Childhelp The Bridge

Childhelp The Bridge and its dedicated staff work to stabilize lives and reverse the devastating and long-term effects of poverty and homelessness among single mothers and their children. Program services are designed to maintain the family unit by empowering single mothers and enhancing their skills to independently care for their families and integrate into the community for support.

Families turn to The Bridge for support after experiencing domestic violence, illness, financial crisis or recovery from substance abuse. Families are welcomed with open arms and each family must meet minimal requirements to participate in the program:

• Mothers must be willing and able to work full-time – The Bridge offers each mother training in skills needed to maintain a full-time job and establish a financial savings account, which are essential to financial independence.
• Mothers must be drug free for six-months prior to entering the program – The Bridge operates with this requirement to emphasize commitment to success and to ensure the safety of the children and other families at The Bridge.

The Bridge also provides emergency services, crisis intervention, group and one-to-one counseling, and food and clothing to the families in the program. Believing in the power of compassion, The Bridge matches families with volunteer teams for guidance, mentorship and emotional support.

Graduation from The Bridge is an exciting turning point in each family’s life. Single mothers leave the program with a job, a start at creating healthy credit, a savings account, vocational training, and affordable housing resulting in an increased capacity for independently caring for their families. Each family also exits with knowledge of how to utilize community resources. The children who have taken the difficult journey with them can look at their mothers and think, “I am safe with you.”

The Bridge New Campus

Groundbreaking ceremonies for The Bridge new campus took place on May 7, 2009. The new campus will provide transitional housing for 15 to 20 homeless families (40 to 60 individuals). The goal of this new campus is to offer all of the critical services The Bridge mothers need to heal in one secure and controlled environment. This will be a huge step forward in the journey toward helping many more families get back on their feet.

Enrichment Programs

• Biweekly Fellowship Dinners
• Church Family-Support Partnerships
• Holiday Parties
• Career Development Services
• Structured referral services to programs like GED classes and job skills training
• Evening SUCCESS workshops

Program Distinctives

• A program for homeless single mothers with children that guides a family from homeless to wholeness in 1 ½ to 2 years by incorporating loving and dedicated church volunteer teams of mentors who provide hope and dignity.
• Of those who graduate from the Bridge, 84% are able to sustain housing needs and maintain employment and the family structure.

Program Goals

1. Expand church partnerships from current involvement of 10 churches to active involvement of 15 churches within 12 months for the family support partnership program.
2. Achieve an average census of 87.5% occupancy of the current capacity on a consistent basis throughout the year.
3. Explore options for integrating Childhelp mental health services to clients with the option for sustained funding for services.