The recent winter storm and lingering frigid temperatures arrived during the same week as the national Point in Time (PIT) count, reminding us how essential safe, affordable housing is for our neighbors. This winter, thirteen lives have been lost to cold exposure in Maryland alone, and more cold weeks are still ahead. These realities are sobering. And yet, in the midst of these challenges, something powerful is happening.
Across our community, nonprofit staff, government partners, and dedicated volunteers are showing up day and night, working tirelessly to prevent these tragedies and to ensure people have warmth, safety, and hope. Their commitment reminds us that even in the harshest conditions, compassion is stronger than the cold.
Over the past year, I’ve heard several speeches and pastoral messages that reference Fred Rogers’ wise words: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” In moments that feel heavy or overwhelming, it is those helpers who remind us what is possible. They bring light when things feel dark and hope when it feels most needed.
Each year at our Heroes for Housing event, we pause to celebrate some of those remarkable helpers. These individuals and businesses inspire us through their generosity, leadership, and partnership, working alongside us to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring, and to expand affordable housing for low-income households in our community.
It may still be cold outside on Monday, February 16th, but we hope you’ll join us to gather in warmth and gratitude as we honor this year’s Housing Heroes in Howard County. Their dedication and compassion are bright reminders that even in the depths of winter, our community is filled with light and together, we are building a more hopeful future. Buy your tickets at: bit.ly/h4h2026.
Warmly,
Jennifer Broderick, LCSW
Executive Director
Coldwell Banker Cares
Thank you to the Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation for awarding Bridges $1,200 for our Circle of Support programs! These funds will be used to provide our attendees with food, cover costs for presenters to provide educational workshops, and provide gift cards to our clients who attend.
In 2025, these programs covered saving and investing, employment, debt management, education opportunities in Howard County, and homeownership.
New Beginnings in Bridges Alliance
At the end of December, Bridges to Housing Stability purchased the 62nd affordable rental in Howard County! This 2 bedroom/2 bathroom home in Ellicott City, MD will be rented to a client earning 60% of the area median income.
Meanwhile, 15 volunteers from First Presbyterian Church of Howard County spent a combined 212 hours of their time to paint and repair one of our existing rentals. Together, they painted and spackled walls, replaced older amenities, fixed doors, and updated the outside of the home. Since the completion of the project, a new family has transitioned into the home from our Family Home Start program!
Celebrating our Housing Heroes
Join us on Monday, Feb. 16 at 18th & 21st in Columbia from 6-9 pm for the 2026 Heroes for Housing! Enjoy food, cocktails, silent auction, music, and celebrate the change we can make when a community comes together.
This (very sadly) will be Jen’s last event with Bridges to Housing Stability, and we would be honored to have you celebrate the progress Howard County has made over her 12 years with our organization.
Quilters Keeping our Clients Warm
Thank you to the Faithful Circle Quilters who chose to donate 90 handmade quilts to our clients! We are deeply grateful for the time, talent, and generosity poured into each stitch. Each quilt serves as a tangible reminder that our community cares for those in need. Thank you for keeping our families warm in the cold winter months.
Volunteers Inside and Out
While volunteers were renovating a Bridges Alliance unit, volunteers helped inside our office as well!
Thank you to Cutz and Dumpz from Halethorpe, MD for swiftly removing extra cabinets to make room for more shelving. These shelves are an expansion of our Welcome Home Supplies storage - since we have to make room for 90 quilts!
Shout out to our regular volunteers Jim Davidson and Alan Baker who took the time to help hang items on the walls of our conference room and the banner in our lobby!
Welcome Kaitlin!
We’re excited to have Katelin McMillan on our Rapid Rehousing team. Katelin is our newest CES Housing Advocate. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Stevenson University in Counseling and Human Services with a minor in Psychology. Katelin brings experience working with children and young adults with various disabilities. Katelin has also previously worked with individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including low-income, domestic violence, and mental illness.
To unwind outside of the office, Katelin spends time with family, goes on walks, crafts, and enjoys reading anime. Katelin is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. Katelin’s favorite part of the Bridges team is how the staff can rely on one another when serving the community.
Housing as a Core Economic Challenge
Thank you to everyone who attended the January housing forum: How Housing Policy Shapes Maryland’s Economy.
The message is clear: Maryland’s housing shortage is a core economic and fiscal challenge for state and local governments. Thank you to Comptroller Lierman for highlighting the scale of the problem and state legislation in 2026, and thank you to Dan Reed of Greater Greater Washington for connecting statewide dynamics to local impacts.
In case you missed it, view the slides at the links below:
Become a Champion for Housing Stability
Your business or group can now support our work to end homelessness long-term! Learn more about each opportunity on our website or download our opportunities to share.
Stable Homes Sponsor
Your sponsorship will be used to fill the gaps in home repairs, upgrades, and replacements in one of our affordable rental properties or transitional homes that are not covered by grant funding.
Stable Housing Champions
By sponsoring one month of services at Bridges, you can help us provide quality case management and financial assistance to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Sponsorship funds may be used to provide rental assistance, prevent an eviction, provide clients with basic necessities, pay for a client's utilities, and so much more.
Thank you to our first Stable Homes Sponsor: Emmanuel United Methodist Church!
Bridges is Hiring!
Bridges to Housing Stability is hiring for one position. To apply, visit www.bridges2hs.org/careers.
Bookkeeper (PT): The Bookkeeper serves the mission of Bridges to Housing Stability, Inc. (Bridges) with numerous daily financial activities. The primary work includes but is not limited to processing invoices (bill entry and check processing), recording credit card transactions, and recording bank deposits, in a timely manner (using Sage Intacct). The Bookkeeper also helps with reconciliations, grant reporting and preparation for the annual audit.