About Us
The Bridge is committed to the prevention and elimination of domestic violence and sexual assault. We work to enhance safety and to promote equality in relationships. We are opposed to the use of violence to control the lives of others. The Bridge is committed to eliminating violence in the lives of women, children, and men through empowerment, education and social action.
The Bridge’s main office is in Fremont, Nebraska, with outreach offices in Blair and West Point. We serve Dodge, Washington, Burt, Cuming, and Saunders Counties, and we are the only domestic violence/sexual assault program serving this area.
If you or someone you know is feeling threatened, abused, or scared, call our 24-hour (toll free) Crisis Line at (888) 721-4340. Advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to other agencies.
Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Our Services
We provide emergency confidential shelter, a 24-hour crisis line, support and education groups, and youth prevention programming specifically targeting dating violence, bullying, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Crisis Intervention
We work with survivors and their children to help them navigate crises.
- Crisis intervention counseling. The Bridge provides strength-based crisis intervention, giving victims and survivors an opportunity to work with staff advocates to identify their strengths, while reviewing their options, resources, and safety plan.
- Safety planning and emergency shelter. Every year, The Bridge provides shelter to nearly 100 women and children in crisis, and we help hundreds more find a safe place to stay.
- Criminal justice advocacy. The Bridge supports clients as they work with the justice system, including helping clients file protection orders and guiding them through a deposition or trial.
Support
Weekly groups support survivors and their children as they recover from trauma and strengthen their skills.
- Adult female survivors of domestic violence attend our Survivors Support Groups, offered in both English and Spanish.
- Children four to thirteen years old who have witnessed domestic abuse in their home participate in interactive lessons on self-esteem, safety, and healthy relationships through our Rainbow Days Kids Group. Connect Kids is an afterschool program that offers fun activities to strengthen social skills, encourage teamwork, develop character, work on self-esteem, and build academic skills.
- Boundaries is a weekly program for female participants on Drug Court addressing healthy relationships and healthy problem solving.
- The Wise and Well program provides experiences for our clients so that as they continue on their own, with their children, or with friends, they are better able to cope with the stresses of their lives and recover from past trauma.
Prevention and Education
We provide education and training to youth and adults throughout our service area.
- Youth prevention. We provide youth prevention throughout the year, primarily through school systems, but also with churches and afterschool programs. Last year our prevention programs reached more than 6,000 youth of all ages, from preschool through college.
- We also provide community education and training for law enforcement, EMT, emergency room staff, and community groups. Through these partnerships, we can create a safer world.
- Bystander intervention. Bystander engagement training helps young people know how to respond when someone needs help. We also provide tools to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of abuse or bullying.
In the News
Newsletters
Other Publications
"Local nonprofits get boost from fourth-annual Fremont Area Big Give," Fremont Tribune, May 7, 2020
"Survivor to share story via brief videos," Fremont Tribune, April 27, 2020
"The Bridge: Isolation can make domestic violence worse," Fremont Tribune, March 24, 2020
"The Bridge promotes awareness, offers activities"
"Woman warns about stalking: Take threats seriously"
"The Bridge works to stop bullying"
In the News
**The Bridge website was made possible in part by a grant from the Lester A. Walker fund of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Former owner and publisher of the Fremont Tribune, Lester Walker was a respected business leader, community promoter and philanthropist. He encouraged others to make their community a better place to live, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Fremont area have benefited from his charitable legacy. **
Who We Are
Staff
Suzanne Smith, Executive Director
Jody Bykerk, Shelter Program Manager
Stacey Lichtenberg, Community Education Coordinator
Jody Koziol, Burt/Washington Outreach Coordinator
Jennifer Thomason, Criminal Justice Advocate & Volunteer Coordinator
Kylie Kampschneider, Sexual Assault/Criminal Justice Advocate
Christine Torres, Cuming County/Spanish Speaking Services Coordinator
Linda Schlapfer, Outreach Communications Coordinator
Board
Kiley Cordes, President
Jason Harnisch, Past President
Vickie Cameron, Vice President
Marcey Darmento, Treasurer
Kylee Stanley M.D., Secretary
Alisa Brunsing
Cindy Hermansen
Becky Novacek
Pam Thomsen
Becky Von Seggern
Who We Are and What We Do