What We Do
We believe that true accessibility is first and foremost an inside job.
Ramps and lifts are wonderful tools, but they can only allow a person to enter the building. Allowing a person with a disability to enter the community requires the community itself to become accessible, member-by-member. That’s why Bridge works to create communities where every individual has their gifts acknowledged alongside their challenges and provided with, not just the ability to be present, but the opportunity to contribute to community life.
Our work
We work to build more accessible communities through three programs:
Our Story
In his work as a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Henk Wapstra found that, when speaking with parishioners with disabilities, he heard a common refrain: while a person’s disability might cause them discomfort and difficulty, it was social isolation and marginalization that created the most significant barriers to living a happy, fulfilled life. Fueled by this understanding, Reverend Wapstra founded Bridge in June of 1987 with the mission of ending social isolation among people with disabilities.
Henk’s enthusiasm and style of ministry soon attracted others to Bridge, including Sharon Black, whose background in social work and lived experience as a person with a disability made her a valuable member of the Bridge team. Sharon used her skills to find resources and the means to connect people with disabilities to the community to alleviate their isolation, allowing Henk to concentrate on spiritual care. Initially working out of Henk’s basement, others joined as volunteers to build what would eventually become the Meyer Medical Equipment Center; and by 1991, with the vision of Jeannine King, a developmental disabilities specialist on staff, the Guardianship Ministry was born.
Today, we operate three ministries serving over 3,500 people each year, work carried out by our team of 21 staff members and pool of over 400 volunteers. We run two equipment centers, our flagship warehouse in Bellevue and satellite location in Tukwila, and produce over 25 events aimed at fostering connection and advancing inclusivity each year.
How We Work
Faith
As a faith-based organization, our ecumenical Christian values touch everything that we do and shape the core values of our organization.
God-centered
We believe in the character of God as revealed in Scripture as one of love, mercy, and justice. God’s call for justice is out of God’s perfect, undying love for all mankind.
Community
We value the connection we have with others and the communities in which we live. So, we collaborate to build relationships with those living with disabilities, their families, church congregations, service providers, and other organizations
Spiritual Enrichment
Every person is seen as a precious creation of God worthy of love, acceptance, and respect. Their spiritual journey is never meant to be a solitary journey and so, we endeavor, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to walk alongside them with words and actions of encouragement and belonging.
Celebration
We proclaim the worth, dignity, and honor that belong to all people of God’s creation. We embrace differences, affirming, and encouraging the gifts of people with disabilities.
Inclusion
Our work would be incomplete if it did not include the entirety of our community. We do not discriminate against anyone based on race, faith, creed, sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity.
Budgets and Community Reports
BUDGET OVERVIEW
The biggest contribution to the Bridge operating budget comes from individual donations. Most of our funding comes from people who donate cash to support our mission.
Thanks to our volunteers and church supporters, we serve more than 3,000 people each year with a small paid staff of less than 20 full-time-equivalent employees.
In 2023, 556 volunteers donated 3,601 hours to Bridge in 2022.