Local officials, board members, and friends gathered to celebrate the opening of Bridge House in Burnsville, Mississippi. Bridge House is a home where women can restart their lives after drug addiction.
“Bridge House is the embodiment of our vision to help women who have successfully gone through a drug rehab program to integrate into society,” said Jason Roberts, President of the Board of Directors of Bridge House. “Judges and law enforcement officials have told us that those who go through drug rehab often go back to an environment that caused the problem in the first place. We offer a safe and healthful environment away from harmful influences. Bridge House started as a ministry of the Bridge of Burnsville with the vision of connecting Kingdom with Community. We have scheduled an open house on Saturday, April 14, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are calling it ‘The Grand Tour of Hope’.”
Gina Black, House Manager and Bridge House Board of Directors, emphasized that they are open to all women regardless of location although she said that their focus is on the immediate region.
“We are a faith-based organization that saw a need and we are putting our faith into action,” Black said.
Alderman Niesha Carpenter and Secretary, Board of Directors of Bridge House, said they receive applicants from many sources such as drug rehab programs, pastors, law enforcement officials, etc. She said that applicants must meet certain criteria.
Women are drug tested, must hold a job, and must agree to invest 25% of their earnings into a bed fee and 25% into a savings account. The rest is theirs to spend as they desire. Women may stay as little as six months or as long as one year. When they leave, they can take their savings to help them get started in the community.
“Bridge House meets a critical need, especially for the most vulnerable in our society, to help transition women back into a productive life,” said Mayor David Nixon. “We thank the board of directors, volunteers, and donors for making this worthwhile project possible.”
