In 2015, the West Burlington School District paid for a training course by the AHA Process Team that explained a beautifully structured strategy on how to help people in poverty. Over 200 people attended this seminar and afterward, 20-30 of us got together in a room at the West Burlington High School with Vern and Cindee Reed who led the charge of this new vision. The idea of Burlington Building Bridges began as all of us sat together for hours discussing how this program could benefit Burlington, Iowa, and the surrounding areas. We had people from all walks of life joined together as a group to cohesively strategize the ins and outs of what this program should be and how it can help our community. We had city leaders, health advisors, educators, church folks, law enforcement, and a variety of organizations pitching ideas and offering whatever resources or knowledge they had towards this grand idea that would one day help hundreds of people.

Young House, a family and behavioral health services organization, gave us the ability to start quickly under their umbrella. The Great River Medical Center offered funds to start the first class. The Loft offered their building as a space for people to gather and eat. Mona Ash, Director of Burlington Bridges, along with several other people and church folks offered to help with transportation, childcare, and volunteering in any way needed.

It was by this time that a question came to Mona’s head that she innocently said aloud, “Who would be able to help the population?” “MONA CAN DO IT” – says her supervisor. Mona was nervous, but delighted to take on this new adventure in showing God’s love to the community and truly helping those who struggle with poverty, resources, and support.

Building these programs from inception has been our largest challenges, but we can see God’s hand in everything that Bridges accomplishes. We have been blessed to have so many volunteers and organizations dedicating their time, talents, and resources to help so many people. We are proud to say that we have achieved:

• 15 classes graduated
• 121 graduates
• 100’s of children and family members of our graduates served
• Unemployed were employed
• Those without homes were housed
• Many complete HISET, complete certificate programs, and earned College degrees
• Families building their financial, emotional, spiritual, physical, and relationship resources

Getting Ahead Workshop

Since the start of Bridges, we have started several programs to help the community. First, we started the Getting Ahead Workshop, which is an 18-week workshop (2.5 hrs/week), where groups from 10-20 people meet every Tuesday evening from 6:00pm-8:30pm. We use the “Bridges Out of Poverty” Getting Ahead national curriculum through Aha! Processes for families and individuals struggling in poverty.

Together, participants break down the barriers to poverty by strengthening the 11 key resources for a sustainable life. These 11 resources are: financial, emotional, language, mental & cognitive, social capital & connections, physical, spiritual, motivation, integrity, relationships, and knowledge of hidden rules.

Stay Ahead Teammate Program

We then developed the Stayed Ahead Teammates Program. Our graduates are teamed up with members of our community as mentors. We hold a monthly meeting with opportunities to build more resources through community, and build relationships. We do monthly community service projects serving organizations, thriving, and giving back to the community.

As funding became more abundant, we were able to add on a few incentivized pieces to our program, such as our Bridges Kids Program. Ms. Hannah came to work for us as the Bridges Kids Director and has worked for several years pouring love into our families’ children. We believe that If we could reach kids when they were younger and help them build all their resources, help them understand and regulate behaviors, and provide a safe space to grow their leadership abilities, then we may be able to help them, and their families avoid the daily struggles that come with poverty. The Kids Program uses the PATHS curriculum which aids in developing resources, creating positive coping skills, and improving behaviors and IEP scores. We also developed a Peer Leadership team for the older kids and teens so they can have the opportunity to build leadership skills, mentor others, and be mentored. Lastly, we also have a Kids Book Club once a month where each student gets to choose a new book from our library to develop help develop their language skills.

Transportation Ministry

With the help of one of our awesome volunteers, Mr. Prosser, we developed our own Car Ministry where we accept car donations and gift them to our families in need. So far, 7 of our families have been blessed with a vehicle. We also help our families get bus passes, gas cards, and urgent rides from volunteers to help with transportation obstacles.

Benevolence / Crisis Fund

Bridges has an emergency Benevolence or Crisis Fund for emergencies. Along with this fund, we have started a Community Closet containing toiletries, diapers, baby items, and clothing! We have helped with urgent and emergency needs such as transportation, emergency rent payments, utilities, and more.

Additional learning opportunities that we provide for those who need it are Parent-mentoring workshops, a Faith & Finance budgeting course, help with credit repair, resume building, resource fairs, and employment services through one of our partners, Goodwill.

In February, 2023, Bridges joined forces with the City Hope Foundation to make sure that together we could continue to grow and meet the needs of Southeast Iowa families! Through this merge we will continue to do things the way we always have, bringing hope and healing, and building relationships. This new adventure helps us continue, for the hundreds we serve and the thousands that are still in need in our community.

Your support has been vital in all we have achieved, thank you for your belief and commitment. Your continued support in this next part of our journey is pivotal. We look forward to all the amazing things we will do together and the many lives that will be impacted.

We are in this together!