Bridges Runs

Run Update 3/26/20: Our staff continues our Runs to Newark and Irvington. We are also working with the City of Newark Health Department and their street outreach seven days a week to ensure that all unsheltered residents are connected with, sheltered, and directed to services. We hope to be able to return to Manhattan very soon.

The Bridges Run is an opportunity for a group of trained volunteers, along with Bridges’ staff, to go directly to the streets and shelters to meet homeless men, women and children.

On a typical Bridges Run, our truck is loaded with fresh, ready-to-eat meals in bags, sustainable lunches (long shelf life provisions), and soup, among other items of necessity, for those living on the street or in dire need. Our volunteers share conversation and bridge the gap between the housed and homeless.

PLAN YOUR RUN:

>>Sign Up for a Run June 2020-June 2021<<

1. If you are new to Bridges, please register your Group at volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org. It may take up to 2 business days for your account to be ACTIVATED, at which time you may sign up for a Run.
   If you would like to join a Run as an individual, please contact volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org.
   Please note: All run volunteers must be at least high school age.
2. Sign up for a Run.
3. Sign waiver.  Each volunteer must sign the on-line waiver of liability form. ALL RUN VOLUNTEERS MUST BE AT LEAST HIGH SCHOOL AGE.
   Minor Waiver
   Adult Waiver
4. Run Procedures and Safety Tips
5. Prepare lunches (click here for guidelines)
6. Download directions.  Please note that the GPS links are through Google Maps. Other map applications, such as Apple Maps, may not display correctly.

RUN Schedule and Locations

Click Here to Download the Schedule and Directions

Day	Location	Location Name	Address	Google Maps Link	Departure from Summit	Arrival at Destination	Estimated arrival back to Summit
Wednesday	NYC	Manhattan Penn Station	214 W 31st St, New York, NY 10001 (between 7th and 8th Avenue)	Manhattan Google Map Link	6 pm	7-7:30 pm	8:30-9 pm
Thursday	NYC	Urban Renewal	224 Sussex Ave, Newark, NJ 07103	Urban Renewal Google Map Link	6 pm	6:30 pm	7:30-8 pm
Friday	NYC	Staten Island Ferry Terminal	11 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013	Staten Island Ferry Terminal	6:15 pm	7-7:30 PM	9 pm
Saturday	Newark	Blake House at St. James Social Services	604 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102	Blake House Google Map Link	10:15 am	10:45 am	1 pm
Saturday	Newark	Urban Renewal	224 Sussex Ave, Newark, NJ 07103	Urban Renewal Google Map Link	2nd stop.	11:30 am	1 pm
Saturday	Newark	Harmony House	278 S Orange Ave # 282, Newark, NJ 07103	Harmony House Google Map Link	Only 3rd Saturday of the month	Only 3rd Saturday of the month	1 pm
Sunday	Irvington	Irvington Civic Square	1970 Civic Square, Irvington, NJ 07111	Irvington Civic Square Google Map Link	10 am	10:30-10:45 am	12:30 pm

CORE VOLUNTEERS:

Core Volunteers make a commitment to participate in a Bridges Run at least once a month.  They are the first to arrive at a Run site and talk to the people waiting there.  They reassure the waiting people that the Bridges truck and a team of volunteers will arrive shortly with food and necessities.  The Core Volunteers have become an integral part of our Runs and have truly become friends with the homeless people we meet.  They provide continuity and have time to continue their conversations from week to week.

Core volunteers are not required to bring brown bag meals.  They sometimes ride in the Bridges van, but may be asked to provide their own transportation to Run sites.

Contact the Manager of Operations at volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org if you would like to learn more about becoming a Core Volunteer.

GROUPS:

A Group of volunteers (houses of worship, corporations, families, neighbors or teams) makes a commitment to participate in a Run of their choice. They sign up in advance and are responsible for providing volunteers and brown bag lunches.

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS: 

Individual volunteers may join a Run when space permits.  As a volunteer, you will be asked to assist the Run Coordinator with various aspects of a Run, from distributing food and clothing to serving soup and beverages.  You may be asked to provide some lunches or your own transportation.  All Run volunteers must be at least high school age.  As always, friendly conversation with our homeless friends is encouraged; fellowship is as important as the food and necessities we distribute.

RUN TRAINING VIDEO: