As the air turns colder and our county gears up for inclement weather and code-blue shelter, I’m thankful to live in – and serve – a community that intentionally stretches resources and fosters collaboration between partners to help those without homes. On Dec. 6, we will celebrate the expansion of the shelter at Grassroots Crisis Center, which will provide thousands of additional and much-needed shelter bed nights each year. The Grassroots shelter gives people a place to stay as they work with Bridges and other partners in our Coordinated Homeless System to find housing.
Since February, our Family Home Start program has rehoused 90 local children and youth. The housing crisis and scarcity of affordable housing have made even this progress difficult, and we have many families still on our waiting list for services. I hope that as you enter this holiday season, you consider donating to Bridges, to give the gift of home. With your help, we can do more for other families.
“I feel very blessed to be where I am today.
Not everyone has that opportunity.”
Desiree Williams, Bridges Client
We are thankful for all of our supporters and hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday.
Jennifer Broderick, LCSW
Executive Director
Program Snapshot
Connecting Families with Housing
Many families who are displaced from their housing – or who simply want to move from one home to another – face a steep financial hurdle: assembling the upfront money they need to move. Increasingly, landlords require security deposits in excess of one month of rent.
That deposit, along with the rent that is paid in advance, means that a Howard County family might need to assemble $4,000 to $7,000 to move into their next home.
And yet according to Bankrate, only 44% of American families could raise $1,000 from their savings to pay an emergency expense.
Bridges offers the Housing Connections program to support families who are trying to exit homelessness or housing instability by moving into permanent housing. The program provides a steppingstone for families who have income but can’t assemble the upfront costs they need to move. To be eligible, clients must be Howard County residents and earn between 30% and 60% of the area median income.
The program works. So far in 2024, the program has helped 51 families (comprising 131 individuals) with move-in costs for new housing. Clearly, the program is addressing a significant need in our community.
Building Awareness Together
We are deeply grateful for everyone who participated in this year’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Your support helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by those experiencing hunger and homelessness in our community and highlighted the importance of working together toward solutions. Whether you joined us for our group facilitation of SPENT, attended the Howard County Housing Affordability Coalition’s forum on housing, or listened to the reading of “Home” by Grassroots Crisis Intervention, your involvement helps spread the word and carve a path to innovative solutions.
Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community. Thank you for standing with us and for being part of the effort to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home and access to the resources they need. Keep an eye out for our Children’s Art Project, which will be on display for the rest of November at the Miller Branch Library. We look forward to continuing this important work with you!
Donor Highlight
Thank You for Supporting Families this Thanksgiving
We are overwhelmed by the continued generosity of our community this Thanksgiving season! Thanks to Neighbor Network, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Folly Quarter Middle School PTSA, First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, Bridgeway Church, and Union Church, we were able to distribute food to 89 households for the holidays. These donations provide much-needed support to families in our community during a time when budgets are often stretched to their limits. Your kindness ensures that more families can enjoy a warm and nourishing meal this Thanksgiving.
Volunteer Highlight
Thank You to Our Volunteer Drivers
A special thank you goes out to the amazing volunteers who delivered Thanksgiving food boxes directly to our clients’ homes. Your dedication and compassion ensured that every family received their meals safely and on time, bringing comfort and joy to their holiday season. We’re grateful for your time and commitment to making a difference in our community. Thank you for going the extra mile!
Light the World Giving Machine Returns to Columbia!
Light the World is an annual, worldwide initiative inviting communities to extend love and compassion toward others in need during the holiday season. Through the Giving Machine at The Mall in Columbia, held Dec. 5 -18, community members can donate goods and services to local nonprofits. 100% of the funds go directly to each participating nonprofit!
Last year, the Howard County community donated over $5,300 worth of goods and services to Bridges. This year, we’re raising the bar even higher! By donating through the Giving Machine, you can provide our clients with bath towels, cleaning supplies, paper products, beds, and utility bill assistance.
Keep an eye out for events happening at the Giving Machines. Family nights will be held on Dec. 9 and 16!
Thank You, Charm City Run and Manor Hill Brewing!
November is just as busy for Bridges! Come check us out this weekend (10/26 & 10/27) at Savage Mill in the New Weave Building after 2PM to take part in our Children’s Art Project with the theme “Everyone in Howard County Deserves a Home.”
Art will be on display at the Miller Branch Library throughout November to bring awareness to Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week from November 17th – 23rd. Keep an eye out for more information on special events, suggested readings, and a food & toiletries drive to benefit Grassroots Crisis Intervention.
Save the Date: Heroes for Housing is Back!
Bridges is excited to announce that Heroes for Housing will return in 2025! Join us on Feb.17 at 18th & 21st in Columbia to celebrate the housing heroes who have made an impact in Howard County.
With awards, silent auction baskets, food and drink, and an opportunity to network with other changemakers in Howard County, it’s an evening that you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for more details. We can’t wait to see you there!
