BUILDING A BRIDGE TO A NEW LIFE
The Bridge on 20th opened its doors on March 3, 1999 with a $120 investment and a handful of people who believed in its vision of showing Christ's unconditional love for the poor, the broken, and the lost. The non-profit, non-denominational faith ministry has had several homes since its inception and is currently occupying temporary quarters in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Parish Hall.
The Bridge is waiting for renovations to its new building at 1008 20th Street West to be completed, says Bridge founder, director and pastor Linda Chamagne, and that is dependent on incoming funds. With that in mind, The Bridge is launching a final push on its capital campaign to ‘remove the barrier to proceed' and allow the ministry to move into its new location and resume the services it has been providing to residents of the core neighbourhood.
The capital campaign has been in place for several years, and threequarters of its financial goal of $2.5 million has already been met.
“We're almost done,” Chamagne says. “We need $650,000 to finish the project. The Lord has brought us so far. We believe He will bring people alongside to take us the rest of the way.”
There are other ministries operating in Saskatoon's core neighbourhood, but Sarah Enns, director of community relations and development, says The Bridge is unique in a number of ways.
One is its men's transition housing program known as Passage House. The program was launched two years ago and has seen a number of successes. Passage House can accommodate five men, but needs more space.
“We also need a place for women,” Enns says. “The new property will provide the necessary infrastructure for the proposed expansion.”
“The Bridge is a truly Christcentred facility and ministry,” she adds. "That's something we stand on above all else and aren't willing to compromise.
“We focus on relationships, not just handing out food at breakfast and lunch to hungry people. Offering food gives us the opportunity to build relationships with the folks who come. It's a foundation to get to know them and speak into their lives.”
Within those relationships, staff members and volunteers emphasize personal responsibility.
“We are committed not to enable, but to walk with visitors who come in and point them on a path of personal responsibility,” Enns says. “We try to move people from a place of dependence to independence. We'll ask: Do you have adequate meals? How are you dealing with your kids? We may suggest a man move into the transition house and work through the programs offered there to move toward a transformed life.”
Enns says The Bridge aims to address not just poverty, but impoverishment in the community. “Why is there poverty? Sometimes there are personal barriers that need to be recognized and overcome.”
The Bridge is a drug- and alcohol-free environment. Enns says the people who come respect that. They often tell staff they come because The Bridge is a safe place.
Others speak of feeling at home there. “People use the meal as a reason to come, but it is everything else they're really coming for. Some come because they need a safe place to sleep on a couch for a few hours,” Enns says.
“To our knowledge, we're the only place in the city that offers free showers. We provide soap, a towel, even a change of clothing if they want it. That translates into dignity and health for the community.”
Once completed, the new facility will have workshop and sewing room space, plus an enlarged kitchen to provide opportunities for vocational training. A teaching room will enable the ministry to reach and serve a wider community. As well, the youth and children's' rooms will give The Bridge the ability to meet with kids daily.
“We want to be a place where they know they can come when there's a need,” Enns says. “We will also have adequate administration office space for first time ever.”
The initial cost of $2.5 million to acquire and renovate the new property was reduced considerably by donations of materials and labour.
“Now we only need $650,000 to finish the project entirely,” Chamagne says. "Our hope is that people will see this as a Christmas season initiative and get on board so we can be finished and operating from the new building by Dec. 31.
“Winter is on our doorstep, and we need a safe place for people to go. As well, the transition housing is a huge thing. It's about getting people independent with a program we have seen to be successful.”
The Bridge is hosting a public open house tour of the new facility-in-progress on Thursday, Nov. 19 from noon to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
We focus on relationships, not just handing out food at breakfast and lunch to hungry people. Offering food gives us the opportunity to build relationships with the folks who come. Bridge founder, director and pastor Linda Chamagne