About Harbor and Bridge
Harbor and Bridge is a neighborhood-based nonprofit that builds transformative models of community to address poverty at its root—social isolation. We believe poverty is not simply a lack of resources, but the breakdown of relationships and belonging. Through recovery housing, transitional support, and a community center, we are creating spaces where people become co-creators of a better neighborhood—contributing their gifts, building trust, and reclaiming ownership of their lives and communities. We set out to restore the social fabric, one relationship, one block, and one neighborhood at a time.
Our Purpose
Harbor and Bridge exists to confront poverty not as a lack of resources, but as a product of broken social systems and isolation. Our purpose is to restore the social fabric of the neighborhood by creating specific programs and models which enhance healthy community development
Values
Harbor and Bridge believes in the responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential in individuals. We hope to foster a space where neighbors might love and serve one another to create a safe and thriving neighborhood.
1. The Dignity of All People - A community should provide the potential for nurturing human beings into the fullness of their humanity. All people are important and should be treated as such. We support language and behavior that recognizes the dignity in one another and does not devalue anyone.
2.Boundary Crossing - Community is best created with connection and trust between its residents. We build this connection by crossing the mental, physical, and spiritual boundaries which we have both knowingly and unknowingly set around ourselves. Taking bold steps to meet, welcome, and open ourselves to new people and experiences might help us be an example for others.
3. Care for Creation - We recognize the responsibility of the community to prioritize changes in economic, political, social, and technological lifestyles to support a more ecologically equitable and sustainable world leading to a higher quality of life for all. Care for creation is care for ourselves, and vice-versa.
4. Holistic Mission - Our work in the community involves justice, mercy, and reconciliation to create a neighborhood that can heal from accidents, injustice, and recurring problems. Harbor and Bridge is a space where neighbors might find holistic healing toward real peace and harmony in the life of the individual and community as a whole.
5. Advocating for Equal Rights - We are working toward a society in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened, and basic rights are recognized in all people. At this cultural moment in particular, we support the full inclusion and rights of ethnic minorities, LGBTQ persons, racial minorities, the economically disadvantaged, all gender identities, persons with a handicap, immigrants, refugees, those suffering from mental health issues, and all others who find themselves struggling to find equal value under our social order. We advocate with those who face a disproportionate pursuit of basic rights.
6. Faith in Action - Harbor and Bridge was born out of a hope by the United Methodist Church to support the community in a new and powerful way. Our work comes out of a call of Jesus Christ to love and serve our neighbors so that we might all be transformed. While not everyone acknowledges a belief in God, most would believe in wanting to make a difference in their community, fight injustice, and be a part of a larger movement that helps create a better life for all. We hope everyone could be a part of that kind of community.
Contacts
Matt Whisenhunt
Executive Director
Matt is a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church and coordinates programing for Harbor and Bridge. He has a background in residential treatment, working with young people, and church leadership. He has served as Executive Director since the beginning of Harbor and Bridge in 2020.
(photo credit: Rob Kazar)
Hannah Weisbrod
Projects Coordinator
Hannah is an ordained Elder in the UMC and coordinates the various programs of Harbor and Bridge. Her skillset lends itself to Harbor and Bridge’s priority on institutional connections and local relationships.