What IS BRIDGES?
The BRIDGES Society is dedicated to fostering mental wellness through a wide array of engaging and inclusive programs. As a charitable, non-profit organization, we serve as a welcoming drop-in center where everyone is invited to participate in social outreach activities aimed at enhancing mental health and promoting healthy habits and lifestyles.
Our mission is simple yet profound: to cultivate mental wellness in a safe and supportive environment for everyone. By partnering with various support agencies in Hinton, we make it easier for individuals to find the help they need to live fulfilling and healthy lives as active and contributing members of our community. Our services are diverse, featuring peer support, social arts and recreation activities, and community meals programs, all designed to foster connection and wellness.
What We Offer
At BRIDGES, we understand that maintaining mental wellness is a journey best traveled together. We offer support and community-based programming to anyone wishing to improve their mental health, including those living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, panic/anxiety disorder, and other mental health challenges. Our goal is to alleviate the loneliness and isolation that often accompanies mental illness, providing a safe and understanding space for people of all backgrounds, including seniors, youth, families, people with disabilities, First Nations, Metis & Indigenous peoples, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of BRIDGES, experiencing the same sense of connection and fulfillment that our clients do. They are invaluable members of our team, offering social outreach, transportation, and distribution of donations. If you are looking to deepen your connection with others in our community or simply wish to lend a helping hand, we invite you to join our team. For more information, call us at 780-865-4464. Together, we can build a healthier, more connected community.
Where to Find Us
Our facility is located at
250 Hardisty Avenue, Hinton AB
Phone: 780-865-4464
Email: Janice: info@bridgeshinton.org
Email Alphia: activities@bridgeshinton.org
Our Staff
Lorraine Geoffrey (Cook), Alphia Lachance (Activity Coordinator) and Janice Baxter (Executive Director)
Our Board of Directors
President: Eric Rosendahl
Vice President: Stephanie Brown
Treasurer: Julia Breese
Secretary: Brigitte Lacroix
Directors at Large: Allan Hunter, Jillian Dobrich, Kate Willis, Benita Smit, Tannis Arsenault, Lilith Laughlin, Reg Gauchier
Alberta Health Services Community Advisor: Pavan Sonpar-Pahwa
Consider joining our Board of Directors! Call 780-865-4464 for more information!
You Can Rent Our Facility.
Our facility is available to rent on weekends and some evenings for public or private events and parties. Please call Janice at 780-865-4464 to check availability before submitting a rental agreement form. You can find our policy on the downloads page, from the link below.
Our History Hinton non-profit Mental Health
- B.R.I.D.G.E.S. (Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Goals & Employment Society) was initiated by a small group of concerned parents and Alberta Mental Health staff to address the lack of support services for adults with mental illnesses.
- A Board of Directors was elected, a proposal for service funding submitted, and funding through the Alberta Mental Health Board was secured in 1996, all within months of the initial idea.
- B.R.I.D.G.E.S. became a Registered Charity in 1997 and established its Policies and Procedures, Bylaws, and core service plans.
- The initial estimates were that 6-10 individuals would be served by the program; in 2024, we served approximately 390 individuals, logging an average of 35 people per day. Why not drop by for a visit? You may find it’s just what you’ve been looking for!
Logo; Yellow flower against a blue sky; Text says, BRIDGES Supporting those with mental health needs