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About Us

WHO WE ARE

The Bridge Home is a non-profit organization devoted to bridging the gap between homelessness and housing by providing shelter, support, and inspiring a pathway forward for individuals and families experiencing or on the verge of homelessness. 

Founded in 1985 to address the growing need of individuals and families requiring shelter, a trend that continues today, we are the only organization in the Two Rivers Region dedicated to ending the cycle of homelessness among single men, women, and families. In the last year alone, we have proudly served over 1,365 people, with more than 4,000 meals and 10,000 nights of shelter. 

At The Bridge Home, we are not just dedicated to providing immediate relief. We provide a continuum of care from preventative services to housing programs. We offer the tools, resources, and education to empower and guide individuals and families facing the challenges of homelessness towards long-term solutions — free from judgment.

500
People Served
3000 +
Meals Served
9000 +
Nights of Shelter

OUR MISSION

We walk with those who have fallen on hard times to help them find hope and a home.

OUR VISION

We will build on our success to become a model service provider by implementing cutting edge best practices.

OUR VALUES

Inclusiveness, Hospitality, Respect, Self-empowerment, Compassion, Hope.

AREA OF SERVICE

The Bridge Home serves the Two Rivers Region in central Iowa, comprising Story, Boone, Greene,  Hardin, and Marshall counties.

Leadership and Staff

Board of Directors

8

Dan Douglas

President
DianeMcCauleyVicePresident

Diane Mccauley

Vice President
team image-01

John Dalhoff

Treasurer
Secretary

Jean Nicol Jahren

Secretary
Jon-Banwart

Jon Banwart

3

Carolyn Cutrona

7

Scott Thompson

5

Ben Kellen

Kirsten-Newman

Kirsten Newman

9

Marv Prins

2

Ralph Rosenberg

12

Dave Wohlsdorf

Leadership Team

jodistumbo

Jodi Stumbo

Executive Director
Bio
lindamunden

Linda Munden, MPA

Associate Director,
Housing and Grant Writing
Bio
troyjansen

Troy Jansen

Associate Director,
Prevention and Volunteers
Bio
tarabrown

Tara Brown

Shelter Manager
Bio
10

Shari Reilly

Executive Assistant
Bio

Staff

karleycrouse

Karley Crouse

Housing Support Specialist
Bio
randallmathews

Randall Mathews

Shelter and Safety Coordinator
Bio
valnehls

Val Nehls, MBL

Homeless Prevention Specialist
Bio
sharese

Sharese Towns

Shelter Housing Coordinator
Bio
tonysteele

Tony Steele

Maintenance Manager

Annual Service Report

Download Annual Report

Previous Annual Reports

Annual Report 2018-2019

Annual Report 2017-2018

Annual Report 2016-2017

Annual Report 2015-2016

Newsletters

Stay up to date on the latest news and events at the bridge home by joining our mailing list.
Join Our Mailing List

Past Newsletters

2021

Winter 2021 Newsletter

 

2020

Summer 2020 Newsletter

Fall 2020 Newsletter

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Jodi Stumbo

Executive Director

Originally from a small town in western Iowa, Jodi Stumbo graduated from Iowa State University and began her teaching career. After moving to Ames, she spent 16 years with the Iowa State University Foundation and served as their executive director of communications. 

With a passion for helping those in need and bringing light to the struggles facing many in our community, Stumbo served as the development director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Story County before assuming her role as executive director for The Bridge Home.

Stumbo believes we all need a helping hand at some point, and it takes a village to help our neighbors in need. She takes great joy in witnessing the excitement and pride of staff and clients when a family overcomes a hurdle and moves one step closer to stable, sustainable housing.

Striving to be a voice for those in our community who go unheard, Stumbo aims to dispel the myths surrounding homelessness — it can touch anyone — but there are people who care, who are listening, and want to help.  

“The people we work with want to change their lives. They want to support themselves and their families. They want to be contributing members of society.”

Linda Munden, MPA

Associate Director,
Housing and Grant Writing

Joining The Bridge Home in 2017, Linda Munden has dedicated her professional career to serving the homeless. She is a strong advocate for the Housing First philosophy supporting permanent, affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Having worked as interim executive director for ACCESS Assault Care Center, Munden has a background in grant writing, finance, housing and shelter, and case management. She is committed to making the most significant impact on the largest number of people.

Through her involvement in state and local committees, Munden believes her voice and vision can be heard by those in power to make real change happen. She strives to align The Bridge Home with best practices to provide exceptional care and meet the growing need for our services.

