Shine a Light on Hope

Meet the Lewis Family

"I really wanted to stay in Howard County. We live in a great county." Now, despite her continuing challenges, "I'm at peace."

The weight of serious trouble wasn’t a new experience for the Lewis family in 2017 when they were forced to move from their Howard County rental home to an extended-stay motel. Of her seven children, two young adults with chronic disabilities and sometimes one more were staying with Mrs. Lewis, a newly retired nurse, and Mr. Lewis, who worked in a tire store and is now retired.

"It was a very difficult time," Ms. Lewis said. Over the nearly six months they were in the motel, she was sick for a time, and the family got by on credit cards, loans from family, and donations from various agencies.

Things looked bleak for months until she finally found the help she needed from Bridges to Housing Stability.

Now, six years later, the family is stable, living in the same three-bedroom apartment that Bridges found for them in May, 2018.

"Bridges is a great program," Ms. Lewis said. "Housing is the number one issue for a great many people who can't afford it. That is a segue to being successful."

How Your Donation Helps:

Your generous donation this holiday season directly supports families like the Lewis' by helping us provide:

• Supportive services for clients, including workshops on health and finances, resources, and individualized case management.
• Home essentials such as kitchen dishes and utensils, food, and cleaning products, making it possible for families to celebrate the season with warmth and comfort.
• A Caring Community: Most importantly, your contribution gives families in need the knowledge that they are not alone. Our dedicated professionals are only a phone call away, offering a lifeline of hope during the holiday season.

Join Us This Holiday Season

We invite you to join us in making a profound impact on the lives of our neighbors experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Your contribution, no matter the size, is a step toward a future where homelessness no longer exists in Howard County.

• $25 Can fill a Welcome Home Basket with household products to help our clients settle into a new home.
• $50 Can cover the application fees for a couple.
  
• $100 Can help prevent the eviction of a Howard County resident, ensuring they have a stable place to call home for the holidays.
  
• $250 Can help a client move into a new home by covering part or all of a security deposit, giving them a fresh start for the new year.
  
• $500 Can help stabilize a client's rent, greatly supporting their journey to self-sufficiency in a time when rents are soaring.

Ways to Give:

• Online Donation: Make a secure online donation or mail a check to the Bridges office at 9520 Berger Rd., Suite 311, Columbia, MD 21046.
• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Create your fundraising page and rally your friends and family to support an end to homelessness in Howard County.
• Be a Holiday Changemaker: Spread the word! Share our Holiday campaign on social media and encourage others to join you in making a difference in your community.
  

Thank You for Bringing Holiday Hope:

We extend our deepest gratitude for your support in our journey to end homelessness. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate future for the Howard County, MD community. Your generosity is the greatest gift of all.