In March of 2023, Kiwanis Club members, Key Club, and Circle K Club members participated in their 10th annual dresser build event for Bridging. Their hardworking team of 45 volunteers built 35 dresser kits in three hours, and the brand-new dressers were available to individuals and families the next day. And that was just 2023;…
Case manager Lori Hill is a dedicated advocate, “meeting each person where they are at” as she works alongside residents of the Salvation Army’s Hope Harbor in their transition to sustainable housing. One of her favorite parts of her job is connecting residents to Bridging where they furnish their homes according to their unique needs…
Jose Gonzalez is a Family Program Manager with Simpson Housing Services, a Bridging agency partner. Simpson offers an array of programs including a shelter program, supportive housing for youth, adults, and families, and children and youth mentoring programs. Jose is deeply committed to Simpson’s mission to house, support, and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. Working…
Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps is a St. Paul-based nonprofit and Bridging agency partner that offers education, hands-on career training, and a supportive community to young adults ages 16-24 as they build viable employment skills and independence. What is your role and title at your agency? “I am a career transition specialist at Humphrey Job…
Ruthie S., a creative and community-minded high school student at Upper Mississippi Academy, has dedicated her time and talents as a weekly Wednesday shopping volunteer at Bridging for the past seven months. Finding joy in “making real connections with people as they furnish their homes,” Ruthie knew she wanted to design her senior capstone project…
A father, U.S. Veteran, and a native of St. Paul, Roland is glad to be living in the heart of his old neighborhood. At age 54, Roland’s incredible work ethic and optimism have equipped him for fulfilling adventures across the country and overseas, and eventually at Bridging. With optimism and wisdom — and always…
Cargill is honored to be a Platinum sponsor for the 25th-annual Bedrace for Bridging. The Cargill team has been having a winter blast at the Bedrace since 2012, and this special anniversary marks their 12th year of sponsoring the event. Julian Chase, Cargill’s leader of Business Operations and Supply Chain, is passionate about the mission…
November is #ThanksGivingBack month for St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR). For the past several years, they have sponsored an annual dresser build at Bridging in addition to volunteering at numerous other community organizations. Together, this service-minded group upholds the REALTORS Charitable Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life within communities where its…
Meet Joyce Reinke, a 15+-year volunteer extraordinaire with Bridging, an active life-long volunteer, a great-grandmother, and a trailblazer in the volunteer coordinator community. She begins each week — on Monday mornings —as a volunteer at Bridging, shopping alongside clients as they select furniture and essential household goods and transition to housing stability. “This is the…
Lives We Touch Donor Story: Holly K. Donates Bed to Offer a Good Night’s Sleep Holly keeps Bridging at the “top-of-mind” as she assesses her household needs. She learned about Bridging many years ago at a company department gathering that included a household goods drive for Bridging. Her employer, The Toro Company, is a longtime…