We envision a world where everyone belongs to a safe and permanent family.
Our mission is to provide high-quality support and advocacy for children, adults, and families to develop and nurture safe, permanent relationships and maximize individual growth.
Bridges Homeward helps individuals to develop life skills to reach their goals, to grow in a stronger sense of self, and to have a nurturing, safe, and permanent family in which to thrive. We believe that when individuals have the skills and resources that they need to be successful, and when they have a family in which to thrive, communities grow stronger. That commitment to safe, secure, parenting relationships can be summed up in one word: Permanency.
Our Core Values
Dignity: We believe that every child and adult has inherent value and worth.
Respect: We respect the lived experiences and contributions of all participants, families, and staff; we are each the experts of our own life, and we support the goals each individual and family set for themselves.
Compassion: We strive to offer kindness, caring and a willingness to actively help one another grow in their skills, strengths, and goals. We believe that our community is stronger when we include opportunities for people with diverse identities, abilities, and experiences.
Hope: For 150 years, Bridges Homeward has worked to create safety and security for children and families. The agency has never given up and we never will. Participants, families, stakeholders, and community partners are invited and encouraged to do the same.
We live in a world where children do not always have a family that is safe or permanent.
For some, they do not have a place in which they belong or the connection to the skills and resources to thrive. In 2024, nearly 9,000 youth and young adults in Massachusetts reside in foster placements statewide and 2,120 of those youth have a goal of adoption. In addition, over 48,216 individuals state-wide are eligible for developmental disabilities services and are receiving or looking to connect to services. While the state of Massachusetts works tirelessly to support these children, individuals, and their families, the demand exceeds its capacity.
Bridges Homeward helps individuals to develop life skills to reach their goals, to grow in a stronger sense of self, and to have a nurturing, safe, and permanent family in which to thrive. We believe that when individuals have the skills and resources that they need to be successful, and when they have a family in which to thrive, communities grow stronger. That commitment to safe, secure, parenting relationships can be summed up in one word: Permanency.
For over 150 years, Bridges Homeward has bridged these gaps for children and families.
Originating as a simple orphanage in 1874 for 10 homeless youth, today Bridges Homeward supports over 1,000 individuals and families annually. By uniting dedicated individuals, government agencies, community partners, and businesses, Bridges Homeward has become a pivotal junction where expertise, influence, and resources converge to empower individuals and families to strengthen connections and achieve their full potential.
Permanency means having those people in your life who will be there for you, no matter what. People who are there to celebrate your birthday, to say congratulations, to encourage you when you need it. People who are going to be there for you when things aren't so good, when you're facing challenges, when you need a little guidance. That's when permanency really makes a difference. And that's what we want for every child, adult and family we work with.
— Bob Gittens, Executive Director, 2016 - 2023
