Bridge Communities: Connecting Homeless Families to a Better Future | Episode #13
In a heartwarming episode of "Firks 5 with Dan Firks," Dan Firks, a prominent figure in real estate, sits down with Jennifer Bistry, the Director of Community Engagement at Bridge Communities. This insightful blog post captures their discussion about the critical work Bridge Communities does in aiding homeless families and the various ways people can contribute to this noble cause.
Jennifer Bistry and Bridge Communities: A Vision for Change
Jennifer Bistry, who met Dan Firks at a Naperville Chamber event, leads the community engagement efforts at Bridge Communities, a Glen Ellyn-based organization. Their vision is simple yet profound: to ensure all families are healthy and self-sufficient. Bridge Communities uniquely owns 156 apartments in DuPage County, allowing them to provide quality, affordable housing to homeless families.
The Mission That Drives Bridge Communities
Their mission is to transition families experiencing homelessness in DuPage County to a state of self-sufficiency. This is achieved not just by providing a place to live, but also through comprehensive wraparound services tailored to each family member's needs. Their goal is to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness, and abuse and be a generational solution.
Supporting the Children
A key aspect of their work focuses on the children in these families. With a dedicated children's services staff, they provide individualized support, including school assistance, tutoring, enrichment programs, and even simple joys like bicycles and backpacks. This comprehensive approach aims to strengthen the children, help them integrate better into society, and inspire them to dream big.
Achieving Their Goals
Bridge Communities has been making a difference for 35 years, serving over 950 families. They depend heavily on volunteers and community partners for everything from mental health services to tutoring. In 2022 alone, volunteers dedicated 570 hours to tutoring children. This collaborative effort allows them to scale their services and impact more lives.
How the Community Can Help
There are many ways the public can get involved. Bridge Communities welcomes volunteer mentors, financial contributions, and people willing to share their passions and skills with the families they serve. Those interested can visit bridgecommunities.org to find more information on volunteering, events, and donations.
Upcoming Events and Plans for the New Year
Bridge Communities has several exciting events lined up, including the Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser, the Celebrating Women Transforming Lives event at Danada House, a golf event, a backyard barbecue, and the Sleep Out Saturday initiative. These events not only raise funds but also awareness about homelessness and the work Bridge Communities does.
Conclusion
Jennifer Bistry's dedication to helping homeless families through Bridge Communities is a testament to the power of community and compassion. Her work, and the work of Bridge Communities, is an inspiring example of how focused effort can make a real difference in people’s lives.
Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your insights with us, and thank you, Dan Firks, for bringing such important stories to light. For more real estate trends and market updates, connect with Dan Firks and Naperville.com.
