Circle of Change

Bridges United was founded in 2022 with the mission to empower individuals and communities by providing safe and inclusive environments that promote self-determination, resilience, wellness, and a sense of community using a person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach. We believe crisis can be a catalyst for change and that it is never too late to break the cycle of hospitalization, incarceration, and homelessness.

The organization is focused on providing a safe space for anyone experiencing a crisis to seek support or resources in our homelike environment. Our shared vision for every person to be a step up toward living healthy, feeling safe and experiencing self-worth so that individuals and communities thrive made our partnership thrive from day one. 

“These items help people know we see them as more than just guests, they are worthy,” shared Bridges United Executive Director, Patrick E. regarding the core hygiene products Bridges United receives from Jake’s Network of Hope. 

Bridges United has been able to source core products like shampoo, toothpaste, and soap to provide individuals coming for support in crisis the basic hygiene products they need to feel seen, supported, and cared for. 

Thank you for your support of our programs during 2022. Your ongoing gifts continue to create amazing change for all those we partner with and serve across the globe.

Links:

• Like Jake's Network of Hope on Facebook
• Follow Jake's Network of Hope on Instagram

A collaborative effort to give homeless Oshkosh families a safe shelter and fresh start will open its doors to 8 families in the New Year. 

The Oshkosh Kids Foundation (OKF) has teamed up with 17 local community partners to introduce the Tiny House Village - Jake’s Network of Hope is thrilled to be one of these community partners!

The Tiny House Village provides affordable, short-term housing for families while they learn life, financial, and home management skills. Jake’s is providing goods to furnish each home - such as bedding, small kitchen equipment, dining ware, bathroom needs, and so forth - a partnership that has greatly helped reduce the project’s growing budget - according to Julie D., Co-Founder, and Executive Director of OKF.

“We love Jakes, we’re super excited about the group staging our houses - all the items that Jake’s is providing are going to make it a home,” she said.

As of early December, the village’s community center is complete and ready for the organization to start furnishing and “moving in.” The first couple of houses are expected to be move-in ready in the next couple weeks, with doors opening to 8 families just after the New Year, Julie said.

Families are referred by school social workers, Winnebago County social workers and the Christine Anne Center. The families who are ultimately selected for the program are those who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness and are also working hard to overcome their situation. The Tiny Homes village goal is to give these families time to get back on their feet and re-establish financial security while offering a fresh start.

There are 100 families on a waitlist for programs that could ultimately refer to the Tiny Homes, showcasing just how desperate the need in the area is; Jule said the group hopes to have 16 homes available by the end of January and 32 by the end of June. The homes use solar power panels to reduce tenant costs, and the village will provide internet; the only utility residents will pay is water. 

“These people, we’re getting them stabilized and then giving them hope and dignity and excitement about a brand new house with brand new stuff - and they can start over,” Julie said. The organization will provide each family a picture frame with a family photo upon move in.

Thank you for your support of our programs during 2022. Your ongoing gifts continue to create amazing change for all those we partner with and serve across the globe.

Links:

• Like Jake's Network of Hope on Facebook
• Follow Jake's Network of Hope on Instagram