The Mission’s Bridge to Hope has proven to be a successful program that provides a safe living environment for unhoused individuals. This program also provides an alternative to the Navigation Center. Both programs are essential in helping people build a base and move toward future independence. While the Navigation Center provides a dormitory-type setting, the Bridge houses accommodate six to eight residents who live in a group-home setting.
The goal of the Bridge to Hope program is to provide permanent and stable housing for participants. It offers funding for application fees, security deposits, and the first month’s rent. Recently, the Mission was excited to expand the Bridge to Hope program from city locations in Merced and Los Banos to unincorporated areas. Unsheltered persons who are in our unincorporated areas of Merced County now have access to services that provide temporary shelter and permanent housing opportunities.
Case management services are provided to participants while in the shelter to prepare them for housing readiness. Service Coordinators help participants acquire necessary documents, obtain employment, recovery and mental health services referrals, and transportation services. Through ECM (Enhanced Care Management), they are guided to help prevent further homelessness. On-site House Monitors supervise and support participants to ensure safety and wellness. Along with some food supplementation, necessities like toiletries are provided free of cost.
Despite the negative stigma associated with the unsheltered population, landlord engagement, developed through the Distributive Bridge Housing program in the cities of Merced and Los Banos, has helped to open the eyes and hearts of our community and to expand this program into unincorporated areas.
We continue to search for more rentals in unincorporated areas to continue expanding the program to provide additional shelter and affordable housing for our participants and build the Bridge to Hope!
Read stories from the Unincorporated Bridge to Hope program below.
NATHANIEL’S STORY
I came to the Rescue Mission’s Unincorporated Bridge program in the middle of February. When I came into the program, I was not sure which route I wanted to take. Do I want to get a job? Or do I want to go to school?
One of the first things that I did was get all my documentation--ID, Social Security Card and my birth certificate. I was also able to get food stamps and an Alliance card.
Shortly after, I chose to apply for JobCorps, a free program for youth from 16–24 years old where you can choose between many career paths or trades. I have been accepted and have enrolled to take Electrical, Carpentry, and Landscaping with high hopes of being able to take Welding. My first day at JobCorps Inland Empire is scheduled for September 3rd of this year.
I am very thankful for all the help I have received while being in this program. I have been around the Rescue Mission for many years, and I have seen all the work that everybody in the organization does for its participants. To be on the receiving end of it has been an amazing experience.
GREGORY’S STORY
I am a participant in the Unincorporated Bridge Program. Before coming to the Rescue Mission, I was homeless on the streets in Merced. Since coming into the Rescue Mission, I have been able to obtain all my documentation and have been given rides to appointments and job interviews.
I have now gained employment, and I plan to get my own apartment. Two goals that I have for myself are to continue to work on staying sober and to pursue my passion for music.
At the Rescue Mission, I have received nothing but great advice. Their continuous encouragement has kept me moving forward with applying for employment when the job hunt was taking its toll.
I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to have a second chance at life. Thank you for all your help.
RUDOLFO’S STORY
I was dealing with homelessness when I decided to get help. I decided to enter the Rescue Mission’s Unincorporated Bridge Program.
Since coming into this program, I have been able to get all my documentation ready so I can get work and find a place live when I’m ready. I have been on a strict plan with Child Protective Services to reunify with my kids. I have attended all the parenting classes I needed to complete. I am now in the process of reunifying with my two beautiful children.
Recently, I began working for the Pathway to Wellness Program with the Rescue Mission. I work with Mental Health clients who are struggling in this time of their lives in a similar way that I am. It’s a very humbling experience to work with these individuals, and it’s a position that I am happy to have. I strive to offer them the encouragement they need, just like me, so they can have the motivation to adjust to being productive members of society.
I am thankful for my support group which has stood by my side during this difficult time in my life. If it wasn’t for the Rescue Mission, I would not be in the position I currently am in. I would be in a much worse position in my life. Thank you to everyone, and I am forever grateful.
ROMAN & NEYA’S STORY
Before entering Merced Rescue Mission’s Unincorporated Bridge program, we were homeless. Our children had been removed from our care a little over a year before. As a result, we lost our Section 8 benefits which caused us to fall behind in rent. Ultimately, we had to leave our home.
We stayed under the Childs Avenue Bridge. It was not easy. We were constantly fighting hunger, thirst, and being dirty. We struggled with drinking. A strain was put on our marriage. Trying to comply with CPS visitations and everything else we needed to do was even harder while being homeless and living under the bridge.
We grew tired of our lifestyle and wanted to turn ourselves around, not only for ourselves but also for our children. It all started by reaching out for help. We realized that we could not do it on our own, and time was going by faster and faster.
Since coming to the Rescue Mission’s Unincorporated Bridge program, we have been able to live normally, and we have all our basic needs met. We have a place to shower, food to eat, a safe environment, and a roof over our heads. Just the opportunity we needed. We have also been provided with transportation services to get us to and from all our CPS visitations and court appearances. Everything we have been doing is to help speed up the process to get our children back into our lives.
We are thankful to the Rescue Mission for giving us this opportunity and for being there for guidance. If we had known that such a program existed a year ago, we would have come to the Rescue Mission’s Bridge to Hope program a lot sooner.