ABOUT
Our Bridges of Hope team will annually attach uplifting and positive messages to three frequently traveled bridges within the Waterloo Region area. We believe that by doing this, we can positively affect the lives of many in our community, especially those who need encouragement the most.
MEET THE CREATORS
OLIVIA MILLER
DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER
Olivia Miller is a Grade 12 student at Waterloo Oxford D.S.S. She has a passion for Positive Psychology, which she hopes to study in the future. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves music, nature, photography and creating new projects to keep her busy. Olivia will be attending the University of Waterloo for Social Development Studies in September 2019, continuing with Bridges of Hope's legacy, community outreach and events.
GRETTA DOTZERT
CO-FOUNDER
Gretta Dotzert is also a Grade 12 student currently at Waterloo Oxford DSS. She is driven by the desire to help others, and hopes one day to become a lawyer fighting for social justice. Gretta enjoys music, reading, running, and spending time with those she loves. Gretta will be attending the University of Ottawa for Legal Studies in September 2019, pursuing other interests there!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answering all of your questions right here!
WHO ARE YOU?
Bridges of Hope was initially for youth - by youth. Along the way, we realized that more than just youth want to talk about mental health. Bridges of Hope is now by youth, for the community. Our names are Olivia Miller and Gretta Dotzert and we are two first-year university students who created Bridges of Hope in our last year of high school.
WHY DID YOU CREATE BRIDGES OF HOPE?
We started Bridges of Hope as a response to the struggling we saw in so many of our peers. We wanted to share positivity and optimism in a simple way.
WHO INSPIRED THIS IDEA?
We read an article about a teen in Sunderland, UK, who attached positive messages to a popular bridge. She prevented over twenty suicides since the beginning of her project. So, we modified the idea for Waterloo Region and ran with it!
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
Our goals are to increase positivity and mental health awareness in Waterloo Region by organizing annual events that promote honest conversations. We also like to attend community events to share the youth perspective on mental health conversations. We hope to continue to grow this initiative and reach as many individuals as possible.
WHEN ARE YOUR NEXT EVENTS?
Our next events will take place during Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 - the first week of October! Specific dates and times will be released within weeks! Subscribe to our email list to recieve all of the updates - plus our monthly book, podcast and event recommendations! Simply click the email image above to be re-routed.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT YOUR NEXT EVENTS?
Stories of hope will be shared by inspiring individuals and positive messages (that you can create when you register for our event online) will be attached to the bridge at our event location. We have other exciting new additions to our 2019 events as well! They will be announced ASAP.