Jodi Stumbo, Executive Director of The Bridge Home {formerly Emergency Residence Project} was the guest speaker at a recent weekly Thursday meeting of the Ames Golden K Kiwanis via ZOOM.

 

The Bridge Home {TBH} serves the Two Rivers Area which includes 5 counties, Story, Boone, Greene, Hardin, and Marshall.  They are MORE than just an emergency residence service.  Ms. Stumbo reviewed the “Continuum of Care” outline {pictured}, which clearly depicts the varied services offered by TBH. A “point in time” census to identify homeless individuals is taken in January and July in all 5 counties.  There are currently 500+ homeless people in Ames/Story County on any given day and a total of 700+ in the entire 5 county area. The Story County homeless count is higher due to a higher cost of living for individuals when compared to the other counties.  TBH works closely with Iowa State University to carry out the Story County homeless census.

 

There is a misconception that the homeless are overwhelmingly male, however 40% of the homeless population served by TBH is female and 20% children.  Funding for TBH includes–45% donations, 27% owned assets, 21% Government, and 5% Grants.  COVID has caused a funding challenge due to the need to shelter the homeless in local hotels/motels rather than in the normal group home setting. The TBH budget is close to exhausted, but additional state and federal dollars will hopefully be available soon.

 

All present readily noticed that Ms. Stumbo is very passionate about seeking positive outcomes for the homeless. She is a model for TBH’s slogan “helping you navigate through life’s hardships”.