Bridging Employment Program

The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance's $5-million Bridging Employment Program is designed to improve employment opportunities for BC Employment and Assistance recipients who have suffered from violence and/or abuse.

The program is structured to serve three categories of clients:
- Community Bridging - for women who have suffered from violence and/or abuse.
- Special Bridging - for women who, in addition to having suffered from violence and/or abuse, face additional barriers to employment due to language or culture (e.g. aboriginal clients or immigrants).
- Former Sex Trade Workers - for former sex trade workers who are BCEA clients or those who are receiving funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development under a youth agreement.

The program, which averages 19 weeks, is focused on pre-employment life skills. It assists clients to overcome some of the barriers that prevent them from making successful transitions to sustainable employment and will ready them to participate in the BC Employment Program.

Community Bridging Category

Organization	Community Served
Bridges for Women Society	Victoria
Community Futures Development Corporation	Vernon
Cowichan Women Against Violence Society	Duncan
Mennonite Central Committee	Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Hope
Newton Advocacy Group Society	Surrey
Northwest Training LTD	Terrace
Okanagan University College	Kelowna
Prince George and District Elizabeth Fry Society	Prince George
Vancouver Eastside Educational Enrichment Society	Vancouver

Special Bridging Category

Organization	Community Served
Immigrant Services Society	Vancouver - Immigrant women
Metropolitan Community College	Mission/Fraser Valley - Aboriginal women

Former Sex Trade Workers Category

Organization	Community Served
PEERS Vancouver	Vancouver
PEERS Victoria	Victoria

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For more information:

The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance Info Line
1-866-866-0800