Jody (not her real name) came to The Bridge to “start her life over again” after experiencing physical abuse by her boyfriend. She has been living at The Bridge for two months.
“I’m here to make changes and get back on my feet,” Jody says. “I’ve made mistakes in my life but I’m learning from them and I’m getting back on track with God.”
Jody says she feels safe at The Bridge, and that there’s a lot of support and encouragement there.
“What I want to do while I’m here is to reach out to other people—maybe telling my story will encourage other women.”
After coming to The Bridge, Jody found employment and works about 35 hours a week. She is also learning to manage and budget her money.
Eventually, Jody would like to go back to school and earn a degree in business management. Her long-term dream is to open a restaurant or store that caters to the Hispanic community.
“Someday I also want to return to The Bridge as a volunteer,” Jody says. “I can really relate to these women, and I want to give back however I can.”
So what is life like at The Bridge? It looks different for each resident, but Jody spends her mornings reading or in appointments and then works in the afternoons and evenings. She meets with a therapist regularly and is hoping to be paired with a mentor soon. On the weekends, Jody and the other residents often join together to watch a movie and share meals.
“The Bridge is a wonderful program that offers stability and support,” she says. “It’s given me a new start.” MORE STORIES ABOUT THE BRIDGE: Every Gift is a Blessing Organizing the Community The Bridge Offers Transitional Housing (Newspaper Link) Volunteering At The Bridge Teamwork: How Area Agencies Work Together
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