Press Releases

Summer Street Celebrates Bob Bennett’s Appointment to the Order of Nova Scotia

NEW GLASGOW, NS – August 14, 2026. Summer Street is incredibly proud to celebrate Executive Director Robert “Bob” Bennett, who has been appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia, the Province’s highest honour.

Bob is being recognized for four decades of leadership advancing inclusion, meaningful employment, independence and community participation for people with diverse abilities.

Throughout his career, Bob has been especially effective at helping people understand not only Summer Street’s mission, but the important role people with diverse abilities play in strengthening their workplaces, organizations and communities.

His leadership is grounded in a simple but important belief: meaningful change requires collaboration and cooperation.

That philosophy is deeply embedded at Summer Street. The collective efforts of participants, Participant Council, staff, management, Boards, families, employers, community organizations, government partners and supporters have helped Summer Street continue to evolve while advancing inclusion, dignity and opportunity for people with diverse abilities.

For Summer Street, Bob’s appointment is an extraordinary personal honour and also one that reflects this shared work.

“We are incredibly proud to see Bob receive this recognition. His leadership has always been inclusive, strategic and grounded in the understanding that lasting change is something we build together. This honour celebrates Bob’s remarkable contribution, while also reflecting the participants, staff, partners and communities who have worked alongside him to create meaningful change over many years.”

As Nova Scotia moves forward with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy, Summer Street believes strongly in the value of collective and inclusive leadership. We recognize that meaningful and lasting progress is built through collaboration, with government, organizations, communities and people with diverse abilities each bringing important perspectives and strengths to the work. Summer Street is committed to working strategically, using resources responsibly and building partnerships that create strong, sustainable community-based opportunities for people with diverse abilities.

Summer Street is also a proud member of Directions Council Nova Scotia, working alongside organizations across the province to advance inclusive employment, social enterprise, advocacy, and community participation. Together, this collective work is helping create stronger and more inclusive communities throughout Nova Scotia.

Bob has consistently challenged perceptions of people with diverse abilities as simply recipients of support, instead creating opportunities for people to work, lead, contribute, help others and shape the communities around them.

The Order of Nova Scotia recognizes Nova Scotians who have distinguished themselves through outstanding contributions and achievements and is the highest honour bestowed by the Province.

Summer Street extends its heartfelt congratulations to Bob Bennett and our gratitude for four decades of leadership, service, and unwavering belief in what can be achieved when people and communities work together.

About Summer Street
Since 1968, Summer Street has supported adults with diverse abilities to discover and develop their skills, interests and potential. Through person-directed programs, employment, social enterprise and community partnerships, Summer Street works alongside participants to create opportunities for meaningful work, independence, connection and full participation in community life.

Media Contact:
Liz LaPier
Fund Development Officer

Summer Street Industries
liz@summerstreet.ca | 902-301-0817

Read the Official Press Release from the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor here.

Read more about the 2026 recipients here.

Summer Street Farm Officially Opens

Strengthening Inclusive Employment and Local Food Security in New Glasgow

New Glasgow, NS — January 9, 2026. Summer Street Industries marked a major milestone today with the official opening of Summer Street Farm, a participant-led, closed-environment farm designed to strengthen local food security while creating meaningful employment and learning opportunities for people with diverse abilities.

The Farm was created in direct response to participant priorities: to grow food they could eat, to grow food through paid work, and to grow food to share with people in the community experiencing food insecurity. Today, those goals are being realized through a social enterprise model that combines food production, employment, and community contribution.

Developed through years of participant and community engagement, planning, and collaboration, Summer Street Farm supports year-round food production in a fully accessible environment. Powered in part by an on-site solar array, the Farm reflects a long-term commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and community resilience.

Fresh greens grown at Summer Street Farm are already supporting local food-security efforts, including partnerships with the Pictou County Food Bank and school lunch programs. Public access to farm greens include on-site purchasing, a soon-to-open Farm Store, and participation in the New Glasgow Farmers Market. Purchasing options include a pay-what-you-can model and opportunities to gift food through Summer Street’s charitable programs.

The Farm represents more than food production. It serves as community infrastructure — supporting inclusive employment, skills development, collaboration with health and education partners, and opportunities for future farmers, entrepreneurs, and organizations to grow alongside one another.

The opening celebration included remarks from participants, community leaders, and government representatives. Attending dignitaries included His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Mike Savage, along with elected officials, project partners, and community supporters.

Summer Street Farm was made possible through support from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Government of Nova Scotia through the Departments of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage and Agriculture, the Summer Street Foundation, and strong community support. The Farm’s Community Giving Program is led by inaugural sponsor Jamie MacGillivray, whose early leadership has helped ensure that generosity and access are built directly into how the Farm operates.

As the Farm continues to evolve, Summer Street looks forward to working alongside additional partners who share a commitment to inclusive, sustainable community food systems. Community members are invited to stay informed about new programs, partnerships, and opportunities by subscribing to Summer Street’s newsletter.

