Bridges of Hope Logo
BOH20Years.PNG
Call Us
  • googlePlaces
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • Home

  • Programs & Services

    • Resource Connection Services
    • Thanksgiving Basket Program
    • Volunteer
  • Common Goods

    • Donation Guidelines
    • Store Hours and Locations
  • 20th Anniversary

  • Operation Sandwich

  • Warming Shelter

    • What is the warming shelter?
    • Who are the homeless?
    • Where are the homeless?
  • About

    • Donate
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Meet Our Board
    • Our Community Partners
    • Contact
  • More

    Use tab to navigate through the menu items.
    Donate
    Hope is Happening
    Bridges of Hope
    • Sep 1, 2019
    • 2 min

    Hope is Happening

    The year is past its midpoint; which means it’s time to check in on where we’re at thus far with programming and services. As of August 28th, we have helped over 900 households (approximately 2,250 people) this year! Here’s what just a few of those we’ve served had to say about their experience with Bridges of Hope: “I’m so glad I called you!” Amy was referred to an agency that helped install grab bars in her tub and shower for her mother, who had recently moved in with her,
    28 views0 comments
    Self-Healing Communities Project Update
    Bridges of Hope
    • Apr 1, 2019
    • 2 min

    Self-Healing Communities Project Update

    In the last seven months, the Self-Healing Communities Project has reached over 1,600 people in Crow Wing County. In case you haven’t heard, the self-healing communities’ model is designed to build a community’s capacity to improve outcomes for health and social issues by reducing and preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The project now has reached into many parts of the community; including organizations, churches, businesses, school districts and various branche
    26 views0 comments
    Brainerd Rotary Foundation Funds to Support Parenting Series
    Bridges of Hope
    • Mar 22, 2019
    • 1 min

    Brainerd Rotary Foundation Funds to Support Parenting Series

    The Brainerd Rotary Foundation recently awarded $2,500 to the Self-Healing Communities Project at Bridges of Hope for the development and implementation of a parent education series to benefit parents of Garfield & Lowell Elementary students. The series will include both Love & Logic parenting classes and Parent Cafes, which are discussion groups providing parents the opportunity for conversations and connection. The Cafe experience focuses on building the five protective fac
    7 views0 comments
    Help Needed(!)
    Bridges of Hope
    • Jan 1, 2019
    • 1 min

    Help Needed(!)

    In Lila’s case, she was lucky to find out about her failing furnace during summer, leaving her a cushion of time to figure out how to replace it before falling temps affected her. Lila was aging and on a fixed income with little wiggle room. She did have an adult son, however, who was experienced in HVAC and freely offered to install a new unit- if Lila could find a way to get one. In the very same city, another furnace went out, but now it was September and closer to winter.
    10 views0 comments
    The Power of Hope
    Bridges of Hope
    • Dec 10, 2018
    • 2 min

    The Power of Hope

    What do you hope for? For the past couple years, Bridges of Hope has been asking this question to Lakes Area residents as part of our fall fundraising campaign and as a part of our community-building efforts. Our mission at Bridges of Hope is to build bridges of support, anchored in Christ’s love, between families in the Lakes area and the community assets that can help them thrive and gain hope. But we can’t do that without you, the community! The responses we’ve received ov
    11 views0 comments
    Hope in our Community
    Bridges of Hope
    • Jul 31, 2018
    • 2 min

    Hope in our Community

    It’s over halfway through the year; a good time to pause and look back on what we’ve done so far in 2018. A quick glance at our database tells me we’ve served over 750 households (~1,950 people) thus far through our 5 different programs; hallelujah! Praise God that there is hope when faced with hardship! I can look at numbers and graphs, trends and changes that speak to the volume of crisis faced here in the Lakes Area; but that doesn’t really breathe light into the ways live
    4 views0 comments
    New Staff to Join Self-Healing Communities Efforts
    Bridges of Hope
    • Jul 24, 2018
    • 3 min

