Bridges

About Bridges

Our vision is to support adults towards a better life. We offer holistic care, courses, and community for adults aged 18-60, to improve emotional, physical, spiritual and economic well-being.

Hours: Please see below for updated hours.

Location: Davis Centre, 270 Gerrard St. E., Toronto

Contact: 416-929-9614 x 3200

For up to date announcements follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Bridges Services

Food Bank:

  • Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Pick up by appointment only, once every 2 weeks
  • Nutritious food bags are available by family size, once every 2 weeks by appointment. Please call 416 929 9614 x 3200 to book an appointment.
  • Staff available to assist with hygiene supplies and baby items (if available)

Take-Away Meals:

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Mental Health Counselling:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Phone, walk-in & appointments available.
  • “Walk in” telephone counselling is available by calling 416 355 3568.
  • Appointment based telephone counselling call 416 355 3568 or 416-929-9614 x 3235

Employment Services:

  • Monday – Friday, via telephone/email
  • For all general inquiries, call the Employment Centre at 416 929 9614 x 2278 or email us at ees@ysm.ca.
  • In-person meetings by appointment only.

Housing Services:

  • Appointment only.
  • Monday and Tuesdays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Evergreen, 365 Spadina Ave
  • Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Genesis Place, 280 Gerrard St. E.
  • Please call 416 929 9614 to book an appointment.

Care Management:

  • 1-1 support is available virtually and by appointment. 
  • Please email bridges@ysm.ca for more information.  
  • Visit linktr.ee/YSMBridges for a current listing of courses available.
  • Monday and Tuesdays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Evergreen, 365 Spadina Ave
  • Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Genesis Place, 280 Gerrard St. E.

BRIDGES PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Please click here to see a list of local meal options during the closure.

Regular hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM at the Davis Centre, 270 Gerrard St. E.

Our Food Bank (by appointment only) provides a two-to-three day supply of non-perishable, unprepared food, as well as staples such as bread, milk and vegetables.

We have trained professional counsellors to listen and offer support on issues such as addictions, abuse, anxiety, and trauma. Drop-in professional counselling is available Thursdays from 3:30 to 7:30PM. Ongoing support for mental health issues is available by appointment.

Our housing team helps access transitional housing, while working toward finding permanent housing solutions.

YSM Bridges provides community support, group therapy, mental health counselling, spiritual support

Bridges offers a variety of ways to learn in a supportive environment. Learn more by dropping by, coming for dinner or calling 416-929-9614 X 3200

COURSES
Bridges provides low-barrier, small-sized, entry-level courses on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. There are three semesters a year, each are six to 12 weeks in length. Ongoing registration is available for those who are ready and willing to learn.

  • Boundaries
  • Self-esteem
  • Anger Management
  • Healthy Relationship Building
  • Financial Literacy
  • Creative Writing
  • Goal Setting
  • Communication

And much more.

We have ongoing support groups for those in recovery and those with criminal justice involvement. We also offer access to computer classes for adults, and employment workshops – ask us more about specific classes.

LEARNING HUB 
One-on-one Thursday evening tutoring provides literacy and educational supports. Pre-registration is required in order to match each attendee with a skilled and trained volunteer.

Bridges Care Managers are a key piece of the Bridges program, offering personalized attention to overcome barriers, while coordinating trauma-informed services and support. Care Management is not time-bound, it is relationally based and includes making an action plan and setting personal goals. Call, write or drop-by to learn how Bridges can support you in getting connected to resources to move you from surviving to thriving!

MENTORING 
Community Members who are registered with Care Management can request a volunteer mentor. Mentors are matched for one year to encourage empowerment through positive relationships.

GROWING FORWARD 
This pre-employment program consists of six weeks of intensive experiential group learning, followed by ten weeks of paid employment training. To be eligible to apply, you must be willing to set goals and not have worked significantly in the last five years.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 
We offer resume writing workshops, interpersonal skills assessment, work habits development, interview training and employment attire acquisition. Our individualized approach includes personalized coaching to help adults prepare, find and keep meaningful employment.

CHURCH AT THE MISSION 
Wondering about the bigger questions of life? Church at the Mission offers a safe place to grow spiritually as you reflect on your purpose, identity and values. Join us on Sundays at 3PM at 306 Gerrard St. E.

PASTORAL CARE 
Pastoral Care is for those looking for spiritual guidance, needing values-based personal support through a life transition or desiring to grow in their spiritual formation.
YSM serves people of all faith backgrounds in their quest for wholeness, with a specialty in Ecumenical Christianity.

AMANDA’S STORY

two women smiling and looking towards the camera

“My favorite thing about YSM is how friendly the staff are. They come in with a smile and know you by name. It’s good to come to a place you know you are welcome and safe.”

Amanda has struggled with poverty for most of her life doing her best to make ends meet while on ODSP. At Bridges Amanda found warm meals, participated in creative writing classes where she wrote a book, and began visiting the Bridges’ Learning Hub for one-on-one assistance with her resumé, cover letter, and job applications.

Today, Amanda feels blessed to be able to give back to the YSM community by volunteering at special events, such as the Coldest Night of the Year event and our PATH Clothing Drive. She takes pride in telling supporters how their donations help people just like her.

“It’s great to see where I started and where I am now. It’s nice to give back to something that has given so much to me. ”With your ongoing support, we can continue to provide essential services to community members like Amanda. Thank you for helping us move more people from surviving to thriving.