2. About The Bridge The Bridge (formerly CARES Outreach) was formed in 2005 and served it’s first meal in December of that year The Bridge is a 501(c)3 agency independent of but located on the campus of Centenary United Methodist Church The Bridge provides sanctuary for homeless and at-risk persons in St. Louis. Meals and support services for basic human needs are offered by a staff intent on eradicating homelessness, by guiding guests on a a path to self-sufficiency. As part of the Continuum of Care in St. Louis, The Bridge partners with other agencies that provide services for citizens in need. Rather than duplicate efforts, The Bridge focuses on its strengths and refers guests to other agencies when additional support is needed.
3. Facilities Restrooms and phones are available to the more than 650 people who come in and out of our facility each day. We recently started offering computer use for our guests who need to write resumes and apply for jobs or search for housing online. In addition to the hundreds of guests we welcome into our dining room each day, The Bridge is also host to youth and adults from schools and churches who come here to provide mission and community service. Groups are both local and out-of-state.
4. Meals Program Our kitchen currently serves in excess of 3000 meals per week. 85% of our food is donated from a variety of sources. Starting in April 2010, through the cooperation of Operation Food Search Starting in April 2010, through the cooperation of Operation Food Search and the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball organization, The Bridge has received tons and tons of leftover food from Busch Stadium. If you would like to help insure that we have enough food for those in need, please check our wish list on this website or contact info@bridgestl.org for specific and seasonal requests. If your group or family would like to provide a meal for our guests, we ask for a donation of $250. to sponsor a meal. This is about $1 per person to provide a hearty and nutritious dinner.
5. Mail Service The Bridge provides guests a USPS address, currently giving 726 people the opportunity to maintain personal relationships with family and friends and to establish contact of a business nature. (A permanent mailing address is a requirement for job applications.) The guest emergency pantry provides personal hygiene items, emergency clothing, socks, diapers and individually portioned emergency food. Hygiene items
6. Support There are many barriers to reestablishing one’s independence. At The Bridge, guests will find staff and volunteers to refer them to the agencies and organizations that can help them take their next step to self-sufficiency; to assist with replacement of personal identification documents like State IDs and birth certificates; and to provide a listening ear.
8. The Chronic Homeless “An unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. ”
9. Definition of Homeless Place not meant for human habitation Emergency shelter Transitional housing for homeless
10. Precariously Housed Persons on edge of homelessness Doubled up Severely rent burdened Are the working poor and families A household is considered food-insecure when its occupants live in fear of hunger The Food Insecure
11. Volunteer Training Manual
12. Assistance with Recruiting We will work with you on developing a plan that will fit your organization. Using your work skills and hobbies voluntary work involves far much more than simply keeping them alive. Every one of us will have a skill gained through work or a hobby that can help the homeless.
14. Volunteer Thank You A personal thank you letter to your members A statement for your organizations newsletter or website Information about the good your work has done in our yearly report
16. Why Volunteer at The Bridge? Volunteering is a way to directly have a positive effect your community and is a way for your organization to standout as a leader through service to others.
17. How can volunteering better my organization? Volunteering with The Bridge as an organization gives you a chance to interact with your members in a meaningful way working on teambuilding, communication, and a shared a sense of accomplishment through the simple gift of giving your time.
18. Is the meals program the only possibility to contribute time? There is always something going on at The Bridge and we will have new opportunities as projects develop. Ask our volunteer coordinator about all the ways you can help!
19. Upcoming Opportunities The 3rd annual Walking Home event Start Date: Nov 13, 2010 There are always ongoing opportunities in the meals program Ask/suggest about ways you can help!
