About Hope Cottage
Mission
To nourish lives with compassion, support, and community-driven initiatives aimed at alleviating hunger and enriching the lives of our neighbors.
Vision
To be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for social change, ensuring that every person in Halifax has access to nutritious meals and essential support.
Values
We believe in compassion, respect, collaboration, and the power of community to create lasting change and promote a culture of generosity.
The Inspiring Journey Of Hope Cottage And Fr. Joe Mills
Hope Cottage was founded in July 1970 by Fr. Joe Mills, who was serving as pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish at the time. Fr. Mills noticed a growing number of people coming to his door each day in search of food and help. At that time, there were no weekday soup kitchens in Halifax.
Moved by this need, Fr. Mills reached out to several people in the parish and asked if they would be willing to prepare and serve a simple meal. On the very first day, 34 people came through the doors. What began as a modest act of compassion quickly became something much more.
Ed Hollet – A Story of Recovery, Purpose, and giving back
“I didn’t start out wanting to help people. That came later- after everything changed.”
Before recovery, life looked very different. There was addiction, time spent living on the streets, and moments that came dangerously close to the end. With multiple attempts to get help, the turning point came during a 28-day treatment program in Monastery, Nova Scotia.
One spring day, while out for a run, Ed experienced what he describes as “a spiritual awakening” – a moment filled with peace.
“I didn’t really have the words- I just knew something inside me had changed”.
“I realized – I wanted to help people”.
“I was never unkind before, but I didn’t feel that pull to help. After recovery, it just came naturally”.
During a Cursillo retreat with the Catholic Church, Ed made connections that eventually led him to Hope Cottage. It didn’t start perfectly, but over time, things shifted.
Today, that connection is at the heart of Ed’s role.
“What people don’t always realize is- helping others helps me too. You feel it. It matters.”.
History of Hope Cottage Building
In 1751, only two years after the founding of Halifax, the Hope Cottage property was assigned to Frederick Auremberg as part of a government sponsored German and Swiss settlement in the ‘North Suburbs’.
The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Halifax received the Hope Cottage property in 1918, purchasing it from Sarah Jane Delaney for the cost of a single dollar
Hope Cottage Today
Hope Cottage is owned and operated by the Halifax Particular Council within the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
