Bridge Communities

BRIDGE COMMUNITIES

For years, the “Smith” family had been living the American dream. Then, in 2012, everything changed. George was laid off from his job. Around the same time, his wife, Nina and daughter, Simone, both had to undergo surgeries, leading to piles of medical bills. Not long passed before Nina lost her job due to extending her medical leave. Between the loss of income, expenses and no job prospects, in less than a year, the family lost their home.

After applying to Bridge Communities, they were soon accepted into Bridge’s transitional housing program and it transformed their lives. Their mentors worked with the family on how they can better manage their money and create a savings plan for the future. The family also participated in counseling and grew closer together.

Now that they’ve completed the Bridge program, the Smiths are on the right track. George has now been at his job for more than two years, working with high-risk males at a nonprofit organization based in Chicago. After completing Bridge’s job readiness classes, Nina found her dream job at a doctor’s office only seven minutes away from home. Their younger daughter, Daisha, loves the third grade and their older daughter, Simone, earned multiple scholarships to Elmhurst College where she is excelling in her freshman year. “Bridge allowed us to see that there is hope,” concludes Nina. “Learning how to change our way of thinking and way of life and how to become stewards will stay with us forever. Bridge built our family and made us who we are today.”

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