What We Do

Who we are:

Bridge Ministries, a non-profit organization, works to prevent homelessness by providing direct emergency assistance to at risk individuals and families. Bridge Ministries focuses on preventing homelessness in the Birmingham area by assisting people in crisis situations to pay their rent or utility bills or to secure temporary emergency lodging. A number of its clients are referred by local hospitals and hospice services. Bridge Ministries also helps individuals to obtain dental care, eyeglasses, prescription drugs, and other durable medical goods. It also maintains a small pantry of non-perishable food and personal hygiene products.

Our mission is to help the most vulnerable in our community obtain stability in their lives. We assisted over 15,000 individuals in the last 18 years, providing direct emergency assistance with rent, utilities, temporary lodging, medical and food supplies and case management services. The families we assist have an average annual income of $8,950. Due to limited funding and the tremendous demand for services, most people receive financial assistance only one time.

Clients are required to write a realistic budget based on income for the household. Unemployed, able adults are asked to document an active search for employment. All prospective payments are verified and then made directly to companies providing services on behalf of the applicant. No payments are made to clients.

Direct Assistance in a Health Crisis:

Doctors, hospitals, and hospice providers refer nearly 50% of clients receiving our assistance. Bridge Ministries works directly with health care providers to locate and assist families who are struggling to maintain housing and utilities because of health problems. Exceptions to the one time assistance policy may be made for people receiving hospice care and for those who are too ill to stand in lines for help. With assistance from hospital social service departments, many clients have been interviewed at the hospital, minimizing the need to visit multiple agencies for assistance.

Emergency Family Shelter:

Homeless families with children should never stay on the streets, even for one night. If a family is referred to a local family shelter but cannot enter the shelter immediately, Bridge Ministries will arrange for short-term emergency lodging and food at a local motel with cooking facilities. Shelter directors or case managers make these referrals after the family completes the intake interview at the shelter. As soon as space is available, the family enters the shelter. When the family situation stabilizes and they are ready to move out of the shelter, we can help with security deposits or first month's rent to help them obtain housing.

Medicine and Medical Supplies:

Bridge Ministries also gives priority to homeless, low-income elderly, and disabled people who cannot pay for life-sustaining medications and durable medical supplies. We also help clients contact pharmaceutical companies for help with free or reduced cost medicine programs.