The Gift of Connection

“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.

Steph knew she needed support, and that was the biggest draw to Bridge of Hope – the opportunity to connect with Neighboring Volunteers.

She describes herself as naturally independent and often struggles to accept help. Yet through her journey with her Neighboring Volunteers, Steph has begun to open up in remarkable ways.

Her group rallied around her and her son, Hunter, with heartfelt support – building a connection through park outings and fun activities and helping with practical needs like school pickups and childcare during snow days. One volunteer, drawing on her educational background, even joined Steph at an Individualized Education Program meeting to help advocate for Hunter.

The group also found meaningful ways to connect with Steph, including a pottery class and a local storytelling event that made their time together fun and memorable.

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.

Steph first formed a friendship with her lawyer, who wanted to help her find stable housing after she left the shelter. In an extraordinary act of support, her lawyer purchased a home in the school district Steph needed to keep Hunter enrolled, and rented it to her.

“Having a home of our own gives us both freedom to be able to do things. It’s not just a temporary setting. It is our home, so we fill it with all of Hunter’s things that he’s made,” Steph shared.

Though Steph grew up in a Christian family and attended church as a child, she hadn’t gone since moving out on her own. As she built trust with her Neighboring Volunteers, she began attending their church – and bringing Hunter along. Now, it’s something he genuinely enjoys and looks forward to.

“I’ve opened up significantly to the point where I now let people in. I feel like I’m able to be authentically me. And it’s even had a trickle-down effect, too: because of the relationships I’ve formed, I’m able to open up in other areas of my life,” she said.