Homelessness has many faces. We often think of the homeless as addicts or the mentally ill. But a big percentage of American homeless are just people who have had bad things happen to them and are unable to pay their rent, lost their jobs, or were abused and ran away. 

In our shelter we had a dad who had to choose between paying rent or his child support – he chose his children and came to stay with us. We’ve had an abused young man who just turned 18 and could finally leave home. There have been women who just can’t make ends meet with their low paying jobs. Veterans who are struggling with PTSD and can’t settle back into life at home. Without help they have to sleep outside in their car, in a tent somewhere hidden, maybe on a friend’s couch, or even a makeshift lean-to. Instead, Bridges of Hope allows these men and women to come into our shelter and have time to regroup, start over, have a CHANCE. 

Every year Bridges of Hope holds a One Night Without A Home event. During this event we encourage individuals or groups to sleep away from their comfortable bed. It could be in a tent outside, in a box, in your living room, or even in your car. It provides just a small snapshot of what being without a home looks like.  Will you participate this year!?