SonBridge Celebrates 20 Years of Service

By Kimberley Kuzma 

Strategic Communications Manager 

SonBridge Center for Better Living 

SonBridge Center for Better Living in College Place, Washington, held an open house and resource fair on July 13 to celebrate 20 years of bringing help and hope to those of greatest need in the Walla Walla Valley. 

The open house brought together more than 130 friends of SonBridge, including church members, current and former staff and volunteers, and curious community residents, to celebrate SonBridge’s legacy of service. The event also highlighted several area service organizations that partner with SonBridge to ensure that no person in need falls through the cracks. 

Open house guests enjoyed tours of the SonBridge facility, including stops where they could watch videos to learn more about historical highlights; speak with SonBridge Dental Clinic, SOS Health Services and KLRF Radio staff; and talk with some of the original founders of the organization. Guests were also encouraged to stop at the SonBridge Thrift&Gift Store. 

“SonBridge embodies our commitment to Serve One More through its genuine service to the people of the Walla Walla Valley,” Upper Columbia Conference president David Jamieson said in a video welcoming open house guests. “When I say genuine service, I mean serving with no strings attached, and with bold generosity, serving all people with dignity and respect because of their God-given value. Service that costs something, yet with faith that God will provide.” 

Over the last two decades, SonBridge has grown from an idea in the hearts of some service-minded church members to an organization that has grown and adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of its community. The flexibility and resilience present throughout SonBridge’s history were the focus of a short talk given by executive director, Norman Thiel. 

“With a twenty-year history of successfully helping people, our community continues to ask SonBridge to do more,” Thiel says. “We have no idea what the future holds or what God has in store for the next twenty years of SonBridge, but we are committed to meeting the challenges and needs that arise, and following His leading in order to continue bringing help and hope to our community.” 

SonBridge was founded in 2005 as an Adventist Community Services Center by eight Walla Walla Valley Seventh-day Adventist churches who recognized the importance of direct access to low-cost community services. For twenty years, SonBridge has sought to understand community needs and extend programs and resources to meet them. SonBridge provides help to the underserved through family assistance services, education and support groups, dental and medical care, and job skills training.

SonBridge is funded in part by the Serve One More initiative. "SonBridge does incredible work engaging with the community and providing ways for people to serve their neighbors," said Richie Brower, Serve One More Associate Director, "We look forward to continuing to serve together with SonBridge."  

The mission of SonBridge is to share the love of Christ, bringing hope and wholeness to the people of the Walla Walla Valley. Our vision is to build a community where God’s unconditional love is expressed through resources and services to revitalize the whole person. 

“… SonBridge serves the community as Jesus did by meeting physical needs first,” Jamieson said. “In meeting these needs for clothing, medical and dental care, financial assistance and much more, SonBridge offers something even more valuable — meaningful connection. Meaningful connections with a caring community and the chance for a life-changing connection with our Creator.”

To learn more about SonBridge and support this ministry, visit sonbridge.org.