{"id":756,"date":"2025-05-30T17:30:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T17:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/testbridgetohope\/?page_id=756"},"modified":"2026-06-18T10:40:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:40:33","slug":"overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/bridgetohope\/about-us\/overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Bridge to Hope (BTH) is a nationally recognized partnership between the University of Hawai\u02bbi and the Hawai\u02bbi State Department of Human Services (DHS). The program supports post-secondary education as a pathway for First-to-Work participants to achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency.\n <\/p>\n\n

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\n Education to Leave Poverty, Not Just Welfare\n <\/h2>\n\n

\n Bridge to Hope supports education as a long-term path toward stability, family well-being, and economic independence.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Why College Education Matters\n <\/h2>\n\n

\n Research and local experience show that a college education can make the difference between continued poverty and economic self-sufficiency. Bridge to Hope is Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s response to that need.\n <\/p>\n\n

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  • Poverty rates for minority households decreased by one-half after women heading their households attained just one year of post-secondary education.<\/li>\n
  • Women with college education were less likely to return to welfare and more likely to escape poverty.<\/li>\n
  • In 2000, a woman with a high school diploma earned an average of $15,983.<\/li>\n
  • A woman with a 2-year Associate\u2019s Degree earned an average of $23,731, an increase of 48%.<\/li>\n
  • A woman with a Bachelor\u2019s degree earned an average of $29,848, an increase of 85%.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n
    \n

    \n How Bridge to Hope Supports Education\n <\/h2>\n\n

    \n First-to-Work can support full-time education by reducing work requirements for eligible students. Bridge to Hope helps students meet those requirements through on-campus employment.\n <\/p>\n\n

    \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    \n First-to-Work and Bridge to Hope education comparison\n <\/caption>\n
    Category<\/th>\n Standard First-to-Work<\/th>\n Bridge to Hope Full-Time Education<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    Work Required<\/strong><\/td>\n 30 hours<\/td>\n 20 hours<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Education \/ Work Mix<\/strong><\/td>\n Standard work requirement<\/td>\n 12 hours in class + 6 hours paid employment<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Wages<\/strong><\/td>\n $200 exempt wages + 33%<\/td>\n Wages are exempt from deduction<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n
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    \n Program Details\n <\/h2>\n\n
    \n
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    • Funds are used to provide on-campus student employment so welfare-recipient students can meet DHS requirements for paid employment.<\/li>\n
    • It costs about $2,000 to employ one student year-round.<\/li>\n
    • BTH is available on all 10 campuses of the University of Hawai\u02bbi system.<\/li>\n
    • Approximately 78% of participants attend a community college, where campus work opportunities are often limited.<\/li>\n
    • Participants are single parents receiving public assistance under TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.<\/li>\n
    • Students work in a variety of positions while gaining earnings, job skills, and employer references.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n
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      \n How BTH Positively Impacts Education and Families\n <\/h2>\n\n

      \n Students report that Bridge to Hope:\n <\/p>\n\n

      \n Meets DHS work requirements<\/span>\n Adds time for study<\/span>\n Provides more time with children<\/span>\n Puts focus on education<\/span>\n Gives hope for a better quality of life<\/span>\n Improves self-esteem<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n
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      \n Impact in the First Three Years: 6\/2000 \u2013 6\/2003\n <\/h2>\n\n

      \n In its first three years, Bridge to Hope employed hundreds of students and supported many more through advocacy, referrals, and waitlist assistance.\n <\/p>\n\n

      \n
      \n

      410<\/p>\n

      Total student impact over three years<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

      \n

      263<\/p>\n

      Students employed with BTH funds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

      \n

      147<\/p>\n

      Students supported through waitlist and other placements<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

      \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
      \n Early BTH participation totals\n <\/caption>\n
      Category<\/th>\n Number<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
      First-to-Work participants attending 糖心视频<\/td>\n 343<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Eligible students served<\/td>\n 463<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Number employed with BTH funds<\/td>\n 294<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n
      \n

      Year-by-year student support:<\/strong><\/p>\n