Causes: Homeless & Housing, Homeless Centers, Homeless Shelters, Housing Support, Human Services

Mission: Bridges to Independence leads individuals and families out of homelessness and into stable, independent futures.

Target demographics: People experiencing homelessness

Direct beneficiaries per year: Nearly 500 people

Geographic areas served: Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia

Programs:
•Emergency Shelter: Sullivan House, Bridges’ emergency shelter, provides individuals and families with a safe, supportive place to stay. Sullivan House, with its one- and two-bedroom apartments, is Arlington County’s largest emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
•Rapid Re-Housing: Our goal is to move families into safe, affordable, and permanent housing as quickly as possible. Participants secure and maintain a lease in their own name, while receiving Bridges’ ongoing supportive services.
•Employment Services: Our employment services help participants find, secure, and retain stable employment.
•Financial Literacy: Bridges works with participants to increase their financial knowledge and skills, while emphasizing household budgeting and credit repair.
•Youth Development: Children going through homelessness often suffer from trauma, poor physical/mental health, stress, developmental delays, and missed educational opportunities. Our youth development programming addresses these factors and increases the academic skills, self-esteem, college readiness, and overall well-being of the children we serve.