Organization
Bridge of Hope (BoH) has served the Ville and Greater Ville neighborhoods of north St. Louis City since 2001. BoH’s work began as outreach through a church and evolved to become the only daytime shelter in the area (others provide only night-time shelter) helping homeless families in crisis out of poverty and addiction. BoH welcomes over 600 clients annually, most of whom live in deep, generational poverty. BoH provides a safe place to be during the day and offers hot meals, showers, laundry services, bike repair services, wifi and phone access, and a clothing closet. BoH also offers literacy, GED and life skills classes for its clients, and provides referrals to more specialized supports.
Partnership #1 (2021)
Bridge of Hope is refining its strategic direction to focus on increased wrap-around services that will move the needle for their clients’ social/physical/economic wellbeing and sustainability. Recognizing the significant role that mental illness often plays in the lives of people who are homeless, BoH sought out a grant to provide professional, on-site mental health services to their regular clients. The Brown Sisters Foundation issued a challenge grant to support these services and to attract new and increased donors that can support the organization’s future sustainability.
Partnership #2 (2025)
Bridge of Hope is launching an Integrated Medical Recuperative Care Program to serve individuals experiencing homelessness who are recovering from illness, injury, or hospitalization. This program addresses a critical service gap by offering a safe place to heal while coordinating medical care, behavioral health services, and intensive case management. The Brown Sisters Foundation awarded a grant to support the startup of this program and issued a challenge goal to attract additional donors to help scale and sustain this model of care for individuals with complex health and housing needs.