Drop-in at the Bridge

Monday Senior Drop-in. This program is primarily geared to seniors. It is also open to adults facing similar challenges due to unemployment disability addiction etc. Many of our seniors are single isolated and living on fixed incomes which are often at or below the poverty line. The Monday program is open from 10 am to 2 pm. Coffee/tea is available with lunch served at noon. Lunch is soup and sandwiches which are made off-site by volunteers. Eating lunch together is one of the best ways for our guests (participants) and volunteers to get to build relationships. After grace volunteers serve our guests then all sit together in order to get to know each other. If there is any left-over food our guests can take it home. Payment is by free-will offering. Before and after lunch guests and volunteers play games and/or sit and talk. Guests are also able to access the local newspaper or books that have been donated. Volunteers are intentional about spending time with our guests to build relationships and develop trust with the participants. In building these relationships the volunteers will (as appropriate and desired) discuss and suggest ways to help guests/participants with life challenges; whether it is helping them vis a vis their financial institutions landlords helping the guests/participants fill out forms or facilitating a volunteer to go with them to the doctor. As appropriate the staff/volunteers have and will continue to forge relationships with many of the social services and agencies in Kincardine allowing us the ability to make referrals and to introduce our guests to agencies that would be able to best help them. Frozen Food Program. This program provides frozen meals to our seniors who are unable to cook for themselves either due to medical conditions or because of living below the poverty level are unable to purchase enough food for themselves. Our volunteers are also able to spend time with these seniors while delivering the meals to ascertain their mental and physical wellbeing. And if necessary to recommend or involve appropriate agencies for further help. Special Holiday Meals. Three times a year Easter Thanksgiving and Christmas Drop-in at The Bridge celebrates with guests who will be alone during the holiday season or who financially are unable to provide meals for their family. Our volunteers prepare a full meal and sit with our guests at the drop-in. We are able to celebrate together. In total we have 40 volunteers.

Thursday Teen Drop-in. This program is for High School students. It runs from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Our volunteers make lunch such as wraps chili dogs tacos and pizza for our guests. Payment is by free-will offering. We sit with our guests' building relationships during the meal. Other then sports activities there is very little opportunity for High School students to get together after school hours in a constructive manner. Our goal as we build relationships with our guests is to develop evening programs that will be of benefit to them. In building relationships the volunteers will (as appropriate and desired) discuss and suggest ways to help our guests/participants with life challenges. Thursday Teen Cafe and Homework Club from 3:30 pm to 8 pm. Allow highschool teens the opportunity to do homework. Volunteers are available to help if needed. It is a safe space where teens can hang out play board games and chat. We offer free lattes soft drinks and coffee. Saturday Drop-in. This program is primarily for High School Teens though it is open to others as well. The program runs from 2 to 7. From to 2-4 we play board/card games then stop for a lunch of pizza and ice cream which is donated by local stores. Then we have a movie from 5 to 7. Our staff/volunteers sit with our guests' playing games then serving lunch and watching a movie together building relationships. Friday Night Open Door for Ukrainian Families. This program is on alternating Friday nights from 7 pm to 9 pm. It is for families who have fled the war in Ukraine and have settled in Kincardine. The families are able to come together to talk in their native language share experiences and destress. Our staff/volunteers are able to sit with our guests and share in these experiences offering advice on housing jobs ESL programs etc. As well as introducing our guests to other agencies who can help them.