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 CSAC Presents Me2/ Classical Music for Mental Health: 
an evening of classical music & connection Tuesday May 20 6:30pm. Get your free tickets here!

 

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Find out about Interlude, CSAC's new mental health crisis alternative.

Services » Adult Mental Health —

Community Bridges

Our Mission

To bridge the gap between people living in isolation and the larger community.  The sharing of unique passions, skills and interests enriches both the community and the participant, reinforcing the individual’s sense of purpose and belonging.

Community Bridges shares the broader CSAC vision: a compassionate, resilient community that honors everyone’s full potential.

You are not alone – Community Bridges can help you connect.

Community Bridges: A predominately peer-run, managed, and volunteer-attended program supporting human connection.  Community Bridges seeks to connect folks who live in isolation to form a bridge in the community. We supports isolated folks who are transitioning to full community inclusion. Funding is provided by CSAC.

Overview: Led by a committee of community and client participants. Community Bridges presents individuals with ample opportunities to engage in community events and volunteer projects. Its foundation is the commitment to restore the essence of community and ensure that all individuals, regardless of background, find their place within it.

Community Bridges achievements include:

  • Launching a community mural project.
  • Hosting a free community supper.
  • Volunteering at Charter House.
  • Card parties etc, at community centers such as Gather.
  • Benefit party for H.O.P.E.
  • Building friendship benches.
  • Music at Porter Rehab & Nursing Home.
  • Free jewelry workshops.
  • International Make Music Day facilitation.

A Two-Way Street of Benefits: According to Mary Price, Community Bridges peer coordinator, the program emphasizes mutual benefit. Participants are encouraged to discover and share with the community their unique passions, skills, and interests. The goal is not just to enrich community life, but also to reinforce the individual’s sense of purpose. Both the community and its members flourish through ongoing interaction.

Want to learn more about Community Bridges? Contact Mary Price at mprice@csac-vt.org or Thomas Hill at thill@csac-vt.org. Or call 802-388-6751, extension 527.

Community Bridges Origins. Community Bridges began in the early 2000s. CSAC’s Community Rehabilitation and Treatment (CRT) staff, knowing that isolation harm’s people’s health,  saw need to foster more meaningful community engagement in Addison County. Early initiatives of the project dubbed Community Bridges sought to connect folks who live in isolation to form a bridge to the wider community. Transitioning from isolation to full community inclusion became the goal.

With the onset of Covid-19, isolation became necessary. Though the virus kept us from being out in the community, the program carried on. Community Bridges participants rallied with meetings, book clubs, and chat rooms.

Concerts via Zoom were offered on a weekly basis by local volunteer musicians. All were welcome to zoom in.

After-concert chats were hosted by participants as casual get-togethers. Strangers turned into friends during covid-19’s three-year siege. The online chats and book discussion group are still going strong.

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