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Lory Wolter, Executive Director
Created from a grassroots group of parents who realized the value of support from a shared parent network, Bridgeway is non profit organization which delivers programmes to young families in Peel with children from new born to 6 years of age. They also provide services to pregnant teens and women at risk.
Bridgeway recognizes that the earliest years of a child’s life are the most important, and understand the value of working with expectant mothers, and families of young children, to support them through the journey of parenting.
Bridgeway is funded through grants from various government ministries as well as donations from other partner organizations and monies fund raised through BINGO.
One of the many programmes include The Healthy Start Programme which assists women, often of low income, who may have experienced relationship issues, family violence, or may be new to Canada
Women are taught how to prepare healthy meals and snacks for their families, and are given food vouchers, bus tickets and also provided with pre-natal vitamins.
How to prepare healthy meals on a low budget is a service delivered to the attendees by a registered Dietician, a programme which not covered by government funding.
A social worker helps the mothers navigate the system, addresses issues they may be going through, but the social work service is only available as often as the Bridgeway Organization can afford to provide.
The moms report that the social work experience has been very valuable to them. They report an increased knowledge of infant care (breast feeding, baby check ups and immunizations) and learned about the resources available to them in Peel.
A Public Health nurse comes in every week, but there is always more need than services can cover.
Attending the Healthy Start programme has also provided informal support through relationships developed among participants.
Moms participate willingly, wanting to improve their own lives and the lives of their babies.
Bridgeway is extending their services into south west Brampton.