ABOUT US
The Bridge to Hope is a non-profit organization committed to ending domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. Our purpose is to empower those who have been affected by violence, provide options, and offer support so that individuals can start a life that is free from abuse. We are available through text or call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are never alone, and we are here for you when you are ready.
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Our Mission:
The Bridge to Hope provides support and healing to survivors and families while engaging with the community to recognize and prevent abuse.
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Our Vision:
Is to provide a bridge to hope that creates a safe, more just, and compassionate society.
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Our Values:
Empowerment, Confidentiality, Compassion, Resiliency, Integrity.
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A Brief History of
The Bridge to Hope
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We were originally named the West Central Domestic Abuse Agency, but in 1996 that name was changed to The Bridge to Hope. We have grown over the years from a small office in the back of a local business to an old house at 1901 South Broadway that we opened as a shelter in 1998, to our current building at 2110 4th Ave. NE. We transitioned from being a non-disclosed location to sharing our location online and adding a sign to our building in 2011. This helps us connect with the community and engage the community in recognizing and preventing abuse.
In 1982 we served 37 clients. We have helped many survivors over the years. We welcome everyone, regardless of their gender, age, orientation, religion, race or ability. We now provide services to almost 500 survivors each year. Unlike many other shelters, we also welcome pets, and have provided safety to many dogs, cats, and other assorted pets.
The Bridge to Hope was created from a group of community members who were concerned about victim/survivors of domestic violence in our community and the lack of services to meet their needs. In 1982 a grassroots movement grew into an incorporated non-profit. Some of our Founding Mothers were Shirley Frederickson, Elaine Fitzgerald, Celia Lausted, Lynn LaVenture, and Bonnie Lindgren.
The Bridge originally housed victims in safe houses of volunteers, but in 1998 The Bridge to Hope opened a residential shelter in a home that had been donated at 1901 South Broadway. Community support enabled us to purchase a larger facility at 2110 4th Ave. in 2017 which expanded the number of emergency bedrooms from 3 to 8. The new building also provided complete accessibility. Our shelter bathrooms also increased from one to five – a real plus! We have a large backyard with play equipment that is totally surrounded by an eight-foot fence. A healing garden was added that includes a water feature and a gas fireplace under a gazebo. Our entire facility is secure and safe for all.
We implemented our 24/7 crisis line in 1998, and in 2013 added a texting line. We have a staff member present at our facility 24/7; there is always someone here to answer the door, respond to a crisis call, or assist someone in shelter. In 2002 we collaborated with Dunn County Health Department to provide forensic exams by licensed nurses following a sexual assault. (Those are now performed by area hospitals.) Our on-call team is available at all times to respond to a call from the hospital when a sexual assault comes in for emergency care. In 2016 we collaborated with all Dunn Co. law enforcement agencies to offer the Lethality Assessment Protocol to insure further safety to victims. (Pepin County also added that program in 2021.) In 2019 we added an office on the UW-Stout campus to better serve students and staff. In 2021 we obtained a physical office in Pepin County to provide community specific services. In 2022 we updated our logo to include a gradient from purple (representing domestic violence awareness) into teal (representing sexual assault awareness) as a visual representation of the intersectionality and complexity of abuse
We serve survivors from Dunn and Pepin Counties, as well as anyone who needs our services and reaches out to us for help and support. Our services are always free and confidential. The Bridge collaborates with law enforcement and judicial agencies, as well as human services departments, schools and churches. Our mission is to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault from all our communities. We offer hope to survivors and empower them as they struggle to live a life free of fear, violence, and abuse.
