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Bridges for Women Society

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Bridges for Women Society

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Bridges for Women Society, 201-3045 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC.

Bridges inspires women-identifying community members affected by trauma, violence or abuse to reclaim their lives and build financial security through our healing, education and employment programs.

03/17/2026

Trauma often leaves us with 'survival tools' that might have protected us in the past but no longer serve us in our workplaces or relationships. At Bridges, our programs provide a safe space to unlearn those old habits and build new, healthy ways of connecting.

Learning to navigate our emotions is a superpower. We celebrate the courage it takes to look inward and the strength it takes to move forward.

03/12/2026

We had a poetry corner at our Open House last week. Folks who came to see us each contributed one line of poetry to add to a blind poem. After compiling them (with a little artistic license), this is our result:

Volcano erupts; stuck in a cage of grief, fear, pain and broken dreams.
Impacts still fresh, unsure what to do. Who am I , where do I fit, where do I go?
My heart aches to see the world; A place to rediscover who I am
But how can I tell if things happen? New self-talk; dare I believe?
Maybe I have the strength to overcome, to find joy
Seeing is believing, I can commit to one day, together for a day
Embracing the beauty and wonder of nature to heal and grow
I can look towards joy, and the life I envision
An unexpected message takes root:
“find joy by keeping the little bird in my heart alive!”
My Heart yells? “I AM HERE JUST FOR YOU!”
“I never left; I was here all along”
I love others, do I dare to love me too?
Healing brought poetry surging from her depths, saying
Beauty is all around- open your eyes and see
And she felt a warm hug around her; Peace flowing on the wings of women
With courage and grit they danced into the night
Old messages that spoke of other women, taunted her with:
The Queen was in the garden eating bread and honey
Could that ever be me?
Now I find a place to rediscover who I am, and the support I need to thrive
As I grow into my skin
My creativity is power, new confidence brings joy
Now I see
A million stars, separately twinkling, but together a beautiful map of past and future
Bridges means connections and community and the path to change
The celebration and recognition of dignity and agency
Natural Bridges, built bridges, each one taking me to where I need to be
Bridges brought hope, repair and new dreams; from volcanos come fertile soil, I grew a new me.

03/11/2026

This past International Women's Day, we collaborated with other South Island women’s services and anti-violence organizations to publish the following open letter in the Times Colonist on March 8, 2026. Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, BWSS Battered Women's Support Services, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island, Sooke Transition House Society,Haven Society, Cowichan Women Against Violence Society, The Cridge Centre for the Family, & Victoria Women's Transition House

We are asking community to stand with us and raise your voice to demand action. Write, call or email your MLA to tell them you support immediate implementation of Dr Kim Stanton's recommendations.

https://www.leg.bc.ca/members/mla-by-community

03/10/2026

A massive Thank You to everyone who buzzed the intercom and climbed the stairs to join us for our Open House last week. Seeing our new space filled with so much warmth and laughter was the best "home-warming" we could have asked for.

Missed the event? Don't worry! Our doors are open, and we are currently preparing for our next program cohort starting in May. 🌿

03/09/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated International Women's Day and the incredible power of women building community here in Victoria. As we continue into the month of March, we continue our focus to the systemic barriers that still stand in the way of true safety and equity. 🕊️💜

We know that individual resilience is not a substitute for institutional justice. That’s why we continue our call for the BC government to fully implement the recommendations from Dr. Kim Stanton’s 2025 Systemic Review of the B.C. Justice System.

Dr. Stanton’s findings confirm what survivors have told us for years, our current systems often fail to provide the safety they promise.

To move forward, we need:

• True Trauma-Informed Legal Care: A justice system that understands how trauma affects memory and behavior.

• Economic Security as a Right: Recognizing that financial independence is the most effective exit ramp from violence.

• Accountability: Meaningful oversight to ensure survivors are not re-traumatized by the very processes meant to protect them.

Knowledge is power. We invite you to read the executive summary of Dr. Stanton’s report and share this post to keep the conversation at the forefront of our provincial leadership’s mind.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/about-bc-justice-system/justice-reform-initiatives/systemic-review/dr_kim_stantons_june_2025_final_report_-_executive_summary.pdf

Justice is a collective effort. Let’s keep building. ✊

03/06/2026

This International Women’s Day, we are joining gender based violence service providers from across our region in calling on the provincial government to move beyond words and into urgent action by fully implementing the recommendations in Dr. Kim Stanton’s 2025 Systemic Review of the BC Justice System.

Dr. Stanton’s report provides a clear, vital roadmap for transforming how our province responds to violence. To make our communities safer and stop the ongoing harm to survivors , we must see:

• Systemic Accountability: Addressing the gaps in police and court responses that leave survivors vulnerable.

• Trauma-Informed Practice: Ensuring every touchpoint in the justice system understands the physiological and emotional reality of trauma.

• Indigenous-Led Pathways: Prioritizing and funding self-determined safety for Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirited people.

