Voices of Bridges

Helping New Jersey’s Homeless Students

2010-10-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

One of the topics at Bridges Teens Tackle Homelessness Conference on Saturday, October 23, 2010, was student and teen homelessness and how it affects their education. Coincidentally, this article appeared this week in NJ Spotlight. It's everything that our students learned at the conference. See article:

Helping New Jersey’s Homeless Students
The number of homeless students in the state rose by almost 30 percent last year, topping 6,500

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/1026/2245/

75 students attend conference on homelessness

2010-10-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Seventy-five high school students from 29 highs schools and religious institutions attended Bridges Outreach’s second Teens Tackle Homelessness conference on Saturday, October 23, 2010. The conference was planned by a high school steering committee representing students from several area high schools. Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child hosted the conference.

Jennifer Velez, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services was the keynote speaker. Ms. Velez’ extensive experience in the fields of health and human services combined with her compassion for the people she serves made her an inspirational presenter for the conference. Her message urged audience members to be non-judgmental and to resist stereotyping people was well received.

In addition to the keynote speaker, the conference offered three workshops:”Homeless Teens” presented by Mr. Bilal Muhammad, Homeless Unit Liaison with the Newark Public Schools; Suburban Homeless addressed by Julia Orlando, Director of the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center in Hackensack; and “Prevention and Solutions” was offered by Jose Ortiz, Deputy Director for Essex-Newark Legal Services. Students said they learned, “homelessness is close to home” and “just how hard it is to be in foster care.” Many came away feeling more inclined to help others in need and to not to judge people they see sleeping on the streets.

Roundtable discussions over dinner gave the teens a chance to meet and have a conversation with people who have personally experienced homelessness. One teen commented, “It opened my eyes to the different ways someone can find themselves homeless and how it can happen to anyone.”

Teens Tackle Homelessness was sponsored by the Verizon Foundation, Lena Willis Mission Fund, and Hilltop Community Bank and hosted by Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child.

Bridges is a non-profit organization based in Summit reaching out to homelessness in New York City, Newark, and Irvington for over twenty years. Bridges fulfills its mission to bring the housed and homeless together in community with the help of hundreds of volunteers every year.

Become a fan of Bridges Outreach on Facebook. See photos of the conference.

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1,000 Children Receive School Supplies

2010-09-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Bridges Outreach, Inc., in partnership with the Christ Child Society of Summit, distributed school supplies to 310 children on Thursday, August 25th and on Friday, August 26th at the Oakes Center in Summit. Any child in Summit who qualified for a free or reduced lunch was invited to receive a new backpack and any school supply they needed. Additionally, individual schools in Summit were supplied with additional backpacks and supplies to give to students as needed. “This was the first collaboration between Bridges and the Christ Child Society of Summit and it was a tremendous success. It can only get better next year,” commented Lois Bhatt, Bridges Executive Director. Bridges also distributed over 500 new backpacks to schools, shelters and libraries in Newark and Irvington for children in need.

New backpacks were purchased through contributions from individuals and grants from the Summit Area Public Foundation, the Community Congregational Church in Short Hills, the Carvel Foundation and the Victoria Fund and Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel. Collections points at St. Teresa’s in Summit, Westy Storage in Chatham and Bridges brought donations of thousands of notebooks, pens, pencils, and other sundry school supplies from individuals, corporations, and houses of worship.

The Christ Child Society of Summit is a non denominational organization that provides aid and supplies to at-risk children in Summit and neighboring towns.

Two Fun-Filled Days for Shelter Children

2010-09-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

This summer, Bridges hosted two fun-filled one-day trips for children and teens from the Emergency Residency Program (ERP), a shelter in Newark. Wednesday, July 21st, was one hot day of summer fun in New York City for 16 teens from the ERP and 7 teen volunteers from Bridges along with five chaperones. The day started with a walk from Penn Station in New York City to Pier 83 to take the Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan. From there, the group stopped for lunch and then walked across the heart of Broadway to the NBC Studios for a tour of the studios and a view of the studios of many popular television programs.

On August 18th, younger children as well as a small group of teens from the ERP and 7 teen volunteers from Bridges along with adult chaperones spent the day in Philadelphia. The day began by boarding a tour bus in front of the ERP. Once in Philly, a tour guide from Philadelphia Trolley Works hopped on board to give a 90 minute tour of Philadelphia. Lunch at Drexel University and then the rest of the afternoon was spent at the Philadephia Zoo.

