Footbridge for Families

Housing security can vanish with a single piece of paper. For Chelsea*, a 30-day eviction notice transformed her stable living situation into a countdown clock, threatening to unravel the foundation her family depended on. The building’s sale, a routine real estate transaction for the new owners, became an emergency for the families who called it home. Read Chelsea's Case Story on the Footbridge website: https://lnkd.in/ebD7Bh48

Recent research published in the journal Social Service Review reinforces what we see daily: Economic supports directly reduce child welfare system involvement. The study examined three policy packages from the National Academy of Sciences' roadmap to reduce child poverty, finding they could reduce child protective services investigations by 11.3-19.7% annually. This research adds to growing evidence that what often appears as "neglect" in child welfare cases is frequently a manifestation of economic hardship. When families can meet basic needs—housing, utilities, food, childcare—children remain safer at home. At Footbridge, every case we support confirms this reality. Whether preventing eviction for a parent unable to work during their child's medical procedures or helping a family restore electricity after a temporary setback, addressing economic needs prevents the cascading crises that can lead to family separation. The evidence is clear: investing in family economic stability isn't just humane social policy—it's effective child protection. Read the full study: https://lnkd.in/e3GY9GJS

"I have a better peace of mind... I'm not used to getting this much help from anyone. I plan to pay it forward by continuing to help myself and others." When a health crisis coincided with utility shutoff notices, one grandmother faced impossible choices between medical care and maintaining basic necessities for herself and her grandchild. Your donation helps families weather unexpected storms and maintain dignity during temporary setbacks: https://lnkd.in/eQvtmQk8

When a company closes its doors, it doesn't just end employment—it unravels a carefully constructed financial equilibrium that many working families maintain through multiple jobs and precise budgeting. For Jasmine*, this delicate balance collapsed with just one week's notice.

When childbirth leads to medical debt, families face impossible choices about their future. A Penn State University study of first-time Pennsylvania mothers with private insurance found 8.3% had childbirth bills sent to collections. These women were significantly less likely to have a second child within two years compared to those without medical debt. These findings illustrate what we see daily at Footbridge - how quickly a common life event can create financial vulnerability. With average out-of-pocket costs for pregnancy and childbirth exceeding $2,800 (even with "good insurance"), many families lack sufficient savings to cover these expenses. Most concerning is how medical debt shapes critical family decisions. Bills accumulating during what should be a joyful time create impossible choices between paying for necessities, avoiding further debt, or growing their family. Proposed legislation in Pennsylvania would establish a program to relieve medical debt and make hospital charity care policies more transparent. This approach acknowledges what our case stories consistently show: timely financial intervention during critical life moments prevents temporary setbacks from becoming lasting hardships. Read more about this proposed legislation in this article from Spotlight PA : https://lnkd.in/e_z5gcWZ

"My rent is caught up and my electric is back on. My family and I can go back home." When health issues forced one parent onto short-term disability, reduced income quickly translated to darkened rooms and an eviction notice. An inhabitable home became uninhabitable overnight. Your donation helps families maintain housing stability when medical challenges interrupt financial security: https://lnkd.in/eQvtmQk8

The weight of responsibility doesn't just rest on caregivers' shoulders – sometimes it wears down their vehicles too. When the physical demands of Danielle's* caregiving role began to manifest as mechanical problems in her car, the boundaries between professional obligation and personal crisis quickly blurred. Read Danielle's Case Story on the Footbridge website: https://lnkd.in/e-FWMv-E *???????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????????.

Research consistently shows that tax credits for working families prevent crises that separate families. That's why we're encouraged by United Way of Pennsylvania 's recent testimony urging PA lawmakers to implement a state Earned Income Tax Credit. The evidence is compelling: 31 states already provide this support, and studies show a PA state EITC could generate $562 million in economic benefits from an $80.5 million investment. For the 28% of Pennsylvanians who work but struggle to afford basic necessities (ALICE households), this credit would provide crucial financial breathing room. When families have resources to manage financial setbacks, children remain safe and communities thrive. A state EITC aligns perfectly with prevention-focused approaches. Read the full testimony: https://lnkd.in/ef92eyRJ

We recently released our FY23-24 Impact Report. Some highlights from our last fiscal year: **************************************** – Deployed a new integrated IT platform in support of our future growth – Presented to Senate Finance Committee staff and participated in the White House’s Convening on Child Welfare Transformation – Disbursed over $954,000 in support of families, and provided financial support for more than 620 families facing a crisis Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ek_36F9m

"I was able to sleep and not worry my water would be off when I woke up." Access to running water isn't just a utility—it's a foundation for family stability. For one household, an unpaid water bill threatened more than comfort—it risked creating a spiraling set of conditions where children could be separated from their parents. Your donation helps families maintain the basic necessities that keep them together: https://lnkd.in/eQvtmQk8