Bridges Out of Poverty is a set of concepts that helps businesses, churches, schools, social service organizations and individuals address poverty in a comprehensive way. It provides ideas and concrete tools a community needs to reduce, alleviate and work with those in poverty.
Poverty can include a lack of financial resources. However, Poverty is a broader term that encompasses needing support to build resources around emotional health, mental health, language, social capital, health & wellbeing, spiritual wellbeing, integrity and trust, motivation and persistence, relationships and understand of how to navigate the world (hidden rules).
We use this framework to develop programs and strategies that improve relationships at the front-line level, improve outcomes at the organizational level and improve systems at the community level.
Reducing the social costs of poverty, strengthening the workforce and building a more prosperous and sustainable community are goals on which most communities can agree. Bridges out of Poverty helps employers, organizations, agencies and individuals understand, address and reduce poverty together in a comprehensive way.
Together with our community partners, we are working to become a Bridges Community. Trainings are being offered in 2023 to create greater awareness and collaboration as we work to implement this model in our communities.