Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Bridge Communities: Providing Housing Where None Cannot Be Had

Bridge Communities bridges the gap between homelessness and home ownership among families who need it the most. Unlike many organizations dedicated to solving the homeless issue, Bridge Communities provides homeless families with the opportunity to become self-sufficient through a wide range of related services.

First, the families are provided with transitional housing. These families spend two years in the housing facilities free of charge, thus, providing them with the opportunity to save money on rent while also learning valuable life skills like budgeting, getting jobs, and living in a self-sufficient manner.

Second, the families are provided with mentoring and empowering services. These are designed to ensure that the individuals enrolled in the program can move on toward self-sufficiency and the dignity that comes with it.

Bridge Communities establishes partnerships with talented and resourceful individuals and groups in the community for its two-fold mission. Its holistic program is designed to increase the chances for success that the homeless families in DuPage County will adopt permanent and positive changes in their lives.

The Bridge Communities' Transitional Housing Program has the following key elements:
  • Housing. Families stay in the apartment buildings owned by the organization for an average of two years. Each apartment usually has two bedrooms with modern amenities found in other housing accommodations.
  • Mentoring. Mentors from the organization’s partners provide the families with assistance and sponsorship as they develop the skills necessary for self-sufficiency. These include budget and saving development plan, financial literacy, debt reduction, and healthy decision-making, among others.
  • Employment Counselling. Adults are provided with assistance in securing and maintaining viable employment, a crucial aspect of attaining economic self-sufficiency.
  • Tutoring. Children are provided with tutoring services delivered by professional certified teachers to contribute to their academic success.
Mentors and families are also provided with the services of professional care managers especially in the development of short-term and long-term goals.

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