Collaboration


The essence of BridgeLink is collaboration.

We are only successful in supporting our Service Providers as we collaborate with others who are willing and able to help them accomplish their missions. Other collaborations allow us to mobilize faith communities or address immediate basic needs. These are our current collaboration relationships:


Faith Communities
Since we were launched from Constance Free Church (see our history), most of our volunteers have come from this church. However, we are pleased to say that several other churches have regularly provided volunteers to help our Service Providers. We encourage them to join us in collaborating with Compassion Action Network and the Anoka-Hennepin School District (see below).


Small Groups, Families, and Individuals
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We regularly see church and other small groups, families, and individuals step forward to volunteer. The small groups may be adults, middle school or high school students, and it may be a local school class or a hockey team!

Volunteerism can be a very unifying experience for a family or a small group. Individuals who help find others of like mind.


Businesses
A/files/My Sample Gallery/Slide1_2.JPGnother source of volunteers and funding has been small businesses in Anoka County. Some donate from their products and services. Others serve in an area that has nothing to do with their business.But all find that the bonding experience of service shows that doing good can be good for business.



Compassion Action Network
A very important aspect of our work is our collaborative relationship with Compassion Action Network. This is a collaborative effort of Anoka County Human Services, Faith Communities and Non-profit Organizations working together to help individuals. BridgeLink participates in CAN Spring and Fall Faith Forums by leading their Faith in Action segment.


Anoka-Hennepin School District
A very important collaboration with faith communities was initiated by the Anoka-Hennepin School District, District #11, in the spring of 2010. Out of concern for those with unmet basic needs, the District formed a Steering Committee with BridgeLink participation, and arrived at a Statement of Purpose as follows:

/files/My Sample Gallery/lonelystudent.jpgThe Faith Community Partnership is a collaborative effort of the Anoka Hennepin school district, faith based organizations and broader communities to raise awareness and understanding of compelling community issues and to mobilize people to help meet the basic needs of students.

Using open communication and creativity, this collaboration will provide immediate response to those in need and will offer specific suggestions for those who want to help.

Through this collaboration, BridgeLink helped define how area faith communities can partner with schools to define creative ways to help people with needs.