Bridges Outreach

We end homelessness by meeting people where they are. First providing supplies of food, clothing, toiletries,other necessities and work to build trust with people experiencing homelessness in essex and union counties in nj. The information gathered during these engagements enables connection to case management, services and programs. Our quantitative and qualitative data also enable us to drive changes to broken systems. In 2023 we engaged 9,624 people experiencing homelessness in nj. In 2023, we placed 209 people in permanent housing allowing them to exit homelessness, and prevented homelessness for 283 households. With the help of 1,600+ volunteers each year, Bridges delivers 47,078 brown bag meals, 7,853 cold weather and toiletry kits, 109 buckets of soup, 16,832 bottles of water and over 340 pieces of seasonally appropriate clothing . All of this work is done with a trauma-informed approach. Through both project connect drop-in centers, in newark, and summit, Bridges prevents imminent homelessness and connects people who are experiencing homelessness, or the imminent threat of homelessness to official identification documents, other specialized health and social service providers, employment and permanent housing.