05/28/2026
Over the last 6 days, we have had the privilege of hosting Dr. David Sheard as we continue reflecting on how we can strengthen and improve the way we support vulnerable people in our community.
In affordable and program-based housing like Bridge Healing, we have spent years focused on developing the structures, staffing models, and systems needed to help people stabilize and move forward. But at JPWC, we have increasingly recognized that we have not spent enough time understanding what these environments should feel like on the inside.
Through workshops, reflection, and honest conversations, this week challenged us to think differently about belonging, human connection, and overall, what it means to create environments that foster hope, meaning, identity, purpose, spirit, and home.
This is not quick work. Building emotionally intelligent, resilient housing environments takes time, humility, intentionality, and a willingness to keep learning and evolving.
There is a long road ahead and much work to do. But this time to learn left us with hope, vision, and a deeper understanding of what may be possible when people come together with openness, honesty, and a shared commitment to doing our work better.
We are deeply grateful to the Alberta Women’s Foundation and Glenora Rotary for helping make this work possible.
We are equally grateful to the guests of Bridge Healing, staff, leadership, board members, and community partners who showed up fully and honestly, and who were willing to have difficult conversations & cry together throughout the workshops.
Lastly, thank you to Dr. Sheard for leading this work. We are excited to continue building it out together.
