Program areas at Bridges to Independence
Rapid rehousing - Bridges' rapid rehousing program works To quickly rehouse individuals and families from the shelter To their own home and To provide rental assistance during a transitional period. Program participants work with housing stabilization staff To make sure they are connected To resources, empowered To advocate for themselves, and are provided case management services.
Bonder & amanda johnson community services center description: in december 2020, Bridges merged with the bonder & amanda johnson community development corp, which provided information and referral services, education, employment, financial empowerment, healthy living and case management services To the green valley neighborhood and across arlington, va. These efforts have been strengthened under Bridges and are now offered out of the bonder & amanda johnson community services center.
Sullivan house - emergency shelter (sullivan house) is the largest short-term family emergency shelter in arlington, serving over 100 individuals per year in an apartment-style facility. The focus is on helping clients address barriers that contributed To homelessness through case management, referral & housing location services. Bridges works To rapidly rehouse all shelter guests so that they can quickly move into their own home.
Youth development - Bridges' youth development program is focused on providing robust programming year-round To empower youth and work To end the cycles of intergenerational poverty and homelessness. Bridges key programs focus on financial literacy, mentorship, tutoring and leadership activities. One of the most popular programs is "kick start kids", which is a youth-run enterprise that empowers youth of all ages To learn business skills. The money the youth earn goes towards opening their first savings account or depositing into a previously established savings account with arlington community federal credit union.
Workforce development - Bridges' workforce development program works with program participants To find, secure, and retain stable employment. Bridges takes an individualized approach by assessing, planning, securing and evaluating each program participant To meet them where they are so they can further stablize their lives and futures. This includes, but is not limited To, obtaining specialized certifications, furthering educationl opportunities, working through transferrable skills, group training and one-on-one mentorship opportunities, supporting program participants with overcoming barriers so they can move from earning minimum wage To a livable wage.