Bridge Communities Blog

Shaunte has applied for the Bridge Communities Phase 2 program that is designed to provide step-down case management and financial support to our transitional housing graduates.

Shaunte is projected to graduate from the transitional housing program in June. She has applied for an apartment in Itasca that is close to her work and the kids’ schools and daycare.

As part of the Phase 2 program, Shaunte will receive rental assistance and limited case management services. The goal of this program is to help our graduates, for a short period of time, as they continue to transition to financial self-sufficiency. Shaunte has met many of her goals, including paying off all her debt and starting a savings account for her future.

Shaunte and her mentors have worked out a plan for Shaunte to utilize the Phase 2 program while her children are still in need of daycare. Within the next year or so, Shaunte will have less daycare fees and more financial resources to put towards her housing.

Shaunte is taking classes at the DuPage Homeownership Association to learn the basics of homeownership. She has the ultimate goal of owning a home for her and her children.

Shaunte explored the option of purchasing one of the condos that Bridge Communities is selling as part of their shared home equity program. But Shaunte decided that a move to Westmont would be too far from her employer in Wood Dale. She also feels that her children have excelled at their schools in Itasca and she would like to remain close to them during their day at school and her day at work.

Shaunte is very happy at her job. She has been awarded the unofficial title of “Best Baker” in her department. She really enjoys baking, so she is tickled that her colleagues have bestowed this on her. Shaunte enjoys the camaraderie of her workplace and the friends that she has made.

Shaunte was awarded the honor of Employee of the Month by her employer. She received company-wide recognition, a beautiful, engraved plaque and a $100 incentive. She recently celebrated her one-year anniversary and even with the ups and downs of a new job, she has always maintained a positive attitude and appreciation for the coaching and counseling she received through Bridge Communities.

Shaunte states, “I often reflect on the wisdom that has been shared with me by my mentors and Bridge staff; it motivates me to continue to do my best in all aspects of my life – trying to be the best mom, taking care of myself and giving back to others.

Bridge Communities is a great opportunity to learn how to make better choices and do better for yourself. Thank you for your contribution to Bridge – you are truly making a difference.”

Shaunte loves meeting weekly with her mentors. Her debt is completely paid off and she’s saving $500 per month. Every three months, they write down short term (three month) and long term (end of the program) goals. At this time, Shaunte hopes to save enough money to purchase a townhouse when she leaves the Bridge Communities program.

Shaunte begins a new job and now earns $11/hour, works 40 hours a week, and receives medical benefits. Bridge provides Shaunte with a donated, used car which she uses to get back and forth to work and to take her children to school and daycare.

Interviews for a Title Search position with finance company and gets the job!

Takes the Ball Foundation Career Vision apptitude tests. She scores well in customer service skills. Shaunte begins meetings with Bridge employment counselor, Patty Kelly who helps her write a new resume and practice interviewing skills.

Meeting weekly, her church sponsors help her devise a plan for paying down her debt and budgeting her money.

Shaunte meets her church sponsors and moves into a Bridge apartment with her two children. At this time, Shaunte works about 22 hours a week in a customer service job that pays $8.77/hour. She’s commuting downtown which eats up a lot of her time.

Shaunte discovers her family will be evicted from her Bensenville apartment. A relative tells her about the Bridge program and she calls the Bridge Communities office for an interview. Her children – a girl age six and a boy age four are in kindergarten and preschool.