Bridges Out of Poverty is a nationally recognized and proven program that is changing and revitalizing communities across the country. Locally, the Bridges initiative was launched in early April 2019, when over 100 people attended a workshop sponsored by First Baptist Church of Rome and St. Participants were introduced to the Bridges basic concept that every individual needs access to 11 key resources to succeed. Poverty is a key social indicator of health. Poverty impacts every aspect of an individual’s life and drives the individual’s perception of health, self-esteem, employability and chance for self-sufficiency. There is a need to provide those living in poverty access to health care and other resources that will assist them in overcoming poverty and becoming self-sufficient. Once a community can provide and sustain that kind of access, people become self-sufficient and healthier, children become more successful in schools, employers can draw from a greater pool of workers and ultimately the economy and the community’s standard of living improve. This level of success requires a strong level of commitment to Bridges concepts from individuals, businesses, local government, healthcare, educators, law enforcement, churches and non-profit organizations. It all begins with training andexposing community leaders to the need for a Bridges philosophy, as well as the ways to make the Bridges program work. For more information or to schedule training for your group or business, call FBC Rome at (706) 291-6850
