The Neighborhood Bridge’s leadership is both proud and grateful to report that our organization enjoyed an exceptional first year of operations. Here's a partial list of significant accomplishments:

• Hiring a competent and committed staff, including a full-time Executive Director (Prentice Butler), a part-time Development Director (Vimla Homan), and a part-time Business Manager (Jackie Benson).
• Launching services that include (to date) matching 18 families in need with trained Advocates and fulfilling Essentials Pantry orders for more than 40 families.
• Training 36 volunteers to be Advocates and 15 volunteers to staff the Essentials Pantry.
• Establishing strong relationships with all five partner schools.
• Creating a visible presence among high-profile organizations in Austin (e.g., Austin Coming Together, the Leaders' Network, the 15th District Police Station, etc.).
• Overseeing the spectacular renovation of the space we occupy in the Bridge Center (the former Saint Catherine-Saint Lucy rectory).
• Holding an energizing ribbon-cutting ceremony for the community in mid-October.
• Developing TNB's first three-year strategic plan.

Just as significantly, we met our ambitious fundraising goals while staying well-within budgeted expenses. As a volunteer-driven organization, The Neighborhood Bridge relies on the community's generous donations of time, talent, and treasure - particularly from the Oak Park Catholic Community - to offer our services free of charge and to have such an exceptionally successful first year of operations. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for all of this support. We invite anyone who would like to visit our offices in the Bridge Center to come to the building (38 N. Austin) on any upcoming Friday morning at 9:00 AM when we will be conducting tours.

No news report from The Neighborhood Bridge would be complete without an appeal for volunteers. We have needs for people with expertise in external communications. Specifically, we are looking for volunteers with experience in managing social media accounts, graphic design, interviewing and article writing, and photography. If you have one or more of these skills and want to learn more about the volunteer needs of our Communications Committee, please reach out directly to Mary Beth Hausken at [email protected].

The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB) has a variety of ways you can use your time and talent to help connect families on the West Side to high-quality human services in our community.

ADVOCATE – Advocates help a participant in our program break down the barriers to services to obtain the help the Participant needs and wants.

First-time Advocates:

• Are asked to commit to spending 5-7 hours a month working with a Participant and to an initial 10-month term.
• Participate in a three-session training program and are equipped with the resources they need to support their Participant.
• Are supported by an Advocate Mentor in every meeting with the Participant.
• Receive support and professional development at quarterly community-building workshops.

WORKER BEE – Help with painting and light remodeling of the lower level of the former Saint Catherine – Saint Lucy rectory.

ESSENTIALS PANTRY VOLUNTEER – Help stock and fulfill orders from families.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERT – Help in areas such as marketing communications, fundraising, grant writing, financial management, and human resources management.

You can learn more about volunteer opportunities at TNB, including becoming an Advocate, by attending one of our Bridge Breakfasts, held the first Saturday of each month. Click below to register for a Bridge Breakfast.

For more information, contact Jeanne Gallo,TNB’s Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].