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BRIDGES PROGRAM

A place for connection, community, love & mentorship

The Bridges Program helps women build connections, identify resources and meet specific needs in their communities. The key aspects of the Bridges Program include:

  • Identifying and accessing community resources.

  • Addressing immediate needs including diapers, groceries, food, clothing, fuel, shelter and more.

  • Immediate support for addictions and/or domestic violence.

  • Mentorship opportunities through our Broom Tree Sister’s Program.

Each individual that walks through the door is treated with compassion and respect. Initially a warm drink and food is offered. We then establish a safe environment for the individual to share their unique, individual story. We start to build a plan to begin to support them as they work toward their immediate and long term goals.

Bridges
Reusable mesh bag containing cucumbers, a jar of vegan tzatziki sauce, green herbs, yellow and red bell peppers on a marble surface.
   BT   Pantry   

Stocked with essential food and household items, it’s available to individuals and families who may be facing a difficult season. We aim to provide these resources in a way that is welcoming, respectful, and accessible, offering both practical help and a reminder that they are not alone.

A bouquet of pink roses in a white vase on a table, with a cardboard box in the background.
The Blessing Bags Project

Our Blessing Bags are a community initiative that was designed to offer care bags to women who are homeless. These bags are filled with items such as toiletries, gum, socks, toques, gift cards, and other small items.

Wrapped Christmas presents decorated with twine, red and silver ornaments, greenery, and placed near a blurred Christmas tree with lights in the background.
The Noel Project

The anticipation of Christmas can be difficult for many families. The added pressure of buying Christmas gifts, paying bills and building a memorable holiday experience for parents shouldn’t have to be so difficult. The Broom Tree Foundation partners with local churches and community members who have a desire to support families during Christmas through shopping and supplying gifts and gift cards, fuel cards and groceries.

A black sidewalk sign for The Broom Tree Cafe with a gold-embossed tree logo. The sign announces the cafe is open and invites customers to come in.
The Token Program

Like the roots of any tree, it needs nourishment. As part of our food security initiatives through our café, we have handed out tokens to other agencies and schools in our community who can hand out tokens to families in need. It is designed to be confidential when a family in need of food can come into the café and get fed without any money exchange.

A cheese and cracker platter with sliced fruit, berries, nuts, smoked meats, cheese cubes, and dips on a wooden table.
    The Broom Tree Table

A FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVE

The Broom Tree Table offers delicious, nutritious home cooked meals. By signing up for the BT Table you are blessing another family in the community in need of a healthy, home cooked meal. When you purchase a meal, we are turning around and donating a meal to a family in need to help bridge the gap for food security. The meal consists of 1 casserole, 6 homemade buns, a litre of juice and a dessert; it feeds a family of 6 comfortably!

A woman with dark hair and fair skin sitting in an ornate pink armchair in a room with dark green walls, next to a side table with a candle and a vase of pampas grass.

KESHIA CARMICHAEL
BRIDGES PROGRAM COORDINATOR

At its heart, the Bridges program provides a safe, supportive space for individuals and families in tough times, bridging the gap between insecurity and stability.