Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc.

Services are designed to address every need of a traumatized family’s journey from crisis to self-sufficiency. Emergency shelter, hotline and crisis counseling provide critical assistance during the initial crisis and offer a safe place for families to plan their next steps. Case management and a wide variety of supportive services help families accomplish their goals and progress to a more stable, healthy place. The Bridge helps families attain self-sufficiency through increased residential stability, increased income and skills and greater self-determination.

Case management is the common thread throughout the continuum of services. Caseworker’s help clients assess needs and set goals. We advocate on behalf of clients and provide ongoing safety planning, counseling, and support, as well as assist clients in accessing support groups, education, employment services, therapy, legal and medical services and other resources. Throughout the continuum, our children’s advocacy and education services help children heal from abuse.

47 apartment units provide additional support for survivors exiting local emergency shelters. Goals are: 1) to help families heal from abusive situations and develop healthy lives, free from violence and 2) to empower them to achieve self-sufficiency as they increase residential stability, income/skills, and self-determination. Features: subsidized rent & childcare, casework, support services. Options: on-site at Bridge-operated Destiny Village (29 units) or at apartments in the community (18 units). The program addresses a need in our community by offering specialized services for women with disabilities, including but not limited to mental health disabilities.

The Bridge provides vital services to disadvantaged children by providing childcare, counseling, support groups and advocacy to children residing in the emergency shelter and the long-term housing program due to domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness or another crisis. Each year, The Bridge serves more than 500 children in the emergency shelter and approximately 100 children in the long-term housing program. The goals of the Children’s Program are for children to overcome the crises in their lives as well as to secure resources to address developmental gaps or delays and to provide quality services and skill development programs that will meet the needs of homeless and abused children in a safe, stable environment. The Children’s Program teaches children how to change attitudes and behaviors by addressing social, cognitive and emotional needs to reduce children’s impulsive and aggressive behavior and increase their level of social competence. Age-appropriate activities focus on creative expression, positive self-concept, development skills, acceptance, diversity, health and communication. Self-esteem and individuality are nurtured as children are provided with a sense of belonging and acceptance in a stable environment.

Mothers utilizing shelter services say that accessing affordable, quality childcare services is one of their biggest barriers to successfully overcoming homelessness. The Bridge addresses that gap with free or reduced-rate childcare. As a result of the Children’s Program, mothers have the opportunity to escape family violence, increase residential stability, access community resources and increase their income and skills.

Upon entering the program, children’s program staff members orient children and their mothers to our children’s services and the specialized childcare environment. A child advocate then completes a parent-child assessment to evaluate each child’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive development and the safety needs of the family. Upon completion of the parent-child assessment, a thorough case plan is developed and implemented to address identified needs for each child.


Services recommended in each case plan may include, but are not limited to: On-site childcare; On-site therapeutic services & referrals made to collaborative community partners for family therapy, Individual therapy, full psychological evaluation, physical examination and/or other similar services; The development of a personal safety plan (with each child 5 years and older); Age-appropriate support/education groups held on a weekly basis to address the special emotional concerns of children and teens that have experienced abuse; Assistance with public school enrollment and special education services including tutoring; Parenting classes that focus on positive guidance techniques and child development principles; Supportive services such as school supplies, school transportation, and enrichment activities.

Community presentations are available for students, parents, staff and teachers at local schools; residents; and members of organizations including religious entities. Sessions can be tailored to fit a group’s specific needs. Professional training and presentations are available for community professionals and leaders including those in medical, criminal justice and social service fields.

To schedule a presentation for your business, civic group, religious organization or school, or for more information, call 713-472-0753. NEW PRESENTATION NOW AVAILABLE: Why would a woman stay in an abusive home? How do I help a relative/friend who I think is being abused?

Other Available Presentations: 1. Healthy Relationships: Participants learn the four indicators of a healthy relationship and how to identify potentially abusive behaviors in relationships. 2. Domestic Violence 101: This introductory program defines domestic violence and discusses the dynamics of an abusive relationship and the impact on the victim, children, batterer and the community at large. 3. Domestic Violence 102: Legal Remedies; It is estimated that a woman in an abusive relationship will leave their abusive partner seven to eight times before they decide to never return. Why? There are a myriad of reasons. 4. Domestic Violence 103: Children & Domestic Violence –An estimated 3.3 million witness domestic violence in their homes every year. This program provides an overview of the impact on children witnessing the verbal, physical and sexual abuse of their parent. 5. Sexual Violence 101 –This introductory program defines sexual violence and the continuum of behaviors that lead to sexual assault. Participants will be able to identify the types of sexual violence and distinguish between myths and facts. 6. Sexual Violence 102: From Victim to Survivor –What happens after a sexual assault? This program provides information on the healing process after sexual violence and options for the individual who has been victimized such as community referrals, legal remedies and self-care strategies. Sexual 7. Violence 103: Sexual Harassment –Flirting vs. Hurting is the topic of this program; participants will be able to define sexual harassment and identify when “playing” crosses the line to sexual violence in the workplace, educational setting and general public. Participants will learn strategies to address sexual harassing behavior and identify legal remedies at work and in the educational setting.