2019 Impact Report: Guiding Youth on their Path Home

guiding youth on their path home fiscal year 2019 | annual report

The Bridge Program Model Bridge’s proven and innovative services are delivered through an effective continuum of care model, welcoming all youth “where they’re at” and guiding them to a self-sufficient and stable adulthood. Programs provide youth with essential help, ranging from short-term, survival aid services (street outreach, mobile medical van, in-house medical clinic, drop-in hours for laundry, showers and food), to longer-term, life-skill building residential programming (transitional housing programs for youth and supportive housing for young mothers and their children) that recognizes past trauma and prepares youth to become independent adults.

At all points along this continuum, youth have access to ongoing counseling, educational opportunities and career services at Bridge’s easily accessible downtown Boston location.

Street Outreach

Mobile Medical Van

Runaway Hotline

Counseling & Support Housing

Transitional Day & Welcome Center Programs

Single Parent House

Transitional Living Program

Education & Career Development Emergency Residence

47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111 @BridgeOTW On front cover: Liberty House, Established Fiscal Year 2019

Bridge is Boston’s foremost agency dedicated to transforming the lives of runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth through safe, supportive, and encouraging relationships and effective, innovative services that guide each youth toward self-sufficiency.

2019 FINANCIALS Dear Friends,

Income

For nearly 50 years, Bridge Over Troubled Waters has served as the foremost agency for homeless, at-risk, and runaway youth in Boston. We are committed to meeting youth “where they’re at” – with the services they need most.

Private Grants & Contributions: Government Contracts: Investment & Other:

$4,094,827 $1,177,996 $500,168

Total Income:

$5,772,991

This year was the first full year of operation for Liberty House, our residence in Dorchester for youth who are ready to take the next step toward independent living. It also saw the expansion of two programs that connect Bridge with youth: our Welcome Center, which transitioned to a year-round program, and our Safe Place network, which expanded to include new locations for young people seeking help.

Expenses Programs: $4,300,615 Administration: $999,018 Fundraising: $453,847 Total Expenses*:

*Does not include depreciation.

investment & other

Elisabeth Jackson Executive Director

fundraising administration

As Bridge enters into our 50th year of service, I am thankful for the community of partners and supporters with us on this journey. Thank you for helping to ensure that the youth we serve have the effective, innovative and proven services they need to guide them toward a successful future.

With gratitude,

$5,753,480

INCOME

EXPENSES

government contracts

private grants & contributions

programs

The path home

2019 IMPACT Total Youth Serviced Annually

Follow youth on their journey to stability and learn how Bridge programs support them along each step of the way.

2,000

Where Our Youth Are From

Age Breakdown

11% 14-17

56% 18-21

33% 22-24

51% Boston

36%

Massachusetts

Living Situation at Intake

11%

Out of MA

2%

Out of US

31%

couchsurfing

25% family

23%

from shelters

12% on streets

6%

program referrals

3%

independent living

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Maceo was 18 and living on the street when he first connected with Bridge.

He had recently left foster care and was working to re-establish a relationship with his birth mother.

Our Street Outreach team offered Maceo a meal and some dry clothes. With repeated contact, our teams showed Maceo that we would be here for him – whenever he was ready to take the next step.

Mandi was only 17 years old and six weeks pregnant when she contacted Bridge.

She called Bridge through our 24-hour Runaway Hotline for underage youth.

At Bridge, Mandi started staying in our Basic Center, which provides special overnight accommodations for youth under the age of 18. Away from the fear of violence and instability she experienced in her family’s home, she could finally focus on building a stable foundation for her and her new baby.

Jeremiah found Bridge’s Mobile Medical Van one night in Harvard Square.

Every night for many months, Jeremiah would stop by the Mobile Medical Van for a sandwich, some warm socks and to talk with outreach staff.

Bridge staff learned that due to frustration with other service providers, Jeremiah did not want to ask for help again. After over a year of visiting the van, thanks to the relationship that Jeremiah built with our outreach team, he scheduled an intake appointment at Bridge.

is-BOTW-AR2019-r7.indd 4-6

After Maceo’s mom tragically passed away this summer, he came to Bridge because he knew he had a support system here.

He started visiting the Transitional Day Program (TDP), where he had access to hot meals, showers and laundry facilities, as well as the individualized support he needed. During daily TDP Career Café meetings, Maceo created a resume and learned interview skills, which he used to secure a job at a popular restaurant.

Despite all of the hardship she had endured, Mandi was determined to finish high school before her baby was born.

She worked with Bridge’s Education & Career Development staff and an advisor at her local public high school to stay on track in her classes. Mandi walked the stage at her graduation just days before her new baby arrived.

Jeremiah started meeting regularly with a Bridge Clinical Counselor.

Together, Jeremiah and his counselor developed a plan to address his self-harm and substance use.

With Bridge’s support, Jeremiah learned that with counseling, he is able to manage his mental health.

Maceo now stays in Bridge’s Emergency Residence (ER), a dorm-style community at Bridge’s Downtown location.

Thanks to the stability of the ER, Maceo is thriving at work and making steady progress toward earning his high school equivalency certificate.

Soon, Maceo will move to Bridge’s Transitional Living Program (TLP) in Brighton.

In the TLP, Maceo will continue to develop skills that prepare him for success in independent living, like creating a personal budget and contributing regularly to his savings. He will also work with his TLP case manager and clinical counselor on juggling relationships with his housemates, his colleagues at work, and his friends and family.

Mandi welcomed her baby girl home to Bridge’s Single Parent House.

With the support of Bridge staff and a community of other young families, Mandi is developing the skills she needs to balance raising her daughter, working part-time, and exploring opportunities for future advancement in school.

Mandi and her baby recently moved into their own apartment using the savings that she accumulated during her time in the Single Parent House.

Jeremiah now has housing through Bridge’s Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH), the only RRH program in Boston exclusively for youth.

Using the skills he learned at Bridge, he is managing his work, personal life, and mental health in independent housing. Jeremiah meets regularly with his clinical counselor and his Rapid Rehousing case manager.

4/1/20 3:12 PM