Message from the Executive Director

In 2021, The Bridge Fund completed its 31st year of service dedicated to preventing homelessness among the working poor. This span included some major crises – the 9/11 attacks, and the Great Recession among others. These crises affect everyone, but they
tend to hurt the most vulnerable – the working poor – the hardest. Therefore, The Bridge Fund managed to help even more needy families and their children with more resources in the most difficult times.

The past year was no exception to these features of our history. First, we had to adapt to new ways of doing business due to the COVID pandemic. We had to handle even more requests for assistance virtually, rather than with in-person visits. Each program learned to operate securely and service to clients was maintained. Secondly, many clients needed more help than before, and we did our best to respond, as the program Directors explain in their reports.

In spite of all the problems, The Bridge Fund was able to help 1,279 households with financial assistance in 2021, up from 986 in 2020 – a most encouraging improvement. The 2021 total included 2,432 people of which 717 were children.

Looking ahead to 2022, the pandemic is still with us, although in somewhat reduced form. On the other hand, we are dealing with a more pressing problem and that is a worsening of inflation. This may hit the working poor in several ways: their incomes may not go up to offset the rising prices of essentials and rental costs are headed much higher. We will certainly have our work cut out for us in 2022. Fortunately, Leonard Perlson our Controller and Josh Pavloff, Operations Director, are a key part of our team.

We thank you profusely for your past support which has made our progress possible. Please keep The Bridge Fund in mind as we all struggle for a better future.