Our Vision:
Women affected by trauma, violence, abuse or neglect have the choice and opportunity to break free from the cycles of violence, poverty and isolation, and to achieve safety, health and personal control in their lives.
Our Values:
- Respecting the rights, dignity and worth of each woman, her boundaries, cultural context and diverse belief systems
- Honouring the individual learning and healing process and cultivating nonjudgmental environments
- Committing to trauma-informed, anti–oppressive practice and non-violent organizational culture
- Breaking the silence and educating on trauma, violence, abuse and neglect
- Working to ensure our workplace reflects the diversity of our clients
- Honouring our feminist roots in our commitment to cooperation, collaboration and building consensus
- Recognizing, valuing and normalizing women’s experience of surviving trauma
- Fostering community connections to support knowledge-sharing, collaboration and advocacy
- Recognizing and valuing women’s work, paid and unpaid, women’s equality, and contribution to the economy
- Acknowledging and embracing change as a constant
- Practicing mindfulness and critical curiosity
Bridges adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a reconciliation framework. We commit to applying its principles, norms and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their land and resources. As part of this commitment, Bridges will provide education and training for all staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, UNDRIP, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law and Aboriginal-Crown relations. We will also pursue training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism.