Bridges To Belonging

Bridges to Belonging is a non-profit organization. We are federally incorporated and a registered charity. We are a human-centered, grassroots organization started by families who wanted more than institutionalization, coverage, placements and segregation for their sons and daughters with disabilities. They wanted choice, control, and community for their loved ones. VISION - Communities where people of all abilities belong and are connected through meaningful relationships MISSION - We engage with you to be empowered and express your gifts, together with your loved ones, to build a network of support that honours your choices for the life you want in Waterloo Region PURPOSE - To affirm the inherent dignity and worth of people living with disabilities, to walk with them to overcome isolation, live free of barriers to inclusion, and experience belonging. OUR PRACTICE AND OFFERINGS Independent Facilitation is our primary practice and core service As Independent Facilitators we build a trusted relationship and serve as guide, resource, and facilitator of a “Good Life” for the people we walk alongside. We walk with youth, adults and seniors who self-identify with a disability (physical, psychosocial, cognitive, developmental/intellectual, psychological/mental health or addiction, including ABI or FASD), their families, loved ones and others in their networks of support. Person Directed Planning & Facilitation - We facilitate the planning process for a personalized an “Embracing Possibilities Life Plan” based on individual gifts, strengths, interests, and passions; the achievement of goals for employment, independent living and a place to call home, volunteering, recreation and leisure, pursuing sports and the arts, building friendship or any other goal the person may have. We engage individuals in their homes and the community to promote place-based learning, personal development, interdependence, civic engagement, community connection and participation. We also