On March 3, 20204, Bridge to Life received the Sanctity of Life Award from the Queens Village Republican Club at their annual Lincoln Dinner.
By Catherine Donohoe
Good afternoon and thank you for the bestowing the Sanctity of Life award on the Bridge To Life women’s support center. My name is Catherine Donohoe and I am Bridge’s board president. With me is our vice president, Julia Chitos, our treasurer, Don Cavanaugh, and a faithful volunteer and sidewalk counsler, Madeleine Santangelo Palumbo.
“I have come to serve and not to be served.” The Bridge To Life lives this message each and every day.
We opened our doors over 32 years ago in a modest building over the half-price card store on Bell Boulevard. We are the dream of our founder, Eleanor Ruder, may she rest in peace, who was a single mom. In her retirement, she started Bridge. (Please see the rest of her story in this year‘s journal).
Bridge has flourished over our 32 years. Most recently we moved from a 2,500 square-foot building in Flushing to an 8,000 square-foot, four level building. We redesigned the 100 year old convent next-door to Saint Fidelis Church in College Point. The design and work were primarily done by a past member of Queens Village Republican Club's Board of Directors, Delvis Estrada. Bridge owes a debt of gratitude to both Delvis and his family for their generosity and talent.
Our largest obstacle today is the culture we live in; the culture we call a "culture of death," a throwaway culture. Bridge is a safe haven for young women. We assist them in making life affirming choices They find hope, compassion and hospitality behind our red door.
We continue to be the largest distributor of material assistance in the Tri-State area. This past week alone we assisted 50 women and their families. We provided them with whatever was needed for themselves and their families. We continue to provide them with free referrals for safe and affordable housing, affordable daycare, educational opportunities, food insecurities, parenting classes, free sonograms and free prenatal care. This is all done at no cost to them.
We are indebted to the Republican Party because we stand behind their platform of protecting human life from conception to natural death.
With the few minutes I have left, I just want to tell you a quick story. I know people remember stories.
In the bustling city of New York a young woman faced the daunting challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. Finding herself alone and frightened, a friend stepped forward to offer her help and a place to rest. In her small living room, a simple blowup mattress became a haven, a safe place to sleep. This friend, also a mother and client of The Bridge To Life, understood the difficulties, but also celebrated the beauty of motherhood. Aware of the empathy and care offered by Bridge where judgment finds no place, she hoped, and knew that her friend's fears would be replaced by strength. Confusion would give way to clarity.
Recognizing the gravity of the decision her friend faced, she spoke about Bridge, the house with the red door. You’re not alone once you cross the red door. Enter, and let the blessings come to you. You have reached the safest place, full of support for you and your baby. They were warmly welcomed, embraced by the men and women from the moment the door opened. Beyond the red door, the young lady found not just listeners, but compassionate hearts, and an environment so magical that fear transformed into hope.
Baby Zoe was born and we celebrated the precious gift of motherhood. This young woman once frightened and confused, now stands as a testament to the transformative power of love support, and the open doors of Bridge.
Please visit our website to see how you can assist us to be a bridge to life to our moms.
Our gala is coming up in May. Please consider attending or sponsoring us. There are some flyers on the tables.
Thank you.
By Catherine Donohoe
Good afternoon and thank you for the bestowing the Sanctity of Life award on the Bridge To Life women’s support center. My name is Catherine Donohoe and I am Bridge’s board president. With me is our vice president, Julia Chitos, our treasurer, Don Cavanaugh, and a faithful volunteer and sidewalk counsler, Madeleine Santangelo Palumbo.
“I have come to serve and not to be served.” The Bridge To Life lives this message each and every day.
We opened our doors over 32 years ago in a modest building over the half-price card store on Bell Boulevard. We are the dream of our founder, Eleanor Ruder, may she rest in peace, who was a single mom. In her retirement, she started Bridge. (Please see the rest of her story in this year‘s journal).
Bridge has flourished over our 32 years. Most recently we moved from a 2,500 square-foot building in Flushing to an 8,000 square-foot, four level building. We redesigned the 100 year old convent next-door to Saint Fidelis Church in College Point. The design and work were primarily done by a past member of Queens Village Republican Club's Board of Directors, Delvis Estrada. Bridge owes a debt of gratitude to both Delvis and his family for their generosity and talent.
Our largest obstacle today is the culture we live in; the culture we call a "culture of death," a throwaway culture. Bridge is a safe haven for young women. We assist them in making life affirming choices They find hope, compassion and hospitality behind our red door.
We continue to be the largest distributor of material assistance in the Tri-State area. This past week alone we assisted 50 women and their families. We provided them with whatever was needed for themselves and their families. We continue to provide them with free referrals for safe and affordable housing, affordable daycare, educational opportunities, food insecurities, parenting classes, free sonograms and free prenatal care. This is all done at no cost to them.
We are indebted to the Republican Party because we stand behind their platform of protecting human life from conception to natural death.
With the few minutes I have left, I just want to tell you a quick story. I know people remember stories.
In the bustling city of New York a young woman faced the daunting challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. Finding herself alone and frightened, a friend stepped forward to offer her help and a place to rest. In her small living room, a simple blowup mattress became a haven, a safe place to sleep. This friend, also a mother and client of The Bridge To Life, understood the difficulties, but also celebrated the beauty of motherhood. Aware of the empathy and care offered by Bridge where judgment finds no place, she hoped, and knew that her friend's fears would be replaced by strength. Confusion would give way to clarity.
Recognizing the gravity of the decision her friend faced, she spoke about Bridge, the house with the red door. You’re not alone once you cross the red door. Enter, and let the blessings come to you. You have reached the safest place, full of support for you and your baby. They were warmly welcomed, embraced by the men and women from the moment the door opened. Beyond the red door, the young lady found not just listeners, but compassionate hearts, and an environment so magical that fear transformed into hope.
Baby Zoe was born and we celebrated the precious gift of motherhood. This young woman once frightened and confused, now stands as a testament to the transformative power of love support, and the open doors of Bridge.
Please visit our website to see how you can assist us to be a bridge to life to our moms.
Our gala is coming up in May. Please consider attending or sponsoring us. There are some flyers on the tables.
Thank you.
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