SERVICES:
FOOD
The Bridge serves three nutritious meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are available to every Guest who comes on campus. Because of our curfew, dinner is offered to overnight Guests only.
Meal Hours:
CLOTHING
We provide emergency clothing items such as underwear, socks, pants, shirts, shoes as well as clothing for job interviews. Go to the Welcome Center desk or talk to your Care Manager about your clothing needs and they will help you.
SHOWERS AND PERSONAL HYGIENE
Safe and private restrooms, showers, and personal hygiene supplies are available on our campus. An additional restroom is available in intake for those spending the night on the street.
SUPPLEMENTARY DAY SHELTER ACTIVITIES
Volunteers and staff work together to provide extra services to our Guests. An on-campus library has computer access and books. Weekly activities like art class, spiritual journey groups, and philosophy group are also optional regularly scheduled services.
CARE MANAGEMENT
Care Managers at The Bridge are licensed social workers that assess each individual Guest on a one-on-one basis to determine where they are in their journey and create a path out of homelessness. Care Managers make referrals for employment, housing, addiction recovery, medical needs, and governmental benefits.
ON CAMPUS HEALTHCARE
We are privileged to offer both behavioral and physical healthcare directly on our campus in partnership with MetroCare and Parkland clinics.
Metrocare is a behavioral healthcare clinic that offers chemical dependency care, dual diagnosis services, and recovery services. Parkland is a physical healthcare clinic that offers screenings, acute and chronic disease care, and prescriptions.
Hours:
Metrocare and Parkland Clinics are open Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
COUNSELING
The Bridge has a Licensed Counselor on campus five days a week to offer additional help and tools to maximize the mental health of interested Guests. Care Managers connect their Guests to this service.
12 STEP GROUPS
Anonymous 12 step groups like AA and NA have regular meetings on The Bridge's campus. There is access to a peer group and sponsors who are available to help.
PEER SUPPORT
Individuals who have successfully recovered from homelessness and/or addiction work with Guests to help encourage them in their own recovery. They lead support groups and provide an additional source of support and understanding.
EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME
Dallas Workforce Solutions provides on campus employment services to our Guests through job preparedness and job search activities as well as connections to local job fairs. The Bridge and our partners work to help our Guests gain income through Medicare, Medicaid, disability services, social security, veteran’s benefits, and other income sources the Guest may qualify for.
KENNEL
The Bridge has an on-campus climate-controlled kennel with sixteen individual spaces for Guest's who are staying at The Bridge and have dogs. There is a grooming area and outside fenced play area. Guests are responsible for taking their dogs out and feeding their dogs. The Bridge works with donors and volunteers to provide dog food for feedings and basic veterinary care. A part time Kennel Coordinator is on hand to offer supplementary care and ensure the needs of the dogs are being met.
HOUSING
The Bridge's goal is to help each Guest end their homelessness. The Bridge works with local partners and organizations to connect Guests to a permanent housing solution that will be sustainable for that individual. Housing solutions include affordable independent living, supportive housing, nursing care facilities, group homes, transitional housing, and family reunification. We help our Guests connect with housing vouchers and other assistance programs and provide support when they transition into housing.
Please meet with your Care Manager to discuss housing opportunities that are available to you.
HOUSING FOLLOW UP SERVICES
Guests in our Intensive Care Management program receive up to three months of scattered-site follow-up to ensure they can transition smoothly from The Bridge. Care Managers help with any issues that may arise to ensure financial stability, health and the Guest's ability to keep housing.
NIGHT SHELTER
We are devoted to providing the best possible level of service to each Guest who walks through our gate. On-site night emergency shelter is available for high demand guests. If the on-site shelter is at capacity (249), off-site shelter referrals and placements are provided in collaboration with housing and shelter partners.