The Neighborhood Bridge

The Neighborhood Bridge connects people in need in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago to existing high-performing human service agencies to address their needs to help them thrive.

Our goal is to accompany and support families as they tackle their most pressing needs—for primary and mental health care, housing support, financial counseling, job readiness, and child care, among others. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the initial focus of The Neighborhood Bridge is to serve families of students attending our partner schools in Austin: St. Catherine-St. Lucy, St. Angela, Chicago Jesuit Academy, Catalyst Circle Rock, and Christ the King College Preparatory School. Because we are a volunteer-driven organization, donations of time, talent, and treasure from the community allow us to offer our services for free. We provide two primary outreach services: the Advocate Program and the EssentialsPantry. In our Advocate Program, trained volunteer Advocates accompany families in need (called Participants) and help connect them to the services and aid they need. Through our Essentials Pantry, families can request household essentials, such as soaps and detergents, paper goods, personal care products, socks, and underwear.Both programs are available at no cost to families in our partner schools to help them thrive.