Bridges for Women Society

07/30/2026

Friendly reminder: The Bridges office will be closed on Monday, August 3 for the BC Day long weekend.

We hope you take this weekend to do whatever fills your cup. Whether that means heading to the beach, exploring a local park, catching up on sleep, or mastering the art of doing absolutely nothing, you deserve a chance to pause and enjoy.

Our office reopens Tuesday, August 4.

07/29/2026

Registration Open for the September Building Bridges Program!

If you are a woman living in transitional housing in the city of Victoria and planning to return to school or re-enter the workforce this fall, our Building Bridges Employment Readiness Program was made for you.

Many women who are survivors of trauma face complex systemic barriers that can make entering the workforce or starting school feel overwhelming. Building Bridges addresses these barriers head-on while helping you build the practical skills, confidence, and emotional readiness needed the start your employment journey.

What Participants Focus On:
• Employment readiness and practical workplace skills
• Life skills, confidence building, and self-advocacy
• Boundary setting and healthy communication
• Peer connection and mutual support

Registration Details:
• Who - Women (19+) living in transitional housing in the city of Victoria
• Deadline to Register - August 27, 2026

You don’t need to have every detail of your future mapped out to contact us. Take the first step today.

📞 To schedule your intake appointment or learn more, call us at 250-385-7410

07/28/2026

Setting Boundaries Without Guilt 🛑✨

When preparing to re-enter a workplace or classroom learning to protect your energy and time is one of the most powerful tools you can build.

Setting boundaries isn't about being aggressive; it's about staying rooted in your own well-being. Here are 3 gentle ways to practice boundary-setting this week:

The Pause - When asked to take on a new task or favour, give yourself permission not to answer immediately. Practice saying: "Let me check my capacity and get back to you by tomorrow."

The Warm 'No' - You don't need a elaborate excuse to decline an invitation or request. A simple "I won't be able to make that work right now, but thank you for thinking of me" is an answer.

Protecting Your Off-Clock Time - Set a clear stopping point for your day, whether that means closing job search tabs at 4:00 PM or putting your phone in another room during dinner.

In our Bridges employment programs, we dive deep into practical boundary-building so you can step into your next chapter feeling confident and supported. 💜

Save this post for the next time you need a gentle reminder that your boundaries matter!

07/23/2026

We talk a lot about offering trauma-informed care at Bridges, but what does that mean ?

Trauma-informed is the foundation of how every intake, employment program and counselling session is run. Here are 3 green flags you will experience in a trauma-informed space:

Choice is Prioritize - You are always in the driver's seat. You decide what you want to share, when you want to share it, and what goals matter most to you. No pressure, no interrogation.

Collaboration Over Authority - We don't act as experts on your life. We work alongside you as supportive partners, recognizing that you know yourself best.

Predictability & Safety - There are no hidden hoops or sudden surprises. Whether you are doing a program intake or accessing our 10 fully funded counselling sessions, our processes are transparent from step one.

07/16/2026

🤝🕊️ If you are looking for a safe, supportive place to begin a new chapter of healing, our counselling doors are open.

At Bridges, we understand that healing is not a straight line, and you don’t have to carry the weight of your past alone. Our counselling program offers a warm, trauma-informed, relational environment.

We firmly believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of mental wellness and recovery. That is why we offer up to 10 fully funded sessions for eligible clients.

Our services are open to all women including non-binary and two-spirited people who are survivors of trauma, abuse, violence, or neglect.

You deserve to be heard in a space that completely respects who you are.

Reach out to our team today to connect, learn more about our trauma-informed support, and check your eligibility for our funded counselling sessions.

07/14/2026

Today is International Non-Binary People’s Day.

Today we celebrate the beautiful diversity of gender identities that enrich our community here in Victoria.

At Bridges, we know that true safety means creating spaces where a person never has to compromise or hide who they are. Our doors, our employment programs, and our counselling services are completely and proudly open to all non-binary, gender-diverse, and two-spirit survivors of abuse, trauma and violence.

Your story matters. 💛🤍💜🖤

07/13/2026

07/13/2026

In partnership with of Victoria - Local Government, we are launching the Building Bridges: Employment Readiness Program.

This program is designed for women (trans, cis, non-binary, and two-spirit individuals) living in transition housing who are ready to take on the challenge of re-entering the workforce or returning to school, but need a supportive, trauma-informed foundation to get there.

Starting in September, Building Bridges focuses on holistic growth, building workplace confidence, and creating sustainable pathways to economic independence, all within a safe, relational community.

If you're living in transition housing, ready to begin your return-to-work journey and want to learn more about how this program fits your goals, give us a call, 250-385-7410 or visit our website https://bridgesforwomen.ca/programs/building-bridge-employment-readiness-program/

07/09/2026

When you are actively looking for work, the days can start to feel incredibly long.

You’ve sent out the resumes and now... you wait. It is completely normal to feel like you are quietly climbing the walls, feeling stuck, wondering if anything is ever going to happen.

The 'waiting game' is one of the hardest parts of looking for work. It can bring up self-doubt, isolation, and a heavy sense of stagnation.

If you are in that space today, we want you to know your worth is not defined by your employment status or your productivity.

While you wait for those callbacks, be gentle with yourself. Take a step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and remind yourself that this quiet chapter is just a temporary middle part of your story.

07/06/2026

We are very excited to be partnering with The City of Victoria - Local Government to launch an employment readiness program specifically designed to support women in transition housing. Love when community comes together to do great things!

The City is partnering with Bridges for Women Society to launch a new employment readiness program for women living in transitional housing in Victoria who have experienced trauma, violence, abuse or neglect and who want to reclaim their lives and work toward employment, education or greater economic stability. Learn more at victoria.ca/cswb.