    New Staff to Join Self-Healing Communities Efforts

    Written by Jenny Holmes & Kassie Heisserer On the heels of announcing a new community collaborative project, Bridges of Hope has announced the addition of two new staff to help support this endeavor: Tom Gonzalez and Amy M. Wyant have been named Project Coordinators to support the Self-Healing Communities Project and will begin their positions in August 2018. Gonzalez joins Bridges of Hope from Pointway Church in Baxter and holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Pastoral M
    13 views0 comments
    Sara Jo’s Moment
    Bridges of Hope
    • Aug 11, 2017
    • 1 min

    Sara Jo’s Moment

    Sara Jo is a single parent of two school-age girls. She had recently been divorced and was living with her mother, something she never thought she would do again, since moving out after high school. Although she appreciated her mother’s willingness to take her and the girls in, Sara Jo knew that she and her girls needed more space than what they had–and so did her mom. Tensions were starting to run high some evenings, as the girls and her mother struggled to adjust to the ver
    3 views0 comments
    Will You Run for Hope This Year?
    Bridges of Hope
    • Aug 4, 2017
    • 1 min

    Will You Run for Hope This Year?

    Written by Jenny Holmes, with assistance from Kassie Heisserer. Some people run for fun, some run for the free shirt, but on September 16, 2017, we will Run for Hope! Bridges of Hope is honored to partner with the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce for the 5th-annual Run for Hope, as part of the 44th annual Nisswa Fall Festival and 12th annual Smokin’ Hot BBQ Challenge on Saturday, September 16, 2017. The Run for Hope has undergone a few transformations this year! In addition to movi
    2 views0 comments
    Third-Annual Afternoon Tea a Success
    Bridges of Hope
    • May 16, 2017
    • 2 min

    Third-Annual Afternoon Tea a Success

    On Sunday, May 7, over 150 women, girls, and even some gentlemen joined Bridges of Hope at Cragun’s Legacy Pavilion on a beautiful and sunny afternoon in support of the women participating in Bridges’ Side by Side Mentoring Program, at the third-annual Afternoon Tea for Hope. This year’s event raised over $13,000 and featured a raffle, silent auction, games, food, and the ever-popular fire fighters from Brainerd and Nisswa who served tea & coffee, took selfies, sold raffle ti
    3 views1 comment
    Spring Cleaning (and Giving)
    Bridges of Hope
    • Mar 14, 2017
    • 3 min

    Spring Cleaning (and Giving)

    A combination of the recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather combined with recent weight loss triggered my inner spring cleaner a couple weeks ago. It was a Saturday afternoon when I hit my closet hard and was determined to downsize and donate. Of course, whenever I’m ready to part with treasures; they go to Common Goods. Not only do I love the concept behind the thrift store, I also love knowing that my excess could be of benefit to someone with less. So I decided to rea
    18 views0 comments
    Diane’s Moment of Hope
    Bridges of Hope
    • Dec 12, 2016
    • 2 min

    Diane’s Moment of Hope

    [Note: Diane graciously allowed us to use her real name and details. Diane: thank you for your courage and generosity!] It has been 27 years since Diane made the life-changing decision to become, and remain, clean and sober. However, despite overcoming this huge obstacle, she continued to fight demons and encounter issues that tested her faith over all those years. Having been raised in the Aitkin area, Diane relocated to the Twin Cities area where she tackled her addictions
    3 views0 comments
    Supporting Family and Caregivers: Respite Services
    Bridges of Hope
    • Aug 29, 2016
    • 2 min

    Supporting Family and Caregivers: Respite Services

    As a single mother of three children under the age of three and with another on the way, Kristine needed help. Her time for self-care and just taking care of the basics like cleaning the house or shopping for groceries was non-existent. Something had to give. At Bridges, Respite is a scheduled, monthly break for families based upon a child’s or parent’s need, serving families in Crow Wing County. On occasion, Respite can be scheduled more often, on a case-by-case basis. Respi
    23 views0 comments
    Liz’s Moment
    Bridges of Hope
    • May 20, 2016
    • 2 min

