Weitz Raises Money for Bridge House Ready to Work Program that Combats Homelessness

DENVER – During its annual Oktoberfest event for customers and trade partners, The Weitz Company conducted a fundraiser for Bridge House that generated $2,100.

The money raised will directly support Bridge House’s Ready to Work program that provides a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless individuals through paid work. Bridge House has an established Right to Work program in Boulder, Colo., that the non-profit organization is working to replicate in Aurora, Colo.

“Bridge House has a very admirable mission that gives several dozen people hope every year. We felt compelled to assist in the efforts to expand the Ready to Work program into Aurora so more people can receive a new lease on life,” said Bruce Porter, executive vice president and general manager of The Weitz Company.

The new Ready to Work campus in Aurora will be located at 3176 S. Peoria Court. The Weitz Company is renovating the 22,000-square-foot facility into a congregate residence with shared bedrooms, common spaces, recreation areas, a computer lab, case management offices, laundry and a community kitchen.

“We are thrilled to partner with Weitz on our current project to renovate our second Ready to Work House and Employment Center dormitory in metro Denver,” said Bridge House CEO Isabel McDevitt. “We will open by the end of 2018 to offer housing and employment to 50 people currently experiencing homelessness in our region. We couldn’t have done this project without the generosity and expertise of the Weitz team.”

Bridge House’s transitional work and housing program, Ready to Work addresses barriers impacting the ability of homeless individuals to work and find housing. People are selected annually for the program following an application and orientation process. They are provided housing in a congregate setting along with services like sobriety support, financial management and life skills training.

Seventy-five percent of Ready to Work participants graduate into mainstream jobs and independent housing at the conclusion of the program.