Bridges of Sublette County
In 2017, Bridges of Sublette County (Bridges) began in Pinedale, Wyoming after several community members attended a Bridges Out of Poverty community workshop. Over the next few years, these individuals formed a board of directors and created Bridges Out of Poverty of Sublette County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Subsequently, Bridges board members pursued additional Bridges Out of Poverty training for the purposes of educating community members, health professionals, business owners and civic leaders on issues related to poverty.
Poverty. How should we define it?
According to Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities, poverty is typically thought of in terms of financial resources only. However, financial resources do not explain the differences in the success with which some individuals overcome poverty while others continue to struggle. Therefore, to better understand individuals who struggle with poverty, we define poverty as the extent to which an individual does without resources (Payne, DeVol and Dreussi-Smith, 2022, p. 3 & 5).
Resources. Why are they so important?
Resources are not only financial. Resources also include: emotional resources, mental resources, language resources, social capital, health resources, spiritual resources, integrity and trust, motivation and persistence, knowledge of hidden rules, relationships and role models. Resources are key indicators of stability and determine what interventions will work. The more resources one has, the greater the likelihood of stability. In addition to individuals, resources of organizations and communities should be considered. Investigating resources gives everyone positive things they can do to address poverty (Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities, Payne, DeVol and Dreussi-Smith, 2022, p. 4-7).
2021
Bridges offered its first Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World class to Sublette County residents seeking to transition out of poverty. Community members (known as Investigators) participated in the sixteen-session course which explores issues related to poverty and how to transition out of poverty. Upon completion of Getting Ahead, graduates were invited to continue their explorations in monthly Staying Ahead enrichment activities. Sublette County professionals and community members were recruited as mentors (known as Allies) to participate in Staying Ahead activities and come alongside graduates on their journeys out of poverty.
2021 Testimonial
In the words of a Getting Ahead graduate and Staying Ahead participant:
“Every class I was learning something. Information pouring in, recall webs dusted off, the why's explained, tools presented, Allies met. I was rejuvenated. Ready to take on whatever the world threw at me. I overcame roadblocks as I built a better future for my family. Overcoming my fears as I set goals and found hope - to be able to take my son on a real family vacation before he graduates in two years. Getting Ahead gave me the tools and support necessary to make a dream a real possibility.”
2022
The Town of Pinedale provided funding for Bridges to hire a Community Resource Coordinator (CRC). The Bridges CRC works to locate and coordinate resources to assist Sublette County individuals and families experiencing poverty. The CRC walks clients through the entire process of obtaining food, housing, transportation and medical assistance from area providers. Office space and equipment for the Bridges CRC was provided by High Country Behavioral Health, Verizon and the First Bank Community Grant.
2023
During Spring 2023, Bridges completed its fourth iteration of Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World. Two new sessions were added to the curriculum to include a review of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and how ACES impact adults and their children. Additionally, Bridges facilitated its first Money Matters 101 (MM 101) class for GA graduates. This course provided financial literacy education to GA graduates, covering the basics of banking, budgeting, income/expense tracking, reading a credit report, credit counseling, debt management and improving credit scores. To-date, 30 Investigators have graduated from Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World and participated (along with their family members!) in monthly Staying Ahead enrichment activities. Eight GA graduates have completed Money Matters 101.
With generous support from community members and partners, Bridges continues to be successful in facilitating getting and staying ahead opportunities for county residents, developing programs to increase awareness of the existence of poverty and networking resources critical to reducing poverty within Sublette County.
2023 Testimonials
In the words of a 2023 Getting Ahead graduate :
“From my first resources assessment through today I have made significant improvements across the board and mentally unquestionably I have come a long way - and this class was instrumental in helping me with achieving this.”
In the words of two Money Matters 101 graduates:
“I have learned that saving money can be possible…and cutting out unnecessary spending. Since starting this class I have become more mindful as to when, where and how I choose to spend my hard-earned dollars.”
“I’ve learned that there are smart ways to SAVE money and I will be opening a savings account.”