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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 12pm Sunday 9am - 12pm

Bridges Outreach, Inc.

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Summit, NJ
Bridges Outreach, Inc.

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Bridges ends homelessness through volunteer-driven outreach and individual case management focusing on health, housing, and independence.

We form relationships with those experiencing homelessness while meeting their most urgent needs. Bridges began in 1988 when Ginger and Geoff Worden, from Summit, New Jersey, reached out to homeless people in New York one Friday evening. They brought homemade sandwiches, thermoses of coffee, and a genuine interest in conversation. Over the last 32 years, Bridges hasn’t missed a weekly Run (outreach visit) into New York City until the pandemic. In addition to the Friday night Runs to lower Manhattan, we visit various locations every Saturday in Newark and on Sundays we go to Irvington. Since the pandemic, we now do street. outreach seven nights a week in Newark. Through its weekly Runs, Bridges' volunteers provide immediate necessities including brown bag lunches, clothing and toiletries to homeless neighbors. A run is an opportunity for our student and adult volunteers to share conversation, friendship and hope to work towards Bridges' mission of ending homelessness through volunteer-driven outreach and case management focusing on health, housing and independence. On a Bridges' Run understanding develops, caring overcomes indifference, a sense of purpose prevails and friendships are formed based on mutual respect. Volunteers are the backbone of Bridges. Over 60 groups from high schools (both private and public), houses of worship, civic organizations and businesses volunteer with Bridges and go out on the weekly Run. In addition hundreds of volunteers help Bridges fulfill its mission by making brown bag lunches, donating clothing, toiletries, blankets and other necessities.

11/03/2026

The need is growing. And now, more than ever, showing up matters.

Across New Jersey, homelessness and the number of neighbors living unsheltered continue to rise. At the same time, critical government funding is falling short, leaving organizations like Bridges Outreach facing greater challenges with fewer resources.

But we are not backing down.

On November 9, Bridges Outreach kicks off Giving Week 2026, with an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 in just seven days!

Why? Because more people need help. Because our case managers and Mobile Case Management Teams need the resources to reach them. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to find stability, support, and a place to call home.

We know this work. We know what it takes. And with your help, we can continue showing up for those who need us most.

One week. $100,000. One community making a difference.

Stay tuned for how you can be part of it!

11/02/2026

Thank you to Saesha, the founder of Beyond the Skin Initiative for joining us during one of our Irvington outreach runs. Fifty skin care kits were distributed to individuals in need, providing personal care items for the upcoming winter season.

We thank Beyond the Skin Initiative for partnering with us and helping connect individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability with these kits. We could not make the impact we do without the help of our partners and volunteers!

10/29/2026

Meet Genna, our Operations Associate!

In this month’s Staff Spotlight, we’re highlighting how Genna helps advance Bridges’ mission through street outreach, connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with resources, and working alongside volunteers and community partners. From addressing immediate needs to building trust through consistent outreach and community involvement, Genna helps make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

We’re grateful for the people behind the work who help strengthen our community and advance our mission to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.

10/28/2026

We were proud to be part of the Under One Roof Conference, hosted by the Housing & Community Development Network of NJ, alongside so many dedicated organizations and advocates working to advance housing stability across our state.

Our VP of Programs, Desiree Tindell, joined a panel discussion addressing Code Red, and Bridges Outreach was honored to receive HCDNNJ’s Organizing and Advocacy Award.

But this work goes far beyond one conference or one award. Now more than ever, we must raise our voices, stand together, and fight for housing rights. As homelessness continues to rise and critical funding faces cuts, the need for advocacy has never been greater. We cannot afford to be quiet. We must speak up, push harder, and demand action for the individuals and families who need us most.

We stand alongside our fellow organizations, advocates, and elected officials working to protect housing and advance solutions to homelessness. Thank you to HCDNNJ for recognizing our work and bringing together a community committed to making a difference.

HOUSING IS NOT A PRIVILEGE. IT IS NOT A REWARD. IT IS A RIGHT.

And we will continue to stand up, speak out, and fight for it. Together.

10/27/2026

As colder weather approaches, Kenvue welcomed Bridges Outreach to its global headquarters for a meaningful day of community service.

Kenvue employees packed 800 cold-weather packs filled with warm socks, solar blankets, hand warmers, and more to help individuals experiencing homelessness access essential resources as temperatures drop. These supplies also help our teams respond to immediate needs while building trust and strengthening relationships with individuals in our community.

As we prepare for the colder months ahead, partnerships like this make a real difference. Every pack provides essential resources and serves as a reminder that our community cares and that no one should have to face these challenges alone.

Thank you to Kenvue and its employees for supporting our mission and helping Bridges Outreach continue to meet people where they are, when they need us most!

10/24/2026

It’s National Make a Difference Day, and we thank all of our volunteers for their contributions to making a difference in our community.

Teens Tackle Homelessness, a program of Bridges Outreach, has been making a difference through fundraising, lunch-packing events, volunteering at the Bridges 5K and so much more.

We’re grateful for the teens who dedicate their time and energy to supporting our mission and helping individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and housing instability.

Looking to make a difference? Learn how you can get involved: https://www.bridgesoutreach.org/get-involved

10/22/2026

Thank you to Kevin Hill and the Lena Willis Fund at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit for their generous support of our Union County programs, anchored in Summit.

This partnership helps us provide housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

According to the NJ Department of Community Affairs’ HMIS Dashboard, homelessness in New Jersey increased 24% year-over-year as of September 30, 2026, with unsheltered homelessness increasing 45%.

We are so grateful for the Lena Willis Fund’s support as we work to meet this growing need and help individuals find a safe, stable place to call home.

10/21/2026

The Bridges 5K – Race to End Homelessness brought our community together for a morning of exercise, music, connection, and a shared commitment to ending homelessness across Essex, Union, and Somerset counties.

A huge thank you to our runners, fundraising teams, volunteers, sponsors, and everyone else who helped make this event such a success. Your participation and support help advance our mission to end homelessness in our community!

10/16/2026

Just 2 days until the 2026 Bridges 5K – Race to End Homelessness!

Join us this Sunday, October 18, at Summit’s Village Green. Run, walk, or roll and join a community supporting Bridges’ mission of solving homelessness.

There’s still time to register! Sign up here: https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Summit/Bridges5k

We hope to see you there!

10/11/2026

The 2026 Bridges 5K – Race to End Homelessness is almost here, and the fun is for the whole family!

Join us on October 18 at Summit’s Village Green for a morning of community, fun, and raising awareness about homelessness. Our youngest participants can join in the excitement with the Kids Fun Run, completing as many laps around the Village Green as they’d like with our event volunteers cheering them on along the way.

Register your runner today! We can’t wait to see you there!

Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/NJ/Summit/Bridges5k

Address

120 Morris Avenue
Summit, NJ
07901

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 12pm
Sunday	9am - 12pm

Website

http://www.bridgesoutreach.org/, https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2DSHWUSZDUH2J?ref_=abls_nvfly_swo

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