During my tenure as a senior business leader, I recognized the value of team members who consistently delivered results. Their status reports featured bullet points like “Completed,” “Went Live,” “Closed the Deal,” and “Signed Customer.” While some might describe their progress as “worked on” or “continued,” those who truly made an impact always communicated which aspects of a task were completed—even if it involved failed attempts. I firmly believe that such individuals are critical for success.
Bridge Bread delivers results. For over 12 years, Bridge Bread has successfully employed over 100 individuals experiencing homelessness. More than half of these individuals have maintained stable housing and employment.
While the COVID-19 pandemic brought temporary relief through eviction moratoriums and increased housing support, the subsequent surge in rental costs and decreased public funding created significant challenges for our Baker employees. Their limited rental history and financial backgrounds further compounded these obstacles, making it difficult to secure affordable housing.
We implemented a generous Housing Incentive Program that rewards our Bakers for sustained commitment to their employment and we have built relationships with landlords to overcome objections to accepting our Bakers as tenants. It works. In June and July of 2024, we got four unhoused Bakers housed. They joined two other Bakers that have been successfully housed for longer periods.
Their stories include:
LaRon had been staying in a run-down transient hotel following a short stay in transitional housing. He has been a reliable worker, and he makes great bagels.
Jackie was staying in a shelter when he came to Bridge Bread. He had challenges with an addictive substance that he overcame, and he got an apartment through another program in the program’s partner building. The building was unsafe, unfit for housing and filled with people on drugs. The ensuing tenant-landlord disputes eventually led to his eviction. Jackie is the go-to guy for making cinnamon rolls.
Leon had been housed through another agency in a rooming house where the other residents were actively involved in illegal drug sales and did not pay rent. Leon personally struggles to keep his alcohol use under control, but he’s trying and he’s doing better all the time. He is our expert at making Daynuts (fried Danish).
Jean was staying in various vacant buildings in the neighborhood. His family emigrated from Haiti when he was a young child, and he has struggled to stay on track and be a good parent much of his adult life. Jean is our very best Gooey Butter Cake maker.
With assistance from Bridge Bread and consistent employment, all four now have their own apartments and the dignity of meaningful employment as a Bridge Bread Baker.
Please consider supporting Bridge Bread’s life-changing work through Sponsorship of our second-annual Bread and Butter Gala fundraiser. There are lots of benefits for Sponsors including tickets to a great party, visibility of your company’s support of our cause, naming rights for aspects of the Gala, a fully-paid Bridge Bread Day, and especially the satisfaction of supporting an organization that actually gets things done.
If sponsorship isn’t your thing, please consider purchasing tickets to the Gala, donating an item to the silent or live auction, hosting a Bridge Bread Day, or providing direct financial support for our Housing Incentive Program.
Together, we will be the team that gets things done!
Thank you for your consideration and support,
Fred M. Domke
Founder and Executive Director (volunteer)
Bridge Bread Bakery
2639 Cherokee Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
314-296-3077 office
314-608-8086 mobile
fdomke@bridgebread.org