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Newsletter January 2011

Holidays at Bridges are amazing and 2010 was not different. Bridges delivered over 3,000 gifts this holiday season to homeless in New York City, Newark, and Irvington. Many live on the street while other live in temporary shelters or in great need. The Verona Service League provided funds for 300 pairs of warm boots and “hoodie” sweatshirts; houses of worship, schools and clubs donated hundreds of other items including over 900 pairs of new pajamas and 250 toys. Additionally, Bridges purchased many new items.

We were greatly touched by the innovative ways that friends thought to include Bridges in their holiday traditions. An annual neighborhood lunch brought in over a $1,000 in gifts and donations; a book club collected over 20 instead of their usual tree ornament exchange, a company brought in hundreds of gifts from the company’s holiday party in lieu of the usual “grab bag,” a group of friends bought holiday gifts for families in need in Newark, and friends who love to bake, made and boxed over 188 boxes of cookies for distribution on one of our holiday Runs. The true spirit of giving was everywhere.

On behalf of all who received gifts, thank you.

Bridges Board of Trustees

2010-2011 Janice Beckmen, Co-chair

Kathryn Radutzky, Co-chair Bob Rowan, Treasurer

Beth Tulloch, Secretary

Alison V. Bryant John Crosby Laura Fromm

Amy Cairns Harrison Diane Hoey Frank Keller Jon Maslin

Rabbi Ellie Miller Leonard Prentice Victoria Smith Ginger Stearns

Jean Trees William “Prez” Tyus

John Vigilante Dimitri Vorona Geoff Worden

Emeritus Trustees Judy Newhouse

Sarah Rosen Susan Tully

Ginger Worden

Honorary Trustee Howard Tate

Bridges Delivers Over 3,000 Holiday Gifts

Preparation of homemade holiday cookies.

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MLK Day of Service

Martin Luther King, Jr.—Day of Service at Bridges

Monday, January 17, 2011 — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Please participate in an age appropriate activity.

Pre-K to Kindergarten – 2nd floor – decorate brown bags

Grades 1, 2, and 3 – 1st floor – wrap books and gifts for sheltered children

Grades 4, 5 and 6 – 1st floor – make quilts for a sheltered child

Grades 7 and 8 – 2nd floor – make brown bag lunches or basement to sort toiletries

High School Student and Adults – basement – sort clothing donations;

1st floor - sort toiletries;1st floor – letter writing campaign

11:00 a.m. Viewing of No Where to Go followed by a discussion with the director of the film,

Lori H. Ersolmaz of Voices of Hope Productions. Appropriate for high school and adult viewers.

No Where to Go highlights the need for, and barriers to safe, stable housing. Through testimonies of im-

passioned advocates and previously incarcerated individuals, this video presents the options of housing

including streets, shelters, transitional living facilities, family homes, and permanent supportive housing.

As formally incarcerated people are often challenged by issues of addiction, mental health, and violence,

the type of housing available to a person drastically impacts their ability to successfully re-enter society

and realize their full potential. No Where To Go provides urgent and critical insight into how we can pro-

vide the best supportive structure possible to ensure their success. Directed and produced for American

Friends Service Committee by Voices of Hope Productions. Oakes Theatre, 1st floor

10:45 and 11:15 Reading Circle – for our youngest volunteers, 2nd floor

Run Volunteer Training Video

The Bridges training video for Run volunteers is

now available on our website

(www.bridgesoutreach.org) and on YouTube:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%

2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZfM-

2XuHa1A&h=bdfc3

The film is a great way to get a good look at a

Bridges Run and the role of the volunteer group

leader for the Run as well as the individual role on a

Run. A training manual accompanies the video on

our website. It is a “must see” for all volunteers.

Donate Today!

Bridges receives its funding from foundation grants,

a biennial fundraiser, unsolicited donations and one

annual appeal. To our donors, thank you.

Donations may be made on line at

www.bridgesoutreach.org.

Anyone out there a member of

Kiwanis? If so, we need your help!

Bonnie Brae Hosts Fundraiser for Bridges

The boys at Bonnie Brae have combined the art of

making pottery soup bowls and their culinary skills

into a fundraising lunch were guests were served

homemade soup in hand made ceramic bowls.

