Participant Stories

Melina and Sebastian are two peas in a pod. Despite their five year age difference, the brother and sister duo get along extremely well. Each morning, Melana can expect Sebastian to climb up to the top of their shared bunk bed to wake her up for school. Their mom, Stephanie, enjoys witnessing these small moments of affection between the two of them.

Stephanie and her beautiful family have been a part of The Bridge Project for two years now. Stephanie applied for The Bridge Project when she was pregnant with her son, Sebastian, and was admitted into the program right after she had unexpectedly given birth to him prematurely. Sebastian came three months earlier than his expected due date and had to spend 95 days in the NICU before he could go home and be with his loved ones. Stephanie describes this time period in her life as a “rollercoaster.” Because Sebastian came so early, she never had the opportunity to host a baby shower and begin gathering the necessary supplies for him. “With the money [from the Bridge Project], I was able to buy the little essentials I needed for him.” Funds from The Bridge Project also helped supplement Stephanie’s income during her maternity leave given that she wasn’t receiving her full pay during this time. “Having the $500 every two weeks helped a lot.”

Sebastian is now two years old, active, healthy, and an excellent younger brother to Melina. Stephanie continues to care for her two growing children, while working full time for NYC Health and Hospitals as an Assistant Coordinating Manager. Stephanie is also a member of The Bridge Project’s inaugural Advocacy Fellows Program where she works alongside fellow Bridge Project members and the Director of Policy to sharpen her leadership skills and spread awareness of the positive impact that programs like The Bridge Project have on everyday New York families. We are so grateful to Stephanie for her commitment to advance policies and legislation that will support all families in need.