Client success story
From Harm to Hope: A Support Network That Works
"I felt like I was juggling chaos," says Sue of her life before entering the Bridge Communities transitional housing program. "My kids and I spent years moving from place to place with my abusive husband before we landed in the domestic violence shelter and then in my parents’ basement. Then it became too difficult to stay there and I didn’t know where we would go."
Four years ago, Sue was taking some general education classes at College of DuPage (COD) with plans to apply to the nursing program there. In between classes, she drove a school bus and struggled alone parenting her two pre teens, Kayla and Vince. In addition, she volunteered for "Journey Home," a Christian ministry serving domestic violence victims. Another counselor there told her about the Bridge program.
In the Bridge program, housing provided stability to Sue and her family. Experienced mentors, Mary Love and Patti and Tom Redig came along side Sue to help her sort out her finances, balance her bank account, work with the school district on a specialized education plan for her son, and talk about parenting skills for coping with her teenage daughter.
Read Sue's success story »
Transforming the lives of homeless families
Bridge Communities is a dynamic, grassroots, non-profit organization committed to transforming the lives of homeless families through partnering with talented, resourceful individuals and groups in our community. Our program of housing, mentoring and empowering families focuses on moving them towards a goal of self sufficiency.
Learn about how Bridge Communities helps homeless families »
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news and announcements
163 Homeless Children Housed in 2009
During the year ending December 31, 2009, Bridge Communities, housed and served 163 DuPage homeless children through our Transitional Housing Program. Bridge Communities is the largest service provider for homeless families in DuPage County. A safe home paired with support services was provided for 103 families resulting in nearly 70,000 nights of housing.
A home is just the beginning to what Bridge Communities provides when a homeless family walks through our door.
Beyond the safety and stability that a home provides, Bridge Communities strives to help each family achieve long-term self sufficiency. Our goals focus on improving each family’s education and earning potential, reducing or eliminating debt and teaching each family to maximize their household resources. All of these goals are achieved through personalized volunteer mentoring partnered with expert case management – and supported by nearly 2,000 financial and volunteer supporters.
Review Bridge Communities 2009 Annual Report
Meet Angela and David - A client family currently working towards their housing and personal goals
Learn How Bridge Communities' Helps Homeless Families
Become a Tutor for a Homeless Child
Did you know that homeless students change schools, on average, 3 times per year?
And with each school change 6 - 9 months of academic progress may be lost.
Are you a certified teacher?
You can make a world of difference in the life a of a homeless child or adult by volunteering just 1 -2 hours per week. Tutors help their student "catch-up" and push ahead in reading, writing, math, study skills and homework completion. They provide each student with the support and guidance to empower them to succeed.
Become a Tutor
Learn more about volunteering at a Learning Resource Center
Community Memorial "Most Engaged Board" Award
On February 16, 2010 Bridge Communities was awarded the 2009 Most Engaged Board Award by Community Memorial Foundation. This prestigious award celebrates the proactive leadership that Bridge Communities' board of directors shows through their volunteerism and financial commitment.
Bridge is proud to share that its board of directors lead by example through their strong committee leadership, strategic visioning and fundraising commitment.
In addition, Bridge Communities was awarded $7,500 in matching grant funds for our fulfillment of a matching grant challenge presented in fall 2009. Bridge Communities raised $21,000 new dollars in the last four months of 2009. Thank you to everyone that supported our matching gift challenge. Collectively through 39 suburban non-profits, $1.5 million new charitable dollars where raised for our communities.