Where are you fostering connections?
October 21, 2025
“I was living in a domestic violence shelter. It was safe but the shelter wasn’t a home and didn’t provide any sense of stability for us. And we didn’t have any family. We lacked that support and I felt the weight of it all on my shoulders.” Steph longed for supportive and healthy relationships and connection for herself and her son. The idea of Neighboring Volunteers from a church to walk with her sounded exactly like what she was most feeling a need for in her life, in addition to a place to call home.
Fostering relationships that nurture and support single parent families, like Steph’s, in their darkest moments, is the work of Bridge of Hope. And, honestly, I believe it is the work that Jesus calls us to in this world.
Hebrews 13:1-2 says, “No matter what, make room in your heart to love… and show hospitality.”
Steph’s Neighboring Volunteers from Grandview United Methodist Church made room in their hearts for Steph and her son, showing hospitality and creating a new family for her. “They are my family now,” Steph says.
Earlier this month, we hosted the annual national Bridge of Hope conference with the theme of “Fostering Community Through Connection.” Our network staff and board members from across our 20 locations in 12 states gathered for three days of connecting, learning and growing together.
Andrea Flack-Wetherald taught us to use “Yes, And…” from improv theater to deepen our connections with the families we serve. And Rev. Liz Walker invited us to catch our collective breathe, breathing in the love of God and exhaling the pain we carry.
Some other conference highlights for me included awarding our annual Core Value Award to Carolyn Nutter, program director of Bridge of Hope Harrisonburg- Rockingham in Virginia, for her spirit of cultural humility in her work with families and Neighboring Volunteers. Carolyn serves each family and church with grace and dignity in the spirit of Jesus, and we are grateful for her work!
I am also delighted to share that Bridge of Hope Lancaster in Pennsylvania was awarded the Top Benchmark Award in our Bridge of Hope Network this year for their strong programmatic outcomes! Congratulations to the Lancaster team!
May we together foster connection with unhoused families, most of whom are solo parenting, and carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. May we all find ways to walk with others in their time of pain.
Edith Yoder
Chief Executive Officer
God at Work: A Year of Witness and Wonder
Check out this blog post by Melissa Diem, our Chief Mission Officer, as she reflects on her first year in her role at Bridge of Hope. It’s worth reading twice!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Special thanks to our Bridge of Hope Conference sponsors and the amazing speakers and workshop facilitators who inspired and taught us so well!
Be the Key to a New Beginning
Earlier this month, you likely received a letter from me, inviting your support of Bridge of Hope. I hope you’ll respond by December 31 and help us meet our board challenge match!
