Bridge of Hope is working to bring hope to homeless families in the Pequea Valley area. Specifically, the organization, which aids families that have been through transitional housing to move to safe and sustainable housing, is looking for volunteers for its neighboring program and two housing units that could be rented to families in the program at fair market value.

"Bridge of Hope utilizes a multi-pronged approach to ending family homelessness," explained Anne Dunnenberger, director of outreach with Bridge of Hope National, who noted that families with dependent children are a focus for the organization. One of those prongs is to engage Christian faith communities, which could include churches, Bible studies, and small groups, in the process of neighboring. "Neighboring means bringing together six to 10 trained volunteers from a Christian faith community to walk alongside a family that is receiving Bridge of Hope services," explained Dunnenberger. Neighboring can mean providing both emotional and tangible support to family members in the program. "Families can be in Bridge of Hope for up to two years while we help them to focus on budgeting and goal setting," said Dunnenberger, who pointed out that the program works to help each family member build strength and resiliency during their experience. Through the program, families are encouraged to achieve long-term housing and a sustainable budget. Building relationships with a group of well-trained neighboring volunteers is key to realizing that goal.

Caleb Simmers, church engagement and housing director with Bridge of Hope Lancaster, is looking for neighboring volunteers in the Pequea Valley area. Having achieved neighboring success in greater New Holland, Simmers is working with groups from Bellevue Presbyterian and Grace Point churches while making connections with Paradise Bible Fellowship and Pequea Baptist Church. "We are always looking for more volunteers to walk alongside families and play tangible roles," said Simmers, who noted that volunteers may be asked to babysit so a mother can attend a job interview or help her get to work when her car will not start. He noted that if a mother cannot get to work, she could lose her job and not be able to pay rent. "How can we as a faith community keep those dominoes from falling down?" he asked, adding that a case manager from Bridge of Hope is assigned to each participant to oversee guidelines and barriers and provide support to volunteers when needed.

While Bridge of Hope does not provide housing, the organization is working with Omega House, an organization that can act as a landlord to offer rental housing at fair market rates. Simmers is looking for two housing units in Pequea Valley that could be purchased under the same model the organization utilized in Manheim Borough, where the Bridge of Hope participants are renting at 30% below market rate.

"(If someone in Pequea Valley) owns property and is thinking about selling and (the mission of) Bridge of Hope speaks to their heart and their faith, (maybe) this is a way they could give back," noted Dunnenberger.

According to Simmers, Lancaster County is 18,000 units short of having sufficient housing for the population, in contrast to other areas in the country with the same population.

Readers who would like to help Bridge of Hope by volunteering for neighboring or who have property to sell that might be appropriate for participant needs may contact Simmers at calebs@bridgeofhopeinc.org or 717-207-8932. More information about the organization may be found at https://bridgeofhopeinc.org.