Helene and Milton Deliver One-Two Punch

Fall 2024 will be long remembered throughout Florida for the staggering blow dealt by two back-to-back hurricanes. Although Lee County avoided a direct hit from either storm, many areas still suffered from high winds and flooding, causing serious damage.

Where there’s a need, so is The Bridge Fund

Following each hurricane, The Bridge Fund (TBF) received requests for urgent needs: temporary housing; help with rent payments and utility bills due to lost wages; and replacement of water damaged beds and clothing.

We expect that requests resulting from direct and indirect consequences of these storms will accelerate over the next months. If Hurricane Ian was any indication, rents may go up, and many jobs, especially those related to travel and tourism, could be impacted. For those living paycheck-to-paycheck, a rent increase or reduced work hours may lead to homelessness.

Thanks to you...

Our community agency and school partners know they can count on TBF to quickly and efficiently answer their calls with needed help, whether those needs arise from weather or other hardship.

Time after time, The Bridge Fund comes through with help for emergency and critical needs, often within hours when necessary.

There’s No Place like Home!

Ted, a single dad working two jobs to stay afloat, lost one of them when he became very ill with Covid. Things quickly fell apart. He and his young son left their home rather than face eviction. Now homeless and needing transportation, Dad moved them into an Airbnb where they relied on Ubers to get to school and work.

As his health improved, Ted started a second job and found an affordable permanent home near his son’s school, but didn’t have enough for the move-in costs, equal to three months rent.

When a Lee County housing office agreed to pay half of the initial costs, the school social worker turned to TBF for help and we said “yes.” To add to the urgency, the Airbnb was rented out the next Monday. With a promise to pay from the County and quick funding from TBF, the new landlord allowed dad and son to move in that weekend.

Ted’s son loves his new home and sent this picture with his thanks. Congratulations, Guys!

Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Need

You helped them through times that felt hopeless. Now they want you to know how it feels to have hope.

• "Words aren't enough to express my gratitude and love. I am so appreciative of your help. With your support I'm able to keep a roof over me and my children’s heads so now we have lights on and food on the table."

• "I just wanted to say thank you so very much for your generosity. My family and I are extremely grateful and words cannot express how much we appreciate you all. With the cost of [my son's] dental procedures we were struggling and stressed out about bills."

• "Without your help I don't know how I would have done it. I am trying my best as a single mother…trying to go back to school for pharmacy technology. Words can't express my gratitude. I truly appreciate you for everything."

Partner Profile:

Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT)

ACT’s mission is to protect, support, educate and empower victims of domestic violence and their children, and survivors of sexual assault and  human trafficking in Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties.

In addition to emergency shelters, ACT provides counseling, children’s programs, legal assistance for protective order. ACT counselors help survivors gain employment and find affordable and safe housing.

For survivors who may have fled domestic violence situations with nothing, a “fresh start” can feel like a dream. Time after time, TBF has made the dream a reality by helping with rental and utility deposits, car repairs, costs of professional licenses and more.

One ACT professional expressed how valuable their partnership with TBF is to their organization.

"I would like to take a moment and express my deepest gratitude for your generous time and financial support in assisting this survivor. Your financial aid has relieved a significant burden, enabling her to focus on her future employment, educational and financial goals while healing through her trauma. I truly appreciate your trust and confidence in her journey to independence. Thank you so much for what you do, your kindness and generosity. I am glad we could collaborate to make this happen."

Empowerment Coordinator, ACT

The Bridge Fund

A Pelican Landing/Colony-based 501(c)(3) charity

assisting neighbors in need

Board Members: Mike Beebe, President; Beverly Haas, Vice President; Jim Herald, Vice President; Ann Soper, Secretary and Treasurer; Ron Bloom, Caroline Crew, Aileen Kevane, Sandy Mellinger, Bob Taylor, and Jay Trucks

Contact us at: thebridgefund2012@gmail.com

https://www.thebridge-fund.org