No One Should Have to Navigate Life Alone: Employee Spotlight on Avril Paice

Sometimes the most meaningful support comes from knowing there are people in your corner—people who will celebrate your achievements, help you navigate challenges, and stand beside you when life becomes difficult.

For Avril Paice (she/her), who has been with The Bridge Youth & Family Services for six years, that sense of connection is at the heart of her work.

As Manager of the Family Support Enterprise Team, Caregiver Support Team, and Etcetera Team, Avril sees firsthand the dedication it takes to support young people and families through challenging circumstances. And when asked what makes her most proud, her answer is clear: the people doing the work.

Recognizing Strength in Others

“I am incredibly proud of our staff and foster caregivers for their dedication, their hard work, and the gifts that they bring to our participants,” Avril shares.

She recognizes that while the work can be incredibly rewarding, it can also be emotionally demanding. Supporting young people through difficult circumstances requires resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to their wellbeing.

One experience that stands out for Avril is watching staff and foster caregivers support young people navigating significant health challenges alongside the complexities of being in foster care.

These situations require patience, understanding, and teamwork as young people learn to manage their health while continuing to navigate the everyday challenges of growing up.

“I think that the staff, the caregivers, and the young people deserve all the respect in the world for the way that they work through difficult experiences,” she says.

For Avril, these experiences are powerful reminders of the strength and determination of the young people in The Bridge's programs, as well as the dedication of those who support them.

Building a Community of Support

Avril sees The Bridge's mission of transforming lives and building community reflected in the collaborative approach of the Caregiver Support Program.

Foster caregivers, young people, Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) representatives, community agencies, and Program Facilitators work together to create a circle of support around each young person.

Within that circle, young people are encouraged to identify goals that matter to them and are supported in working toward them.

Sometimes those goals involve important milestones, such as enrolling in school, applying for a job, or learning to cook and manage a budget. Other times, they might include trying something new, like paddleboarding, or travelling to reconnect with family.

“These are normal things in life, but they mean a lot to the quality of life for young people in foster care,” Avril explains.

What matters is that young people have opportunities to make choices, explore their interests, build confidence, and experience the same milestones and opportunities as their peers.

No One Should Have to Do It Alone

If there is one thing Avril wishes more people understood, it is the challenges faced by both young people in foster care and the caregivers who welcome them into their homes.

Both are navigating circumstances that can be complex, demanding, and emotionally difficult. Neither should be expected to manage those challenges without meaningful support.

“Our Caregiver Support Program exists because they all need and deserve more support and community wrapped around them,” Avril says.

That belief extends beyond any single program. It speaks to the importance of relationships, compassion, and ensuring people have someone to turn to when they need help.

“Nobody is supposed to be alone in life, and our goal is to make sure people know they have support and help in what they are facing, and that there is hope for a good future for everyone.”

Through her leadership, Avril helps foster the collaborative, compassionate approach that allows staff, caregivers, and young people to face challenges together.

We are grateful for Avril's six years of dedication to The Bridge, her recognition of the people who make this work possible, and her commitment to ensuring that young people and families have the support, connection, and hope they deserve.