Hope Bridge Services was founded in 1992 by Margo O’Hara to deliver employment counselling to individuals recovering from addictions. Demand for this bridging service between recovery and work re-entry was great but the target market ability to pay a fee for service was extremely limited. Responding to community needs THE HOPE PROGRAM was created to support people recovering from addiction to develop a long term attachment to the labour force and in November of 1996, in partnership with Stenberg College, the first HOPE Program (HRDC funded) was launched. For the past 14 years The HOPE Program has served in excess of 1600 clients while consistently meeting all contractual obligations and targets.
In 2002 Hope Bridge Services became a registered partnership and expanded its mandate to include professional development workshops for employment and addictions service providers along with addictions education programming for community based trainers. 2004 brought the incorporation of the company and opening of the Vancouver Hope Bridge Services facility where we continue to deliver The HOPE Program as well as sub-contract to BCEP, consult, write publications/reports and deliver professional development training for employment and addictions service providers. Hope Bridge Services’ philosophy is expressed in our mission statement.
Hope Bridge Services’ aim is to inspire their clients to create meaningful change by fostering a welcoming and safe learning environments, delivering expert knowledge of addictions/employment issues and encouraging opportunities to explore new experiences and skills. We are dedicated to an open dialogue with people personally impacted by addiction, community service providers and educators with a commitment to championing a culture of lifelong learning for both clients and staff.