Dear Friends of The Bridge,
As I reflect on the year since last summer, one word continues to come to mind: courage.
We see courage every day in the survivors who walk through our doors, call our hotline, sit across from an advocate or take the first step toward rebuilding their lives. But this year, I have also witnessed extraordinary courage in the people who serve them.
Through a year of change, uncertainty and increasing demands on our organization, our staff continued to show up every single day. They opened shelter doors, answered calls in the middle of the night, sat alongside survivors during some of their most difficult moments, cared for children, provided counseling and advocacy, connected families to resources and made sure that every person who came to The Bridge was met with dignity, compassion and hope.
I could not be more grateful for them.
And even amid the challenges, there has been so much joy.
Over the past year, we hosted our first Braids & Fades Back-to-School Event, helping children return to school feeling confident and ready for a new year. Our annual Fashion Show at the Pasadena Convention Center brought our community together in celebration and support of survivors.
Our youth and families explored emotional wellness through a special Sensory Studio experience, where they created personalized sensory kits while learning practical tools for emotional regulation. We celebrated the legacy of those who built this organization during Founders Day and strengthened our partnership with the Pasadena Public Library, creating meaningful opportunities to engage and empower teens.
We gathered survivors for our Shades of Courage Dinner, creating space to celebrate their strength, stories and continued journeys. We laughed together during the That’s What She Said Comedy Show, celebrated the season through Christmas at The Bridge and watched community partners transform shelter rooms and shared spaces through updates, donations and Days of Caring.
Each of these moments tells part of a much larger story.
For nearly 50 years, The Bridge has been a place people can turn when home is no longer safe. That work is only possible because people continue to believe that survivors deserve safety, healing and the opportunity to build a future of their choosing.
As we enter another year of service, we know there are challenges ahead. But we also know what is possible when compassionate people come together around a shared purpose.
To our staff: thank you for carrying this mission with such tremendous heart.
To our volunteers, donors, community partners and friends: thank you for standing beside us.
And most importantly, to every survivor who has trusted The Bridge with a part of their story: we are honored to walk alongside you.
The work continues, and so does our commitment to ensuring that when someone reaches out for help, The Bridge is here.
With gratitude,
Q. Olivia Rivers
Executive Director of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc.
Executive Director of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc.