Both days provided a great opportunity for children from the ERP to experience a new city and to make friends with Bridges teen volunteers. This day was made possible through grants from the Sarah Ward Foundation, The Agnes and Thomas Carvel Foundation and the Victoria Foundation.

Ask Congress to Pass Child Nutrition Reauthorization This Year!

2010-07-29T06:38:00.000-07:00

In a significant effort to move towards President Obama's (and New Jersey AntiHunger Coalition's) goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015, Congress needs to pass a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) bill this year. The House bill, "Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act" (HR 5504), provides critical support for low-income children by improving their access to healthy food in school, at after school and child care programs, and during the summer.
Your Voice is needed on this issue! Please participate in a nationwide "Call-in to Congress and the White House" during the next two weeks before Congress adjourns for summer recess in August. Urge your members of Congress and President Obama to pass a robust CNR bill before the end of the 111th Congress.
CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-866-277-7617 to connect to your Representatives and Senators and to reach the White House.
For more information about Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) and H.R. 5504, log onto www.frac.org.

Bridges Welcomes New Employees

2010-05-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to welcome two new employees to Bridges.

Craig Prince recently joined Bridges as the Resource Coordinator. Craig will be working at Bridges on Tuesdays and Fridays. Craig will be responsible for the intake of all donated goods and coordinating the volunteers. He will also be procuring new goods. Craig will work closely with the Run Coordinators to prepare for the Runs. Craig has been a Bridges volunteer for many years overseeing a youth group from St. Elizabeth's Church in Linden and leading many Runs into New York City and Newark. If you would like to volunteer at Bridges, give Craig a call. 908-273-0176.

Chip Cliffe will assist Dan RosenHanst on the Friday nights Runs to New York City. Chip has a varied background that most recently includes being the Volunteer Coordinator of Camp Hope, Habitat for Humanity in St. Bernard, LA, were he was responsible for the housing and work assignments for 400-800 people per week working in the New Orleans area after Katrina. Dan and Chip will make a great team as Run Coordinators for the New York City Run.

Dan RosenHanst has been with us for more than a year. He has helped us greatly in our expansion to new Run sites in Newark in the past year. Dan will continue as the Run Coordinator for New York City, Newark and Irvington Runs.

Please join me in welcoming this new Bridges' team.

A Message from Francis Moses

2010-04-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Volunteers:

After many years at Bridges, I have decided to retire. I will continue to be concerned about the situation of our homeless friends who are caught in the wilderness of life. One thing that I have taken away is the resilience, strength, and character of our street friends.

Over the years, I have watched young volunteers that you have nurtured change their perception of homelessness on a Run, seen their concern for our homeless friends, and appreciated their eagerness to make a difference. Volunteers of all ages who give up their time and resources to join a Run have a special place in my heart. You are the heart and soul of Bridges. I hope that you will continue your outreach with Bridges and assist my successors as they lead you and your groups on Runs. It has been my pleasure and honor to work with each and every one of you.

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am not one for parties or fanfare. So, please understand that it is my wish to retire quietly.

With deepest best wishes,

Francis Moses

Note from Lois: Many of you have asked in the last month: “Where is Francis? Is he okay?” Francis is fine and in good spirits and looking forward to this new stage of his life. We are grateful for his many years of service to Bridges, our homeless friends, and volunteers. He will be missed.

As Francis has said, he is not one for parties or fanfare. We will respect his wishes and let him retire quietly. If you would like to send Francis a card, I would be happy to pass it along to him. He does not read e-mail, but I would also be happy to print and give him any messages. We wish Francis health and happiness and the company of good friends and family in his retirement years.

P.O. Box 1444, Summit, NJ 07902

No Child Should be Hungry

2010-04-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

No child should go hungry. You can help.

Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization
Congress is reviewing all the federal child nutrition programs, including School Breakfast and Lunch programs, Summer Food, Child and Adult Care Food and WIC programs.

TO HELP: go to WWW.FRAC.ORG, click on LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER and Take Action on Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

FRAC (Food Research and Action Center) believes a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill must include the following priorities:

Eliminate unnecessary paperwork that serves as a barrier to participation through data-based eligibility in schools in high-poverty areas and improved direct certification systems.

National Volunteer Week 2010

2010-04-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

This week, we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2010, and our remarkable volunteers.

