The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, located in Pasadena, Texas, a nonprofit organization that provides services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, continues to serve thousands in the community despite facing significant funding challenges.
“To provide safety, offer support, and prevent sexual and domestic violence,” is the mission of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, according to Jessica Bellant, Education and Prevention Director for the organization.
Founded in 1978, the nonprofit has spent decades working to support survivors and prevent violence in the greater Houston area. 
“The Bridge Over Troubled Waters provides a wide range of services to individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking. These services are available to people of all ages and all genders and include emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, support groups, legal advocacy, safety planning and a 24-hour hotline,” says Bellant.
“We provide comprehensive crisis intervention services to all survivors,” says Bellant, “our services are free and include counseling, advocacy, emergency shelter, transitional housing, childcare, child advocacy, hospital and law enforcement accompaniment, and education or prevention training within the community.”
According to Bellant, the organization serves approximately 15,000 individuals each year. Many of those seeking help face serious and complex challenges beyond immediate safety concerns.
“The most common challenges our survivors face are safety from the individuals who have harmed them, institutional harm, poverty, a lack of a support system, and affordable mental health care,” says Bellant.
To address these challenges, each survivor who enters the organization’s programs is assigned to an advocate who works with them to create a personalized plan focused on safety, healing, and long-term independence.
“Each survivor has different goals and needs, so we provide individualized, trauma-informed and survivor-centered care,” says Bellant. “Advocates help survivors with safety planning, accessing community resources, returning to school, entering the workforce, or navigating the criminal justice system.”
The organization’s housing programs are designed to help survivors reach long-term stability. Bellant said survivors are supported through financial workshops, counseling, healing activities and support groups, with the goal of achieving financial independence before leaving the program.
Despite its ongoing impact, The Bridge Over Troubled Waters experienced a significant setback last year due to cuts in federal grant funding.
“Last year was a challenging year for many organizations that serve survivors,” says Bellant. “We experienced a significant federal grant funding cut, so additional donors, no matter how small or large, would tremendously help us continue all of our services.”
Bellant emphasized that community involvement plays a vital role in both prevention and survivor support. She encouraged individuals, schools, faith-based organizations, and businesses to participate in educational workshops and training.
“The majority of girls and women in our country have experienced domestic violence,” says Bellant, “survivors are never to blame for the abuse, and they are not alone. Places like The Bridge are here to support them.”
For more information visit https://tbotw.org/.
