Donate to help prevent homelessness in our community

We have all faced uncertainty this year. As our community struggles to recover from record unemployment rates, thousands of households are still unable to make ends meet. Many of Bridges' clients face profound hardships such as unemployment, food insecurity, income loss, and loss of housing.

In the midst of the crisis, Bridges continues to serve people in need. Angela, a survivor of domestic violence, was recently rehoused by Bridges. As she conveyed to us:

The Bridges organization has been instrumental in the lives of me and my children in every way, physically, emotionally, and financially. They helped us [with] everything from wellness checks, job search… transportation, and finding and helping us maintain our new home...When things got dark and hope was lost for someone like me, I found solace in a group of strangers that have now become family.

Angela and her family are now safely housed, but for many others, the pandemic and economic crisis raise the threat of homelessness. The U.S Census Bureau now reports that nearly 28% of Maryland households are behind on rent and mortgages putting them at risk of losing their housing.

For 30 years, Bridges has worked to stabilize Howard County households through affordable housing solutions. Our mission to prevent and end homelessness influences all that we do. Throughout the pandemic, staff members have joined interagency efforts to end unsheltered homelessness, provide financial assistance to households unable to pay rent, assist clients with unemployment filings or other benefits, and connect adults to local employment opportunities.

From the earliest stages of the pandemic, Bridges staff members have expanded services to provide additional essential support to struggling households:

• 40 households have been rehoused, 17 households have received rental assistance, and another 16 households currently have cases in process for assistance.
• 45 households have received deliveries of essential supplies, including personal protective equipment, and 12 households have received food assistance.
• 36 households have received assistance in signing up for unemployment or other benefits, and 58 households have received employment assistance.
• 10 households have received referrals for mental health services, and nine households have received assistance in finding childcare.
• 79 households have been connected to community resources such as food pantries, employers with job openings, and other essential needs.

We know so well that we cannot accomplish any of this without you. With court eviction freezes expiring soon, your support is more essential than ever to help low-income households remain stably housed in Howard County!

Your donation could:

• Provide groceries for a family in need,
• Purchase household necessities such as disinfectants, sanitizers, and personal protective equipment,
• Cover the cost of technology or supplies for students attending school virtually,
• Assist a recently housed adult with a utility bill,
• Help a working parent pay their increased childcare expenses,
• Help prevent a family from being evicted,
• Provide financial and tenant workshops for adults in our housing programs, or
• Make you a partner in ending chronic homelessness in Howard County.

Your donation will have a direct impact on people like Toni and Brandon, a married couple with two children. The pandemic severely reduced their work hours, and they were in danger of homelessness as they struggled to rebuild their incomes.

Thank you for the hard work that you all do. Organizations like Bridges are invaluable during difficult times. We greatly appreciate the time, energy and effort that you all took to work on our rental assistance application and get us approved for assistance. We are extremely blessed to be a part of the Bridges family!

We have all faced changes this year. Your donation will bring a change for good to someone who is struggling or experiencing homelessness right now. Thank you.

Bridges to Housing Stability, Inc. (Bridges) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the state of Maryland, Federal ID: 521723716. A copy of our current financial statement is available by writing 9520 Berger Rd., Ste. 311, Columbia, MD 21046 or by calling (410) 312-4560. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.