Bridge Start

Bridge Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maximizing the impact of individuals and organizations serving Chicagoland’s immigrant and refugee communities. We host events in partnership with Chicagoland’s leading immigrant and refugee service organizations, serving as a platform for the spread of industry best practices and the development of professional networks. Newly founded in 2020 to address the pressing needs of immigrant and refugee communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Bridge Start aims to continue empowering people to better serve immigrant and refugee populations. Lockdowns have put these at-risk populations in unprecedented and dire situations, from immigration restrictions to the rise in unemployment. All types of enterprises have been forced to adapt to new virtual services and workplaces, including those which serve immigrant and refugee populations. Bridge Start simplifies this transition by leveraging its network to connect those with questions and problems to those with answers and solutions.