Churches Respond. Homelessness Ends. Hope Begins.

In communities across America, Christian churches are finding new ways to respond to one of today’s most urgent needs: ending homelessness. One organization helping make that vision a reality is Bridge of Hope, which partners with faith communities to support families facing homelessness and guide them toward self-sufficiency.

Building bridges to healing

Bridge of Hope trains and equips Christian faith communities—churches, Bible study groups, and house churches—to support families in practical, tangible, and deeply personal ways. By forming caring relationships and offering stability, churches help families not only find housing but also begin to rebuild their lives.

In April 2023, Bridge of Hope Greater Warren officially launched to serve families in Warren County, Virginia. The organization was created after local churches expressed a strong desire to be more engaged with neighbors experiencing homelessness. Since then, the program has begun making a real difference—one family at a time.

A neighborhood of support

Bridge of Hope uses a three-way partnership model that connects a family facing homelessness with a case manager and a group of trained volunteers from a local faith community. Together, they form a “Neighborhood of Support” that surrounds the family with encouragement, resources, and friendship.

Families in the program are typically single mothers with children, often coming from domestic violence shelters, temporary housing, or unstable living situations. With help from Bridge of Hope, these families receive safe rental housing, financial assistance, emotional support, and life skills coaching.

Each family is matched with a case manager, also called a Neighborhood Resource Specialist, who works closely with them to provide services like budgeting help, rental support, and job search training.

In addition, neighboring volunteers—usually six to ten members from a local church or Bible study—walk alongside the family through their journey. They offer companionship, share meals, help with errands, or simply listen. Bridge of Hope trains volunteers to understand the challenges of homelessness and to provide meaningful support in a spirit of love and dignity.

Real impact, real lives changed

During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, Bridge of Hope programs across the country served 367 parents and children, supported by 653 trained volunteers. When families exit the program, 87 percent are living in safe and sustainable housing, and 100 percent report experiencing caring relationships with their neighboring volunteers.

Locally, Bridge of Hope Greater Warren is supporting its first family, and hopes to grow that number in the months ahead. The organization’s leaders say their goal is not just to provide temporary shelter, but to help families build a strong foundation for lasting success.

Raising awareness and support

Board Chair Pat Moore and Board Member Ingrid Chenoweth recently spoke in an interview about the importance of this work and the need for community involvement.

“There are nearly 100 homeless children in Warren County,” Moore said. “That was shocking to me—and it’s why I got involved. We want to give families a real place to live, not just a hotel room or a shelter.”

Bridge of Hope provides rental deposits, covers the initial cost of housing, and gradually reduces financial support as families grow stronger and more self-sufficient.

“We’re not doing things for people—we’re walking with them,” Chenoweth explained. “It’s about building relationships, not just handing out help.”

Community events and fundraising

To mark its two-year anniversary, Bridge of Hope Greater Warren will host a special community celebration on April 5 by decorating a local bridge with signs and QR codes to share information and collect donations.

That same day, the group will host a fundraising fashion show at the Front Royal Country Club from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will feature local leaders modeling clothes from area shops, hors d’oeuvres, and music. Tickets are $25, and proceeds will help fund housing support for more families in need.

Event sponsors include Ellen Aders with State Farm, Walt Mabe, and Robert MacDougall of Transform Development. Nina Huck of C&C Frozen Treats is coordinating the fashion show.

Organizers hope the event will raise funds, awareness, and the community’s support for a shared mission of hope.

Making a difference starts with you

Bridge of Hope invites individuals, churches, and local businesses to join in the work of ending family homelessness. Volunteers are always needed; even a small donation can help a family take its first step toward stability.

As Moore put it: “You start with one family, then two, then three. This is about changing lives—together.”

For more information or to get involved, visit Bridge of Hope Greater Warren or email pat@patmoreva.com.