Since 1988, Bridging Hope (formerly Rape Response) has provided support, education, and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, ages 13 or older, and their loved ones in a service area that includes Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, and White counties in Georgia. In the past year alone, we have been able to provide support to over 750 individuals. ALL of Bridging Hope's services are completely FREE.

Bridging Hope offers comprehensive wrap-around services to survivors to support both their physical and emotional healing from their trauma. Some of the free services/programs available include:

24/7 crisis hotline for new and/or existing survivors and their loved ones to receive support
Trauma-focused individual therapy
Support groups
Accompaniment and support throughout the law enforcement process and court proceedings
Referrals to receive free follow-up STI testing/treatment through local health department
Advocacy and support from trained staff to learn all available options post assault and to process feelings/concerns
"Let's Talk©" sexual assault prevention education, in middle and high school within our service area. In 2023-24 school year, over 13,000 students received this education.
Dedicated Campus Advocate to provide education and support to the 10 campuses of the six higher education institutions in our areas

Expanded services include:

Community-based SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program that offers Forensic Medical Exams after sexual assault. This service is not available at any other facility OR hospital in our six-county service area.
Offering of Non-fatal Strangulation Exams to victims of Sexual Assault as well as Domestic Violence
The only state-wide cold case advocate that works with the SAKI (Sexual Assault Kit Initiative) team that notifies and supports survivors of cold-case sexual assaults after "a CODIS hit" is returned from their sexual assault kit from as long as 5, 10 or even 30 years prior.
Expanding our work with individuals who have experienced Human Trafficking in our six-county service area.
2 new full-time bilingual advocates who work to effectively connect with and serve the Hispanic community
Equine therapy services as an empowering and healing resource for survivors of sexual assault

To ensure continued funding for all of our survivor-focused programs, we are excited to announce our 3rd annual Bingo & Bubbly fundraising event. Bingo & Bubbly features a fabulous brunch, four rounds of bingo with the hilarious Jessica It's All Good as our emcee, delicious brunch provided by Amanda's Farm to Fork, amazing raffle prizes, complimentary mimosas, a cash bar available, silent auctions, and SO MUCH MORE!

Brighten Your Smile Package