Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day is September 30, 2021. Orange Shirt Day is an annual day to recognize and raise awareness to the residential school system in Canada, join together in the spirit of reconciliation, and honour the experiences of Indigenous Peoples. The date, September 30th, was selected to commemorate the time of year that Indigenous children were taken from their families to attend residential schools. Willowbridge stands in solidarity with our Indigenous neighbours, clients, staff, and community, and would like to encourage donating by ordering orange t-shirts from Woodland Cultural Centre here.

Respite Reopening

We are happy to be welcoming back our Routes Respite community as we emerge from a long lockdown!

Soaring Above the Turbulence – Group Starting TBD

Soaring Above The Turbulence – Group Sessions

Learning to Deal with Conflict and Anger
Free therapeutic group for women who have experienced abuse and want to learn strategies for calming, communication and letting go of anger.

This group will be meeting over Video Calls, starting TBD on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

To register for this group, please contact our intake line by February 26, 2021 to register:
519-753-4173 ext. 239

Introducing Willowbridge Community Services

Family Counselling Centre of Brant Rebrands to Willowbridge Community Services

For over 100 years our agency has been empowering, strengthening, and building with the community. Throughout our long history, we have watched the needs of that community evolve and change. Our agency has evolved and changed alongside it, extending our circle of care to new regions, innovating new programs, and focusing on increasingly diverse populations.

As of September 24th, 2020, we have evolved yet again. The former Family Counselling Centre of Brant has become Willowbridge Community Services in order to better reflect our community and organization. We have expanded to include Brantford, Brant, Hamilton, Niagara, Six Nations of the Grand River, Missisaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Haldimand-Norfolk. We offer counselling, developmental services, and financial empowerment to all those in need. We bring change to life. We are Willowbridge.

Why Willowbridge?

Through the process of rebranding, we have learned that Willowbridge Community Services is not only a name and brand, it is a vision for the future. It is a vision for an agency that is safe and welcoming to everyone. It is a promise to continue to work towards relevant, accessible, responsive community services.

We chose the name Willowbridge because we are rooted in support for the community. The willow tree has a long history of uses in medicine, spirituality and cultural traditions. Willows promote healing, symbolize resilience, and can provide sanctuary from the elements.

We also identify with the image of bridges, which are safe, supported and elevated. We hope to act as a bridge to meaningful relationships, celebration, and belonging together in partnership with the community.

 

New Name. New Look. Still Here For You

The name change was just the start of our rebranding process. Over the past twelve months, we have worked to build a new look that matches our name. Rebranding to Willowbridge Community Services has meant a new logo, new website, and all new communications products.
While we have made changes to our name and look, Willowbridge Community Services continues to be driven by the same mission vision and values.

“Our commitment to you remains unchanged”, says Leslie Josling, Executive Director. “I want to thank our community and those we support for helping us reimagine our future and our brand. I am so excited to continue working with you to make Willowbridge and our community safe, welcoming, and supportive.”

For more information on Willowbridge Community Services, please explore our website or contact us.

COVID-19 Updates – March 2020

Dear Community and Clients,

We at Willowbridge Community Services (formerly Family Counselling Centre of Brant) are committed to protecting the health and safety of our clients, community, and our staff. Following consultation with Ontario Public health and after reflecting on the rapid expansion of COVID-19 in Canada, we are taking precautions to ensure we do our part to minimize the spread of the virus.

Because the reduction of social contact is the most effective tool we have, please be advised that we will no longer be offering face-to-face appointments unless they are critical in nature. We are restricting all personal contact both in the office and on client’s premises.

As a result, we would like to advise you of the ways you can receive service from us without having to physically visit our office or see our staff in person.

1. For those who currently receive Individual developmental service supports (Case Management, Intensive Case Management, Behaviour Supports); we urge you to call your worker and take advantage of either phone-based or video-counselling in the safety and comfort of your home.
2. For those who receive Counselling or wish to refer for counselling, we also urge you to call your therapist or our intake department (519 753 4173 x 239) to take advantage of telephone counselling or video counselling.
3. For those who receive Credit Counselling or wish to refer for Credit Counselling and Financial Empowerment Services please call your worker, Sue Davey (519 753 4173 x 245) or make a referral to Terri Gilroy (519 753 4173 x 223).

As a means of limiting social contact, we have closed our group programs, including Respite Services, Passports, and our group therapy programs.

If you or your loved one could benefit from telephone or video counselling supports instead please call our intake department (519 753 4173 x 239) and discuss your needs and options with us.

Thank you kindly for your consideration and patience. We look forward to continuing to serve you.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Leslie Josling, MSc, RSW, G.Dipl.

Executive Director