The Bridge to Home shelter in the Newhall Community Center is being spruced up by volunteers. Students from Global Prep Academy have previously volunteered at Bridge to Home, and have seen, first hand, the living conditions. They felt that, after the move to the Newhall Community Center amid the pandemic, it would be a good opportunity to bring life into the Center.

The students all feel as though everyone deserves to live in a place where they feel comfortable; As well as doing something that helps others and is not done alone. “I wanted to reach out to my community and see if anyone near me needed any help because I didn’t want to sit on my hands when I know that I have the privilege of seeing both sides through my family and friends and learning about their experiences and their perspective. My goal is to help people on a personal level as much as I can and give them resources and services that are tangible” said Amanda Fine, who led the group’s efforts.

The students have been volunteering their time since last summer by repainting the rooms in vibrant colors. Along with painting they have been cleaning and installing bulletin boards, blinds, and bike racks throughout the building. All these renovations have been done over the course of eight months due to delays.

Bridge to Home are services designed to end homelessness. Their services can help benefit the homeless by helping to look for housing, medical help, or assistance with finding a job. They provide emergency shelters and meals for those that need them.

Bridge to Home also provides employment assistance which helps clients with resumes, interview skills, supplies, and transportation. Education and training that provide clients with skills dealing with money, life, social, and referrals to education. They also have an emergency shelter for 60 clients, housing navigation to help identify potential housing locations and prepare clients for a successful housing application. Case management to identify a client’s needs and create case plans, service referrals, and support services. Medical referrals that provide medical, dental, mental health, and substance use services. As well as feeding it forward which provides evening meals to the homeless and those at risk for homelessness, Tuesday through Fridays.

To build a new campus, Major sources of revenue are expected to come from the quarter-cent sales tax for homelessness services, Los Angeles County’s Measure H, and funds donated by the city of Santa Clarita. Bridge to Home also launched a campaign to raise the remaining $2.5 million from the community. The remaining amount of money needed will need to be collected before the county releases the funds to begin construction on the campus.

Diana Moreno, a board member, knows the importance of a support system and has struggled with housing. She hopes the shelter will give people a sense of strength, empowerment, and encouragement. “The goal is to help bridge the gap between housing and security and the potential of empowering others to make transitional decisions toward the goal of owning a home or just to have that security versus living on the streets and being alone out there in the world,” she adds.