Bridges History
The vision for Bridges evolved over a number years in the context of BADFS’ experience as a family service addressing AOD issues. Being a small community organisation with minimal resources, it has been essential for BADFS to collaborate with other organisations to address its goals. BADFS has had a strong commitment to developing and maintaining trusting, cooperative and collaborative relationships and networks. This has included relationships with the community, small and large NGOs, government and business. BADFS has sought to recognise power imbalances at community and organizational levels. BADFS has sought to address these imbalances whenever possible.
Initiated by BADFS, Bridges Stage I was funded from July 2000 to June 2002. This stage was coordinated by BADFS in collaboration with Western Sydney Area Health Drug and Alcohol Services and Blacktown/Mt Druitt Community Health. This process included the assistance from Western Sydney Area Health Drug and Alcohol Services in applying for funds for Stage I. Without the collaboration in particular with these two services and also the many others participating in Stage I, the progression of Bridges would not have been possible. Many organisations and community members participated in planning and shared resources, skills, energies and ideas that contributed to Stage I. Their ideas have contributed to further plans and strategies.
An initial model was developed that has been used by others. For instance a class of students from Nirimba TAFE used the model in 2002 to organise a Gathering sharing Bridges Themes. 100 people attended this Gathering.
For further information on Stage I see Bridges Project Stage I Report
Bridges Stage II began in July 2003, after a period without funding.
For further information about Bridges Stage II strategies see Bridges Stage II Background and Strategies
In recent years, BADFS expanded from three to twelve staff, including counselors and community development workers. This has supported the development of Bridges to link clinical and community development strategies. Bridges strategies have always been compatible with the resilience framework. However, Peter Slattery articulated the resilience principles which Bridges has adopted since 2004.
During this period, BADFS expanded from 3 staff to 12 staff, including counselors and community development workers. This has supported the development of Bridges to link clinical and community development strategies. Bridges strategies have always been compatible with the resilience framework. However, Peter Slattery articulated the resilience principles which Bridges has adopted since 2004.
Initiated by BADFS, Bridges Stage I was funded from July 2000 to June 2002. This stage was coordinated by BADFS in collaboration with Western Sydney Area Health Drug and Alcohol Services and Blacktown/Mt Druitt Community Health. This process included the assistance from Western Sydney Area Health Drug and Alcohol Services in applying for funds for Stage I. Without the collaboration in particular with these two services and also the many others participating in Stage I, the progression of Bridges would not have been possible. Many organisations and community members participated in planning and shared resources, skills, energies and ideas that contributed to Stage I. Their ideas have contributed to further plans and strategies.
An initial model was developed that has been used by others. For instance a class of students from Nirimba TAFE used the model in 2002 to organise a Gathering sharing Bridges Themes. 100 people attended this Gathering.
For further information on Stage I see Bridges Project Stage I Report
Bridges Stage II began in July 2003, after a period without funding.
For further information about Bridges Stage II strategies see Bridges Stage II Background and Strategies
In recent years, BADFS expanded from three to twelve staff, including counselors and community development workers. This has supported the development of Bridges to link clinical and community development strategies. Bridges strategies have always been compatible with the resilience framework. However, Peter Slattery articulated the resilience principles which Bridges has adopted since 2004.
During this period, BADFS expanded from 3 staff to 12 staff, including counselors and community development workers. This has supported the development of Bridges to link clinical and community development strategies. Bridges strategies have always been compatible with the resilience framework. However, Peter Slattery articulated the resilience principles which Bridges has adopted since 2004.
