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Join us in creating communities where no family is homeless by walking alongside mothers and children in need.
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Through the Making Room campaign, Bridge of Hope will expand affordable housing, enhance whole family support services, and expand the Neighboring Movement into more communities – reaching even more families in need. But we need your help to achieve this vision.
Bridge of Hope equips and engages Christian faith communities in learning how to help the homeless by fostering supportive, neighboring relationships.
2024-2025 Impact
404
parents and children served
593
neighboring volunteers helping families
2.5
average number of children per family
Faith communities provide tangible support, encouragement, and friendship to families in need.
Partnering to create more housing opportunities for families facing homelessness.
Providing long-term guidance, job training, and resources to help families thrive.
"I really like the way the Bridge of Hope program is set up. It organizes a group of believers from a church and helps us do ministry for a single mom who, in our case, has really bought into the relationship part of the program. I don't want to just throw money or build houses. I want a relationship with a single mom and her kids, and Bridge of Hope is set up for that. We just do the loving and provide the network of support. It’s set up perfectly for our church’s ministry focus."
Pat Smith, Neighboring Volunteer | Bridge of Hope @ Midland’s Open Door
"There are so many facets of this experience that, as a pastor, are gratifying. It is indeed a holy privilege to have this very particular way of being ‘in the gap’ between what is God’s best desire for families and what is reality. We do it with a certain ache…and yet, also with hope, that our mutual futures will be something closer to what God intends because we are doing this together."
Pastor Jane Roeschley, Mennonite Church of Normal, IL
"It was wonderful to see the support that Bridge of Hope is able to offer to their clients. As a landlord, I was impressed with the way that they go far beyond financial assistance, and offer training and encouragement to empower the clients in many areas of life."
Bridge of Hope Landlord Partner
"I wish people understood that Bridge of Hope is the best program out there. And it’s not really a program – it’s a family. Bridge of Hope is giving families a family, a village. So they aren’t alone."
Kelly, Grown Daughter of a Family Served by Bridge of Hope 25 Years Ago
Is your church or faith community passionate about ending family homelessness? You can start a Bridge of Hope location and make a lasting impact in your region.
Open an Affiliate Add a Program Site
See how Bridge of Hope is changing lives through neighboring relationships.
Whether you’re an individual, a church, or a small group, you can make a lasting difference in a family’s life.
Walk alongside a family in need.
Engage your faith community.
Strengthen our community.
Get updates on initiatives, fundraising events, and stories of hope.
686
What if ending family homelessness started with relationships? The Bridge of Hope model helps nonprofits to engage local churches in Neighboring. Trained volunteers walk alongside families, while case managers have ready resources to provide the tools for long-term stability. 📌 Explore the Bridge of Hope Program Site model? 👉 https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/start-a-location/add-a-program-site/Let’s engage church communities as part of the solution in 2026!
Jan 30
🎉Bridge of Hope is excited to announce the promotion of Caleb Simmers to Lancaster Executive Director.🎉 Caleb joined Bridge of Hope in March 2022 as Lancaster Church Engagement and Housing Director. In that role, he strengthened church partnerships, expanded landlord relationships, and significantly reduced the time it takes to house families across Lancaster County. Caleb is deeply committed to faith-driven, relationship-based solutions to ending family homelessness and passionately embraces the mission and values of Bridge of Hope. With over a decade of experience in family and youth ministry, Caleb has served in several churches, addressing social, financial, and cultural needs within the communities he pastored. Speaking on behalf of Bridge of Hope National and the Lancaster community board, Edith Yoder, CEO, says, “Caleb is a collaborative and respected leader with a passion for engaging churches in ending family homelessness. We are delighted to have him step into this leadership role in Lancaster. This strategic decision to add a Lancaster Executive Director role to our team will allow our work in this founding county to grow by 40% in the next 5 years.” Bridge of Hope Lancaster operates under the direction of Bridge of Hope National. Congratulations, Caleb!
Jan 27
Every parent and child facing homelessness deserves a stable place to live, a home to return to at the end of the day.Nearly three years ago, we launched the Making Room Campaign with a bold hope: to strengthen housing and mental health support for families facing homelessness and to help more Bridge of Hope communities grow across the country. Since then, rental housing costs have continued to rise, and family homelessness increased by 39% this past year alone. The need keeps pressing us to try to do more.Because of the growing need, we’ve set a new campaign stretch goal of $9.3 million, up from our original $8.4 million goal.Will you help us cross the finish line?Give. Share. Learn more at:https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/making-room/
Jan 26
Mark your calendar for the Bridge of Hope Spring Gala on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the DoubleTree Resort in Lancaster! We’ll be gathering around this year’s inspiring theme, “Hope Can’t Wait: Stories of Strength and Resilience,” celebrating the strong and loving relationships that help families find security and joy during difficult times.Hope can’t wait for families facing the growing crisis of homelessness. Last year, family homelessness rose by 39%, and more than 150,000 children lost their homes. Many had no choice but to sleep in cars, shelters, or places not meant for living. Bridge of Hope is responding to this urgent need – and your involvement in the Gala Luncheon helps make that response possible. Your participation helps provide safe housing, stability, and hope for families who cannot wait any longer. Learn more and register to sponsor here: https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/gala/
Jan 22
We’re Almost There… But More Families Need Housing.Nearly three years ago, we launched the Making Room Campaign with a bold hope: more stable homes and stronger mental health support for families facing homelessness. Since then, housing costs have continued to rise and family homelessness has surged—pressing us to do more.Because of the growing need, we’ve set a new campaign stretch goal of $9.3 million, up from our original $8.4 million goal. Thanks to this amazing community, we’re already 96% of the way there!Every dollar helps make room for more families who need a place to call home. Will you help us cross the finish line?Give. Share. Learn more at:https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/making-room/
Jan 21
Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebrating his leadership and his unwavering commitment to equality and racial justice. This day is also recognized as a National Day of Service, inviting us all to serve our communities in meaningful ways.At Bridge of Hope, we believe Dr. King’s call to love and serve our neighbors goes far beyond a single day. Let’s commit to ongoing acts of neighboring, turning curiosity into compassion and compassion into action. Together, we can help end family homelessness and walk alongside neighbors in crisis.
