..because i am a multiple, multiple violent crime survivor, i am going to keep details at the minimum, but give anyone reading this my honest experience-but summarized because i will blab and blab and blab.😝
the bridge to hope did nothing short of saving my life, by welcoming me in, all the way from another state. i will owe them that acknowledgement forever.💯
what they also did, only because i was ready internally, mentally, and spiritually, was facilitate myself and allowing myself to put myself in a position where i would be better off when leaving their shelter, than when i had arrived, fresh out of re-victimization. i came ready, and most, if not all of the work i succeeded in, was on MY part, but they providing so many things in order for me to want advancement for myself, having been diagnosed with C-PTSD, survivor's guilt, complicated and prolonged grief, ADHD, gad, mdd, frightening dreams/sleep terrors, and so many more.
i stayed for almost three months. i will say, in that time, there were only three of us clients who actively found and obtained housing. it wasn't up to the bridge to do this for us or anyone-it was up to ourselves, and they supported me along the way with:
*bus passes/tokens
*one-time medication refill costs
*birth certificate payment
*a stocked food pantry, better than any previous pantry i have ever encountered
*privacy with my own room
..and so much more.
the staff there worked with me, whenever something came up, good, really, for me, never bad. if you stay out of house drama, use etiquette, take responsibility, and work your butt off in advancing yourself, their staff are more than tools for physical things, they will respect you back. their rules are very appropriate, very forward, and very, i would think, quite easy to follow, considering the safety they provide, the privacy, and the very comfortable (but not too comfortable) housing environment.
yes, i saw lots of people go in, and out, unfortunately, but no matter the rumors, it was never staff's fault or wrongdoing, it was the guest'(s)'.
when i found my apartment, they gave me a reasonable extension, they provided, literally, new, or gently used starter furniture/kitchen table/tv/dresser/mattress/ a bed frame. i still haven't picked up my pots and pans starter kit, months later, but i am positive, when i do get the time to stop by, they will help if they can!!!!
they are still here for me (and anyone) after you leave on good terms!!! I've called them for residency confirmation letters, visited the pantry once, and every experience, and it has only been a few, were full of professionalism, kindness, and love.
was the house perfect? no. was staff perfect? no. was i perfect? no. with that said, it is a comfortable home, with safety prioritized. they are welcome of EVERYONE and will not tolerate anything other than than from their guests. LGBTQ+, transgender, single moms, men, trafficked, dv, sa, stalking, black, families, it doesn't matter who you are, they will help you, if you are honest, vulnerable, in extreme need, and they have the room available for you. don't BS them-they can tell just by the way you treat the house, other guests, and staff, while you reside, and that won't end positively if you go that route.
I'm going to have to give the most loving shout-out to JENN, BRITTANY, EMILY, MAGGIE, ANGIE, and ANGELA for specifically allowing me to be uncharacteristically vulnerable to them-for all of the important talks-for helping me get to work, and for helping me with transportation costs the first month-for giving me respect-for trusting me-for believing in me-for having a formal education in how trauma affected me individually, and how their approach was specific to me and my needs-and for paying for the ticket to get me straight out of victimization, once again, coming from a long distance, from another state! you all were integral in my journey, and no matter what, i will always love and respect you!🫶🏼🥹
ANYONE who needs help, and that includes MALES, this place is your safe haven and your chance. CALL THEM.❤️
