I showed up with my husband and a few of the members of our community organization (the North Miami Jaycees) to help some of our friends who volunteer monthly at Bridge to Hope. As a person who regularly organizes events, I was immediately struck by how organized the whole operation was despite the many and varied tasks to be accomplished in a short time. My group was immediately put to work and we did not stop for at least three hours. We had the opportunity to meet and talk with Pastors' Stone at the end and we all left feeling like we had done a really great thing. The November event included a full Thanksgiving feast, canned foods to take home, and even clothing. Despite being an hour's drive from our neighborhood, I suspect we will return (hopefully a couple of times) next year.
Me siento muy feliz de que existan este tipo de organizaciones, por experiencia se que es un grupo que constantemente ayuda, siempre he escuchado cosas buenas de ellos espero que sigan apoyando su labor para su expancion y crecimiento, para el bien de la comunidad.
I volunteered with this lovely group for about a year and they just welcomed me into the family. Vanessa an her husband are wonderful leaders and the entire group is very friendly and always kind. Every month everyone was committed to gathering food that would have other wise gone to waste to help other families in need. Most of the families that received the food and school supplies were regulars and always expressed immense gratitude the help. This group as built on trust, patience, and faith. I learned a lot from my work here and I am so proud o how much Bridge to Hope has grown. I will always have faith in all of the members of this group and cherish their selflessness, positivity, and compassion towards those others whom are less fortunate.
Where do I start... I met Vanessa in December of 2015. I was driving by Naranja Park Baptist Church on my way to get my cafe con leche the 3rd Saturday of the month. I was curious so on my way back home I pulled over and asked what was going on. It was explained to me and than asked to be guided to the 1 in charge. Vanessa and I hit it off before anything was said and before giving her my name I asked? " Where do you need me?" It's been 6 months down our journey and we continue to do what we do best. Bridge2Hope is an organization serving the Naranja and Homestead Area for about 20 years now. Vanessa and her husband Mark wholeheartedly serve their community always looking for a way to alleviate the neighbors challenges. She has mastered the art of making a lot out of so little and facing the challenges that come with a non profit but constantly grateful for the ample amount of volunteers and organizations like FarmShare, the USDA, Books and Books to name a few continued support. I look forward to serving aside to her and grateful of being associated with an amazing kindred spirit. We look forward to the future and our purpose when it comes to serving our community.
I chose Bridge to Hope from a list to complete service hours for my middle school son, we have been volunteering at Bridge to Hope now for five years. The boys receive their volunteer hours but it is so much more meaningful to them than the service hours. They enjoy helping others, it gives them a chance to see how little things change lives and how much showing others respect and kindness matters.
My wife and I have volunteered many times over the past couple of years. The name is so appropriate since you see people come to get food that have "no hope" in their eyes. They are so beat down with the concerns of life. Seeing them get fed and take food home is very uplifting for them and us. Jerry & Kathy
BTH is an organization that makes you feel good about giving, expecting nothing in return,but receiving the joy and fulfillment of giving to those that have the least. Love to Give. Carmen
This organization is awesome! What they are doing for the community is amazing. They are doing the work that is unseen but so significant, grateful to be able to volunteer with people who are making an impact.
One never knows when it will be their turn in need, Bridge to Hope is that organization to keep you from falling off that cliff. What a wonderful way to give back and help build that "just in case" potentially for your neighbors. This is how we both community and hope by providing not only the goods needed but spending our time putting it together. The world needs more bridges to hope.
Bridge to hope is such a wonderful cause. Being out here today volunteering with them has really shown me what coming together as a community is all about.
I got to volunteer with Bridge to Hope its was lots of fun and very encouraging to see ppl do something positive for the community.
Bridge to Hope is such an incredible organization! I was able to participate as a volunteer at the Stamp Out Hunger food drive and learned more about the incredible work Vanessa and her team do. Thanks to Bridge to Hope thousands of families can have a better sense of security and dignity.
It is a pleasure to write this review for Bridge to Hope as I am deeply grateful for Vanessa Tinsley's assistance. I am a nonprofit professional, and a client experiencing homelessness. While every story is unique, I have none of the general precursors to homelessness, and my needs often go unmet because they do not fit within systematized eligibility criteria. Trying to secure a new job when one cannot meet the most basic of human needs only extends the time frame of homelessness. When I contacted Vanessa for assistance, I explained I had been living in an airport for a good part of a month waiting for services and a friend had agreed to assist temporarily; however, my friend was also struggling and food would benefit us both. Due to the nature of this housing arrangement, I did not have shelter documentation to substantiate homelessness. Vanessa's demeanor over the phone was kind, supportive, objective, and she offered a "no questions asked" solution: plenty of food for us both on that same day. After we loaded my cart with groceries and toiletry items, Vanessa spent an hour talking with me about my story, and we spoke as fellow women and human beings. Thank you to everyone affiliated with Bridges to Hope. Your assistance is not a "donation"; it is an act of justice and kindness.
My family were in dire straits during the time that Bridge to Hope got started, we received meals from them a few times, then, I got a job and was able to support the family and it was time to give back-my son helped load and unload the truck full of donated materials with Mark, I helped Vanessa set up her bookkeeping system logging in donations, the value of them, and the disbursement of the materials to the people in need, I also helped with food distribution, giving out Christmas gifts to children, helping set up yard sales to sell excess items which monies garnered were funneled back into providing food to the needy. I worked with Vanessa for about 3 years during the late 1990's. This is a wonderful organization started on literally a shoestring that has grown exponentially and thank God for the growth and the spiritual leadership of Vanessa. The Bridge to hope provides people with pride in themselves again, with confidence to go out and try again, nourishes their bodies and spirits and is a great benefit to the community.
Comments ( 1 )
info215 11/26/2012 Thanks. We really loved having the North Miami Jaycess with us. You all jumped in like pros to help us get the job done. It's clear that you understand the mission. Your compassion toward the people we served was noticeable. We sincerely hope you will come again, and soon.