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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 proudly served 2,836 people, provided 10,285 nights of shelter, and served over 22,900 meals.

At The Bridge Home, we are not just dedicated to providing immediate relief. We provide a continuum of care from outreach 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.

PEOPLE SERVED OVER ALL PROGRAMS
1000
NIGHTS OF SHELTER
7000
meals served
15000 +

OUR MISSION

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

OUR VISION

End the Cycle of homelessness in the Two Rivers Region.

OUR VALUES

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

AREA OF SERVICE

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

Leadership and Staff

Executive Team

jodi-stumbo

Jodi Stumbo

President and CEO
Bio
linda-munden

Linda Munden, MPA

Director of Government Grants and Public Policy
Bio
shari_1

Shari Reilly

Director of Operations
Bio
Evelyn

Evelyn Garrison

Director of Client Services
Bio

administration & development

6

Melissa Barnes

Executive Assistant
Bio
Michaelle

Michaelle Gallagher

Assistant Director of Development
7

Allee Wengert

Director of Marketing

housing services

10

Toni Caselton

Lead Housing Specialist
Bio
Jannie

Jannie Heath

Housing Specialist
9

Kirstee Mowery

Housing Specialist
8

Sharese Towns

Housing Specialist

shelter services

12

Pascha Morgan

Director of Shelter Services
Bio
15

Troy Jansen

Shelter Coordinator 3
Bio
16

Zara Babinet

Shelter Coordinator
Bio
20

Tashiana Deleon

Shelter Coordinator
17

Robert Gallegos

Shelter Coordinator
Bio
13

Garrett Green

Shelter Coordinator
14

Izzy Luna

Shelter Coordinator
19

Emma Martin

Shelter Coordinator
18

Amy Willkers

Shelter Coordinator
Bio

Jodi Stumbo

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

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.”

Shari Reilly

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

Evelyn Garrison

Evelyn Garrison, an experienced professional in the fight against homelessness, is our Director of Shelter Services. With over 10 years of experience in the housing realm, Garrison feels it is important to be a part of an organization that impacts a person’s mental and physical health through linking services and, ultimately, a stable home to live in.
 
Garrison has her bachelor’s degree in psychology-sociology from Upper Iowa University and is completing her master’s in organizational leadership. She has worked with communities of diverse backgrounds and provided essential services through the Coalition of Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse, and Homicide. In her personal life, she values humility, gratitude, and kindness and enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family.
 
“I believe that all people should be treated with dignity — we all want the same safety, love, and stability.”

Melissa Gillen

Melissa Gillen brings valuable customer-oriented experience to her role at The Bridge Home. She has served as a receptionist and title clerk at Ames Ford Lincoln and later as the client services coordinator at the Ames Chamber of Commerce.

Driven by a lifelong desire to help people, Gillen values her role at The Bridge Home for its focus on engaging with individuals from various walks of life, whether they are donors or those seeking our services.

Gillen emphasizes the importance of understanding that those experiencing homelessness are ordinary people who have faced challenging circumstances.

Toni Caselton

Toni Caselton is a loving mother of four children and holds an associate’s degree and a diploma in architectural drafting.

Having worked in various fields, Caselton brings her diverse professional experience to The Bridge Home team. She is passionate about assisting individuals and families experiencing and on the verge of homelessness to rebuild their lives.

“Homelessness can happen to anyone at any given time, and it does not define the person.”

 

Pascha Morgan

Pascha Morgan is an activist, lecturer, lobbyist, public speaker, and a veteran of the United States Army. Morgan completed his undergraduate studies in psychology and is completing his master’s in psycholinguistics.

Morgan has non-profit experience as a crime victim’s advocate at Creative Visions, a non-profit founded by Iowa House Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, and as healthcare equity digital campaign manager for Iowa Coalition for Collective Change. Morgan is also and active member of North Des Moines Mutual Aid.

As a strong advocate for the unhoused, Morgan’s admiration for The Bridge Home’s work led him to his new role. Morgan is dedicated to helping people during their greatest times of need and looks forward to learning as part of our team.

“For most of us, becoming unhoused can be just one major life event away.”

Troy Jansen

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.”

Zara Babinet

Zara Babinat studied computer science at Iowa State University. With a background in the service industry and tutoring, Babinat’s passion for assisting others led her to her role as a member of The Bridge Home team.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Babinat’s work is witnessing individuals secure housing and actively engage in their own progress. She firmly believes that addressing homelessness is a complex issue requiring tackling systemic causes rather than oversimplified solutions.
 
“Society at large often ignores people who are suffering instead of tackling the root causes. It’s not as simple as ‘finding a job and getting a place.’ There are very few resources available to help.”

Robert Gallegos

Shelter Coordinator

Robert Gallegos is pursuing his CDL at Des Moines Area Community College and is certified as a commercial building fire proofer. His motivation to change careers stems from a desire to find meaning and purpose in his work through helping others. Gallegos finds joy in working and collaborating with the rest of his The Bridge Home team.

“I wish the greater public understood how easy it is to become homeless and that sometimes it’s not the individual’s fault.”

 

Amy Wilkers

Amy Wilkers brings a computer engineering and research background from Iowa State University and aspires to work closely with people. Wilkers believes that homelessness can affect anyone, especially in the current economic climate with stagnant wages and rising inflation.

Wilkers firmly believes that no one should endure homelessness, and she is committed to making a positive impact and ensuring everyone at The Bridge Home has access to a strong support network.