses of all sizes who support Autism Nova Scotia each year. Please contact Lynn Stewart-Yuill to learn how your workplace can get involved.
Special Events
Best of Local
Each year, Autism Nova Scotia presents Best of Local, a fundraising gala dinner celebrating the best in our community. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lynn Stewart-Yuill.
Walk YOUR Way
Visit the Walk Your Way For Autism website to get involved in our signature community event!
Independent Fundraising
Are you looking to host an event in your community to support Autism Nova Scotia? We are excited to have your support and work together!
Every dollar raised by your fundraiser makes an impact in your community and further builds acceptance and inclusion for Autistic individuals and their loved ones.
Before you start your fundraiser, fill out the form below, and we will give you all the information and resources you need.
*Involvement of any Autism Nova Scotia staff will be decided at our discretion based on availability, location and nature of the fundraiser.
If you have any questions before filling out our form, please contact Alyson Greeno.
Volunteer
As a non-profit organization, Autism Nova Scotia relies on the generous gift of time from our many volunteers to run our important programs, hold our successful fundraising events, create policies for change at the volunteer board level and much, much more.
Our programs could not run without the help of our wonderful volunteers. We train all of our volunteers with best practice strategies for supporting Autistic individuals.
“Volunteering at ANS is incredible, and you get to meet so many exceptional people on the spectrum. I don’t think any other experience is as fun either, I always look forward to my volunteer nights!” – Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering with our Recreation Programs, please complete the Volunteer Application Form.
If you do not have a recent and up to date Criminal Record Check (within the last 2 years), and/or Child Abuse Registry Check (within the last year); please submit a blank place-holder document so we can support you in obtaining those background checks.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Teen and Adult Social Group
- Bi-weekly sessions on Thursday and Friday from 4:30pm – 6:30pm and 7:00pm – 9:00pm
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Bi-weekly sessions on Tuesday, Thursdays and Friday from 4:30pm – 6:30pm and 7:00pm – 9:00pm
- Autism Arts
- Weekly session on Saturdays from 10:00am-11:00am, 11:30am – 12:30pm and 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Once you have completed your application, please allow 5-7 business days for a response from our Recreation Coordinator.
For information on volunteering with Autism Nova Scotia, contact Mackenzie Matheson at mmatheson@autismns.ca
To get involved as a volunteer at Regional Autism Centre outside of HRM, please contact your local regional autism centre.
Student placements
Autism Nova Scotia is thrilled to support student learning from a variety of disciplines. If you are a student interested in doing your placement with our organization, please review and complete the application below.
Application Form
*Please allow 7-10 business days for a response from either Caitlyn Temple, our Recreation Manager or Kathleen Watson, our Program Director. This time is to allow us to review the application to determine what the next steps are, as well as to ensure that Autism Nova Scotia has capacity to host a placement student.
Please note: Student Placements are not guaranteed as we must first ensure that we have staff capacity to supervise the student as well as an appropriate placement; depending on the needs and requirements of the placement.
Applications can sometimes take up to a month to be completed, as Autism Nova Scotia requires a Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Registry Check and Understanding Autism Training (provided by Autism Nova Scotia) prior to starting placement.
Only applications submitted at least a month prior to the anticipated start date of the placement will be considered.