Message from Barbara Hayes, Chief Executive Officer

Dear Friends,

The year 2007 was a year of growth for The Bridge Fund. Most of the key metrics we use in assessing our progress improved. We expanded our services to Brooklyn so that we now take applications from all five boroughs. Overall contributions were significantly better than last year, and we ended 2007 in an even stronger position to do more to prevent homelessness among the working poor of Westchester and New York City. On the other hand, economic conditions have worsened, with grave implications for the income groups we serve. All in all, we expect that there will be an unprecedented demand for Bridge Fund services in 2008 and 2009.

In 2007, our Westchester and New York City programs mobilized $1.93 million to stabilize 627 families in their threatened housing or helped move them to more affordable homes. These households consisted of 845 adults and 735 children. The Bridge Fund used $795,494 of its own funds in these cases, secured $538,224 from other agencies, and our clients contributed $593,667 to resolving their housing crises. In addition, our staff provided 3,321 expert referrals to households that did not qualify for Bridge Fund assistance. Everyone who approaches The Bridge Fund gets help.

We are profoundly grateful to our friends and supporters for their confidence in our work as shown by the increase in contributions last year. The positive, substantial results of your generosity are found in the client stories in this report. With your strong support, we were able to add to the staff in New York City and to proceed with a major expansion of Bridge Fund services to Brooklyn, where the need is tremendous. In Westchester, we are seeing more fall-out from the housing crisis and, within the confines of our mission and capabilities, we are working to assist some very needy families.

We have always said that, no matter how hard our clients work, they are vulnerable to adverse developments. Many of the working poor simply do not have the financial reserves to ride out serious setbacks in hard times. So with what is happening now in the economy and in housing, we expect to experience higher demand and activity. Our goal for 2008 is to do more to help our neighbors who are in need. With your continuing support we can do a good deal more.

Sincerely,

Barbara Hayes Chief Executive Officer