Who we are and what we do

Bridge of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated

to strengthening families through transition.

Transition can mean many things including families leaving homeless and domestic violence shelters or recovery homes, families facing crisis, and refugees relocating from around the world. Our resources and programs also extend to help special groups including the elderly poor, single parents, veterans and people with disabilities.

Bridge of Hope works to provide furniture, clothing and food to families who are sent to us from local San Diego agencies. We work directly with agency caseworkers who refer their clients to us on a weekly basis. We also serve the general public with food and clothing assistance. We are currently supplying food to approx. 1500 families and approx. 300 adults and children enter our clothing closet per month. In cases of emergency, we have a fully stocked pantry and we partner with San Diego’s 2-1-1 emergency food hot-line.

How we started

The vision came from God allowing us to see the overwhelming need for practical help and support for women starting their lives over after leaving recovery programs dealing with addictions and Domestic violence.

Bridge of Hope was founded by Sheri and her husband Brew Briggs in the spring of 2005 in response to the ever growing physical needs of women transitioning from recovery programs and domestic violence situations, to start out on their own. Starting in a small garage in San Diego, the Briggs collected furniture and clothing and began to network with local agencies and directly with families to meet their practical needs for household goods, furniture and clothing.

In the summer of 2007, the Briggs rented a larger garage and apartment on 38th street, in the heart of City Heights. This location not only allowed for more space to hold and distribute donations, but it opened a new door into the lives of the neighbors and surrounding community. Local women volunteered to sort donations and refugees newly arrived from all over the world heard about the resources the Briggs offered and came to get help. Bridge of Hope quickly outgrew the space on 38th street and God blessed the people abundantly with a large property on Fairmount Avenue in the fall of 2011, which is where Bridge of Hope stands today.

We would not have made it this far without our God’s hand leading us and the tremendous efforts of prayer, time, and money from all of our incredible supporters who have stuck by our side for all these years. Thank you to the construction workers, the businessmen, the grassroots volunteers and financial supporters who have helped us. You are a vital part of this organization!

To read more stories about Bridge of Hope's past, present and future, see Sheri's blog here: MightyWonders