Building Bridges A Southeast Iowa Initiative

06/21/2026

✨ What happens after someone graduates from Getting Ahead? ✨

Recently, we had the opportunity to take part in a video checking in with several of our graduates who completed the Getting Ahead program more than five years ago. What started as one video became a series because their stories were simply too powerful not to share, each one sharing their life changing journey.

Getting Ahead is so much more than a class. It challenges us to honestly examine where we've come from, understand the realities of our circumstances, and discover practical tools for building a different future. Participants learn about resources, relationships, and the many ways they can strengthen their lives and move toward the future they envision. It has been described as "high-octane fuel." It ignites hope, builds confidence, and motivates people to pursue lasting change.

While the curriculum starts the journey, community is what sustains it. At Bridges, we believe lasting transformation happens when people have a safe place to belong, grow, be encouraged, and keep moving forward together.

We're excited to share this series spotlighting some of our graduates and the incredible ways the Bridges community has impacted their lives over the years.

❤️ We invite you to watch these amazing women's stories on the AHA! Process link and celebrate the courage, perseverance, and transformation that is possible when people have both the right tools and a caring community beside them.

Keneesha Brown shares her personal journey before and after partici...

06/21/2026

🎉❤️ What a wonderful way to end an incredible week! ❤️🎉

Bridges was so blessed to be part of the City Hope Block Party! 🏡🎈 It was the perfect ending to a week filled with faith, service, and community. 💙
We loved seeing so many of our Bridges families, many church families, and meet new friends and neighbors!
We heard the kids had an absolute blast at VBS 🙌🎶, and throughout the week the amazing Mission Team poured into our community through acts of service. They wrapped up the week by hosting this incredible block party, bringing neighbors together for an evening full of fun, laughter, and connection. 🤝🌟

Our awesome Bridges staff and volunteers, alongside the Mission Team, had so much fun face painting 🎨, making friendship bracelets 📿, creating colorful spin art 🌈, and decorating the sidewalks with chalk art! We also hosted a scavenger hunt 🕵️‍♀️ where families could learn more about City Hope and the ministries serving our community. Played on the inflatables and filled out bellies with snow cones and cotton candy 🥤

🥞 A special thank you to Burlington Kiwanis for providing a delicious pancake breakfast that everyone enjoyed! 💙

✨ Thank you to the amazing Mission Team!! We are blessed to be a part of such a wonderful event! ❤️ We are honored to serve alongside you. Together, we are building hope 🌱, helping our neighbors 🤝, and strengthening our community. 🏘️❤️

Thanks to scavenger hunt participants for sending in the fun photos!

❤️🎉

06/16/2026

🎉⭐⭐⭐Join us Friday night for a fun, community night full of food, inflatables, games, face painting, Snow cones, cotton candy, come out and meet your community!!

All FREE!! ⭐⭐⭐💯
5-8 pm

06/13/2026

❤️🎉 Bridges Family Reunion 2026 🎉❤️

What an incredible night!

This week, we gathered for our annual Bridges Family Reunion, one of our favorite events of the year. Seeing graduates, current families, volunteers, supporters, and friends all together in one place was a beautiful reminder of who we are.

While many people know Bridges for our workshops and classes, those are only part of what we do.

At our core, Bridges is about building community.🎯

When I ask families what they need most, one of the most common answers is simple: people. People to walk alongside them. People to encourage them. People who understand. People they can call when life gets hard.

❤️That is what makes Bridges so special.

Our families have created a community unlike any other. They celebrate each other's victories, show up during difficult seasons, share resources, offer encouragement, and remind one another that they are not alone. They are proof that community changes lives.🤝

This reunion wasn't just about tie-dye, bracelets, games, prizes, good food, and family photos📸 (although we had plenty of all of those! 😉). It was about connection. It was about relationships. It was about belonging.

👦🏽👧🏿Watching families laugh together, children play together, and friendships continue to grow reminded us why this work matters so much. 💯

🫵🏽👏🏽🙌🏽A huge thank you to our amazing staff, volunteers, meal team, child care team, transportation team, leadership team, and Amy with Shutter Tales Photography for helping make this event possible. We couldn't do it without you.

My heart is full tonight. ❤️

Thank you to every family who trusts us to be part of your journey. Thank you for showing us what true community looks like.

Because at Bridges, we're not just building stronger families...we're building a family.

❤️ Better Together. ❤️


Chick-fil-A
Sterzing Potato Chips
Greater Burlington Partnership
👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼 Rockstar partners!!

06/13/2026

❤️🎉 Bridges Family Reunion 2026 🎉❤️

What an incredible night!

This week, we gathered for our annual Bridges Family Reunion, one of our favorite events of the year. Seeing graduates, current families, volunteers, supporters, and friends all together in one place was a beautiful reminder of who we are.

While many people know Bridges for our workshops and classes, those are only part of what we do.

At our core, Bridges is about building community.🎯

When I ask families what they need most, one of the most common answers is simple: people. People to walk alongside them. People to encourage them. People who understand. People they can call when life gets hard.

❤️That is what makes Bridges so special.

