Welcome to Bridge to Independence. I am Kim Kolarik, the founder and executive director. My professional background spans Registered Nursing (RN, ADN) and Social Work (BSW), underscoring a long-standing dedication to nurturing, healing, and advocating for vulnerable groups.
Over the past 20 years, I have dedicated my life to foster care, providing a stable environment for over 140 children, with a focus on aiding teenage girls through their critical developmental stages. This experience has profoundly informed my approach to social care and driven my commitment to instigate meaningful change.
Bridge to Independence represents the culmination of this journey, embodying a mission-driven ethos to empower individuals and families towards self-reliance and fostering a supportive community network. Our organization merges professional expertise with personal commitment to effect change, one life at a time.
Through Bridge to Independence, we aim to utilize our collective experience and community strength to offer a comprehensive suite of support services, including transitional housing, educational programs, employment opportunities, and health and wellness initiatives. Our objective is to facilitate a holistic empowerment model to foster independence and self-sufficiency.
As we establish this organization with a dual structure of an LLC and a nonprofit arm, our mission remains focused on providing a transitional pathway, guiding individuals toward a future marked by hope, opportunity, and autonomy. I am eager to continue this journey and warmly invite you to join us in making a substantial impact in the lives of many.
Let’s collaboratively forge pathways to a better future.
Sincerely,
Kim Kolarik
Founder and Executive Director, Bridge to Independence