Munden graduated with a degree in philosophy, studied social work at the University of Iowa, and received her master’s in public administration from Drake University.

“My co-workers are my people — like family to me. I love doing what I do with people I love in the service of those who need us most.”

Troy Jansen

Associate Director,
Prevention and Volunteers

Born and raised in Iowa, Troy Jansen graduated with a degree in elementary education from Wartburg College before attending grad school at Iowa State University.

Jansen joined The Bridge Home in 1996, dedicating his professional career to helping those in need reach their full potential, providing a sense of relief and stability for individuals and families through homeless prevention.

Jansen believes community awareness and involvement is paramount to The Bridge Home’s mission, and “while homelessness affects all facets of people’s lives, it does not define them or their hopes and dreams.”

Tara Brown

Shelter Manager

With a Bachelor of Science in human services and an addictions certificate from the University of Phoenix, Tara Brown left a seven-year career in the insurance industry to pursue her passion for helping others in the human services field.

After working with the homeless population for two years at Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Brown joined The Bridge Home team, first as an intern and then as a shelter coordinator, before assuming her role as shelter manager in August of 2020.

With her case management experience, Brown finds the most joy when moving a client into their own housing.

“Homelessness does not discriminate, and it can happen to anyone. I have met people from all walks of life who have fallen on hard times, and I’ve learned the stigmas that exist around people experiencing homelessness are largely inaccurate.”

Shari Reilly

Executive Assistant

Shari Reilly served on the board of The Bridge Home for over ten years before joining the staff in 2021. Reilly comes to us after 25 years in ministry, including 20 years coordinating rent and utility assistance, service and immersion break trips, and a multitude of other social justice and peace-making efforts. After her own experience of housing instability as a child, Reilly has always had a heart for those who struggle to make ends meet, and found the opportunity to contribute to a new direction with The Bridge Home too good to resist.

“People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.”
― Dorothy Day

 

Karley Crouse

Housing Support Specialist

Karley Crouse grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated in 2019 with a degree in leisure, youth, and human services from the University of Northern Iowa.

From a young age, Crouse knew she wanted to work with people in some capacity, and while in college, she found she wanted to specifically work in the non-profit sector with youth or adults going through life’s hardships.

“It is important to understand people experiencing homelessness aren’t bad or lazy; they are just down on their luck and dealing with hard times. It can happen to anyone. They deserve to be treated with warmth, respect, and dignity — just like anyone else should be.”

Randall Mathews

Shelter and Safety Coordinator

With extensive experience in quality and reliability engineering in communications technology, Randall Matthews created and produced Mosaic, a local cable program enabling crucial awareness outreach for the human services community in Story County.

Matthews graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in sociology and speech communications in 1985 and has served nine years on the board and one year as chairman for Open Line. Matthews provided invaluable training to volunteers in crisis intervention and listening skills before serving as a shelter coordinator for The Bridge Home.

“Working for The Bridge Home, and one-on-one with clients has been my dream job since graduating from college.”

Val Nehls, MBL

Homeless Prevention Specialist

Born and raised in Iowa, Val Nehls has volunteered and worked directly with the homeless and at-risk since 2009 through Hope Ministries, YSS, Central Iowa Shelter & Services, and now as a homeless prevention specialist at The Bridge Home.

Since 2015, Nehls has operated We-Cycle, a non-profit organization offering a means of transportation by providing bicycles for the homeless and at-risk population.

Nehls graduated in 2006 with a major in political science and a minor in anthropology from Iowa State University and achieved a master’s in business leadership from William Penn University in 2014.

“The Bridge Home has a true heart for the homeless and at-risk population. Our team is always searching for ways to holistically meet the needs of our most vulnerable, how to best serve our clients, and engage the community.”

Sharese Towns

Shelter Housing Coordinator

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Sharese Towns discovered her calling to human services in 2008.

Growing up in group homes, Towns witnessed the love and dedication shown by workers to children and how they supported them through their trauma. She completed her certificate in human services and has gained experience in client advocacy, resume writing, job search assistance, and shelter coordination.

Towns’ journey at The Bridge Home began not as an employee but as a client, when she and her children needed assistance after moving to Ames. Her knowledge, background, and personal experience contribute to her position as shelter housing coordinator.

“I knew I could help make a difference because someone helped me. I love seeing families getting housed and watching as children, once homeless, smile when they move into their new home. I know that feeling first hand, and it’s an amazing feeling when you know you have accomplished something positive.”

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