Fall has arrived and provided a beautiful array of colors. Behind the scenes at Bridges, we are gearing up for a very busy time. Case managers are putting together lists of families that need Thanksgiving baskets and holiday gifts, our finance team is preparing for our annual audit, several staff members are writing grant applications, program managers are submitting grant reports to funders, and our fundraising and donor relations manager is planning several upcoming events.
Simultaneously, our day-to-day work of serving the County’s most vulnerable households continues.
I hope you’ll take some time to visit our children’s art exhibit at the Howard County Library’s Miller Branch, starting Nov. 5. The exhibit, part of the library’s programming for Hunger and Homeless Awareness week, showcases the meaning of home for kids in our community.
The faded picture shown here was drawn by one of my daughters when she was little. It hangs on the wall of my office. I love the sentiment that “Home has love, memories, creativity, warming (I believe she meant heating), family, holidays, protection, food, cooling, children & hospitality.” The library will also have some books on display as well as resources and programming from Bridges and our community partners.
As we enter the colder months, let’s all remember the importance of home in our lives each day, and do all we can to ensure that everyone has a safe, affordable place to live. One important way to show what is important to you is to vote. Early voting is happening now through Oct. 31 in Maryland.
Thank you for your support,
Jennifer Broderick, LCSW
Executive Director
Client Story
From Denial to Acceptance: Nori's Story
For Nori and her four children, life has been like a maddeningly incomplete puzzle — until now. The 33-year-old single mom has a well-paying job with a large company. She works hard to ensure her children are cared for and supervised, but until she connected with Bridges to Housing Stability, the family had no stable place to live. Learn how Bridges supported Nori on her journey to self-sufficiency.
Program Snapshot
Serenity House
According to the CDC, about 41% of women and 26% of men experience violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. When victims of domestic violence want to flee their situation, finding safe, affordable housing can be extremely difficult.
Recognizing the need to support this vulnerable population, Bridges has launched a transitional home for survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking: the Serenity House.
The home is now occupied by a single parent and three children, who are enjoying peace and safety after a very difficult period of instability and uncertainty. Bridges looks forward to continuing to support the family and others in the future.
If you or someone you know has experienced IPV/Domestic Violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org/ for info about getting help. The hotline also offers chat and text options on their website.
Additional resources for survivors can be found here:
HopeWorks of Howard County: 24-hour helpline number 410-997-2272, hopeworksofhc.org/
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 737-225-3150, ncadv.org/
Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence: 301-429-3601, www.mnadv.org/
Community Shoutouts
Bridges had a busy month in the community! Thank you to the Ellicott City Rotary Club for supporting Bridges through the Howard County Community Crab Feast and to The Cattail Chase Races for making Bridges a beneficiary of their Oct. 20 event. Shout out to Sheehy Toyota of Laurel for a fantastic Trunk-or-Treat and having Bridges host a table to show that every ghost, ghoul and gargoyle deserves a home. |
Funder Update
Partners in Progress
Thank you to the TowerCares Foundation and Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation for their recent support of Bridges! The TowerCares Foundation has granted Bridges $10,000 for our Housing Stability Program to rapidly rehouse families with children and veterans in Howard County who are at risk or currently homeless, and to support their path to self-sufficiency. The Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation has granted Bridges $1,200 to support Bridges Alliance, our affordable rental program. Our work wouldn’t be possible without foundations like these, and we’re grateful for their ongoing support.
Advocacy Alert
APFO Webinar on Oct. 30
Our county’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) can slow and even prevent additional housing development. The APFO Review Committee, recently appointed by County Executive Calvin Ball, is currently preparing recommendations for APFO changes that could improve the situation … or perpetuate our county’s undersupply of housing. The Committee will hold a public hearing on Nov. 6 — a prime opportunity to advocate for APFO changes that support all of the housing development approved in HoCo by Design.
To learn more, please attend a webinar hosted by the Housing Affordability Coalition on Oct. 30 at 7 pm. The webinar will cover APFO basics, current limitations, and recommendations for changes. Register for the Webinar.
Honoring Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
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.
