BRIDGE: Rebuilding Lives, One Family at a Time

Grantee	Grant ( ₹ Cr)	Description	Start Date	End Date
BRIDGE	0.05	Rebuilding lives of families who lost breadwinners in accidents	2023	2023

Introduction:

BRIDGE is a volunteer-driven initiative, founded with a compassionate vision to provide support and solace to families who have lost their breadwinners due to accidents or illnesses. The driving force behind this remarkable endeavour stems from the belief that there is no greater joy than wiping away tears and being the source of someone’s happiness. The seeds of BRIDGE were sown during a period of recovery following a personal accident, where the founder contemplated the plight of those who were not as fortunate and lost their lives, leaving their families in a state of vulnerability. This spark of empathy led to the establishment of BRIDGE as a registered Trust on 1st August 1996.

Purpose:

The primary objective of BRIDGE is to reach out to families grappling with the loss of their breadwinners and provide a comprehensive support system. This includes educational assistance, counseling, financial aid, health insurance coverage, and assistance in identifying potential job opportunities for surviving family members. BRIDGE envisions a world where such families can rebuild their lives, regain their independence, and find stability with BRIDGE serving as a catalyst for positive change.

Key Initiatives:

BRIDGE Scholarship: Recognizing that the first casualty in such situations is often the education of children, BRIDGE has established the ‘SHINE SCHOLARSHIP’ program. This initiative funds the education of students from affected families while also providing financial support to the family until they can secure sustainable employment.

BRIDGE Livelihood: BRIDGE Livelihood is designed to offer immediate financial relief to families grappling with the sudden loss of their primary breadwinners. It provides regular monthly financial assistance to selected families, helping them bridge the financial gap during their period of vulnerability.

BRIDGE Care: Under the BRIDGE Care initiative, the Trust takes up individual cases that require special attention. This can involve one-time assistance or short-term aid to help families overcome immediate financial challenges, including medical expenses, insurance, house construction, renovation, and small-scale business ventures.

Volunteer-Powered: BRIDGE is supported by a dedicated team of around 10 volunteers, all of whom are working professionals. These individuals, driven by a shared commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate, offer their time and expertise to drive BRIDGE initiatives. The volunteers are carefully chosen from among those who already have jobs to ensure their financial sustainability, aligning with BRIDGE’s philosophy of maximizing aid to beneficiaries.

Ajit Isaac Foundation has extended a commitment of Rs. 5 lakhs to BRIDGE, further strengthening the Trust’s ability to extend its support to more families in need, fostering hope, resilience, and a brighter future for those facing adversity.