Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Bridge Communities
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 500 Roosevelt Road
City: Glen Ellyn
State: IL
Postal Code: 60137
Main Phone: (630) 403-5093
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.bridgecommunities.org
Employer ID Number: 36-3705951
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/24/2026
Requested Amount: $5,000

Project Title: Children’s Program for Homeless Youth
Project Description:

Bridge Communities serves families with children who are experiencing homelessness and live and work in DuPage County, Illinois – a suburban area west of Chicago. Bridge provides stable housing and comprehensive services for the whole family for approximately two years. Bridge focuses on a two-generation approach for breaking the cycle of poverty by addressing the needs of both parents and children.

Each incoming child is assessed for met and unmet needs and is assigned a case manager that creates a personalized plan to help children overcome the trauma of homelessness. Depending on the needs of each child, Bridge provides academic tutoring, scholarships for recreational activities and camps, developmental assessments, assistance with securing childcare, and enrichment programming. Case managers also connect children and their families to community resources such as mental health counseling, Early Intervention, and physical health care. Bridge parents benefit tremendously from having Children’s Program staff alongside them, listening to their concerns, and helping them learn about their children’s development relative to benchmarks.

The goals of the Children’s Program are that all children are on normal developmental tracks, achieving at grade level or above, learning the coping skills to deal with trauma, and have access to enriching experiences. Ultimately, the goal is that children born into poverty and homelessness break the cycle and do not experience these things as adults. Our longitudinal study of alumni from the past 30 years has shown us our program has impacted two generations within a family: 83% of alumni parents reported that their children are in meaningful relationships with peers and 75% reported that their children are engaged in challenging education programs and growing academically.

Total Project Budget: $582,901

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): DuPage Foundation, Driskill Foundation, Milton Township Mental Health Board, Naperville Rotary Charities

Project Duration: Ongoing
Geographical Area Served: DuPage County, IL (a suburban county directly west of Chicago)
Age Group To Be Served: Children and youth facing homelessness, ages 0 to 21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Andrea
Contact Last Name: Carradus
Contact Title: Senior Manager of Foundation and Corporate Relations
Contact Phone: (630) 403-5093
Contact Email: andrea.carradus@bridgecommunities.org