A Future with Hope

Heart River Bridges of Hope is an outreach and re-entry ministry on behalf of the ELCA and the whole Church. As an expression of God’s grace and love, this ministry will provide youth opportunities for community worship, mentorship, wellness, and mutually enriching relationships. Trusting and believing that God heals and creates new life, our intent is to accompany and empower youth toward a future with hope.

Heart River Bridges of Hope Program

  • serves the state of North Dakota
  • works to build ecumenical, faith-based relationships with youth released from the Youth Correctional Center and congregations across the state

Goals

  • reduce recidivism
  • foster faith formation and spiritual development
  • empower youth
  • empower the greater Church for mission and advocacy

For more information, please contact:

Pastor Gail Hagerty
ghhagerty@gmail.com
701-471-2400

Button

Do justice, love kindness.

"I just want to say thank you so much for the support you give the residents at HRCC.  Thank you so much for brightening our days here at HRCC. It feels so nice to have people care."

handwriting

Female resident
Heart River Correctional Center
August, 2022

"These people — these incredible, loving, awesome, wonderful, caring people started out as strangers — and have turned into nothing less than family."

breakfast_square

Young adult
Bridges of Hope
November, 2020

Our Partners

We give thanks for the partners who help us in our mission.

Ministry on the Margins is a volunteer-based ecumenical ministry committed to supporting those who fall through the cracks during times of transition. They offer hospitality and coffee, a food pantry, prison-to-society support, an ecumenical Christian worship service, and many other ministries every week. It was founded by Sister Kathleen Atkinson, OSB, a Benedictine Sister from Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, ND. As part of our Heart River Bridges of Hope ministry, Heart River Lutheran Church maintains office space at Ministry on the Margins.

The Western North Dakota (WND) Synod of the ELCA supports Heart River as a campus ministry. Many congregations in the Synod, as well as the Eastern North Dakota Synod plus many more congregations and individuals are also important supporters, regardless of denomination. So many give generously of their time, talent, prayers, monetary resources and more.

Thank you for your faithful walk with us and with all who live on the margins.

mom