Your Origin Story

What is Bridge to Wellness 
A non-profit organization that will serve as a community navigation hub, meaning, we help people overcome barriers and gaps between services and having access to these services, whether that’s in mental health, housing, food access, education, or other essential supports. We focus on the whole person and the whole family, whole well-being. 
How do we do this:
1. Build a web of care through partnerships with local agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and faith-based groups.
2. Act as community navigators to help families understand, access, and follow through with support services.
3. Provide outreach, advocacy, and education to reduce stigma and empower individuals to take charge of their well-being.
4. Promote whole well-being and wellness 
1st Steps needed to achieve this
I applied for a county-wide initiative grant; Anna Age Eight Institute. Surrounding counties are already taking part in this initiative and have had great success. We have been awarded $25,000 towards a planning grant.
I want to make sure that the work we all are doing is meaningful as well as sustainable. This nonprofit means that it belongs to our community, and we will no longer need to depend on others to see the beauty we see in our community and home, nor do we need to depend on others to bring in resources that our families in our community need and deserve. We can do that together. 
 In the coming year, the plan is to launch community events, host book clubs that educate around trauma and healing, and work closely with county leaders to ensure services and get them in our communities. The AAEI – planning grant will get us started with the beginning steps needed to, in time, develop and establish a family center/hub in our area. 
The Step-by-step process to Begin
What this grant entails/ deliverables to be completed by the end of this year – 4 key points
Begin with addressing service barriers: county-wide community survey – need assistance reaching all towns and cities within our county. (data and demographics will be provided by AAEI and that information will be relayed to you as soon as I know and a plan is formed)
10 action team leaders (from each of these sectors) : need assistance reaching these individuals (handout) 
Book club: (3 clubs within the county) 
The ten action team leaders to participate in book club – and any other members who can assist with spreading the word and helping demonstrate the need for this type of work
The purpose of the book club is a means to bring all the sectors together to discuss the needs; revealing the why and demonstrating that all these sectors are working towards this, but together under one HUB can bring about the change.
    4. Assemble a summit; inviting state and federal stakeholders for future funding and leverage opportunities. Build relationships and engage them to participate and see the work being conducted.
State agencies: 
Economic development
Community organizations:
Non-profits
Community leaders
Regional collaboration: 
Neighboring counties
Public awareness
Town hall meetings, etc.