PrintBridge of Hope plans to empower homeless and at-risk single mothers.
But first, the nonprofit organization needs to hire its first paid staff member, a program director.
To raise money to that end, its board will hold a live and silent auction Friday night with a variety of attractive items.
"We're still a fledgling organization, but we've been meeting as a board for a year," said board member Norma Jean Neff.
"It's been a slow process. We've slowly jumped through the hoops to be viable and now we're at the point that we need to hire a program director."
And that person needs to be paid, she added.
The auction is at 6 p.m. Friday at Waterford Estates Lodge, 52890 Indiana 933. Tickets are $35, and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Neff said the group is hoping to raise $10,000 of the $40,000 it needs to hire the program director. The group plans to have other fundraisers throughout the year.
The program director, Neff explained, will train mentors for the program.
Each homeless single mother who enters the Bridge of Hope of Saint Joseph County program works with eight mentors.
The mentors will walk by her side and help to place her in permanent employment and housing.
Once it's up and running, the program will match women with churches, which supply the mentors. Each woman makes a commitment to the program and her mentors for 18 months.
And those mentors need training, said Neff, who along with Michael Druley was co-founder of the local chapter of Bridge of Hope.
"The program hinges on having mentors," she added.
While Neff said the group doesn't believe it can help all women, it does believe that women who are experiencing transitional poverty will benefit most.
Organization leaders have a "vision of ending homelessness for single mothers and their children by equipping local churches in the ministry of friendship," Neff said.
She said they want to help homeless single mothers achieve permanent housing, financial self-sufficiency and growth.
Druley is chairing the auction. Bridge of Hope volunteers have collected items including:
* Time at a condo in Naples, Fla., valued at $800.
* A week at a condo in Sedona, Ariz., valued at $1,000.
* A week at a condo in Siesta Key, Fla., valued at $1,500.
* A handmade wooden Crokinole board game valued at $200.
* A handmade regulator mantel clock valued at $250.
* A handmade quilt.
* The opportunity for four to be guests of Notre Dame men's basketball coach Mike Brey, attend a practice and meet the players.
* Singing Chef (Allan Holody) Italian Dinner for eight, valued at $350.
* Lunch for four at Sorin's restaurant with Dr. Paul Wright, Mother Teresa's personal cardiologist, valued at $150.
* A Chantal Poulin limited edition print valued at $650.
* Four tickets to see the Indianapolis Colts take on the New York Jets in Indianapolis on Dec. 27, valued at $250.
* A cherry rocking chair, valued at $335.
For information, contact Bridge of Hope at (574) 679-4238.
