Bridge to Care was established in Alberta in 2017 with a clear purpose: to make quality, compassionate and person-centred support accessible to individuals and families, including those living in rural and underserved communities.

What began with a commitment to bridge gaps in care has grown into a multidisciplinary organization supporting children, youth, adults, seniors and individuals with diverse abilities and complex needs.

Over the years, Bridge to Care has continued to expand its programs, professional team and geographic reach while remaining grounded in the same principle that inspired its beginning: people should be able to access meaningful support in their own homes, schools, communities and everyday lives.

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Growing With the Needs of Alberta Families

Bridge to Care's growth has been shaped by the needs of the individuals and families we serve.

As those needs became increasingly diverse, our services expanded beyond traditional home and community support to include disability services, child and family supports, respite care, residential services, community inclusion, therapeutic services, healthcare and senior care, and inclusive post-secondary education.

Today, Bridge to Care works collaboratively with individuals, families, government programs, educational institutions, community partners and professionals to coordinate supports around the unique needs and goals of each person.

Our approach is not simply to provide a service. We strive to build a continuum of care and support across different stages of life.

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Child & Family Services

Supporting children and families has become an important part of Bridge to Care's work.

Our programs are designed to provide individualized assistance to children, youth and families who may require additional support because of developmental, behavioural, social or other complex needs.

Depending on the individual's service plan, support may take place in the family home, within the community or through structured programs.

Our goal is to strengthen families, promote stability and create environments in which children and youth can develop, participate and achieve meaningful personal goals.

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Disability Services

Bridge to Care provides individualized disability supports designed around each person's abilities, needs, interests and goals.

Services may include:

• Hourly respite and community-based support

• Extended and 24-hour respite

• In-home and out-of-home support

• Community inclusion

• Life-skills development

• Employment readiness and employment-related support

• Individualized developmental and behavioural support

• Support with participation in recreational, educational and community activities

We recognize that disability support should not be based on a one-size-fits-all model. Our teams work with individuals and families to promote independence, choice, dignity, inclusion and meaningful participation in community life.

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Residential Care and Out-of-Home Supports

As Bridge to Care expanded, residential and out-of-home support became another important component of our continuum of services.

These programs provide structured, individualized environments for people who require more intensive or ongoing assistance.

Support is centred around the individual and may include daily living assistance, community participation, skill development, appointments, transportation, recreational activities and coordination with families and other professionals.

Our objective is to create environments that are safe and supportive while remaining as home-like, respectful and person-centred as possible.

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Therapeutic Services

Bridge to Care recognized early that many children and adults require more than direct support alone. Families often need access to specialized professionals who can work collaboratively around the individual.

Our therapeutic services have therefore developed to include areas such as:

• Occupational therapy

• Speech and language support

• Behavioural support

• Counselling

• Sensory-based programming

• Nutritional and diet-related support

• Individualized developmental activities

Through specialized programming and therapeutic environments, Bridge to Care works to help individuals strengthen communication, functional abilities, emotional regulation, independence and participation in everyday life.

Our therapeutic programming also provides opportunities for families and support teams to work collaboratively with professionals so that strategies can extend beyond a therapy session into the person's home, school and community.

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Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

A significant development in Bridge to Care's continuing growth has been the expansion into Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE).

Through IPSE, individuals with developmental disabilities are supported to participate in post-secondary education and campus life.

Bridge to Care works with post-secondary institutions, learners, families, faculty members, campus personnel, program coordinators and facilitators to provide individualized support that promotes academic participation, social inclusion, independence and personal development.

The program reflects an important part of our philosophy: inclusion should continue beyond childhood and secondary school.

People with disabilities should have meaningful opportunities to participate in higher education, develop relationships, explore interests, build skills and become contributing members of their communities.

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Healthcare and Senior Services

Bridge to Care's continuum of care also extends to adults and seniors who want to remain safe, independent and connected to their communities.

Our home and healthcare supports may include personal assistance, companionship, respite, nursing-related support and other individualized services based on the person's circumstances.

For seniors and their families, our objective is to provide flexible assistance that supports dignity, independence, safety and quality of life while helping individuals remain in familiar surroundings whenever possible.

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Community Inclusion and Independence

Community participation is woven throughout many Bridge to Care programs.

We believe meaningful inclusion goes beyond simply being present in the community. It means having opportunities to develop relationships, participate in activities, learn new skills, pursue education and employment, make choices and experience a genuine sense of belonging.

Our staff support individuals in pursuing activities and goals that are meaningful to them while encouraging independence wherever possible.

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Supporting People Across the Continuum of Life

One of the defining characteristics of Bridge to Care today is the breadth of individuals and families we are able to support.

A child may require developmental or therapeutic support. A family may need respite. A young adult may require assistance entering post-secondary education or preparing for employment. An adult may need community or residential support. A senior may require assistance to continue living safely at home.

Although these needs are different, our underlying commitment remains the same:

to meet people where they are and provide individualized support that promotes dignity, independence, inclusion and quality of life.

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Building Services Across Alberta

From our beginnings in 2017, Bridge to Care has continued to extend its presence and partnerships across Alberta.

Our growth has included services and programs in both urban and rural communities, reflecting the original vision of ensuring that geography should not unnecessarily prevent individuals and families from receiving quality support.

As our organization has grown, so has our responsibility to maintain strong professional standards, accountability, staff development, quality assurance and collaboration with the families, professionals, educational institutions and communities we serve.

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Leadership and Vision

Bridge to Care was founded under the leadership of Praise Abraham, whose vision was to create an organization capable of responding to gaps in healthcare, disability and community-based services, particularly where individuals and families had difficulty accessing appropriate support.

That original vision continues to guide the organization's development.

Bridge to Care has grown through the combined commitment of its leadership, employees, professionals, families, community partners and the individuals who have entrusted us with their care and support.

Every new program has strengthened our understanding that effective care requires collaboration, flexibility and a willingness to listen to the people receiving the service.

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Beyond Alberta

Bridge to Care's commitment to compassion and community service also connects with broader humanitarian initiatives and affiliated organizations outside Alberta.

While these organizations operate independently and respond to the needs of their respective communities, they share values centred on compassion, dignity, service and creating opportunities for people experiencing vulnerability.

Bridge to Care's Canadian operations remain focused on providing and developing high-quality services for individuals and families throughout Alberta.

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Our Future

Bridge to Care continues to evolve.

Our future is focused on strengthening existing programs, expanding access in communities where services are needed, developing innovative approaches to disability and therapeutic support, strengthening inclusive education and employment opportunities, and improving coordination between families, professionals, educational institutions and community services.

Technology, professional development, evidence-informed practice and strong partnerships will continue to support that growth.

However, regardless of how large the organization becomes or how many programs are developed, the purpose remains the same as it was when Bridge to Care began in 2017:

to bridge gaps in care and create opportunities for people to live with dignity, independence, inclusion and purpose.

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Bridge to Care

Specialized Care for All Life Stages and Abilities.

From childhood through adulthood and into the senior years, Bridge to Care is committed to walking alongside individuals and families—providing support today while helping build possibilities for tomorrow.