Building Bridges: Employment Readiness Program
Bridges for Women Society is proud to partner with the City of Victoria to launch Building Bridges: Employment Readiness Program, an employment skills program designed for women living in transitional housing in Victoria who are ready to work toward greater economic security, stability and independence.
Grounded in feminist, strengths-based, culturally safe and trauma-informed practice, the Building Bridges program combines group learning, counselling and skills building into a single, coordinated program.
Who This Program Is For
The Building Bridges program is for women (cisgender, transgender, non-binary and Two-Spirit people who identify as part of the women’s community), aged 19 and over, living in transitional housing in the city of Victoria, who are facing barriers to employment.
Participants are women who have experienced trauma, violence, abuse or neglect and are ready to reclaim their lives. Whether moving toward paid work, furthering education, or gaining volunteer experience, the Building Bridges program helps participants rebuild their sense of stability and confidence.
In-Person Learning
Participants take part in a workshop series focused on:
- Employment readiness and workplace skills
- Life skills and confidence building
- Boundary setting, communication and self-advocacy
- Peer connection and mutual support
Group Counselling
Participants meet once per week as a part of a trauma-informed counselling and psychoeducation group. The goal of the group work is to support stabilization, confidence and emotional readiness for work, as they begin their employment journey.
Why This Program Matters
Many women who are survivors of trauma, violence, and abuse, face systemic barriers that can make it difficult to fully participate in employment, education and community life. Building Bridges works to address these barriers, alongside building the practical skills and confidence needed for employment, education and long-term economic wellbeing.
Registration Is Open For September Group
If you are a woman, 19 or older, living in transitional housing in Victoria and are interested in joining the September Building Bridges program, please contact us at (250) 385-7410 before August 27, 2026.
About the Partnership
This program is made possible through a partnership between Bridges for Women Society and the City of Victoria. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community wellbeing through prevention, equity, safety and economic inclusion, and to supporting upstream, community-based responses that help women move from instability toward safety, connection and opportunity.
