4 Acquisition International - Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2023 Apr23622 Most Comprehensive Disadvantaged Families Support NPO 2023 - Florida Hunger and poverty have always existed. No matter the country, nor the individuals that inhabit it, there are always those who aren’t able to access the basic necessities to live comfortably. Nobody is more aware of this than Vanessa Tinsley, founder of Bridge to Hope. We look into how Vanessa has utilised her personal struggles in order to open up an avenue to help others, and how Bridge to Hope manages to assist disadvantaged people throughout Florida. Since its inception in 1988, Bridge to Hope, formerly known as Not by Bread Alone, has continuously developed itself in order to provide effective and accessible services to people in need. Originally the purpose was to supply personal hygiene products to food stamp recipients but gradually became the one of Florida’s most comprehensive service providers impacting over 100,000 people a year with health screenings, fresh focused food pantries, disaster relief, home essentials, and digital equity and literacy programs. This evolution was a result of Bridge to Hope recognizing the true impact of poverty on health and wellbeing and the challenges that exist for those trying to improve their situation. This epiphany acted as a catalyst for change for Bridge to Hope, and its expansion stands as a testament to the willingness and desire it holds towards offering support to any who are seek to improve their situation. Bridge to Hope wholly believes in the notion that helping those who are experiencing difficult times will directly contribute towards improving quality of life, whilst strengthening the surrounding communities, and this ethos is conveyed through their every action. With over 35 years of experience working alongside the community, Bridge to Hope has mastered the art of providing reliable access to food and assistance programs for diverse individuals. In addition, it has garnered huge amounts of support towards its programs through corporate partners, civic organizations, and foundations and is able to offer a volunteer force of more than 400 individuals as a result. Bridge to Hope has equipped itself with all of the necessary tools to accomplish its overarching mission: to offer comprehensive wraparound supports designed to create food security and improve health and economic outcomes for low-income and in-crisis individuals. Though it delivers a wide variety of services to disadvantaged families and individuals, Bridge to Hope gave us a keen insight into three of its core areas of expertise. One such opportunity that the organization presents to low/moderate income households is its Fresh FARMacy Pantry. Targeted towards improving food security for struggling individuals, the pantry practices the 4 pillars of food security - food availability, access, utilisation, and stability - all to lend a helping hand and create lasting impact. It differs from traditional pantries with its focus on fresh produce, meat and dairy, and variety of organic offerings. And, with an inclusive range of various food options, Bridge to Hope is able to incorporate stable alternatives for a vast array of diets. In addition to the expansive options that it offers through its pantry, Bridge to Hope also provides vital resources in the form of health and hygiene products, health screenings, and digital literacy programmes. It seeks to uplift its clients on their journeys towards improved economic stability, and focuses on key elements that will positively influence the trajectory of an individual’s life. And, thanks to Bridge to Hope’s neighborhood hubs, local service center, and home delivery service, struggling families are granted an ease of access that sets this organization apart from others within Florida. Despite specialising in preparing a wide variety food options for every imaginable individual, another program that Bridge to Hope has carefully designed is its Anti-Prison Pipeline. Following the realisation that the rate at which youth are moved from the juvenile justice system to adult incarceration was unnaturally high, Bridge to Hope set out to combat policies that perpetuate this cycle. This is accomplished through its Anti-Prison Pipeline – a way to encourage social change through tech education and life skills for under-served and under-resourced youth who’re at risk of falling into, or are currently in, the juvenile justice system and provide them with a career path that lifts them out of systems that perpetuate incarceration, poverty, and food insecurity. By acquainting younger people with personal development tools and opportunities to excel in useful and beneficial skillsets, Bridge to Hope promotes preparation for success in a variety of different fields. As a result, it’s reducing both the likelihood of criminal activities within high-risk communities, whilst decreasing recidivism for incarcerated youth by paving a pathway towards employment and self-sufficiency. With the current growth in the technology sector, Bridge to Hope is ensuring that these young people are ready rather than left behind. Additionally Bridge to Hope operates – Project e-QUALity: Empowering Digital Inclusion and Literacy. The team rapidly began to recognise how essential it was becoming for people from all walks of life to become adept in the art of utilizing technology in both casual and work settings. Especially in the USA, where the majority of processes are accomplished online, there’s never been a better time to acquaint disadvantaged individuals with this rising platform for work, connectivity, education, and daily tasks. Bridge to Hope works to bridge the gap between low-income households and the boom of technology, and it has avidly devoted itself towards educating individuals on how to use current technology
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