RiseBridge Project

Trigger warning - Additions, homlessness suicide, life.

So to some I may appear to come across as some tree loving hippy. Firstly, thank you! And second, for me it's actually about all living beings... we all view things differently and to me the land AND the people matter equally. One thing that resonates with me big time is "violence to the land is violence to the people". It is one in the same. We are one in the same. So you've heard my voice big and loud in support of indigenous land sovereignty and respect and love for mother earth and every living being. I will continue to support our land defenders in whatever capacity I can and I will continue to hold hope and space for a future where we love mother earth, we love our neighbors and every living being as one. A lot of you know my history. My life stories. A lot of you don't. There is a lot to know and I am working on sharing and moving through my healing. Processing. All of my life experiences make up who I am today, the same as you and every being that walks this earth alongside us. We hold our personal history as the trees hold the history of the land. This post is less about the land. I've been putting a lot of energy into the land. This post is about the people. Each and every single one. I hold love and compassion for all and I've had my share of struggles maintaining that throughout my years. I have often felt at a great loss trying to help. Trying to do something. While maintaining boundaries and self respect. I've lived through family addictions and mental health. I have friends and family that have and do struggle with addictions. Homelessness. Depression. Suicide. Its so hard as one person to always know the right things to do. I am learning... always have been... and so far I have a lot to work with. Life has been pretty wild lately... totally divine actually. Like one after the other things keep coming into place. Boom. Boom. Boom. Long story short here I am, totally dumbfounded to be in the position I am in. VP of the board for the most incredible movement to happen in our community maybe, ever. Rise Bridge Project - A platform to elevate work that's already being done in community but with big gaps and people being left behind. We are offering a low barrier space to be a catalyst for connection, holistic health support and inclusion for mid island community members. Rise Bridge is a progressive, action orientated collective of peers and community professionals who champion social justice initiatives, amplify Black and Indigenous voices, and elevate harm reduction initiatives. We are a strong, united voice committed to taking action toward equity and allyship, empowering community through connection, awareness programs and community events. We desperately need low barrier outreach services and open youth drop-in spaces in Nanaimo and Parksville. We need mental health support. We need harm reduction programming. We need to honor cultures. We need community connection. We need Rise Bridge! I couldn't be more proud of the momentum that we are moving forward with and the power and strength in our community of peers and professionals coming together to get shit done! So much love and appreciation for everyone involved. I have so much to learn from all of the wonderful people I will be working with and I am so excited. I have an outlet backed by some incredible minds to help me participate in the work I want to do. Helping people. Actually helping people! Not just sitting around talking about how much we want to. Unconditional love for all living beings, today and everyday.

With love and endless gratitude ~ Amanda