Women's safety in public safety. This International Women’s Day, we ask the government: Will you turn these recommendations into reality?

Read the executive summary of the report here:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/about-bc-justice-system/justice-reform-initiatives/systemic-review/dr_kim_stantons_june_2025_final_report_-_executive_summary.pdf

03/05/2026

The big day is finally here! 🎊

Our doors open at 1pm and we are ready to welcome you into our new home. Whether you're part of the Bridges family or you're just curious about the work we do to support survivors in Victoria, we would be honoured to have you join us.

This space is built for our community, and today is all about celebrating the new classroom and offices where so much healing and growth will happen. 🌿

Open House Details:
⏰ When: Today, March 5th | 1:00 – 4:00pm
📍 Where: 201-3045 Douglas Street (2nd Floor)
✨ What: Tours of our new space, refreshments, activities, and great conversation.

Getting Inside:
When you arrive at the front door, please find "Bridges for Women" on the intercom. Give us a buzz, and we’ll be happy to let you in!

We can't wait to show you around and share our vision for the future of trauma-informed healing in our city. See you soon! ☕️🍪

03/04/2026

Why does an employment program focus so heavily on healing? Because you can’t build a career on a foundation of survival mode. 🌿

At Bridges, we believe that economic security is one of the most powerful tools a survivor can have. It provides the freedom to leave unsafe situations, the ability to support a family, and the strength to reclaim your vocational path.

Our programs are person-centred, meaning we don't just look at a resume. We look at the whole person. We help survivors move from "not knowing their place in the world" to feeling confident, hopeful, and financially independent.

When you’re ready to take that next step, we’re here to walk across that bridge with you.

03/03/2026

The tea is almost ready! 🫖

We are so excited to welcome you to our Open House this Thursday, March 5th.

Come celebrate our new classroom and office space with us. Whether you’re a former participant, a community partner, or someone curious about how we support survivors in Victoria, we would love to see you.

📍 Where: 201-3045 Douglas Street (2nd Floor)
🕑 When: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🍪 What: Refreshments, fun activities, and a tour of our new home.

Entry Instructions: When you arrive, just find "Bridges for Women" on the intercom and we’ll buzz you in.

03/02/2026

Tax season can feel like a heavy weight, especially when navigating the complexities of trauma recovery or financial barriers. For many survivors, filing taxes isn't just about paperwork, it’s a vital step toward reclaiming your financial agency and accessing the benefits you are honoured to receive.

If the process feels overwhelming, you don't have to do it alone. There are several free tax clinics in Victoria ready to support you.

📍Free Tax Clinics in Victoria

TAPS Tax Clinic
• Where: 828 View St.
• How: Drop-in service (no appointment needed)
• Inquiries: Call 250-361-3521.

James Bay Community Project Tax Clinic
• When: March 2nd – April 30th | 8am – 2pm.
• How: Call 250-388-7844 (Ext. 0) for info.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
• When: Starting March 3rd | Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
• Where: Walk-in at 833 Yates St.
• Contact: 250-727-0007 (Ext. 3225) or email ksinclair@svdpvictoria.com.

💡Why File Your Taxes?

Beyond just "filing," this is about ensuring you receive the government benefits you qualify for. These can provide a critical foundation for stability, including:
• GST/HST Credit
• Canada Child Benefit
• Canada Disability Benefit
• Other credits you may not even know you’re entitled to!

📝What to Bring

To make your visit as smooth as possible, remember to pack:
• Government-issued I.D.
• All tax slips and receipts.

At Bridges, we believe that economic security is a key component of healing. Accessing these resources is a way of honouring your future and your stability

02/26/2026

To truly honour Black history, we must be honest about the present. In Canada, systemic barriers and the intersections of racism and misogyny create unique weights for Black women survivors of violence to carry:

• 42% of Black women in Canada have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15.

• Nearly half of Black women in Canada report experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment, which often compounds the effects of personal trauma.

Black History Month ends this weekend, but our commitment to providing inclusive, person-centred, and trauma-informed support does not.

02/25/2026

Today is Pink Shirt Day, and the Bridges community is standing tall in pink! 💗🌸

The theme for 2026 is "Sprinkle Kindness," but for survivors of trauma and violence, we know that kindness is more than just a nice gesture. True kindness is a protective force. It’s the "umbrella" we hold over one another to ensure that everyone, regardless of their past, their identity, or their journey, feels safe and valued.

At Bridges, we wear pink today to say:
✨ No to harassment in the workplace and at home.
✨ Yes to boundaries that protect our peace.
✨ Yes to a community that believes and supports survivors.

"Sprinkling kindness" means checking in on a colleague, respecting someone’s "no," and creating space for diverse voices to be heard. It’s how we build a future where every woman, non-binary, and two-spirit person can walk their path without fear.

Address

201-3045 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC
V8T4N2

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+12503857410

Website

https://www.bridgesforwomen.ca/

Alerts

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