    Liz’s Moment

    Then one afternoon late last fall Liz called again, and once again I expected to talk to her about why she didn’t need any gas, clothing or furniture yet, but this time, Liz had moving plans! We were thrilled for her. We were able to confirm the details with Liz’s mental health worker, and then things really started to take off. Because we all wanted this move to be successful for Liz, I talked to her about her new responsibilities; such as paying her rent on time, buying gro
    11 views2 comments
    Danielle’s Moment
    Bridges of Hope
    • Dec 18, 2015
    • 2 min

    Danielle’s Moment

    No matter what our “loose ends” might be, I hope we all take more than a few moments to pause, breathe, and prepare our minds & hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. At Bridges of Hope, we are helping individuals and families with more than loose ends. We are proud to do this rewarding, tough, and sometimes heartbreaking work. I want to tell you about one family in particular who is weighing heavily on my mind today. (I’ve changed the details about their
    1 view0 comments
    Just Over Four Weeks To Go!
    Bridges of Hope
    • Dec 1, 2015
    • 1 min

    Just Over Four Weeks To Go!

    We’re already 4 weeks into our 2015 Bridges of Hope “I Hope” fall fundraising campaign, and we have been blown away by the generosity of so many individuals who believe in the power of this organization–and in the power of how, together, we can make a difference in the lives of countless people throughout our community. As of today, we have raised approximately $18,300! You have dug deep and responded with your heart; and, for that, we say ‘thank you!’ Because of your giving
    2 views0 comments
    What Does it Mean to Hope?
    Bridges of Hope
    • Nov 11, 2015
    • 3 min

    What Does it Mean to Hope?

    What does it mean to hope? For some, it’s the thought of building a dream home, or perhaps it’s anticipating an acceptance letter to your son or daughter’s first-choice college. It might be hoping for sunshine on a special day. For others, it means knowing you’ll have a warm meal tonight, the resources to afford a new coat or warm pair of boots for your child this winter, or having somewhere to call after the storm hits. This summer, many found themselves in hope of assistanc
    3 views0 comments
    Storm Response: Proud of our Community!
    Bridges of Hope
    • Aug 2, 2015
    • 3 min

    Storm Response: Proud of our Community!

    Many of our neighbors were hit by the storm that produced up to 90 MPH straight line winds on July 12th. While some of us had just a few tree branches to rake up, others are currently living in homes with a tarp of the roof, and at least three homeowners have homes that were considered total losses. Bridges of Hope is proud to be participating in a still ongoing effort to care for those in our community who were impacted by this storm. In the days following the storm, we part
    0 views0 comments
    Common Goods Now Open in Crosslake!
    Bridges of Hope
    • Jul 1, 2015
    • 1 min

    Common Goods Now Open in Crosslake!

    It’s been quite exciting and busy around here at Bridges of Hope!  In case you haven’t heard, we are officially open for business at our new Common Goods location in Crosslake! We have amazing staff who are working hard to get the space fully up & running (we were able to get into the space just yesterday). We took our first donation (also yesterday), and I literally JUST received a call from our Retail Manager, Nate, stating we’ve made our first sale TODAY! As you can see in
    42 views0 comments
    Summer Donations at Common Goods
    Bridges of Hope
    • Jun 29, 2015
    • 2 min

    Summer Donations at Common Goods

    Do you have great items just sitting around that you no longer have any use for? Have you recently had a garage sale or plan on having one in the near future? If so, we may be able to help you out with some of your left over treasures! If you have items that you feel may be a good fit, we invite you to call us at 218-824-0923 or visit us at 16227 Hwy 371 N Brainerd, MN next to Dondelinger Chevrolet. We suggest you call the store to verify that we are currently accepting items
    20 views0 comments
    1
    2345

    Bridges of Hope

    Subscribe Form

    Stay up to date with news and events.

    info@bridgesofhopemn.org

    (218) 825-7682

    2011 S 6th St, Brainerd, MN 56401, USA

    AAWH.png
    • googlePlaces
    • facebook
    • instagram
    • twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • youtube

    ©2022 by Bridges of Hope.

    All Are Welcome Here used with permission from the artist.