Women’s Application Information
Referral and Acceptance Process
Bridges of Iowa is a long-term faith-based transitional housing project for women who have struggled with alcohol and substance abuse and may have also been involved in the criminal justice system. The Bridges Women’s Housing Project, unlike our men’s program, is not a substance abuse treatment program. Women referred to Bridges of Iowa are expected to have completed drug treatment and should be in the action or maintenance stage of their recovery. Bridges of Iowa women will actively work with local churches, volunteers, and 12-step support groups through mentoring and sponsorship programs. This mentoring begins while in our housing project, but is expected to continue as she transitions into the community of work, family, and friends. Our hope and our commitment is that every Bridges of Iowa client will be given the support and direction needed to begin their own “Spiritual Journey” and change their lives for the better. Bridges of Iowa is a faith-based program, but it is not necessary to be a “Christian” or have any affiliation with any organized religion to be accepted and welcomed into the project.
The attached application asks a multitude of alcohol and substance use related questions, but is not intended as a substance abuse evaluation. We require this information to verify that you have completed your primary substance abuse treatment goals and to help us determine your appropriateness for the program. You may complete the written portion of the application on your own, but an authority figure such as your correctional counselor, PO, or substance abuse counselor must sign-off on the application verifying that the information you provided regarding your commitment to change and your appropriateness for our program is accurate. It’s important for you to know we put great emphasis on your letter “Why I Want to Enroll in the Bridges of Iowa Women’s Transitional Housing Project.” We want you to know we only accept women who are serious about change and want to be in the program.
Once the application process is complete and you have been accepted, your name will be placed on a waiting list, and Bridges of Iowa staff will inform your referral source of the approximate available placement dates. If the court or parole board should order placement at Bridges prior to completion of the application and acceptance process, and if we find that you do not meet the qualifications for our program, we will be unable to accommodate the referral.
If you are accepted into the project and we discover that the application information was inaccurate you may be discharged from Bridges and returned to the referral source.