St. Joseph County Bridges Out of Poverty now operates as a service of Goodwill Industries of Michiana in South Bend.
This transition took effect April 1. Goodwill in a statement said the move “offers an opportunity for program expansion and a regional reach throughout Northern Indiana.”
Bridges will operate as part of Goodwill’s workforce development services division. The move allows a greater portion of the revenue and donations to apply directly to Bridges programming as well as reducing operating expenses and increased program recruiting.
“Joining forces with Goodwill is the right move to improve operationally and to multiply our impact benefiting more people,” said Luis Zapata, a member of Bridges’ board of directors. Bridges has operated as an independent organization for 10 years.
More than 1,500 people have graduated from Bridges’ Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World and Financial Management Programs. Hundreds more individuals have been served through the Michiana Bridges Employer Resource Network.
