Lisa Harrison has spent her career driven by a simple but urgent belief: that no one should go without the basics of a dignified life. As Executive Director of Brunswick Street Mission in Halifax, Lisa leads an organization on the front lines of the city’s most pressing challenges — food insecurity, homelessness, and the kind of deep, systemic poverty that too often gets overlooked.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Our areas of focus include providing food security through a food bank and breakfast program, one-to-one support using a trauma-informed practice under a Social Worker. We also provide laundry services for unhoused folks, a free tax clinic for those with low annual incomes, and advocate for those experiencing poverty and homelessness in Halifax, NS.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We envision a diverse community where people have the resources they need to be healthy and well. Our mission is to combat the causes and effects of poverty by providing the community with programming, resources and advocacy to help people achieve well-being.
When did you start/join it?
I joined in March 2023.
What made you want to get involved?
Brunswick Street Mission does wonderful work to help people experience poverty and food insecurity in their community.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I joined, we had a busy foodbank and breakfast service.
How has it changed since?
Now everything is MUCH busier, with a lot more people needing food and support services. Recent funding cuts to organizations and services by the NS provincial government have made things even more desperate for a lot of people.
What more needs to be done?
We need to address the root and systemic causes of poverty and stop punishing the poorest in society for circumstances they did not create.
How can our readers help?
Donations to our work – which is expanding every year – can be made via our website. Or folks can do food drives and drop them off at the Mission. Volunteer opportunities can be found on the website, too!
Do you have any events coming up?
The Mission Breakfast takes place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Pier 21 in Halifax. This is our main annual fundraiser.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Hope Cottage – also on Brunswick Street in Halifax!
