When young adults get in trouble with the law, it is often a
symptom of serious problems in their lives. Substance abuse,
dysfunctional families, gang membership, mental illness
– all these lead to behavior that can end in arrest and
incarceration.
When young adults get in trouble with the law, it is often a symptom of serious problems in their lives. Substance abuse, dysfunctional families, gang membership, mental illness – all these lead to behavior that can end in arrest and incarceration.
Bruce and Dori Bannister are pastors of Hollister’s Hillside Christian Fellowship, 281 San Felipe Road, Hollister. Years ago they served in the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall and Children’s Shelter assisting and facilitating church services. For the past eight years they have directed a chaplaincy ministry which Hillside offers through a team of volunteers in the San Benito County Jail. Through these experience they have discovered how to reduce recidivism, the tendency among prisoners to re-offend and return to confinement.
People with drug and alcohol addictions need hope for a new beginning. The Bannisters realized the community needs a “transitional place of safety and dignity” where these people can live after being released from jail or another institution. Two years ago a five bedroom house was donated to the church rent-free for one year. The Bannisters used this gift and the enthusiastic backing of their congregation to create Bridge of Hope, a place where women 18 years old and above can live while getting their lives back on track.
This home, located in a residential neighborhood of Hollister, is equipped with laundry facilities, exercise equipment, computer access and a full security system. A house manager lives on the premises, as well as up to six women who are encouraged to stay for up to a year.
Bridge of Hope offers many services to its residents:
– Individual and group pastoral care
– Twelve-step meetings and relapse prevention
– Self-esteem building
– Bible study/prayer groups
– Worship at Hillside Christian Fellowship
– One-on-one relationships with volunteer mentors
– Training in financial management, parenting, family relationships, health and HIV/AIDS awareness, exercise, nutrition, anger management, conflict resolution and co-dependency issues.
Hillside offers this ministry as part of its efforts to reach out to the community and “bridge the gap between religion and relationship.” Many members and friends of the congregation have become involved in this ministry through financial support, mentoring, performing maintenance chores and prayer. There is also a board of directors who freely donate their time
There have been many success stories since the home opened. Recently, a young woman who lived there for six months moved away to attend college in San Jose. She cried when she left, saying it was like “leaving family.” Deana, a resident at Bridge of Hope, explains that she “had everything before, but I lost everything.” With the love, support and encouragement of the staff and volunteers, she was able to establish “awesome relationships” and regain the important values she had lost earlier in her life. The cost to live at Bridge of Hope is about $500 per month; those who have no money are encouraged to involve family and friends to provide the funding for that first month. One of the goals of the home is to help the girls find jobs and become self-supporting.
While the home has rules to provide structure (drug-testing, sign-outs, mandatory Celebrate Recovery meetings and church attendance), among the benefits they receive are help with transportation to and from work and a chance to break away from past habits which have led to unhappiness and failure, and a support system which fosters positive values.
Dori Bannister says it has been gratifying to see women come to Bridge of Hope “hurting, empty and confused, but through their willingness to change they have overcome obstacles, achieved a personal relationship with God, and begun happy, productive lives.”
This faith-based transitional home presently has openings for women 18 and above. To find out more and schedule an interview, call (831) 630-0800.
