“The Bridge” To Have Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony On Saturday

DeLand, FL – Though "The Bridge" has served 228 individuals; helped 40 individuals transition to permanent housing; helped 75 clients find employment, and served over 50,000 meals, the shelter never had an official ribbon-cutting ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That changes this Saturday. The Bridge opened its doors in September 2020. Saturday’s event will begin at 10 a.m. at The Bridge, 421 South Palmetto Avenue. “Not only are we recognizing the community’s effort in helping make The Bridge become a reality; we get to celebrate a year’s worth of success as well as the successes we will have in the future,” said Mayor Bob Apgar. “This story is just beginning and there are many more people that this center is going to help.” The Bridge is the result of a joint effort that began in 2016 between the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, Volusia County, all West Volusia cities, churches, businesses, and civic groups to construct a new crisis shelter and day services center. Operating costs are covered by most of those same partners. The 6,300 square-foot facility has 30 crisis center beds, a communal dining area, a commercial kitchen, offices, and space to provide clients with case management such as job and drug abuse counseling. The goal of the facility and its staff is to transition people to housing within 30 to 90 days.