Fall is here, leaves are starting to change, and I look forward to cooler weather. September 20 was a beautiful day for golf. We are so thankful for all who supported our Birdies for Bridges golf tournament. The funds raised at this event are essential for filling gaps and meeting more critical needs for our clients. If you missed it this year, save the date for September 19th next year!
Recently, I met a few Howard County residents who were surprised to learn that our community has unhoused people. They were curious about why a community like this would need an organization like Bridges. This is one of many assumptions people make when it comes to the homeless population. Many assume that if they don’t see people sleeping on sidewalks, homelessness doesn’t exist here.
This type of experience is not new to our staff and led Bridges to create a Mythbusting Homelessness flyer. I encourage you to read the flyer to learn more. On any given night in Howard County, we have about 62 unsheltered people. These are individuals living in cars, tents, or other places not meant for human habitation. The majority of our clients at Bridges are employed families with children – not single individuals – and 62% are female. Stereotypes about those we serve perpetuates discrimination and fear. The homeless population varies and has diverse needs depending on the city, county or region where they live. We count on our supporters to help advocate with us to dispel myths and stereotypes. Feel free to share the flyer with others or contact us to arrange a talk with any groups you know who might benefit from learning more about Bridges and those we serve.
Thank you,
Jennifer Broderick, LCSW
Executive Director
Where to Find Us in October
Bridges is busy in the community this October!
Check out these great events supporting our mission:
Howard County Community Crab Feast at the Howard County Fairgrounds – October 5th, 3 – 7PM
Cattail Chase Races at Pleasant Prospect Farm – October 20th, 10AM
Charm City Run Oktoberfest 5 Miler Presented by Altra in Columbia, MD – October 27th, 8AM
We’re honored to be a beneficiary of these events and are thankful for the organizers’ support.
Welcome, Latoya and April!
Latoya Stewart (L) and April Xu (R) have joined us as interns this fall from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work.
Latoya is an advanced-year Master of Social Work student with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She aims to become comfortable working in a case management environment and, after completing her degree, plans to work for a nonprofit. Her goal is to gain more insight on nonprofit management and operations, ultimately aspiring to open a shelter that offers wraparound services.
April is a first-year Master of Social Work student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She aspires to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), with a focus on supporting families and children. Currently, she’s collaborating with our Housing Connections Advocate. Outside of work, she enjoys arts, crafts, and music.
Celebrating Christmas in July
Thank you to Glen Mar United Methodist Church and Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church, who participated in a Christmas in July gift card drive to benefit Bridges. Thanks to their congregations, Bridges received $1,615 in gift cards for our clients! Gift cards for groceries, gas, and household essentials enable our clients to afford basic necessities, alleviating the strain on their already tight budgets.
Together We Thrive
Bridges is proud to accept a $10,000 grant from The Hankin Family Charitable Foundation to support our work in Howard County! We sincerely thank the Hankin Family for dedication to ending homelessness and to the Community Foundation of Howard County for facilitating this grant. This generous support will enhance our efforts to serve the community, and we thank them for for their commitment to making a difference.
Program Update
Expanding Permanent Supportive Housing
Bridges is excited to announce the expansion of our Housing Stability Subsidy Program! Our new Continuum of Care Permanent Supportive Housing project comes with 10 housing vouches from the Howard County Housing Commission. This program aims to improve housing for disabled, low-income families or families with no income who have exhausted all options and are still struggling with housing stability. Common challenges of clients served by this expansion included lack of reliable transportation, lack of income, mental health, lack of technology literacy, and housing barriers such as low income, poor credit, prior eviction, and back rent. This expansion will serve an additional 15 households in Howard County, MD!
Thank You for Supporting Birdies for Bridges!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and the staff at The Timbers at Troy who made the Birdies for Bridges Golf Tournament a tremendous success! Your generosity helps us continue our mission to promote self-sufficiency to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County. Together, we are making a lasting impact in our community. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey!