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Bridges That Unite
As writer P.J. O’Rourke once said, “You can’t get rid of poverty by giving people money.” Bridges That Unite is a comprehensive program for addressing poverty in Collin County. A thriving community passes on a high quality of life to the next generation. When poverty exists, it threatens the health and sustainability of the community. That’s where Bridges That Unite steps in.
Bridges That Unite is an outreach ministry designed to educate and build relationships among all economic classes in our community.
Bridges that Unite Workshops
Dr. Ruby K. Payne
The core curriculum comes from the international Bridges Out of Poverty program launched in 2001 and based on research by Dr. Ruby K. Payne and the aha! Process team. Today, there are nearly 1,000 certified Bridges Out of Poverty trainers in 42 states and four foreign countries.
Bridges Out of Poverty – equipping the community
Bridges Out of Poverty is a workshop that helps individuals understand poverty and improve effectiveness in working with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. This material is vital for volunteers and community leaders who seek to partner with the people they serve in building a sustainable community. Community workshops for Bridges Out of Poverty are offered quarterly.
Click here and scroll down to register for a workshop.
Getting Ahead – equipping individuals in poverty
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a 17-week course offered to low-income families who desire a stable and secure future. Participants create their own plan to develop emotional, intellectual, and financial resources necessary for self-sufficiency and stability.
Evening classes are held weekly. Dinner and childcare are available for all participants. For more information on how you or someone you know can enroll in Getting Ahead, call 972-542-0020 or email bridges@communitylifeline.org Participation, dinner, and childcare are free due to generous financial and volunteer support.
Click here for Getting Ahead information and application.
Graduates of Getting Ahead have the option of entering into at least a 12 month relationship with community Allies. These relationships use social capital as a bridge between people in poverty and those in middle class and wealth.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are seeking volunteers to help in a variety of ways, including any of the following:
(1) Be an Ally–You would be matched with a participant (individually or as part of a team) to mentor class members and graduates by phone, in person, or a combination of the two. At the same time, you will learn about poverty issues and how to create a more sustainable community. Allies are needed to engage in an intentional, befriending relationship with an individual or family working to become self-sufficient.
The toughest challenge an Ally faces is the instinct to “rescue” the Getting Ahead graduate. The graduate cannot learn to cope with hurdles that block his/her pathway if a well-meaning Ally tries to fix the problems. Instead, the Ally’s role is to walk beside the graduate, helping link to the resources and support necessary for the graduate to be successful.
(2) Providing weekly class meal for participants, children and volunteers;
(3) Volunteer with children or help with children’s curriculum;
(4) Research or write grants for additional funding; corporate contacts or grant writing skills would be a plus.
Our strategies for addressing poverty are based on programs developed by Aha! Process, Inc. and Move the Mountain.
Thank you to our church and agency partners including Community Lifeline Center, First United Methodist Church, Christ Fellowship, First McKinney, Walking in Grace, 3e McKinney and McKinney Housing Authority, Delivered.
