History

Founded in 1996 by Carol Reza, Bridge of Faith is a 501 (c3) non-profit agency committed to reducing the high rate of recidivism in our prisons and assist those emancipated from the foster care system.

Bridge of Faith H.O.M.E. for emancipated foster youth originally started in the prison system with classes for inmates. We quickly realized the anguish of women whose children had been placed into the foster care system.

In 2015, Bridge of Faith celebrated 20 years; We have been striving for change and this year has shown us so much, as we have been reflecting over these two decades. Thank you all for remembering our work within the City of Whittier and being part of our community celebration.

We Don’t Look for a Quick Fix but a Lasting Result

In 2008, the Bridge, our third residential home was opened for residents who are ready to be more independent.

In 2007, H.O.M.E. Too, Bridge of Faith’s second residential home was opened for a mother and one child.

In 2003, a generous donation of $100,000 allowed us to purchase and open a 20-room house called H.O.M.E. (Home Opportunity Meets Emancipation). This home is generously funded by community businesses and individual donors and operates entirely with a volunteer staff.

In 2003, Bridge of Faith’s residential rehabilitative program, Value, Importance, and Purpose (VIP) was created and launched. All Bridge of Faith residents participate in this program which offers emancipated girls and women a safe, nurturing environment to discover their potential and recover from a life of dysfunction and trauma.

In 2002, our second retail location, Up*Scale Collectibles was opened in Whittier, CA. This 5,000 square-foot facility is a fundraising arm of Bridge of Faith and offers job training and experience to our residents. It also raises community awareness of the issues that foster youth face.

In 2000, we opened our first retail location in Whittier, CA serving as a resource and drop-in center for the community and at-risk youth.

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1999, we mentored and taught transitional living skills to foster youth.

In 1996, Bridge of Faith, a 501 (c3) non-profit agency was established in California. After working with female prison inmates and hearing their testimonies, we learned that many of these women were previously in foster care. Upon emancipation, their emotions surfaced and wreaked havoc when their adult responsibilities met them head-on and found them unprepared. Our commitment is to stop the high rate of recidivism in our prisons and to assist those emancipated from the foster care system

We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.

VIP Family Program

In 2003, Bridge of Faith created and launched Value, Importance, and Purpose (VIP) Family Program, a residential rehabilitative program. All Bridge of Faith residents participate in this program which offers emancipated girls and women a safe, nurturing environment to discover their potential and recover from a life of dysfunction and trauma.

Program