Quotes
“In a world where the easier choice is to step back, we are grateful for community that chooses to step forward. We are so privileged to be surrounded by people with diverse abilities who remind us daily that possibility grows when we choose to work together as a community. This farm is the result of that choice. Thank you to our government partners for being part of our community, for investing in possibility, and believing in what could grow here.”
- Christine Williams, President, Board of Directors, Summer Street Industries Society

“Congratulations to Summer Street Industries on the grand opening of the Summer Street Farm. Projects like this show what’s possible when we invest in people and their ideas, creating opportunities that are as inclusive as they are innovative. This accessible farm will create jobs, open doors for individuals of all abilities, and strengthen both our economy and community.
- The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“Summer Street Farm shows what’s possible when inclusion, sustainability and community come together. This participant-led farm is strengthening local food security while creating meaningful opportunities for people of all abilities. It’s an investment in people — and in the long-term health and resilience of this community.”
- The Honourable Dave Ritcey, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

"Summer Street is demonstrating what’s possible across the country, to become more self-sufficient and grow more local food. We’re honoured to work with bold partners like all the partners on this project, who share our vision that local food infrastructure is a key ingredient for healthy communities."
- Corey Ellis, CEO and co-founder, Growcer

Summer Street Farm — At a Glance
• Participant-led vision, shaped by Participant Council priorities
• Year-round, closed-environment farm with fully accessible design
• Largest wheelchair-accessible closed-environment farm in Canada
• Powered in part by an on-site solar array, supporting sustainable food production
• Three modular growing bays, supporting: Community food production gifted to food banks, schools, and food-security programs
• A commercial social enterprise producing food for sale and community use
• Future educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for farmers and innovators
• Public access options include on-site purchasing, pay-what-you-can pricing, and food-gifting opportunities through Summer Street’s charitable programs

Media Contact:
Liz LaPier
Fund Development Officer

Summer Street Industries
liz@summerstreet.ca | 902-301-0817

Record-Breaking Summer Street Scramble Raises $575,610 for People with Diverse Abilities
Community generosity drives progress toward “the Remedy” and a more inclusive Nova Scotia

New Glasgow, NS — September 19, 2025. The 31st Annual Summer Street Golf Scramble brought together 36 teams at the Abercrombie Golf and Country Club, raising an incredible $575,610 — the highest total in the event’s history.

Hosted by Summer Street Industries, the Scramble is Pictou County’s longest-running charity golf tournament and its only major fundraiser. The funds raised provide meaningful employment, skill development, and community inclusion opportunities for more than 200 people with diverse abilities each year.

“Every year, the people of Pictou County remind us what community really means,” said Bob Bennett, Executive Director of Summer Street Industries. “The Summer Street Scramble isn’t just a golf tournament — it’s a testament to how much people care about creating opportunities for others. The generosity shown by our teams, sponsors, and donors allows us to keep moving forward in our work toward the Remedy — building a more inclusive province where people with diverse abilities can live, work, and contribute in ways that are meaningful to them.”

This year’s Scramble carried a farm theme, celebrating the upcoming opening of the Summer Street Farm — a new closed-environment agriculture social enterprise. The project reflects the desires of participants to support the food security of the community and demonstrates Summer Street’s belief that inclusion thrives when communities support one another. The Farm is both practical and deeply symbolic: guided by participant leadership, it shows that even those often considered most vulnerable are eager to help others. It’s a project built on shared purpose, designed to strengthen local food systems while providing meaningful training and employment opportunities.

This year also marked the introduction of updated fundraising categories to recognize the tournament’s extraordinary growth:

Honours Club – teams raising over $5,000
Masters Club – teams raising over $10,000
Green Jackets – a new tier recognizing teams raising $25,000 or more

“When this tournament started over 30 years ago, we never imagined how far it would grow — or how much impact it would have for the people we support at Summer Street,” added Bennett. “Because of the generosity of our community, the bar keeps getting higher. Our teams are now consistently raising more than we ever dreamed possible — and that means more jobs, more programs, and more opportunities for the people who rely on us every day. This year, we even updated our recognition levels to reflect just how remarkable our supporters’ efforts have become.”

The City Club team led the way with an impressive $105,100 raised, followed by several “Green Jacket” and “Masters” teams who together set a new benchmark for community support.

The event included a moving tribute to two cherished members of the Summer Street community who passed away this year — David Wallace and Irene Aucoin — whose dedication and vision helped build the Scramble into what it is today. “We remember and celebrate those whose dedication and vision helped build this tournament into what it is today,” read a statement shared at the event. “These Champions laid the foundation for the success of this tournament and returned year over year as committee members, volunteers, and golfers. Their passion and commitment will always be a part of this event and the success of Summer Street and our Community of Champions.”

Lawtons Drugs returned as presenting sponsor, joined by Sobeys, Abercrombie Country Club, Forward Creative, Twin Rivers Home Builders, CIBC Wood Gundy, MacDonald & Murphy, CF Construction, and EM Real Estate, among many others.

Funds raised through the Scramble will help Summer Street continue its work toward the Remedy — Nova Scotia’s transformation of the Disability Support Program — ensuring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have greater independence, inclusion, and opportunity.

About Summer Street Industries

Summer Street Industries is a charity in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, dedicated to helping people with diverse abilities realize their potential through meaningful employment, skills development, and community participation. Learn more at www.summerstreet.ca.

Media Contact:
Liz LaPier
Event Coordinator

Summer Street Scramble
liz@summerstreet.ca | 902-301-0817