Bridges is fortunate to have over 1,500 volunteers accompany us on our Runs each year impacting many lives along the way. There are more than a dozen dedicated soup makers who come whether it’s December or July and stir huge caldrons of soup for every Run. We have a core group of volunteers who come in every Friday (sometimes Tuesdays too) to sort bags and bags of donated clothing. Hundreds of people drop off clothing and dozens of schools and houses of worship, businesses, girl scouts and boy scouts make brown bag lunches, breakfast bags, and toiletry kits. Let’s not forget our dedicated board that jumps in wherever and whenever they are needed. All in all, Bridges has volunteers in the thousands. When I tell people this, they think it is a hyperbole. “You mean hundreds?” they ask. No, I mean thousands.

Bridges volunteers are amazing and we could not make over 160 Runs a year, deliver 100,000 brown bag lunches, 40,000 breakfast bags, or 15,000 toiletry kits without each and every one of you.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO and have a great week!

A Sock Exhibit!

2010-04-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

I was driving home from work yesterday and while listening to All Things Considered on NPR heard about the sock exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. A sock exhibit! Being one that purchases socks in lots of 2,000 pairs, I took interest.

On a typical Bridges Run we give out about 200 pairs of new socks to our homeless friends who sometimes remove warn shoes to strip off week-old socks to immediately feel the luxury of a new, clean pair of socks. Being on the street, washing is a limited option. Where would you wash them? How would you dry them? So, a new pair is most welcome. Curator of the exhibit, Elizabeth Semmelhack says, “It turns out that many people around the world – before the invention of knitting or even weaving and sewing – they would stuff grass into their shoes or boots as a means of wicking away moisture and adding a bit of comfort to their everyday going about.”

“A bit of comfort to their everyday going about.” Well, I’m glad that we can offer at least that much to our homeless friends, although we always wish it could be more -- like a place to wash those socks.

A note of thanks to the Long Valley Middle School, grades 6, 7, and 8 for collecting 2,145 pairs of new socks on behalf of Hannah’s Socks for Bridges to deliver to homeless friends in New York City, Newark and Irvington, NJ. Awesome job!!

We will miss you, Erma.

2010-04-05T07:39:00.001-07:00

We have a terrific core of volunteers that help us sort clothing on Tuesdays and Fridays. Last summer, we thrilled to have “snowbird” Erma arrive in the spring. She came north to visit her daughter for the summer and was looking for something meaningful to do. Her daughter, Carol, suggested Bridges and she was a great fit. She busily sorted donations, quietly at first, and then her dry sense of humor emerged one day and kept everyone smiling. We sent her off last fall with a promise that she would return. Sadly, Carol let us know that Erma passed away suddenly on March 21 from a massive stroke at her home in Florida. We will miss you, Erma.

Volunteer Award Nominations for High School Seniors

2010-03-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

The Ellen Maher Volunteer Award will be given to a high school senior who has faithfully and effectively engaged with fellow students to support the work of Bridges and who has also proved him or herself to be a friend to the homeless, with whom we are in community. This individual will also exhibit traits, which in the opinion of the Bridges Board of Trustees, make it likely that he or she will continue to thoughtfully and lovingly touch the world in important and meaningful ways.

Students receiving the award will receive public recognition in the Bridges newsletter and ideally in local newspapers. A framed certificate of honor will also be presented by a Bridges representative.

Nomination deadline: April 1. www.bridgesoutreach.org/volunteers for application.

Pajama Program

2010-03-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to our friends at NJ Pajama Program for recently delivering hundreds of pairs of pajamas for Bridges to deliver to children in need in Newark, Irvington and Summit. Bridges started collecting and giving pajamas to sheltered children during the holiday season several years ago. Our program was a great success with several groups donating hundreds of pajamas. We loved hearing stories of children running around the shelters with cuddly warm pajamas. So, when Amy Rollins at the Union County Pajama Program called to offer new pj's of all sizes in December and again, just a few weeks ago, of course, we were thrilled.

The Pajama Program delivers warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need. In the past five years, the NJ Chapter of the Pajama Program has delivered over 60,000 pairs of pajamas and books. For more information on how to get involved with this program, contact Geri at 732-747-6144 or geri@pajamaprogram.org.

Bridges is delighted to collaborate with the Pajama Program. Thank you, Pajama Program, for your generosity and congratulations on your success.

