Bridges Day Program

The Bridges Program is based out of a commercially zoned character home. This wheelchair accessible program is conveniently located just a few blocks from the City of Courtenay’s downtown core. The Bridges Day Program serves up to twenty (20) adults who have expressed a desire to gain paid employment and independence in the community. Day Program hours are from 9am-3pm-Monday to Friday. The Bridges Day Program promotes active healthy lifestyles, and we provide opportunities for life-long learning, volunteering, art, music, cooking, exercise, friendship, leadership, advocacy and community inclusion through recreation and voluntary participation in the working collective.

In 1998, the original participants of the Bridges Program formed a working collective and named it , “Bridges Contracting Services”. The Co-op is based on consensus and working agreements. This concept has evolved over time with new members. The members share their gross expenses and pay themselves a worker share based on the actual hours they have worked.

A percentage of gross earnings is reinvested back into the Co-op. They have proven to be a successful contributor to the economy of the Comox Valley and the Co-op is a large part of park maintenance through the Regional District of Strathcona.

When the program participants gain different skills and become more independent, they may decide to apply for an individual work placement in the community. Future Focus will  support this by connecting the participant with an employer who is looking for a suitable employee.

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bridges

What our clients and staff are saying

When asked what they think about the Bridges program:

A.Z
★★★★★
Client

I like Library visits, coffee shop trips, swimming sessions, Trivia and Karaoke at Bridges.

M.W
★★★★★
Client

I like the scheduled activities, hanging out with friends, arts and crafts, learning about history and doing trivia at Bridges.

M.K
★★★★★
Client

I like coming to Bridges because it gets me out of the house, and I enjoy hanging out with my friends.

V.C.
★★★★★
Family/Caregiver

This program has been successful in bridging the gaps to bring my son to a place of acceptance, confidence and independence allowing him to make positive changes in his daily life and into the future.

M.W
★★★★★
Staff Member

Working at Bridges has been an incredibly meaningful and rewarding experience. Over time, my leadership skills have grown significantly, thanks to the supportive environment and the guidance of supervisors and directors who genuinely value the voices and perspectives of their staff. Their willingness to listen, collaborate, and encourage new ideas has helped me become more confident, adaptable, and proactive in my role.I’ve had the opportunity to build strong relationships with participants, support their goals, and contribute to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment. Working here has strengthened my communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and my understanding of person-centered support.

C.W.
★★★★★
Client

I like doing puzzles, coffee shops trips, nature walks and Disc Golf are the best at Bridges.

KP Staff

I am uplifted and inspired daily by the thoughtfulness, energy, creativity, and joy our clients exhibit at Bridges. I have come to develop close bonds with many of them. As a counselling student, I am grateful for the valuable experience working with people with IDD, and I hope to continue to be a resource for folks with IDD in our community after my time at Bridges ends.

Anonymous Client

I like coming everyday. It is a fun Day Program-it is a friendly place. I got a good staff here. I like to go on a work crew. I like to go to Rosewood.

T&D.R.
★★★★★
Family

My husband and I have been home share providers for over 10 years working with diverse individuals.

We have had two different individuals who participated in the Future Focus, Bridges Day program. They each had very different needs from the program. I am happy to say that Bridges staff and program directors went above and beyond to meet the specific needs of the many diverse individuals they serve.

Our clients have/ were engaged and are learning in new ways every day how to develop and maintain peer relationships and many basic life skills.

I have witnessed clients who have been able to develop more confidence through working at the program while feeling secure and safe with their coworkers and staff.

S.H.
★★★★★
Client

I love baking and going for Community walks at Bridges.

T.C.
★★★★★
Client

I love solving puzzles and going for Disc Golf with my Bridges Friends.

Anonymous Client

I get to go and do a lot of stuff in the community, like going to NIC. I get to do fun activities, like going to the library and the work out gym. I get to do IPP’s and set my own goals. The people at Bridges are very friendly. We are all friends at Bridges. If you have a problem or can’t work things out, you can talk to a staff member to help you in problem solving.

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