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Seeing the need for solutions to the issue of homelessness in San Bernardino County, St. Anthony Catholic Church in Upland initiated participation in the Bridges to Home Ministry in October 2013. The goal of the ministry is to assure homeless or near homeless individuals and/or families are provided furniture and other basic items to create a home environment in their newly found but empty place of residence. The hope is that this act of mercy will help stabilize their lives and those of their children, and instill a reasonable measure of productivity and self-esteem as they take steps away from the destitute life of homelessness.
We partner with service providers who help locate affordable living accommodations, facilitate work opportunities, and provide counseling for clients so that the capacity and resources to remain in their home permanently is likely. After being vetted by a service provider, individuals and/or families are referred to the ministry to further aid in their transition from homelessness. A needs list is obtained from the client, which is reviewed by the move coordinator. The items needed are then gathered either from the ministry’s inventory (parishioners and friends donate furniture and household items) or purchased using funds donated by ministry members. A move-in date is scheduled, a volunteer move-in team is formed, and the items are delivered and set up in the home. A celebratory housewarming luncheon is served with the team and the family.
The ministry has grown to nearly 250 members who donate furniture and household items, contribute funds to buy items not available in the ministry’s inventory, and volunteer their time and labor to form teams that move the needed items into the homes. Since the inception of the ministry over 5 years ago, in excess of 210 successful moves have been completed by the ministry. Those served include veterans, single women and men with children, senior men and women, families devastated by major medical issues, and people coping with other significant hardships of life. Both those serving and those being served are blessed in working together.
The diocesan vision statement challenges us to live our lives as a community of believers who impact family, neighborhood, and society with the Gospel so that lives are filled with Hope. The Bridges to Home Ministry has drastically impacted the lives of all individuals served within families, neighborhoods, and society at large. This ministry has personally and emotionally engaged with the previously homeless and destitute in the community to bring hope and love, and to renew their faith in God and in the belief that He is alive and working in mighty ways in their lives.
We are called to alleviate the needs of our struggling world family by ministering to the least of our brothers and sisters. (Matthew 25:40) Not only do they depend on us to reach out in the midst of their struggle, but we depend on them for opportunities to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus on earth.
“But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18Together we are better!If you would like to become part of this Ministry please contact Mary Haddad (909) 437-3221. If you have items you would like to donate to the ministry please contact Sharon Eazell at 909-982-4885.Needed items include:
o Strong arms and backs
o Monetary donations
o Household item donations
o A willing spirit and a kind heart! -