More than two decades ago, in the midst of heartbreak, God planted a seed. When our founder, Heather Devereaux, lost her best friend, Bridget, in 2003, God planted a seed in her that He was not finished with Bridget’s story. Bridget had lived with a deep compassion for women and children in crisis, because she had walked through crisis herself. She understood instability, fear, and loneliness firsthand, and her greatest desire was to help others who were facing the same battles.

After Bridget’s passing, the seed God planted did not fade. It grew. What began as a quiet stirring in Heather’s heart slowly became a calling, a calling to honor Bridget’s life by continuing her mission of compassion, dignity, and hope.

And today, that calling has become Bridget’s House.

Rooted in Faith, Built on God’s Promise

From the very beginning, the journey of Bridget’s House has been anchored in Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

Through loss, God brought purpose. Through grief, He brought healing. Through countless unknowns, He brought provision, again and again.

Every step of Bridget’s House has been shaped by His faithfulness:
• A generous donor stepped forward and provided a beautiful home completely debt-free.
• Volunteers filled the house with hard work, prayer, generosity, and love.
• Skilled tradespeople offered their time and talent.
• Donors contributed furniture, supplies, and financial support.
• Families, friends, and the community united to transform a simple structure into a sanctuary.

Bridget’s House is a testament to what God can do when His people say “yes.”

The Need: Hidden Homelessness in Our Community

In Allendale and our surrounding communities, the need for supportive housing is real and urgent.

These statistics should not only alarm us, but stop us in our tracks:

• More than 150 students in our local and surrounding school districts are classified as homeless under Federal guidelines.

• Hundreds of students face daily food insecurity.

• 21% of households fall below ALICE and poverty thresholds. This means working families are making more than the federal poverty guidelines but less than the cost of living. They are making hard choices each month such as paying the rent or buying food.

• And of those households, 79% are led by single mothers with children under age 18.

These mothers are doing everything they can, working hard, caring for their children, trying to hold their lives together, and still finding themselves out of options. The lack of supportive housing programs in our area leaves many families vulnerable, unstable, and alone.

Bridget’s House was created to change that.

A Home for Rest, Restoration, and Renewal

Bridget’s House is a faith-based supportive housing program for single mothers and their children experiencing homelessness or housing instability. As a ministry of Ripple Effect Inc., our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where families can heal, rebuild, and grow toward long-term stability.

Here, mothers find:

• A stable home where their children can thrive

• One-on-one advocacy and mentorship

• Financial training and savings plans

• Life skills development

• Emotional and spiritual support

• A community that believes in them

Mothers stay for approximately 9 to 12 months, working with journey partners each week to set goals and take meaningful steps toward independence. Our program fee structure fosters both responsibility and empowerment, with a portion of fees set aside in a savings fund returned upon successful completion, helping moms bridge into permanent housing with confidence.

Bridget’s House is not just a place to stay. It’s a place to transform.

A Community Effort, A God-Sized Vision

Bridget’s House exists because of the unwavering support of countless people, family, friends, volunteers, donors, churches, and neighbors, who believed in this mission from the beginning. Their love and support have helped carry this dream from vision to reality.

And above all, we give thanks to God, the One who has guided every decision, opened every door, and woven every piece of this story together for good.

The Story Is Just Beginning

Bridget’s House is more than a tribute to a beloved friend. It is a living, breathing ministry, one that will continue to change lives for generations.

This is a place where mothers rediscover hope.
Where children feel safe.
Where families rebuild.
Where God’s love is made visible.

And we invite you to be part of this story.

Pray with us.
Serve with us.
Support this ministry.

Together, we can break cycles, lift families, and shine the light of Christ into the places where it is needed most.

Welcome to Bridget’s House, where God is still working all things together for good.