Services
Transform Lives with Empowering Homeless Recovery Services
Requirements to Obtain Homeless Recovery Services
General information
Our Homeless Recovery Services response system information; information about seeking The Bridge services; description of on-campus services.
Information and Referral. Stevelynne Brown sbrown@bridgehrc.org
Intake
The first step in creating a Care and Housing Plan. Acquire a The Bridge ID. Warm handoff to on-campus recovery services prioritized.
Contact information: Kelly Kane kkane@bridgehrc.org
DAYSHELTER
Night Shelter Services include on-site emergency shelter, transitional shelter, and off-site Night Shelter referrals/placements.
We are devoted to providing the best possible level of service to each Guest who walks through our gate. On-site night emergency shelter is available for high-demand guests. If the on-site shelter is at capacity (249), off-site shelter referrals and placements are provided in collaboration with housing and shelter partners.
Off-site Night Shelter referrals/placements are provided in collaboration with Austin Street Center, Dallas Life, The Salvation Army, and Union Gospel Mission.
What do Guests need to do in order to get Night Shelter?
To receive night shelter at The Bridge you must go through our initial intake assessment process with an Intake Specialist when you first arrive at The Bridge. This initial screening allows The Bridge to provide you with information, referrals for Night Shelter and other recovery services, connect you with a Care Manager, and provide you with a The Bridge ID that will allow you access to our campus and all services.
Once you are assigned a bed at The Bridge you must arrive at The Bridge’s campus by 6:00 p.m. (Talk with your Care Manager if you need to make alternate accommodations due to your work schedule).
Since The Bridge’s campus is open 24 hours a day, there is no need to line up to be admitted for Night Shelter. Simply be on campus by 6:00 p.m.
Who can get Night Shelter?
An individual must be homeless and 18 years of age and older to be eligible for services at The Bridge
NIGHTSHELTER
Diversion
Connection to professional support to explore options for coming into shelter. Resources for reconnection or reunification with family.
Contact information: Kelly Kane, kkane@bridgehrc.org
The Bridge serves three nutritious meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are available to every Guest who comes on campus. Because of our curfew, dinner is offered to Night Shelter eligible Guests only.
Through our partner, The Stewpot, fresh meals are prepared daily and always include a balance of nutrients and flavor. Each meal will include a recommended serving of proteins, fruit, vegetables, and water or milk. The team works with a dietician to ensure that the meals are both nutritious and enjoyable. Careful planning is put into what might be best and easiest for our Guests to eat. Sack lunches are available for guests who work during the day.
You will not find instant food or all canned meals in our kitchen! Additionally, The Bridge recently planted a community garden on campus where fresh vegetables and herbs will go into the guest meals.
To have access to meals, simply present at the Large Dining Hall at times noted below:
Breakfast: 7:30 am to 8:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
MEALS
Physical & Mental Health Care
We are privileged to offer access to behavioral and physical health care on our campus in partnership with Metrocare Services Clinic, and the Parkland Health and Hospitals System Clinic.
Metrocare Services is a provider of behavioral health, mental health, substance use services, and offers chemical dependency care, dual diagnosis services, and recovery-oriented services. Our Parkland Clinic focuses on Guest physical health needs, including screenings, acute and chronic disease care, and prescriptions.
All Guests who have completed a The Bridge Intake Assessment and possess a The Bridge ID have access to and are eligible to receive Metrocare and Parkland Clinic services.
The Metrocare Clinic and Parkland Clinic are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Safe and private restrooms, showers, and personal hygiene supplies are available on our campus. An additional restroom is available in intake for those spending the night on the street.
Mac’s Barbershop: The Bridge has an on-campus barbershop and hair salon that provides haircuts to our Guests thanks to the generosity of the McManemin Family Fund at the Communities Foundation of Texas.
Barbershop hours are posted in the Welcome Building.
Clothing: We provide emergency clothing items such as underwear, socks, pants, shirts, shoes as well as clothing for job interviews. Go to the Welcome Center desk or talk to your Care Manager about your clothing needs and they will help you.
Hygiene
Employment, Income & Benefits Assistance
Dallas Workforce Solutions provides on-campus employment services to our Guests through job preparedness and job search activities as well as connections to local job fairs. The Bridge and our partners work to help our Guests gain income through Medicare, Medicaid, disability services, social security, veteran’s benefits, and other income sources that a Guest may be eligible for.
Care Managers at The Bridge are licensed social workers who assess each individual Guest on a one-on-one basis to determine where they are in their journey and create a path out of homelessness. Care Managers make referrals for employment, housing, addiction recovery, medical needs, and governmental benefits.
Care Management
Recovery Care Management
Care and Housing Plan completion. Connection to employment. Housing supportive services. Contact information: Kevelyn Jenkins kjenkins@bridgehrc.org
Behavioral health, mental health, substance use assessment and treatment. Care and Housing Plan development. Housing supportive services. Contact information: Luke Matthews lmatthews@bridgehrc.org
Intensive Care Management
PeerSupport
Professional relationship building. Recovery resource guidance. Peer-to-peer counseling.
Contact information: Michelle Sanders msanders@bridgehrc.org
The Bridge’s goal is to help each Guest end their homelessness. The Bridge works with local partners and organizations to connect Guests to a permanent housing solution that will be sustainable for that individual.
Housing solutions include affordable independent living, supportive housing, nursing care facilities, group homes, transitional housing, and family reunification. We help our Guests connect with housing vouchers and other assistance programs and provide support when they transition into housing.
Follow-up: Guests in our Intensive Care Management program receive up to three months of scattered-site follow-up to ensure they can transition smoothly from The Bridge. Care Managers help with any issues that may arise to ensure financial stability, health, and the Guest’s ability to keep housing.
Please meet with your Care Manager to discuss housing opportunities that are available to you.
Housing & Housing Follow Up
Criminal Justice Support
Any Guest with a criminal justice concern (e.g., tickets; warrants; child support) should contact their Care Manager for support and resolution planning. Referral for assessment and legal representation can be arranged through this relationship.
A Guest who is a veteran of one of the United States Armed Forces groups may be eligible for additional benefits and support which they have earned through their time of service to our country. During an Intake Assessment please share your military status with the Intake Specialist. Anticipate your Care Manager sharing with you an opportunity to visit with a Veteran’s administration (VA) Case Worker on The Bridge campus. This relationship will initiate exploration of your eligibility for multiple VA resources available to the unsheltered.
Veteran Services
Kennel
The Bridge has an on-campus climate-controlled kennel with sixteen individual spaces for Guests who are staying at The Bridge and have a companion canine. There is a grooming area and an outside fenced play area. Guests are responsible for walking and feeding their dogs twice a day. The Bridge works with donors and volunteers to provide dog food for feeding and basic veterinary care. A full-time Kennel Coordinator is on hand to offer supplementary care and ensure the needs of the dogs are being met.
A Guest who presents at The Bridge for services, and is in possession of a companion canine, will complete a canine services contract during the completion of the Intake Assessment, when all Kennel rules and owner expectations are discussed.
Contact information: Channon Cavazos scavazos@bridgehrc.org
Community engagement, including soliciting financial support from local businesses, corporations, community groups, religious organizations, and the like to enhance the campus culture.
Opportunities to support work at The Bridge through volunteerism is especially helpful and educational!
Contact: Katerah Jefferson – Community Engagement Manager volunteer@bridgehrc.org