Friday Volunteers

2010-03-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

Fridays are busy days at Bridges as we prepare for our Runs. We are fortunate to have the help of (l-r) Kay and Barbara of New Providence, Christine of Summit, and Elizabeth of Madison to help ready us. Thank you ladies for your time and dedication. Check out volunteer opportunities at http://www.bridgesoutreach.org/volunteer.php

Life Just 7 Miles From Home

2010-03-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

Courtney Cooperman, age 12, participated in a Bridges Run to Irvington through Temple B'Nai Jeshurun. On the ride home Courtney and her family discussed that there are many people who are in such need of immediate help with their daily existence even those close by. Courtney wrote the following poem about her experience. Bridges thanks Courtney, her family, Temple B'Nai Jeshurun and all our volunteers who make Bridges’ Runs possible. Bridges invites all volunteers to share their Run experiences via Facebook or on our blog http://voicesofbridges.blogspot.com/.

Seven Miles

By Courtney Cooperman

Here, in Short Hills, I have little to worry about.
Mostly I only worry about too much homework
Or something difficult we’re studying in school
Or maybe a piano song I’m having trouble with.

Here – it’s simple.
There’s just always enough food.
If we run out, we go to the supermarket.
Here, we have drawers and closets, bursting with clothes.
If we need more, we just go to the store.

Seven miles.
It doesn’t seem like very far.
It might take me a little more than an hour to jog seven miles.
It takes about fifteen minutes to drive that far.

But seven miles away is a different world.

People in tattered clothes live in the streets, or run down homes.
They have little food.
They have little hope.

Here – in Short Hills,
We cry because of sentimental little things.
Moving on.
Growing up.
Time flying.
Maturing.

There – just seven miles away,
Childhood doesn’t fade away, in ceremonies and tears.

No.
There, childhood is stripped away from you.
Yanked, grabbed out of your hands as a toddler.
Eight and nine year olds care for their two and three year old brothers and sisters.
They roam the streets – parentless.

Is this really just seven miles?
At one end, we have too much?
At the other, they have nothing?

Yes. This is just seven miles.
And we travel the seven miles.
We travel them.
And give them a little bit.
But the miles still seem far.
Let’s build a bridge and make them closer.
Spread it all just seven miles.
Build a bridge between those two worlds.

Morristown Students Make Lunches

2010-03-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

On Friday morning, Board member Bethany Tulloch and I met with a class of 20 first, second and third grade students at the Red Oaks School in Morristown, New Jersey. After showing the BRIDGES video, we spent about 20 minutes discussing the role of BRIDGES in our community, and the services we provide for sheltered and street friends. These young volunteers were excited to make sandwiches and learn about how BRIDGES began.

One of the students had visited a shelter on Thanksgiving so we spent some time discussing how staying in a shelter is not at all like staying in a hotel. People who stay in hotels are not homeless, they are on vacation! The student explained that there were many bunk beds in a small room, and the shelter was crowded and smelly. We explained that every shelter is different but one thing is for sure, no one wants to live in a shelter unless they have no other choice.

We discussed how when people see the BRIDGES truck, they know that they will get something to eat, perhaps something wear and some toiletries to help them feel clean. Equally important, our homeless friends know that the volunteers bringing the food and supplies in the BRIDGES truck care about them, and their well being. We shared a story about how some people even save the decorated bags as a reminder that there are kind and caring people out there, and they are not all alone.

Thank you children at Red Oaks School for an interesting morning!

Amy Cairns Harrison
BRIDGES Board of Trustees

Volunteer Camp Counselor Positions for HS Students

2010-03-03T10:41:00.000-08:00

High School students may volunteer as Camp Counselors with Bridges this summer. Bridges will bring two to four campers to The Connection in Summit for a gymnastics day camp. Additionally, three to four full day trips will take campers to new surroundings. Volunteers counselors are needed for these one-day adventures as well. Not yet confirmed, but some of the day activities adventures under consideration are a day at NYC museum, and a picnic in Central Park, a trip to the Statue of Liberty or perhaps an amusement park.

High school volunteer counselors will be responsible for “buddying” with one to two children. Beyond that, we hope that the volunteers will continue the relationship they form with the Newark children through letters and visits. High school volunteers who would like to assist The Connection’s camp staff as camp counselors or be a counselor on a day trip, must apply for volunteer counselor positions by May 1, 2010. Applications will be available on line around April 1st. www.bridgesoutreach.org.

