Working through all the pieces of the Bridges model can be daunting. Luckily, one of the strengths of Bridges communities is sharing with one another! Communities have provided artifacts that they use in their Bridges initiatives. You don’t have to reinvent all of the wheels; some of that work has been done for you! Listen to an example of building a Bridges community, learn about data collection options, and see the forms others are using for Getting Ahead.
You too can be part of the sharing! If you have forms or articles that you would like to include, please send them via email and we will add them to this page.
Bridges Out of Poverty Model
Read more about the model: “Bridges Mental Model Shares Big Picture and Path to Policy Change”
Topical Color Key
- Bridges Out of Poverty – Blue
- Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World – Purple
- Workplace – Turquoise
- Staying Ahead – Teal
Essential Background Information
Please read the following articles, which provide a clear but nuanced understanding of the core relationship we want to achieve.
- Bridges Brief History and Evaluation by Philip DeVol
- Facilitating vs. Teaching in Getting Ahead by Philip DeVol with Rubén Pérez
- Poverty and the Controversial Work of Nonprofits by Michael Jindra and Ines W. Jindra
- Investing in Your Community brochure
Videos
- Phil DeVol: Building a Bridges Initiative
- Phil DeVol: Applying Bridges Concepts in My Agency
- Building Bridges for the Future – Tom Martindale, Muskogee, Oklahoma
- Getting Ahead video library: ahaprocess.com/GA-videos
Webinars
- Schenectady Bridges Works for Long-Term Community Change – with Mike Saccocio of City Mission
- Going from a Bridges Committee to a Bridges Movement – with Chuck Holt of The Factory Ministries
- All past aha! Process webinars
Artifacts from aha! Process
- Distinguishing Characteristics of the Getting Ahead Series
- Getting Ahead Description
- Getting Ahead Recruiting Recommendations
- Getting Ahead Recruiting: Interview Questions – Inviting People to Participate in GA
- Getting Ahead Module 3 Sustainability Grid
- Sample Getting Ahead budgets
Artifact from Hope Takes Action (McHenry, Illinois)
Artifact from Renew Life Center (Paterson, New Jersey)
Artifacts from The Glen at St. Joseph (Dayton, Ohio)
Artifacts from Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic (Hot Springs, Arkansas)
- Getting Ahead graduate endorsement letter
- Getting Ahead mentee information sheet
- Getting Ahead mentor application
- Getting Ahead application
- Getting Ahead coursework timeline
- Getting Ahead timeline
Artifacts from the Lucas County Family and Children First Council (Ohio)
- Workplace Stability workshop flyer
- Workplace Stability executive overview flyer
- Workplace Stability best practices overview flyer
Artifacts from the Bridges Out of Poverty Initiative of the Howard County Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency (Maryland)
- Getting Ahead/Bridges Training information sheet
- Getting Ahead/Bridges collage
- Getting Ahead facilitator checklist
- Getting Ahead investigator information form
- General information for Getting Ahead investigators
- Getting Ahead end-of-group survey
- Getting Ahead investigator referral form
- Getting Ahead volunteer form
- Getting Ahead survey 30 days after graduation
- Getting Ahead investigator acceptance letter
- Image release form
- Getting Ahead mentee interest form
- Staying Ahead program information
Artifacts from Ending Poverty Now (Pima County, Arizona, Licensed GA Facilitator Trainer)
- Understanding Poverty and Getting Ahead information sheets
- Getting Ahead at Las Artes
- Pima County Economic Development Plan, Chapter 13
- Employer Resource Networks: A Critical Workplace Solution for Today’s Employers
- Getting Ahead posters
- The Mama Program poster
Artifacts from Howard County Multiservice Center (Maryland)
- Family Fun and Community Game Night flyer
- Staying Ahead book club flyer
- Staying Ahead health and wellness workshop flyer
- Staying Ahead financial literacy workshop flyer
- Staying Ahead entrepreneurship workshop flyer
Artifact from HopeWorks (Howard County, Maryland)
Artifacts from Muskogee Bridges Out of Poverty (Oklahoma)
- Bridges workshop invitation letter
- Bridges post-workshop survey
- Bridges and Getting Ahead brochure
- Car donation program application
- Car donation program policy and procedure
- Car donation waiver and release of liability
- Childcare information sheet
- Getting Ahead meeting schedule
- Dental and denture application form
- Dental/vision clinic report sheet
- Getting Ahead follow-up interview questions
- Getting Ahead graduation announcement
- Getting Ahead meal plan
- Getting Ahead menu table tent
- Getting Ahead new class checklist
- Dress to Impress Spring Clean Donation Drive flyer
- Sample steering committee meeting agenda
- Sample steering committee contact list, definitions, and meeting schedule
- Sample steering committee positions/responsibilities chart
- Vision patient application form
Artifacts from The Factory Ministries (Paradise, Pennsylvania)
- Ways in Which a Community Helps People in Poverty information sheet
- Resource assessment form (simple)
- Resource assessment form (color graphics)
- Participant welcome sheet
- Participant intake form
- Mental Model of My Life
- Guide to ‘Mental Model of My Life’
- Sample completed ‘Mental Model of My Life’
- The Factory Ministries background information sheet
Artifacts from the Dubuque Circles Initiative (Dubuque, Iowa)
- Getting Ahead in the Workplace poster
- Getting Ahead in the Workplace postcard
- Getting Ahead in the Workplace brochure
Or get all these documents in one convenient PDF!