That lunch raised over $1,000 to Bridges. Read

this heartening story at:

http://baskingridge.patch.com/articles/bonnie-

brae-bisque-helped-raise-funds-to-feed-homeless

Bridges is honored to be the recipient of

containing support from the students at Bonnie-

Brae, a residential school for boys in Basking

Ridge. The boys and staff regularly go on Runs to

New York with Bridges and answer our calls for

volunteer help from time to time.

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Friday Volunteer Opportunity

We are looking for individuals who are

interested in a meaningful and regular volunteer

opportunity. Bridges is forming a core group of

volunteers, perhaps 20 to 25, who would rotate one

week a month and go out on the Friday night Run

to New York City once every 4 or 5 weeks.

Your volunteer role will be social and

interactive. You will not be asked to bring lunches

or other items. We are asking you for your time,

friendship, and compassion.

Quilters, Sewers, Crafters Needed

In preparation for the MLK Day of Service, we need

volunteers to cut fleece for blankets that we will be

making to give to shelters. Join us on January 4th,

5th, or 6th, between 10 a.m. and noon at Bridges,

120 Morris Avenue. Bring a pair of cutting sheers!

If you can’t join on these days and times, but would

like to help, call Lois at 908-273-0176.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Save the date: Monday, January 17, 2011,

Bridges will be participating in Summit’s 13th annual

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. Bridges will

be offering volunteer opportunities for all ages.

Point in Time Count

HUD’s mandated Point in Time Count (PITC) is a

one-day count of the number of individuals living on

the streets, in emergency shelters and transitional

units. The PITC is important. It is the basis for

services, funding and housing for homeless in

Newark and Essex county. Volunteers are needed

for any time during the 24 hours of January 27,

2011.

Teens Tackle Homelessness

The first student high school steering committee for

Teens Tackle Homeless will take place the last week

in January. All high school students are welcome to

become part of this steering committee. Teen

Tackle Homelessness is a conference on

homelessness for high school students.

Service Fair

Students: represent Bridges at a service fair on

Sunday, January 30, 2011. Two hour shifts

available. Great way to earn community service

hours and share your Bridges experiences.

Sorting Donations

We receive literally tons of donations every year.

All items need to sorted. Volunteers may join in the

Focus Group Meeting

On December 9th, thirteen people who meet our

New York Run each week and who have personally

experienced homelessness came to Bridges in

Summit for a holiday lunch and focus group

meeting.

The lunch was a good opportunity get to

know these friends away from the street and to

seek their opinions on how we can improve our

New York Runs. Some have become our partners

on the Run, assisting volunteers and our Run

Coordinators.

Save the Date: Bridges Brown Bag Bash – May 14, 2011

Planning has begun for biennial fundraising event,

the Bridges Brown Bag Bash to be held on May 14,

2011, at the Morris Museum in Morristown.

Catering by David Ellis Caterers. Entertainment?

You just never know at a Bridges Brown Bag Bash.

To join the planning committee, contact

lois@bridgesoutreach.org.

NO CLOTHINGN DONATIONS

BETWEEN TUESDAY, JANUARY

18TH AND MARCH 1ST. This will give us an opportunity to distribute all

donated winter clothing and prepare for spring.

Thank you for your generous donations.

Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities

continued

sorting any Tuesday between 9 and 3 and/or

Fridays between 9 and 6. Home from college, stop

by!

Food Drive

Watch for details of February food drive to benefit

neighbors in Summit and Irvington.

For more details and to register for volunteer activities, contact Craig Prince, Volunteer

Coordinator at volunteerbridges@gmail.com.

Events and Announcements

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Volunteers in Action

Paramus Catholic High School students and faculty prepare for and go on a Bridges’ Run to New York City.

Employees at NuStar Energy in Linden collect over 100 pair of pajamas for Bridges.

Thanks to the good folks at

L'Oreal in Clark and Edison

NJ for the donation of 6,400

(over 1000 pounds) tubes of

shampoo. Pictured with the

waist high box of shampoo is

Craig Prince, Volunteer Coor-

dinator.

Teri Lusty organized friends to make 188 boxes of homemade holiday cookies for the Bridges Christmas Run.

Thanks to the Cornerstone Kindergarten class for making and delivering lunches to Bridges .

The Bridges Board, Staff, and friends of Bridges

wish you and your families a happy and healthy 2011.