Over dinner Tuesday night at St. Ann’s the subject of The Bridge came up. Someone asked a table mate (let’s call her “Debbie”) about The Bridge, the homeless can seek help in bridging to better lives. Debbie has been volunteering there regularly for years. In fact, her car is probably on automatic pilot to head there.
When asked what she got out of volunteering at a place where so many sad lives sought help, she didn’t hesitate. First she let it be known that the people being served at The Bridge were “guests.” And she certainly didn’t see the guests as sad.
Debbie went on to explain: “I love the guests-they are amazing and I find myself taking many pages from their books. Even though they are at the lowest point of their lives they manage to smile and offer a kind word. Also, I have volunteered at many places but The Bridge volunteers are the absolute best because they do it from the heart–they want to be there. What could be better than that? The biggest thrill I get is when a guest gets his/her own place and shows me the key to their new place–they have worked so hard for that.”
Yes, The Bridge has been a standout for many reason thanks to its relationship with The Stewpot, Lifenet Texas, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, Veterans Affairs, Dallas Police Department, Downtown Dallas Inc, The Stewpot, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, the State of Texas, Dallas County, the City of Dallas and other organizations. But it is the corp of volunteers who tirelessly help the guests bridge from one side of life to a better one.
But even the most dedicated volunteers and support of other organizations aren’t enough to tackle the massive challenge of providing direction, assistance and understanding.
That requires money.
To raise such funds, Megan and Casey McManemin are co-chairing the 6th Annual Breakfast for The Bridge on Friday, November 20, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. At that time Larry Sykes will be presented with the Bridge Builder Award and Willie Baronet will be the keynote speaker.
And why should you care? After all, you’ll never need The Bridge. But, wait! You do. Perhaps not the same type as the guests, but The Bridge has done far more than helping the homeless. Since its opening, the following results have taken place:
- The Bridge has contributed to the revitalization of downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods by serving as a magnet for the homeless community that otherwise would be roaming the streets.
- The Bridge is a great neighbor, as evidenced by the relocation of its entrance to accommodate the Farmers Market stakeholders.
- The Bridge saves taxpayers tens of millions of dollars annually by keeping the homeless out of the county’s criminal justice and hospital systems.
- Violent crime downtown has dropped more than 40 percent since The Bridge opened in 2008.
- The Bridge served more than 10,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2014.
- The Bridge has made more than 1,800 permanent supportive and affordable housing placements since opening!
No, you may never need The Bridge, but The Bridge and its guests definitely need you. Why not get your reservation, set your alarm for an early start on that Friday, have breakfast with other great peeps and then consider volunteering at The Bridge. You just might meet Debbie there.
For more information, just call Teresa Hiser at 214.670.1137.