Our Case Stories
It is widely recognized that families’ ability to meet basic needs is the biggest determinant of their ability to lead full and healthy lives. But in many specific emergency situations, existing support structures either don’t cover or cannot act fast enough to cover an acute, unexpected financial need. Footbridge strategically supports only clients for whom our help will make a sustainable difference. Our flexible model complements existing supports, filling in gaps as the funder of last resort. Read our case stories to hear specific examples of how our approach makes a difference.
Sabrina’s Case Story
Before her surgery, Sabrina supported herself by driving for Uber and Lyft, work that let her set her own hours and stay financially independent. The arrangement worked because her body worked. When December brought an emergency surgery and left her temporarily unable to walk, she had no choice but to take her car off the road. The income stopped the same day the surgery began.
Read moreRenee’s Case Story
For most people, an electric bill is an inconvenience. For Renee,* a 72-year-old woman living with multiple medical conditions and her two grandchildren, it is something closer to a lifeline.
Read moreHolly’s Case Story
When Holly’s* adult daughter passed away unexpectedly, the world around her did not pause. The water bill continued to accumulate. The sewer account fell behind. The gas company sent its notices. Disabled and managing her household on a fixed income, Holly found herself unable to respond to any of it. She had another child still living at home. The practical demands of keeping a home running do not suspend themselves for grief.
Read moreErin’s Case Story
The transition from public assistance to employment should represent progress. For Jacqueline, a single mother of two balancing school and work, that transition created a financial strain she couldn’t bridge alone.
Read moreJacqueline’s Case Story
The transition from public assistance to employment should represent progress. For Jacqueline, a single mother of two balancing school and work, that transition created a financial strain she couldn’t bridge alone.
Read moreKayla’s Case Story
A sewage system failure doesn’t just create a health hazard; it can set off a chain reaction that transforms stable housing into prolonged displacement. For Kayla*, what began as a landlord’s maintenance crisis evolved into nearly two years of hotel living, where weekly payments consumed the resources she needed to secure permanent housing.
Read moreBri’s Case Story
The plan seemed straightforward: prioritize the biggest bill this month and regain steady footing. For Bri*, this strategy had worked before when she juggled expenses from her regular income plus side jobs. But when health issues and family obligations forced her to stop the supplemental work, the equation changed entirely.
Read moreKimberly’s Case Story
The mathematics finally worked. After months of unsustainable housing costs, Kimberly* had secured stable employment and identified an affordable apartment that would allow her family to live within their means.
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