Our families have created a community unlike any other. They celebrate each other's victories, show up during difficult seasons, share resources, offer encouragement, and remind one another that they are not alone. They are proof that community changes lives.🤝

This reunion wasn't just about tie-dye, bracelets, games, prizes, good food, and family photos📸 (although we had plenty of all of those! 😉). It was about connection. It was about relationships. It was about belonging.

👦🏽👧🏿Watching families laugh together, children play together, and friendships continue to grow reminded us why this work matters so much. 💯

🫵🏽👏🏽🙌🏽A huge thank you to our amazing staff, volunteers, meal team, child care team, transportation team, leadership team, and Amy with Shutter Tales Photography for helping make this event possible. We couldn't do it without you.

My heart is full tonight. ❤️

Thank you to every family who trusts us to be part of your journey. Thank you for showing us what true community looks like.

Because at Bridges, we're not just building stronger families...we're building a family.

❤️ Better Together. ❤️


Chick-fil-A
Sterzing Potato Chips
Greater Burlington Partnership
👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼 Rockstar partners!!

06/09/2026

❤️✨ One of Those Moments I'll Never Forget ✨❤️

As I've been looking back through the pictures and memories from our Bridges Family Reunion, there is one moment that keeps replaying in my mind.

As we were gathering everyone for our big Bridges group picture, I looked up and saw rows and rows of little ones sitting cross-legged, patiently waiting for the photo to be taken. 🥹❤️

In that moment, I wasn't just seeing children waiting for a picture. I was seeing children who know they belong. ❤️ Children who know they are loved. Children who know they are valued, treasured, and an important part of this community. 👦🏾👧🏼👧🏿

My heart was overwhelmed as I thought about where we started and where we are today. Looking across all of those beautiful faces, I saw story after story of lives being touched, hearts being healed, friendships being built, and families finding connection and support. 🌱❤️

Every family represented in that picture matters. Every child matters. Every story matters. 💯

For just a moment, time seemed to stand still as I looked at those precious babies and realized what a gift it is to be part of this ministry. 🥹🙏

I am so grateful for our Bridges families, our volunteers, our supporters, and this incredible community that continues to live on mission every single day. Together, we are creating a place where people are seen, loved, and reminded that they belong. ❤️🤝✨

Thank you for being part of this journey. The memories we made this week will stay with me for a very long time. 💙

❤️✨🥹🤝🌱📸💙

06/09/2026

🎉☀️ CONGRATULATIONS! ☀️🎉
A big congratulations to our friend Casey and her sweet boys for winning the Summer Fun Basket drawing at our Bridges Family Reunion! 🥳🎁🏖️
We hope your family enjoys all the fun-filled goodies and makes lots of amazing summer memories together! 🌞🍉💦🏕️🎨

06/09/2026

Sign up!

🎉🎨 REGISTER NOW - CITY HOPE BIBLE CAMP 2026!

Get ready for an incredible summer adventure as we dive into the Book of Acts and learn that the gospel is Undefeated: Jesus Wins! 🏆⚔️👑 This camp is open to all amazing kiddos in Kindergarten through 5th Grade! 🎒👦👧 Through every wild challenge—from stubborn religious leaders and prison bars to the mighty Roman government—nothing could stop the unstoppable truth of Jesus' death and resurrection! 🔥🙌 We are going to have an absolute blast with colorful crafts, high-energy games, powerful worship, tasty snacks, and so much more! 🎨🏃‍♂️🎤🥨

The camp action runs from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM each day, followed immediately by a wonderful family dinner from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM where the whole family is invited to come eat together! 🍔🥤🍕 Bring your best friends and join the fun! 👥✨

Here is everything you need to know to get your kids registered:

📅 WHEN & WHERE
🕒 Camp Hours: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM daily
🍽️Family Dinner: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM daily 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

📍 Location 1: Burlington
Dates: June 15th & 16th 🗓️
Where: City Hope Building (Former St. Luke's) - 1403 South St, Burlington, IA 🏢

📍 Location 2: Fort Madison
Dates: June 17th & 18th 🗓️
Where: Harmony Bible Church, Fort Madison Campus - 3301 Avenue L, Fort Madison, IA ⛪

🎒 WHO CAN ATTEND?
K-5TH Graders (2025-2026 school year) ✏️📚

📧 Questions or issues with registration? We are here to help! Please reach out to Sarah Esslinger at [email protected] 💻👋

Don't let your kids miss out on the best days of the summer! Tap the link to sign up today! ☀️👇🎟️

https://harmonybiblechurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3587552

☀️🥳🎈

06/06/2026

💙🌉 A HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing friends at Burlington Chick-fil-A for helping make our Bridges Family Reunion such a special day! 🐔❤️ We are so grateful for your generosity and support of our families!

06/06/2026

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
We love our volunteers!!! Thank you for your time , love and commitment!!

✨ Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who showed up ready to serve with smiles, kindness, and servant hearts! 😊💪 Your hard work, encouragement, and willingness to help made the day a success.

💖 We are truly blessed by everyone who comes alongside our Bridges families, supports our mission, and helps create meaningful memories for parents and children. It takes a village, and we have the BEST village! 🏡🤗

🎉 Thank you for your time, your hearts, and your dedication to our families. We appreciate each and every one of you more than words can say! 🌟💙

💙🌉🥰🎈🙌✨❤️