Just before the pandemic hit New York City, The Bridge Fund launched the Income Growth Initiative to help prepare our unemployed and underemployed clients for the new economy.
Did You Know That…
- 70% of students attending college work, many of them full time?
- a significant number have minor dependents or other household members that depend on their earnings to make ends meet?
- an unplanned expense such as a flat tire or reduction of work hours can cause a student to fall behind on their rent and drop out of school?
- for many, student loan debt without a degree represents a lifetime of credit and financial hardship?
The Bridge Fund’s Income Growth Initiative provides the hand up that low-income clients need to prepare for and find employment that offers better pay and greater professional satisfaction. Resources include individualized career advisement and budget counseling services; virtual workshops; digital literacy assessments and basic training on the use of the internet, computer, and cell phone; expert referrals to online and community training programs and schools; in-office client use of computers, printers, copiers, and phones; modest training-related grants and short-term rent subsidies to those who qualify; plus, guidance and encouragement every step of the way.
During 2024, almost 300 NYC and Westchester clients were helped by the Income Growth Initiative to design an action plan for meeting their professional and financial goals. More than 75% have or are
on track to do so by next year. All credit the Income Growth Initiative for their improved circumstances or outlooks. Clients like Belinda Avery of White Plains and Mark Priestly of Manhattan were helped to hold onto their housing while attending school or recovering from illness and then searching for renewed employment. Both of their inspiring stories are featured in this Annual Report, and we cannot thank them and our generous funders enough for sharing and supporting our work.
How to Grow an Income?
The Bridge Fund provides comprehensive services tailored to an individual’s needs and goals.
Education: We have developed relationships with LaGuardia Community College and other area schools, to help clients acquire or improve skills needed for today’s jobs in fields with growth potential.
Job Training: We make expert referrals to quality job training programs like Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center, First Step, Grace Institute, and others. Plus, we monitor our clients’ progress and regularly consult with these sources.
Help Finding Employment: Clients wishing to find a job are given guidance in improving their resumes and interviewing skills, plus advice and assistance on conducting effective job searches.
Managing Finances: All receive budget counseling, monitoring and encouragement to stay the course. Modest financial assistance for tuition, books and transportation may be provided. Also, short-term rent subsidies for a select number of highly motivated clients demonstrating need and a strong commitment to completing their coursework and improving their financial futures.
Proven Results: The Income Growth Initiative team, led by Jeffrey Ramos, has formally served more than 365 clients. Several have enrolled in educational programs, found renewed employment or secured job promotions. The vast majority report being more optimistic about the future!
| Outcome | Number of Clients | |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in IGP-recommended job training programs | 148 | |
| Secured new employment or earned promotion at work | 51 | |
| Are pursuing associate degrees thanks, in part, to IGP | 71 | |
| Were stabilized in their housing (with employment, promotion, or strategic budgeting) | 106 | |
| Report increased satisfaction due to improved earnings, job responsibilities, medical benefits, ability to work remotely or reduced commuting time. | 270 (74%) |
Emily’s Success Story
Emily Martinez is a young Bridge Fund client who is now, thankfully, on track to further her education and improve her earnings potential while safely remaining in her rent stabilized apartment. Last year, Ms. Martinez’s work hours as a store clerk in Washington Heights were temporarily reduced from full-time to only 15 hours per week. By the time she learned about The Bridge Fund, she had been laid-off and had exhausted her very modest state unemployment benefits. The absence of any income caused Ms. Martinez to fall behind in her rent payments. In fact, at the time of her application to our program, she owed her landlord $3,400, and only had a fraction of this amount to contribute. She needed a job and immediate financial help.
The following chart shows how she was helped.
Emily will continue to receive career advisement services and monitoring from The Bridge Fund. She is now more hopeful about her future and recently served as a bi-lingual Peer Consultant, co-conducting a Zoom workshop for other Bridge Fund clients wishing to explore job training programs and experiencing the same challenges that she had.
If you need a success story of your own with help in improving job skills, finding a better job or a promotion, and planning for your future, EMAIL Jeffrey Ramos at The Bridge Fund of New York Inc.
Help us fund the Income Growth Initiative to help more motivated New Yorkers who are striving to improve their lives through work. To DONATE to the Income Growth Initiative, EMAIL The BridgeFund.