Halifax Entrepreneur Looks To ‘Inspire’ People To Give To Those In Need
HALIFAX–Shona Humber and her partner Jean Racine were driving to a fitness club in Halifax when they met someone who reminded them many Haligonians could use a helping hand right now.
The encounter eventually lead the couple to create a new nonprofit called Inspire902, dedicated to raising money and supplies for those who need it most in Nova Scotia.
Recently, while headed to a fitness club, Humber and Racine spotted three tents on the side of the road where people were living, despite the January wind and freezing temperatures.
“I never go downtown so I’ve never seen a tent city or anything like that before…I’ve never seen people sleeping out in the cold, in the snow,” said Humber, who is a hairdresser working out of Adorn Salon And Spa in Halifax.
“One of the tents isn’t really even a tent, it’s like cardboard with tarps over it.”
The image struck her so much that Humber went to talk to the person living there. She met a man who said he and two others were staying in the tents.
The gentleman told Humber that he moved from Vancouver to Halifax to track down his brother (who was now staying with him in the tents). They were staying in a house not long ago, he said, until a house fire forced them out.
Sadly, the sight of people living out tents in Halifax has become common in recent years. The city is going through an affordable housing crisis and the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia estimates nearly 500 people are homeless in Halifax.
The encounter stuck with Humber and it moved her and Racine to start a fundraiser for the three people living out in the cold.
Using a Facebook video to get the word out, Humber was able to get more than $1,000 in donations within two days. Humber gave the three people $200 in order to spend a night in a motel to avoid an oncoming storm. She also handed out $240 in gift cards so they could buy food and other essentials.
With $710 left over, Humber decided to give the remaining funds to the Street Ministry Cold Weather Program.
Humber wasn’t the only entrepreneur to pitch in. The hairstylist canvassed local businesses, looking for places that could donate supplies to make the tents warmer and safer. To her delight, Redmond’s Home Hardware in Upper Tantallon donated a blow-up air mattress and two extra-large tarps.
The same evening that Humber made the Facebook video, and started collecting donations, was the same evening she and Racine started the website Inspire902. Humber wanted to make sure that the three people she helped wouldn’t be the last.
Through the website, people can connect with Humber and tell her about people who need help. They can also donate.
“It could be anyone in Nova Scotia who’s struggling financially,” says Humber “We’re open to anything, as long as we can make someone’s day a little better.”
Humber knows a lot of people and is confident in her ability to network for the sake of a fundraiser.
“I’ve been doing small fundraisers for friends of mine and people I don’t know like the SPCA, women’s shelters; I’ve been doing this stuff for years,” she said.
“I love doing it. I don’t need recognition or anything like that, it just makes me feel good. I’m a people person, I love my hair clients as a hairstylist.”
Humber also plans on getting the business community involved in future fundraisers, especially when there’s an opportunity for gift cards and materials to be involved.
Inspire902 is currently looking for its next fundraising idea.
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].