By Karla Sullivan
He had hit her twice but he had apologized again. This time she called the police and her husband was arrested…but was going to be out on bail. She could barely pull herself together to make it into work, she had four children; two babies who were not in school. She took her children to relatives and ended up at work; emotionally and physically ill. Now what? Her manager suggested professional help.
It began with two men, Mark Milligan and Bob Wahlgren who rented the first apartment for a homeless family. In 1988, the idea to provide housing and life skills with a professional case manager has changed the lives of thousands; becoming a national leader in the service to the homeless in DuPage County, Illinois.
Bridge Communities is an organization that collaborates with churches and community groups to provide resources and solutions to the homeless. Over 70,000 residents in DuPage county live in poverty. Almost 90 hours for someone or two to work a week at minimum age would afford a two bedroom apartment which averages almost a 1,000 a month. It just can’t be done without an assessment of resources, development of goals and active participation in providing a solid life map to a better future. Otherwise, without a pathway to resolution, any unexpected twist can cause catastrophe.
The key elements of the program includes housing, mentoring and case management. Most important, are the program partner sponsors that assist families to budget, develop a savings plan, as well as help them with healthy decision making. First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downers Grove is one that actively participates in Bridge awareness and the transitional housing program.
Through such trauma, emotional stability is at an all time low since so many Bridge families have also been through abusive spousal relationships. The changes they are forced to encounter which includes leaving the confines of a house to save their lives is an overwhelming decision. However, Bridge offers assistance to a variety of family situations; all unique in their own journey.
Bridge offers employment counseling, resume writing, mock interviewing and other career counseling. Gaining acceptance into local universities, colleges and training centers is one of the areas that the employment center also focuses.
Emotional family upheaval or even individual strain can lead to poor school attendance and other academic concerns. Bridge Tutors are available offering school children the opportunity to succeed. But besides academic success, Bridges builds the self-esteem of those they support in an effort to change the label of poverty always being a part of their existence.
There may a time in your life where your life insurance is no longer useful to you and this also coincides with a time where you would like to give just a little more of yourself; an opportunity to help others make a difference in their lives. A life insurance policy can be a wonderful tool for charitable giving to a community like Bridges.
For years people have known that having the proper life insurance policy is a good way to provide their families with long-term financial protection. However, even people who don’t have children may find that life insurance policies can be useful, in part by using the proceeds for charitable contributions. For example, existing life insurance policies that are no longer needed can be transferred to a charity, and the transaction could be free from the federal gift tax while those who itemize their returns could be eligible for a tax deduction.
Contact your insurance agent today for more information concerning planned giving and also contact Bridge Communities to learn more about how you can create a lasting legacy.