Jan 19
New Year. New Solutions. Fewer Families Facing Homelessness.As we begin 2026, let’s renew our commitment to ending family homelessness. Bridge of Hope equips nonprofits with a proven model that engages local church volunteers in meaningful Neighboring relationships, helping families achieve long-term housing stability and a supportive community. Learn how your organization can launch Bridge of Hope services as a Program Site:https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/program-site/Together, let’s make this year one of sustainable impact!
Jan 9
Before Bridge of Hope, Steph and Hunter were living in a domestic violence shelter – safe, but longing for community and a place to call home. “I felt like I was really in survival mode – focused on how I could keep a full-time job, maintain some stability for Hunter, and be as strong as I could for him. I felt so alone,” she said. But then she joined Bridge of Hope and connected with a group of Neighboring Volunteers from a local church. “For the first time ever, I really allowed people in – to see the hurt, to see the pain, to come along and meet me where I was at – which is something I didn`t think I would be able to do. But I also didn`t think that other people would be able to come in and fulfill that part of my life,” Steph shared. There are families in your community, like Steph and Hunter, that are looking for community and a place to call home in the New Year. Your gift will help provide housing and neighboring relationships for families facing homelessness in your community. Will you give a gift today? Donate now: https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/donate-now/
Dec 31
Across the Bridge of Hope network in 2025, families found housing, support and the life changing gift of a caring community. This year, we expanded housing solutions in powerful ways – including acquiring our eighth property for families, launching new collaborative housing projects, and continuing to innovate so families can move from homelessness to stability more quickly. We’ve shared the full scope of these milestones, and the hope behind them, in a new blog post our website: bridgeofhopeinc.org/news/
Dec 30
Today we are celebrating Holly, our Office Administrator! Happy Birthday, Holly! We’re so grateful for the care, organization, and heart you bring to our team every day. Thank you for keeping everything running smoothly and for being such a joy in the office. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead filled with happiness and celebration!
Dec 24
Over 35 years ago our country was seeing – for the first time in modern history – a significant number of mothers and children who were homeless. And Bridge of Hope co-founder, Sandy Lewis, sketched this beautiful nativity scene as part of her invitation one Christmas to end homelessness for children and their moms through Bridge of Hope.Today, we are facing a record number of families who are unhoused and in need of hope. Family homelessness rose by 39% last year alone. Despite that statistic, as we approach Christmas here in 2025, we feel a sense of deep gratitude. And we want to say thank you to you! Thank you for MAKING ROOM for families facing homelessness in this season of Christmas and all year round. In this season of Christmas, “making room” reminds us that we are called to make room in our hearts for this vulnerable newborn who is God incarnate. And through the life of Jesus, we are in turn invited to become a people who are making room in our hearts for those around us.
Dec 23
Join us in wishing a very happy birthday to Melanie Palumbo, our incredible Chester County Neighborhood Resource Specialist! 🎂Melanie, we’re so grateful for the compassion, dedication, and support you bring to families and volunteers every day. We hope your birthday is filled with joy and celebration—you are truly appreciated!
Dec 22
Happy Birthday to Ty Williams, our Chester County Church Engagement Director! 🎉 We’re so grateful for the way Ty builds meaningful relationships with churches and champions hope-filled partnerships that make a real difference in our community—join us in celebrating him today!
Dec 17
What does it take for a family to thrive after homelessness?Safety. Support. Community.Bridge of Hope helps nonprofits offer all three through a proven model that combines professional case management with a church-based Neighboring community – so families can move from temporary housing to lasting stability.- Know a nonprofit passionate about ending family homelessness? Tag them or share this post! Together, we can make thriving possible.- Learn more about replicating the Bridge of Hope model: https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/get-involved/launch-a-location/
Dec 15
Today we celebrate Melissa Diem! Our Chief Mission Officer is always leaning in, supporting and coaching those around her and brings so much wise counsel and spiritual groundedness to our mission. Happy Birthday, Melissa! 🥳
Dec 13
Today we are celebrating Jonathan Matías, National Director of Development! 🥳Happy happy birthday, Jonathan! We are so grateful for you. Your open heart and spirit – to God and God’s work, to other people, and especially to our Bridge of Hope families, is such a shining light and encouragement to so many. Blessings to you in this new year, may you experience God’s blessings in every area of your life.
Dec 12
