Building Bridges is a project that was delivered from the years of 2016 – 2019. It was for immigrant women who had an upper-intermediate level of English and some experience or desire to work in a group or in a community setting. This program assisted them to close the gap and provided information about the Canadian society, capacity building training and helped them to be more active in their communities. It comprised of 15 weeks of classroom activities and 20 hours practicum that took place concurrently.

In the past years, Building Bridges participants volunteered for the community assisting with over 2060 hours for more than 30 organizations. Here are some examples:  

Region of Peel - Early Literacy program, Owenwood Public School, Riverside Public School, St. Patrick Church, Mississauga Christian Women's club, Brian W. Fleming Public School, Saint Dominic Church, MIAG, Divine Mercy School, Salvation Army, Mississauga Food Bank, COSTI, PCHS, Knights Table – Brampton, Community Kitchen, Hamilton School Board, Active Living Mississauga, Spectra Community Services.

Here are some of the community projects accomplished through this project:

Ovation – in partnership with Volunteer MBC, helping to reduce senior’s isolation in our community. 

Breakfast ambassadors – cooking and serving breakfast for homeless community members in Brampton at the Regeneration Community Kitchen. 

Peel Health services seminar – seminars conducted in Brampton for women to understand all available free health care services in Peel.

Community garden project – assisting seniors with their shared residential garden.

Community Park clean up – clean-up of the community park that is used by 2 public schools and community members.

“Before joining this program, I did not know what to do. Now, after the program, I know what I need to improve on. I have to improve my networking and I have to find volunteer opportunities. In Building Bridges, I gained practical facilitation and cross-cultural knowledge and skills. This encouraged me to believe in myself, to pursue my goals, and not to give up. Building Bridges helped us to build the strength and confidence we need to face the difficulties of our daily life. Also, the program worked as a bridge between us and the community we intend to serve. I get connected with neighborhood community, community resources, and build up my own networking, so I have the feelings of belonging somewhere and I am empowered.”