Affiliate Program Summary

  BRIDGE OF HOPE AFFILIATE PROGRAM SUMMARY 

Our vision:  To end and prevent homelessness for women and children across the U.S. by calling churches into action.

Our mission:  To call and equip compassionate people from many Christian faith traditions to exemplify Christ's love to homeless women and children by creating and sustaining thriving Bridge of Hope affiliates.  Local Bridge of Hope affiliates bring together professional staff and trained church-based mentoring groups to empower homeless and at-risk single mothers to attain:

• permanent housing
• financial self-sufficiency through employment
• life-changing friendships
• increased self-esteem and growth in areas of holistic living      

Our ministry model:  Bridge of Hope's model is a three-way partnership between professionally trained staff, one homeless or at-risk single mother and her children, and a trained, church-based mentoring group of 8 to 12 mentors.  Through use of this model, Bridge of Hope affiliates seek to promote physical, emotional, social and spiritual wholeness.

Our core value:  Bridge of Hope affiliates are motivated by a desire to exemplify Christ's love to the single mothers and children they serve.  Board members, staff and mentoring groups are recruited from Protestant and Catholic churches. 

What is an affiliate?  A Bridge of Hope affiliate is a separately incorporated nonprofit serving churches and families in a geographic area. Each affiliate has a locally chosen board of directors that governs its work within the framework of a covenant signed with Bridge of Hope National. This covenant includes a commitment to Christian values and the Bridge of Hope ministry model as a way to end and prevent homelessness for single mothers and their children.
                          

You can do it...one church and one family at a time!  If you sense God calling you to a ministry to single mothers and children caught in a cycle of poverty and homelessness, here's how to share your vision:

1. Contact us for a free start-up packet of information.
2. Hold a Bridge of Hope Information Meeting with 15+ people from 6 or more churches from at least 3 denominations.  (NOTE: Bridge of Hope staff will help you plan and hold the meeting.  We travel to your community free of charge to explain the program model and answer questions.)
3. Form a Bridge of Hope Start-up Committee.                                                                                                                                    

What is a Bridge of Hope Start-up Committee?  The first step for starting a Bridge of Hope affiliate is to form a start-up committee of 8 to12 Christians from 6 or more churches (representing at least 3 denominations.)  This group should include people with a variety of professional skills and abilities, as well as a vision for using Bridge of Hope's ministry model.  The start-up committee will complete the following tasks: 

1. Conduct an assessment to determine the needs of homeless women with children in the community.
2. Raise at least $2,500 in start-up funds from a total of 20 or more different sources.
3. Share the vision for a Bridge of Hope affiliate with churches, social service agencies, individuals and local businesses.
4. Recruit individuals with the skills, gifts and passion needed to serve on the affiliate's founding board of directors.

What support does Bridge of Hope National provide to start-up committees?

1. Bridge of Hope & You helps Christians share their vision: helping homeless and at-risk single mothers by connecting them with churches and professional case management.
2. Bridge of Hope Start-Up Committee Workbook is an easy-to-use tool that explains how to organize, including a timeline and checklist of steps to start an affiliate.
3. Unlimited phone consultation supports the start-up committee chair in his/her role.
4. Networking and publicity at national conferences helps newly forming affiliates connect with possible supporters in their area.
5. Bridge of Hope National Affiliate Conference is a place to find valuable resources for successful ministry, as well as a network of Christians from other affiliates who are working to help single mothers break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

What support does Bridge of Hope National provide to affiliates?

1. Start-up materials, including a complete mentor training program
2. Two days start-up training for the affiliate's new board of directors
3. Two days initial training for the affiliate's director
4. Marketing tools to help publicize this effective ministry
5. One day of on-site individualized training every two years
6. Unlimited phone consultation/mentoring
7. Annual Bridge of Hope National Affiliate Conference