{"id":227,"date":"2025-04-22T17:34:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T17:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admiring-stonebraker.15-222-93-83.plesk.page\/?page_id=227"},"modified":"2025-07-30T02:57:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T02:57:55","slug":"home-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/?page_id=227","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"227\" class=\"elementor elementor-227\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef687ba e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef687ba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1885559 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1885559\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About Us<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c9d0ec e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4c9d0ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b90ea7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4b90ea7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1296506 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1296506\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3fea3f elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a3fea3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is <strong>bridges<\/strong>?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cbfb97 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0cbfb97\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c61d32d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c61d32d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><strong>bridges<\/strong> is a community platform created in collaboration with people and families in Durham Region, Ontario. We believe that communities are strongest when everyone belongs\u2014not separated into \u201cspecial\u201d spaces.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f9d976 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7f9d976\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">While most people want to be welcoming, they may not always know how. Many individuals simply need support to participate in everyday life\u2014whether it\u2019s making friends, feeling at home, or playing in their local neighborhood.<br \/>That\u2019s where Bridges comes in.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f0ac97 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6f0ac97\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfde570 elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dfde570\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"665\" src=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/about_us_img2.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1001\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/about_us_img2.webp 998w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/about_us_img2-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/about_us_img2-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0240db e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f0240db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_mouse&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_tilt_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_tilt_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0.2,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f716a4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6f716a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d40696 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2d40696\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8ae1df elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b8ae1df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How <strong>bridges<\/strong> Works<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bfa511 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bfa511\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><strong>bridges<\/strong> is designed to do something about that and to bring community members together.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Together with families and community members we designed bridges to be an online recruitment and matching platform for people who share common interests and want to be involved in shaping the communities in which we all live.<\/p><p class=\"p1\"><strong>bridges<\/strong> suggests matches based on shared interests, where people live, times support is sought and mutual availability. Matches then move off-line to be written into formal contractual arrangements and expectations by each party.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd5c34c e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dd5c34c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-150deb8 e-con-full e-transform e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"150deb8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1.1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-788a9f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"788a9f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/avatar_icon_light_blue.svg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1250\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb23912 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb23912\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Associate<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f0c233 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1f0c233\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I am a community member seeking work<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9042fae elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9042fae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/app.bridgesandconnections.com\/create-account\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Start as Associate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68d3c3c e-con-full e-transform e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68d3c3c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInDown&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1.1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-688ec72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"688ec72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/avatar_icon_dark_blue.svg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1249\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f5eb51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8f5eb51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Family Member<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-395499b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"395499b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I am the family member of someone seeking support<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-335c270 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"335c270\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/app.bridgesandconnections.com\/create-account\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Start as Family<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35c8187 e-con-full e-transform e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"35c8187\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1.1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6142c0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6142c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/avatar_icon_bergundy2.svg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1334\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10fc8e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"10fc8e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Person Seeking Support<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13bd40c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"13bd40c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I am a person seeking support<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9e3d7f elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f9e3d7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/app.bridgesandconnections.com\/create-account\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Start for Me<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5f7bdc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b5f7bdc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;waves&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;waves&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M421.9,6.5c22.6-2.5,51.5,0.4,75.5,5.3c23.6,4.9,70.9,23.5,100.5,35.7c75.8,32.2,133.7,44.5,192.6,49.7\n\tc23.6,2.1,48.7,3.5,103.4-2.5c54.7-6,106.2-25.6,106.2-25.6V0H0v30.3c0,0,72,32.6,158.4,30.5c39.2-0.7,92.8-6.7,134-22.4\n\tc21.2-8.1,52.2-18.2,79.7-24.2C399.3,7.9,411.6,7.5,421.9,6.5z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M421.9,6.5c22.6-2.5,51.5,0.4,75.5,5.3c23.6,4.9,70.9,23.5,100.5,35.7c75.8,32.2,133.7,44.5,192.6,49.7\n\tc23.6,2.1,48.7,3.5,103.4-2.5c54.7-6,106.2-25.6,106.2-25.6V0H0v30.3c0,0,72,32.6,158.4,30.5c39.2-0.7,92.8-6.7,134-22.4\n\tc21.2-8.1,52.2-18.2,79.7-24.2C399.3,7.9,411.6,7.5,421.9,6.5z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57cf646 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"57cf646\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b7cf98 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6b7cf98\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-658faeb elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"658faeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Support Matters<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8163bf1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8163bf1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a536a88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a536a88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together the partners in the match will focus on spending time in ways that matter most to the person who has goals, dreams and practical supports to consider<\/span>. <em>In all ways, the support will allow people to be a greater part of their community.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9292136 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9292136\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">This may simply mean that through this support relationship a person lives well in their family home or in a home of their own and becomes a part of their neighbourhood.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1d5b9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d1d5b9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">It could mean they spend time exploring a shared or new interest. It might mean pursuing leisure, learning, volunteering, work, or other social opportunities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cccd7c2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cccd7c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2510d7c elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2510d7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1066\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about4.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-255\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about4.webp 1066w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about4-240x300.webp 240w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about4-819x1024.webp 819w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about4-768x960.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1066px) 100vw, 1066px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-773544f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"773544f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88c8ee5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"88c8ee5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0b9ba5 elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d0b9ba5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1066\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about5.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-256\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about5.webp 1066w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about5-240x300.webp 240w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about5-819x1024.webp 819w, https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/about5-768x960.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1066px) 100vw, 1066px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0319c7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a0319c7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65f7ad1 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65f7ad1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Support Builds Belonging<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f802d3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5f802d3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2167db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2167db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Support through <strong>bridges<\/strong> is about more than just meeting needs\u2014it\u2019s about helping people live fully, build relationships, and find true belonging.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a80d822 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a80d822\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When someone is supported in a way that aligns with their goals and interests, they thrive &#8211; whether at home, in their neighborhood, or out in the wider community.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c564691 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c564691\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">These relationships create space for people to connect, contribute, and be seen for who they are.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d441c37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d441c37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><strong>bridges<\/strong> helps turn those relationships into a stronger, more inclusive Durham\u2014where everyone plays a part in shaping a welcoming and supportive community.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About Us What is bridges? bridges is a community platform created in collaboration with people and families in Durham Region, Ontario. We believe that communities are strongest when everyone belongs\u2014not separated into \u201cspecial\u201d spaces. While most people want to be welcoming, they may not always know how. Many individuals simply need support to participate in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-227","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=227"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/227\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgesandconnections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}