The Bridge Hamilton
Support Services
The Bridge’s reintegration support services are designed for men who are at the risk of homelessness and are in need of a community-based rehabilitative service.
Transitional Housing
Bridge House offers transitional housing for up to six men who have just been released from incarceration.
The House
Built in 1889, Bridge House sits at 319 Barton St. E., a block east of Victoria. It has been renovated and expanded many times over the years, and we are hoping to renovate again in the next few years.
The house has three stories and an unfinished basement where we provide laundry facilities for our clients. The first floor is occupied by offices and common areas. There are two offices, a storage room, a kitchen and three meeting rooms. The second and third floor each have three bedrooms for clients, and a shared bathroom and kitchen. The second floor has additional common space, and a veranda.
The Clients
Residents of Bridge House are men who have just been released from incarceration, most commonly from the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre. Most of our residents have been incarcerated on charges involving a penalty of under two years. Applications for the Transitional housing program are assessed by Bridge staff for program compatibility and to ensure safety for everyone in the program.
Is it a Halfway House then?
No, Bridge House is not a halfway house. Halfway houses are extensions of the federal corrections system. These facilities are for Federal parolees who have been conditionally released. As such, residents are still under the authority of Corrections Canada, and a breach of rules can result in their return to a federal prison to complete their sentence.
In contrast, inmates released from the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, or other provincial institutions, not have legal requirements around residency. They are left to their own devices to find whatever housing they are able to. Bridge House is a starting point, a place where they can start looking for other housing, as well as rebuild other aspects of their lives.
Case Management
Case management at The Bridge involves both group and one-on-one support opportunities for men who have recently been released from incarceration. While some aspects are mandatory for residents of Bridge House, clients have the flexibility to engage in the aspects of our case management work that suits their needs.
In addition to one-on-one case management work, The Bridge has several group based programs for criminalized men, designed to meet different individual needs.
One on One Work
Reintegration Planning – Clients living at Bridge House are required to develop a reintegration plan with Bridge staff. This begins with an interview that survey’s the client’s history to identify strengths, opportunities and barriers to progress. The client’s are then helped to articulate their own long term goals. Together, the client and staff develop a short term plan to help them begin to progress toward those goals and rebuild their lives in the community.
Social Work – Our social worker utilizes best practice approaches to promote individual independence, build capacity and improve quality of life. Maintaining a client-centred approach, the social worker works with men to support community reintegration through skill development, psychosocial support, community referrals, housing and vocational assistance.
Referrals – In conjunction with the role of Bridge House to provide transitional housing, bridging the client between incarceration and finding their own home, The Bride does not seek to be all things to our clients, but rather to support them and help them find and access the services they need.
Counseling – The Bridge does not offer formal counseling, however we are always willing to sit down and listen to a person in distress. Our approach is empathetic, and solution focused, avoiding early childhood issues, and always following the client’s lead in what they wish to discuss. We work to refer clients who need intensive therapy.
Technical Support – Whether it is writing a resume, setting up an email account, or filling out an application form, sometimes technical issues can challenge our clients. The Bridge provides assistance to clients to do these tasks and become more integrated into the community.
Family Support Group
Program Objectives
To provide a safe atmosphere of support for women and their families affected by the incarceration, and other circumstances, of members of their families.
Activities
Referrals in the community for housing, employment, income support, education, medical and legal issues and counselling.
Discussion through participation, telephone, and personal interviews on coping strategies such as self-esteem, positive attitudes, and relationship building.
Meetings are held every Wednesday from 2:00 –4:00 p.m. at The Bridge House 319 Barton Street East. If you would like to participate, please contact us.
Participants
Target Group—Women seeking emotional, economic and social support for themselves and their families.
Eligibility Criteria – women who have been affected by the loss of family members through incarceration and other means.
Referral—referrals from Bridge House Staff, volunteers, family members, other agencies.
Waiting Period—Mostly immediate entry.
Discharge Planning
Bridge provides discharge planning for all those returning from correctional facilities and prisons to the Hamilton area, servicing about 350 people in the past year with practical and rehabilitation referrals. Our mandate is to provide specific practical support through volunteer teams for prisoners being released.
Victim Support Group
We are in the process of developing a support group for victims of crime. Details will follow as we develop the group. If you need assistance immediately, we are glad to help you find other community support.
Information to follow. For immediate assistance please contact us through email info@hamilton-bridge.ca