Bridge2Hope is an initiative born out of the Alva Ministerial Alliance and includes a board represented by various people in the Alva community including finance, education, health, farming, and business industries. Bridge2Hope will serve people in financial distress in a way that provides greater resources and opportunities to give them a hand-up to walk into the threshold of the middle class (20
0% above the federal poverty line). Our center will serve as one central location that all churches can send those seeking financial help. We will partner with all local and state nonprofit organizations to provide resources for those in need. We will ask those seeking help on their second visit to join a group that connects them to a curriculum called "Getting By in a Just Gettin' By World" by Phil DeVol. The "Getting Ahead" groups are people in poverty whom we recognize as experts of their own situation in life. This is a 20-week curriculum that includes setting smart goals, budgeting, big view concepts, and how to interview successfully for a job. We will provide incentives, a weekly hot meal, and childcare for their families. We will also ask those persons in middle class and wealth who are interested in becoming a Core Friend or ally to take a one-day workshop entitled, "Bridges Out of Poverty" written by Dr. Ruby Payne. This workshop helps us understand the worldview of those living in poverty, as well as why they wait until the last minute to pay their bills, and so-on. Further steps and goals are included after a person is ready to move forward. The purpose of Bridge2Hope is to give people a hand-up, not a hand-out, and to do so in a loving, faith-filled environment. One more significant goal for Bridge2Hope is to provide accountability for the funds that are provided for people.
