Bridging the Gap
Have you looked at your bank account lately and calculated how long you could “survive” if you lost your job tomorrow? Many people don’t realize that the majority of the unhoused are on the street for that very reason. They lost their job and couldn’t find another before the big bad wolf of capitalism blew their home away. Once you lose your permanent residence, how are you going to apply for a new job? How will you renew your driver’s license?
In this economy many are a few paychecks away from losing everything. Sadly, since those things are not on our radar, we are quick to judge those we see living on the streets of Dallas. Few homeless shelters in the Dallas area offer 24-hour shelter. Most take you in for the evening, give you a meal and, in some cases, religious nourishment. You might get to take a shower. They have a pad for you to sleep on. In the early morning they wake you and send you on your way, hoping you’ll come back again in the evening. I’m not faulting them for that. They’re offering a great service. However, there’s no denying that those services aren’t going to help you get out of your situation because they need numbers to get the funding they need to help you.
The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center is different. As Dr. Woody told me in December of 2023, their mission is to provide an exit strategy to homelessness. A few times a year The Bridge offers a lunch and learn event that is open to anyone. Space is limited and the best way to find out about the events is through Facebook. You’ll get to hear all about them; what they offer; how they help the homeless community; but most importantly, how you can help them (the homeless community and The Bridge). Until you get the opportunity to go and see them for yourselves, allow me to give you a quick run down. The Bridge is open 24 hours a day. For safety purposes, all bags are checked. The entering area is like the security checkpoints at an airport. If you are new, you will see intake personnel. They don’t require an I.D and you don’t even have to give your legal name. They also don’t discriminate against people with prior arrests, which is a big deal because many of the other recovery centers in Dallas will not help someone with an arrest record.
After intake, you are given an access card. Not only is this used to let you in and out of the facility, but it is also used at the cafeteria so the staff knows if there are any diet restrictions. And yes, to track the number of meals consumed in a day for budgetary purposes. The cafeteria food is made by Bridge partner The Stewpot. They make three meals a day, but only night time guests can eat dinner there. Everyone can have breakfast and lunch. Their dining service is unlike any other homeless shelter because volunteers serve the guests at their tables. They bring them water, silverware and extra napkins. One cannot begin to describe how humanizing it is for these guests to be served like they’re at a restaurant instead of ignored like they’re on the streets.
However, this isn’t the only service offered. There are designated teams around the facility that are tailored to care for specific needs. One department sets up medical appointments with a partnering hospital. Another department solely helps with setting up Social Security and getting a new social security card. The Bridge finds housing for certain residents that is rent free for a year while they wait for Social Security benefits to kick in. Another team focuses on helping those needing more psychiatric-focused help. The Bridge supplies large lockers so people can feel more at ease knowing their precious belongings are safe. Perhaps one of the most unique things about The Bridge is they have a dog kennel on site so a person doesn’t have to abandon their beloved dog in order to get out of the elements.
There is also a barber/salon, a library with computers, and transitional housing for those who are able to find a job but still need to save up for affordable housing. Any guests who become residents can use The Bridge as their permanent residence while looking for and securing a job.
But The Bridge needs your help. Any kind of help whether it be donations of items or money, or giving some of your time to help people in need. Instead of complaining about “the homeless problem,” do something to help people exit homelessness forever. Visit The Bridge’s website to see the various ways in which you can help them now.
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