A bit of history…
Bridging the Gap Foundation is a newly formed 501c3 nonprofit corporation.
Bridging The Gap’s mission is to bring joy to members of our community that may be overlooked or forgotten during the holiday season and throughout the year through the simple act of gift giving. Bridging The Gap provides both holiday and emergency assistance through local agencies like Humboldt County Child Welfare Services, Youth Services Bureau, and Humboldt Domestic Violence Services. We endeavor to bridge the gap between those facing hardship and the community, in the hopes of making a positive impact on their lives and letting them know that there are people who care about them. Bridging The Gap strives to embody the spirit of compassion and giving within our community.
The corporation was formed on April 8th, 2024 by Bill Clem, Brett Engel, Victor Copeland, Robert Slater, and Brandon Kakitsuka.
The idea for the nonprofit charity was inspired by a project that Bill Clem started in 2017.
Bill has been working with Humboldt County Child Welfare Services since the 1990s, donating holiday gifts to foster children and children at homeless shelters. He also provided holiday gifts for teens at the Youth Services Bureau teen home over the years, working closely with the Director of the teen home, Pat Sweeney.
Bill was a maintenance electrician at Humboldt State University for 21 years. While at HSU, he organized a Christmas toy drive for Humboldt County disadvantaged youth. In 2015, after retiring in 2013, Bill turned the program he created over to HSU. HSU named it Winter Wishes and it is still going strong today (https://forever.humboldt.edu/winter-wishes-0).
In 2017, Bill was looking for a way to get involved in the community during the holiday season. He found an overlooked need in the community and started soliciting donations from friends and local businesses. His mission was to buy gift cards for teens age 14 and older in foster care. Although there are some organizations like Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise providing support for this part of our community during the holidays, Bill felt that he could add to it. Working closely with Humboldt County Child Welfare Services and with the help of Barry Smith Construction, Carbonneau Ceramic Tile,and Eureka Glass, he provided 90 teens in foster care with gift cards that first year.
In 2023, Bill raised over $12,000 and provided 95 foster teens with $100 gift cards
In addition to the gift cards to teens, every holiday season Bill has used part of the donations he collected to buy gift cards and toys for the women and children at the Harrington House Domestic Violence Services in Crescent City. Also, working with CWS, he provided gift cards to families that have worked hard to be reunited with their children. Last year’s overwhelming fundraising success allowed for gift cards to be provided to the women at the Humboldt County Domestic Violence Services women’s shelter.
It was at this point, inspired by the generosity of the North Coast community and the friends who helped and encouraged him, that Bill decided to start a nonprofit charity. With the help and inspiration of Brett, Victoria, Brandon, and Robert, Bridging The Gap was formed to expand and continue this work.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email us. We are also more than happy to meet in person with you or your organization at any time.
Thank you so much,
Bridging The Gap Foundation
We believe in the power of empathy and understanding. Our team is committed to working closely with each person who reaches out, to ensure they receive the personalized assistance they require. Whether you are facing financial hardship, housing insecurity, or any other obstacle, we are here to lend a helping hand and guide you towards a brighter future.