Bridges To Belonging

Stories of Dreams, Strength, and Belonging

I could show her what I can do. How I shine.”

Christina is a warm, creative and playful 28 year old living in Cambridge. “I make friends really easily. People are naturally drawn to me,” Christina notes. Her love for travel, cooking, and words is shared by her family. Travel plans keep people coming and going in the house she shares with her mom, two brothers, […]

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MENSA Games, Miso Soup, and International Presentations: Tim’s Story with Independent Facilitation

Tim is a charismatic, positive, friendly man who lives in Waterloo Region. He has two college diplomas, from Seneca & Conestoga College in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering and is currently working on his third. In late 2015, Tim became involved with Bridges to Belonging, and was paired with Chaitali, his Independent Facilitator, to help […]

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Sharing Our Impact: 2016-17 Annual Report

Embracing Possibility, Enriching Community Friends and Supporters, We are pleased to share with you a summary of the impact we have collectively made this past year. It has been a year of learning, of growth, and a year of successes, and none of it would have been possible without the support of the families we […]

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The Business of Curating Dreams

The following story introduces us to Barb, an individual we have the honour of serving. This story was written for the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, and is included in their 2016/17 Annual Report. You can read their full report here. How Independent Facilitation is Making an Impact, one person at a time Bridges to […]

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“I like doing my job, I’m really proud of the work I do there. But I wasn’t feeling connected to my community. With the help of my facilitator, now I’m doing more things in my community.” Greg is a charming young man who participated in the Independent Facilitation Demonstration Project. Dedicated and hard-working, he has […]

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Mackenzie’s Talent Reel

“You make me, a SUPERSTAR!”  MacKenzie dreams of performing for a living. She has been a dancer since she was three years old! MacKenzie attends St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and will be graduating in June, 2018. She hopes to attend Conestoga College’s CICE Program. In the meantime MacKenzie is connecting with talent agencies and […]

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“A community where everyone belongs is the community I want to live in” – A Volunteer Story

This reflection on volunteering for Bridges to Belonging comes to us from Christina Koenig, a member of our board of directors: I do sometimes feel I am new to Bridges to Belonging Waterloo Region.  After all, my adventure as someone on a Steering Committee and now on the Board began not too long ago when […]

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Independent Facilitation: A Parent’s Story

At age 21 our daughter Kelsey finished her high school program. Where she had been spending her days in school, we were unable to find any suitable/affordable day programs for her to fill her now empty days. I was working part-time as a PSW the hours she was attending school, however, as she needs support […]

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Finding Allies for Your Hopes and Dreams

Danielle, Emily and Connie, three adult sisters living in a mid-size urban Ontario community, share their path of transition in creating a successful move to living independently together in an apartment in the same neighborhood as their parents. This is a journey about three siblings and their parents, which began two years ago and expanded […]

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Rick: A Dedicated Team Member – Bridges to Belonging Stories

Rick is a man who always loved to help on his local hockey team.  His friends will tell you that Rick is a dedicated, passionate team member. He is the first guy at the rink, and the last to leave. What you may not know about Rick is that he has a developmental disability. When […]

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