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Richard Tait, Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square, PA

When [I first heard about Bridge of Hope] I thought that's one of the most unique and effective ways to help people that I've ever heard of!  I want to play a role; I want to help make it real for some mom in our neighborhood.

I went back and shared it with the Outreach Commission for our church... We went out and recruited - sharing what the model was like - and we got a great group!

There was me and one other guy; and the rest were ladies.  We spanned the ages - we had some who were our mom's age - in their 20s; and some who were my age - not quite retired.  We had people who were single, married, divorced...  We had a lot of types [of people]...and different things people brought to the group to help her in finding her way.

We all saw an opportunity to really help - help in a way that was real and meaningful and touched something.  It wasn't abstract.  And it was real person-to-person - an opportunity to develop a long term relationship and really help to make a lasting difference with someone.

The whole Bridge of Hope framework is not just a one shot deal.  You are together for [about] 18 months. As we all know from our lives, there are ups and downs.  Being able to be there over a period of time helped our mom deal with her ups and downs. 

The most meaningful part of my whole Bridge of Hope experience was an ability to help somebody make a lasting difference.  The mentoring group doesn't do it - the mom we worked with transformed herself.  But it's important to be able to be there to offer support and encouragement and to be there in the difficult times - and for enough time so that they can get themselves grounded and in control and fully employed with permanent housing.  That is what I tell people is what Bridge of Hope is all about - it's all about making a lasting difference.