Ending Homelessness….One Church, One Family at a Time

Karen Ferich has moved beyond her comfort zone. It began when she and nine others from Lower Providence Presbyterian Church (Penna.) became mentoring friends for a homeless single mother, Valerie (name changed), and her 2-year-old daughter.

They partnered with Bridge of Hope BuxMont, a local affiliate of a national program that helps single mothers find long-term solutions to homelessness using three-way partnerships between homeless families, trained church-based mentoring groups and professional case managers. More than 80% of participants successfully find permanent housing, financial self-sufficiency through employment, and a circle of friends.

“I didn’t want to ask Valerie a thousand questions about her past,” says Karen, a regulatory specialist for Exelon who is also a wife and mother of two teenaged sons. “I wanted to tread lightly. We got to know each other over breakfast, celebrating her daughter’s birthday, and then decorating her Christmas tree.”

Later Karen agreed to be the support volunteer for Bridge of Hope graduates who had worked with various local churches. In the process, she and the women have developed friendships that bridge traditional socio-economic, educational and ethnic divides.

“Bridge of Hope has given me a chance to reach out in friendship to people I wouldn’t have necessarily bumped into,” says Karen. “These women are wonderful people who hit a bump in the road. They need and really appreciate friendships; and I’ve grown from my relationships with them, too!”

Bridge of Hope National works to end and prevent homelessness for women and children across the U.S. by calling and equipping churches to exemplify Christ’s love through a life-changing mentoring ministry with homeless families. For more information, visit: www.bridgeofhopeinc.org or call 866-670-HOPE.