I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. It has been a whirlwind for me. This month, our Coalition to End Homelessness convened to review a recent evaluation of our county’s coordinated system for homelessness services. The evaluation, conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, found that the system is doing many things well, yet there are definite areas for improvement.
On the positive side, our Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs are helping to reduce homelessness in Howard County and keep people housed. Since the coordinated system was launched in 2012, the annual point-in-time count of homelessness has reported decreasing numbers of people who are living unsheltered or in places not fit for habitation. Also, returns to homelessness are low at 4.5% (within 24 months after being housed).
However, first-time homelessness in the county has been rising, and the length of time people experience homelessness is much longer than it should be – 200 days on average. For our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) neighbors, it is even longer – nearly 500 days. These clear disparities must be addressed.
On Dec. 19, we held our Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day service. We commemorated the lives of 21 people who had been homeless or had a history of homelessness. This is the highest number we have had in recent years, tragically highlighting an issue of which many in our community are not aware.
All of these data points underscore the importance of our work and the need for improvements to our coordinated system as we prepare for the next update to our community’s Plan to End Homelessness.
If you haven’t made a donation to Bridges this year, I ask that you consider one now. Your support makes a big difference for local households struggling with homelessness and housing instability.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Jennifer Broderick, LCSW
Executive Director
Thank You for Spreading Holiday Cheer!
Giving Gifts to Those in Need
The Howard County community came through with holiday gifts for our clients! The holidays can be especially hard for parents with tight budgets who are trying to provide for their children. Your generosity made a world of difference for families, and helped create special moments and memories for children and parents.
We are so grateful for our incredible donors: Neighbor Network, CB Flooring, Bethany Columbia, Columbia Democratic Club, BFJ Financial Group, Pearl Smiles Dental, and Kathi Balestino
Thank you for helping us brighten the season for those we serve!
Sheehy Has Heart
Sheehy Toyota of Laurel has chosen to support Bridges again this year with a generous $10,000 donation! Support from local businesses like Sheehy helps us provide critical services to individuals and families here in Howard County. Sheehy has been a constant supporter of Bridges and many other local organizations that make a difference in the community. Thank you for supporting Bridges once again!
Cheers to Oakland Mills POMS
A big thank-you to the Oakland Mills High School POMs team for organizing a Welcome Home Basket drive during the holidays! Through their hard work and advocacy, they were able to put together 25 baskets to support our clients as they move into new homes!
These thoughtful gifts provide much-needed essentials to families working hard to rebuild their stability.
Your kindness helps lighten the load for households with tight budgets and brings hope to those we serve. We’re so grateful for your support and community spirit. Thank you for making a difference!
Thank You for Lighting the World
Thank you to everyone who supported Bridges through the Light the World Giving Machines! Last year we received over $5,300 of supplies, and we can’t wait to see how much was raised this year. The cleaning supplies, towels, beds, paper products, and utility bill payments donated through this event support our clients throughout the year, especially when supplies run low. The support of the Howard County community means the world to us and our clients. Thank you for your generosity!
A special shout out to The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints for organizing the Giving Machine Maryland events. The Church covers all costs for the Giving Machines, so that beneficiary nonprofits receive 100% of the funds raised.
Blessings from Linden Linthicum UMC
This year, Linden Linthicum United Methodist Church graciously included gift cards and cleaning supplies on their annual Giving Tree! Throughout December, congregants donated well-needed cleaning supplies for our Welcome Home baskets, and a total of $1,550 in Giant, Target, and Shell gift cards. These items will go a long way to support our clients in the coming months as the cost of basic essentials rises. Thank you for supporting our clients during the holiday season!
Join us at Heroes for Housing
Join us at 18th & 21st in Columbia, MD on February 17, 2025 from 6-9 pm for food, cocktails, a silent auction, and music to benefit Bridges to Housing Stability.
This year, we’ll be presenting three awards – the Children’s Champion award, the Pillar of the Community award, and the Advocate for Change award. Keep an eye out for our awardee announcements!
Together, we’ll honor community leaders and celebrate the achievements that make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in Howard County. Tickets are available now.
