Our ServicesEmployment and Independence

Family Prosperity

Overview Supporting individuals and families as they focus on their financial and well-being goals.

Since 1917, Catholic Charities' mission has been to partner with – and advocate for – the most vulnerable in our community, especially those facing poverty – to help them achieve their full human potential.

In 2016, Bridges to Success was selected as the first public offering from Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI), a community-wide effort to help people achieve financial security and prosperity. These offerings are based on the idea of people having a trusted partner that supports them as they work towards achieving goals they set.

Leslie's Story This is my calling

One of our professional mentors, Leslie Mosman, shares the impact Bridges has made on her life.

Read More

Update, 2020 Adult mentoring programs shown to increase employment, income

Bridges to Success demonstrates significant impact

An unprecedented collaboration among a trio of local non-profit organizations has helped nearly 150 participants, many of them heads of families, achieve economic mobility and toward self-sufficiency by partnering individuals and families with dedicated mentors who help address and overcome barriers to employment. Catholic Family Center (now Catholic Charities Family and Community Services), Action for a Better Community, and Community Place of Greater Rochester came together to lead a two-year pilot of a pair of adult mentoring programs. Bridges to Success.

Key results of the pilot include:

  • 80.6 percent of participants in the Bridges to Success program advanced from “crisis” or “at-risk” to “stable” in at least one major area (e.g., housing, health, education, employment)
  • The average household income for graduated Bridges to Success participants increased by 107.5 percent.

Continue reading about each of our programs, and how to participate, on their program pages:

Bridges to Success (BTOS)

A quick overview of some of our recent successes in just two short years

110%
Increase
In number of participants employed
118%
Increase
In participants' average earned monthly household income
80%
Advancement
Of participants from "Crisis" or "At Risk" to Stable

Bridges to Success Individuals and families working with a partner-navigator to achieve their goals

Contact Information:

What is Bridges to Success?

Bridges to Success pairs individuals with a mentor/navigator to help them meet their goals on their way to self-sufficiency.

Bridges to Success is an adult mentoring program providing a person-centered approach to self-sufficiency and well-being. Participants work with mentors to create goals and a personalized plan of action to achieve individual and or family financial independence. Bridges to Success is supported by Action for a Better Community and Catholic Charities Family and Community Services.

Goals May Include:

  • Advancing education and job skills
  • Meeting family needs
  • Creating supportive social networks
  • Reducing debt/ Increasing savings and credit score
  • Achieving safe and affordable housing
  • Full-time employment with benefits
  • Financial Management
  • Physical Health
  • Mental Health

What Does Bridges Do?

  • Assist you in creating a step by step action plan
  • Prepares you to navigate community resources
  • Offers you access to flexible funds
  • Provides an advocate dedicated to your success

Apply Now - Shawn Futch (or someone on the team) will contact you with further information.

Eligibility criteria

  • Age 18 or older
  • Residence in Monroe County, NY
  • Valid photo ID (driver’s license, NYS ID, benefits card, passport)
  • US citizenship or legal US residency
  • Ability to work full-time
  • Income level below 200% of federal poverty guidelines
  • Proof of income (hire letter, pay stubs, DHS budget sheet)
  • Able to meet monthly with a mentor for up to two years
  • If no HS degree/equivalency will work on this as first goal
  • Have not previously enrolled in Bridges

Program Cost and Selection Process

For eligible participants, there is no program cost. Because of the high demand for this program eligible participants will be selected by lottery to enroll in the Bridges to Success program. Those not selected will be connected to alternate services.

Intake Process

For more information, please visit our program page or contact our team at (585) 325-5116 x3418

Bridges to Success (BTOS)

A quick overview of some of our recent successes in just two short years

110%
Increase
In number of participants employed
118%
Increase
In participants' average earned monthly household income
80%
Advancement
Of participants from "Crisis" or "At Risk" to Stable