Courtesy of Growing Community Media/Wednesday Journal

Our Center

The Neighborhood Bridge plans to establish its main office in the rectory of St. Catherine-St. Lucy, located at the corner of Austin and Washington Boulevards in Oak Park. The location is ideal since its five school partners are no more than a mile from this location and few human services providers are located in Central West Austin. Currently renting space from the Archdiocese in the rectory are Housing Forward, which operates an emergency shelter on the 2nd floor of the rectory, and Beyond Hunger, which has a cold storage unit in the garage. 

Building Plans

The Neighborhood Bridge is discussing its plans with the Archdiocese for utilizing additional space in the building.

  • Community meeting room for adult education , providing training in areas such as household budgeting, computer competency, communication skills, and violence prevention.

  • Space for service groups, such as the Faith & Fellowship Ministry, which has supported people with severe mental health challenges for the past 41 years.

  • A distribution center for needed household staples, such as food, clothing, first aid supplies, and school supplies.

Expected completion: August 2024

Phase I - Upgrade the lower level of the rectory to create:

  • A welcoming entry.

  • A central office area to accommodate 2 staff members.

  • Flexible individual and group spaces for clinicians and social workers to meet with clients.

In addition, plans will need to be developed and agreed upon for who is responsible for needed building upgrades related to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, as well as the need for a new roof and bringing the building into compliance with standards of the American Disability Act.

Expected completion: TBD

Phase II- Renovate other parts of the building to create: