Business Details
39 Years
experience
Empowering People with Disabilities Through Community & Support
Founded in 1987 by Rev. Henk Wapstra, Bridge Ministries operates as a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to ending social isolation among people with disabilities. Our organization believes true accessibility requires both physical accommodations and community transformation, ensuring individuals with disabilities can fully contribute to community life. Through three core programsthe Meyer Medical Equipment Center, Guardianship Services, and Spiritual Connectionswe serve over 3,500 people annually. The Meyer Medical Equipment Center, the largest adaptive equipment provider in the Puget Sound area, redistributes donated durable medical equipment to those in need without eligibility requirements or fees. Our guardianship program uniquely supports 48 developmentally disabled adults in King County with oversight in medical, financial, and legal matters.Spiritual Connections fosters inclusive faith communities through events and resources that promote spiritual enrichment for people with disabilities. With 21 staff members and over 400 volunteers, we operate two equipment centers and host 25+ annual events focused on inclusion. Our ecumenical Christian values guide all operations, emphasizing God-centered care, community collaboration, and celebration of diversity. We maintain transparency through annual reports and Form 990 filings, with 556 volunteers contributing 3,601 hours in 2023 alone. Our work extends beyond physical access to create communities where every individual's gifts are acknowledged and valued.
Services
Medical Equipment Distribution
Guardianship Services
Spiritual Connections
Church Accessibility Audits
Fellowship Events
Resource Library
Equipment Donations
Volunteer Opportunities
Community Building
Advocacy Programs
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We provide free medical equipment to anyone in need without eligibility requirements
- We offer the only King County guardianship program dedicated exclusively to adults with developmental disabilities
- Our Spiritual Connections ministry helps faith communities become fully inclusive
- We operate two equipment centers serving the Puget Sound region
- Our 400+ volunteers contribute thousands of service hours annually
Services
Medical Equipment Distribution
The Meyer Medical Equipment Center provides free durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds to anyone in need. Our program collects, cleans, and repairs donated equipment to ensure accessibility without eligibility requirements or fees. This service helps over 3,000 individuals annually maintain independence and community participation.
Guardianship Services
Our specialized guardianship program supports 48 developmentally disabled adults in King County with medical, financial, and legal oversight. As the only agency in the region focused exclusively on this population, we ensure vulnerable individuals have dedicated representation while promoting their autonomy and community integration through personalized care plans.
Spiritual Connections
This ministry fosters inclusive faith communities by helping churches implement accessible practices and hosting spiritual enrichment events. We provide resources for creating welcoming environments, conduct accessibility audits, and organize gatherings that help people with disabilities build meaningful connections within their religious communities through our network of partner churches.
People
Rev. Henk Wapstra
Founder
Founded Bridge Ministries in 1987 after recognizing social isolation as the primary barrier for people with disabilities. His ministry approach combines spiritual care with practical community-building strategies to create inclusive environments.
Sharon Black
Community Connector
Utilizes social work expertise and lived experience with disability to develop resources and connect people with community support systems. Plays key role in expanding the organization's outreach and volunteer network.
Questions
What services does Bridge Disability Ministries offer?
We provide medical equipment distribution, guardianship services for adults with developmental disabilities, and spiritual connections programs that help faith communities become inclusive.
How can I obtain medical equipment?
Visit our Meyer Medical Equipment Center in Redmond during business hours to select from available equipment. No application or fees are required for our free equipment distribution program.
Do you serve areas outside King County?
While our primary service area is King County, our equipment center and resources are accessible to anyone in the Puget Sound region seeking assistance.
How can churches become more accessible?
Our Spiritual Connections program offers accessibility audits, training resources, and consultation to help faith communities implement inclusive practices and accommodations.
Can I volunteer with your organization?
Yes! We have over 400 volunteers who contribute thousands of hours annually through equipment center operations, event support, and community outreach programs.
How is Bridge funded?
We primarily rely on individual donations, with significant volunteer support. Most operating funds come from community contributions rather than government grants or major corporate sponsors.
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