Summer Camp is funded in part by the Sarah Ward Foundation and the Community Congregational Church of Short Hills.

Bridges Makes Run in Storm

2010-03-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

Bridges has never missed a Friday night Run into New York City in over 20 years. Twelve inches of snow on Friday, February 26, was not going to deter us from fulfilling our Run. The volunteer group scheduled to go out on Friday comes from 40 miles south of Summit so we knew they couldn’t make it. Although the roads were decent by evening, the threat of more snow and icy roads loomed. Run Coordinator, Dan RosenHanst, and I carried as many lunches as we could and took the train to Penn Station in NY and then a subway to Wall Street. Our arms were aching from the weight of the lunches. Dan’s friend, Victoria, joined us on Wall Street and shared the load.

Our first stop was an indoor public space on Wall Street known to b a safe haven from weather for homeless friends it that area. We met about eight men who were surprised and happy to see us. They were grateful for the lunches. One man was sleeping and we left lunches for him. We stayed a bit and then decided to walk to Battery Park, our usual Friday night stop. On the way, I saw man fishing through the trash for food. He slowly took the lunch I offered and then when I put the second lunch in his shopping bag, he smiled. We usually see about 75 people there, but due to the storm, there were just five men waiting for us and then another two come while we were there. We can only hope that the others were safe and warm indoors.

Dan and Victoria left me at the subway station. On the ride to Penn Station, I was feeling pretty good, nothing to carry and reliving the conversations and events of the evening, until a man burst through from another cart proclaiming he was so hungry his stomach pained. There I was with nothing to offer –just my train ticket home and no food. I felt so helpless.

When I got to Penn Station, I saw people in corners hopeful to make it through the night at the station and then others looking in trash cans looking for food. When I got to Summit, still trying to shake off those images, I saw at least six people I know to be homeless and again, I have nothing to offer. Knowing that we usually go out on a Friday night with 500-700 brown bag lunches and plenty for everyone we meet was little consolation this night.

Lois Bhatt, Executive Director, Bridges

Snow Alert - Friday, February 26, 2010

2010-02-26T05:03:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 26, 2010

Due to the snow, the Bridges office will be open on a limited schedule today.
If you have lunches to deliver, you may put them in the back of the Bridges' truck in the parking lot.

Bridges has never missed a Friday night Run to NYC and tonight will be no different. A core group will go in by train and deliver as many lunches as we can carry. If you live or work in NY and will be there tonight and would like to help, please call me on my cell at 908-967-1963.

Stay warm and dry and have some fun!

Write a letter; feed a child

2010-02-19T11:11:00.000-08:00

Still time to register -

BREAD FOR THE WORLD’S 2010

OFFERING OF LETTERS CAMPAIGN

WORKSHOP

Saturday, March 6, 2010

9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Archdiocesan Center

171 Clifton Avenue

Newark, NJ

Bread for the World's 2010 Offering of Letters will push for changes in the U.S. tax code that will benefit low-income families and help them lift themselves and their children out of hunger and poverty. Expanding existingtax credits to low-income working people will help to make work pay and enable parents to educate and feed their children, and to build financial stability. JOIN US !

See attached Registration or contact me for more details

Information about Bread for the World can be found at www.bread.org

One Reason Why Children are Homeless

2010-02-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

This is a really interesting article from the Institute for Children and Poverty that I though you might like to read. Lois

Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence
among Poor Children Experiencing
Homelessness or Residential Instability

Over one-quarter of homeless mothers in shelter cite intimate partner violence as the reason for their homelessness. Children's exposure to intimate partner violence impacts their social-emotional functioning, relationships with parents and peers, and academic achievement. Analysis of a national study reveals that children's fathers victimized greater percentages of poor mothers experiencing homelessness or residential instability than residentially stable mothers, and poor children experiencing homelessness or residential instability witnessed a physical fight between their parents at higher rates than residentially stable poor children.

Voices of Bridges

2010-02-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Bridges Outreach, Inc. Blog. As an outreach program for the homeless with hundreds of volunteers, we often receive heart-felt letters about the Bridges experience from both our homeless friends and volunteers. We encourage all of our stakeholders -- homeless friends, volunteers and partners -- to share their voice with us.