About the Bridge House Program
The Bridge House program of SafeNet provides transitional housing for single women and women with children in Erie county who are without a permanent home due to domestic violence.
Eligible women are self-motivated and goal-oriented but require additional support to secure permanent housing and increase self-sufficiency.
While residing in independent furnished apartments, women and their children receive individual and group counseling and continuing domestic violence education and assistance to develop skills for ongoing, flexible safety planning. Through active participation in this program, women have increased access to mainstream resources
through referrals and weekly case advocacy. All participants are encouraged to develop goals for economic self-sufficiency, continuing education and/or vocational training, positive parenting and health and wellness.
For additional information regarding Bridge House or to make a referral, please contact SafeNet 814-455-1774 ext. 276
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Why Is Bridge House Important to Erie?
Bridge house was the first transitional housing program for abused women in the United States
The age-old question, “Why does she stay?” could be answered in part by saying she has nowhere else to go. Shelter is a short term solution. It’s a band-aid. It offers up to 30 days of safe housing in an emergency situation. When fleeing an abuser, however, the victim is now homeless and 30 days isn’t usually enough time.
The victim has often been isolated, doesn’t have employment or a source of income, and doesn’t have the training/education to even secure a job. In addition, the victim is often trying to parent children through this difficult process of homelessness.
Eligible women are those self-motivated and goal-oriented but require additional support to secure permanent housing and increase self-sufficiency.
While residing in independent furnished apartments, women and their children receive individual and group counseling, continue domestic violence education and receive assistance to develop skills for ongoing, flexible safety planning. Through active participation in this program, women have increased access to mainstream resources through referrals and weekly case advocacy. All participants are encouraged to develop goals for economic self-sufficiency, continuing education and/or vocational training, positive parenting and health and wellness.
Without Bridge House, homelessness in Erie County would increase for women and children.
