Bridging For Tomorrow Annual Report 2023

A Message From Our Executive Director

Dear BFT Friends and Supporters,

2023 was a remarkable year of growth for Bridging For Tomorrow and we couldn’t have done it without you. We are deeply grateful for the tireless efforts and support of our community – including our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, hardworking staff, and our many partners.

With your help, we continued to respond to one of the most pervasive issues in our community: food insecurity. Our church partners supported local families by hosting mobile food distributions nearly every Saturday of the year. And we made some in-house adjustments to our pantry to serve more people in meaningful ways.

You made it possible for us to invest in students and their parents through educational programs and events. We hosted 2 fun events encouraging the love of reading – the Read Across America Book Fair and Family Fun Night. Not only did families make memories together, but we sent about 350 books home with kids and adults.

You helped us empower teens with our first-ever Thrive Night; where we desire our young people to thrive where they are, in who they are, and in their community. These are fun, game-filled nights where kids get to be in a safe space, and where they can invite their friends. This is how stronger communities are made – one trusting relationship at a time.

All this exciting growth has ushered in the need for more resources – more staff (we hired 4 team members last year!) and more space. It’s heartbreaking to turn people away because you just don’t have more room in your building. So in December, we acquired 1600 sq ft of additional space and are currently renovating it, creating a new learning environment for this community!

The impact you helped us make in 2023 is tremendous. Your continued support secures the life-changing community these families have found at Bridging For Tomorrow, while opening the door for others to come.

From all of us at BFT, thank you!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

TOM HARGROVE BRIAN MCGOWN

JEN BURTON JEREMY DAVIS

BIG DREAMS, GREAT IMPACT

At the beginning of 2023, our team had big dreams for new events in the year ahead.

Of course, with the overflowing generosity and support from people just like YOU, we were able to offer two new events: one for families and one for teens.

Over 110 of our neighbors enjoyed the first Family Fun Night playing BINGO and winning books! This event allowed the entire family to engage in quality time and everyone left with a new book.

Thrive Nights took our student-centered focus to a new level of engagement, fun, and community. It gave the adults of our future a place to gain new confidence and thrive together.

THIS IS THE BFT COMMUNITY

3 OUT OF 4 LOCAL STUDENTS READ BELOW GRADE LEVEL

1 IN 5 NEIGHBORING FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE

56% OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS SELF-REPORT POOR MENTAL HEALTH

87% OF OUR LOCAL NEIGHBORS ARE FACING FOOD INSECURITY

ALMOST 1/3 OF THE BFT COMMUNITY IS CONSIDERED THE WORKING POOR

MANY ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE LACKING ENGLISH SKILLS

OUR RESPONSE

We believe everyone in the community has a voice, and each voice matters. In 2023, here are some of the ways we responded to the ever-changing needs of the great community we serve.

FOUND CREATIVE WAYS TO PROMOTE LITERACY IN THE HOME

PROMOTED HEALTH & WELLNESS WITH COOKING CLASSES, ZUMBA, AND SUPPORT GROUPS

PROVIDED MONTHLY VACCINE CLINICS

ADDED FUN EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

WE BUILD

TAUGHT PARENTS

COMPUTER SKILLS TO HELP KIDS WITH SCHOOL

RELATIONSHIPS

HELPED FAMILIES WITH MYTEXASBENEFITS ENROLLMENT

CREATED A FUN AND SAFE EVENT JUST FOR TEENS TO BE IN COMMUNITY

IMPLEMENTED NEW PANTRY PROGRAMS FOR GROWING NEEDS

270 FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS

85 YOUTH PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS

4,452 TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS

INVESTED

WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS

“It is, hands down, the people who come along side us to help build a stronger community filled with people desiring a brighter future. Our volunteer team executes the plans and brings dreams to life.”

-Judi Harmon, BFT Volunteer Manager

“We are so very grateful for the opportunity you offer us to serve the community. All of you are welcoming, generous, and purpose driven.”

-Laurie & Pete Combe, Pantry Volunteers

“I love starting my week off with the sweet kids that come and read together.”

-Sylvia, Reading Club Volunteer

Our

Pantry Continued to Evolve in 2023; Allowing Us to Continue Meeting Our Neighbors’ Needs

Community members 65+ were given their own Senior Box Program through the Houston Food Bank.

As partners with the Houston Food Bank , we helped make 35 mobile food pantries available

for the community to receive healthy and nutritious food by visiting local churches.

As part of the Food for Change program, families participating in health, economic, or educational programs have been invited to shop in-person at the BFT pantry.

“This is wonderful. I can pick what I really use mostly,and feel like I actually am in grocery store. I love everyone

here. Thank you very much”

-BFT Community Member

2023 FINANCIALS

*We received and distributed 645,026 lbs. of in kind food donations from the Houston Food Bank in 2023. The value of this food is $1,244,901.11 and has been excluded for presentation purposes.

**$510,400 is an in kind donation from Faithbridge for salaries, wages, benefits and payroll taxes.

Access our 990s and independently audited financial statements at https://www.bridgingfortomorrow.org/give

655 SHOES GIVEN TO STUDENTS FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL

3,500+ HOURS OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED TO STUDENTS

NEARLY 350 BOOKS GIFTED TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS

AROUND 2,000 HOURS OF ESL INSTRUCTION TAUGHT

ALMOST 600 GIFTS GIVEN TO KIDS THROUGH OUR SANTA SHOP

MORE THAN 90 ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

OVER 500 HOURS OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROVIDED

“I feel like being part of this community has really helped me. I use to be really shy but talking in groups helped me get comfortable.”

- Jackie, BFT Student

I feel blessed for the opportunity to come here and learn and to be like a family. BFT shows us love, community, and culture.”

-Mirna, BFT Community Member & Volunteer

“The people that work here are what make it great. It’s like they are just born for this, their personalities are so kind, and I love how they are always smiling.”

-Estella, BFT Senior

“My favorite part of reading club is when it is my turn to read to everyone. It makes me feel more confident and I just love talking and reading with others.”

-Kevin, BFT Student

ALDINE ISD

ARC/RIOT CREATIVE

ASEI ENGINEERING

AXIS BUILDERS

CAMP GARY FUND

CAMP GLADIATORSPRING

CH ROBINSON

CHICK-FIL-A

CHRISTUS HEALTHY LIVING MOBILE CLINICS

CYPRESS CREEK HSTHESPIAN TROUPE

DECASA TORTILLAS

DEUTERONOMY 15:11

EDWARD JONES

FAITHBRIDGE CHURCH

HEWLETT PACKARD

HIGHLAND PRESCHOOL

HOUSTON FOOD BANK

HOUSTON HAVOC

JOHN WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH

KINSMEN LUTHERAN CHURCH

KLEIN ISD

LONE STAR COLLEGE

MARTIN DEUSTCH- STATE FARM INSURANCE

MEXCURINTERNATIONAL

NCL CYPRESS CREEK

NCL WILDFLOWERS

NCS MULTISTAGE

NEW DESTINY PRAISE AND WORSHIP CENTER

NORTHWEST FIRE DEPARTMENT

ORANGE THEORY FITNESS

PROVIDENCE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

RCI MANAGEMENT

REPUBLIC SERVICES

THE PAC

TWIN EAGLE

US ECOLOGY

WHITE TUCKER

WUNDERLICH FARMS