Quincy Medical Group’s annual ‘Bridge the Gap to Health’ raises more than $50,000 for YWCA Quincy

October 4, 2022 | By Muddy River News

Pictured with a check representing the amount raised by the Bridge to Gap Health event are Jennifer Wingerter, QMG benevolence specialist; Maria Rench, YWCA Quincy executive director; Morgan Parker, QMG director of community relations; Angela Reed, QMG Foundation Board president; Bobbette Wand, QMG Foundation Board vice president; and Leah Murfin, QMG community engagement specialist. | Photo courtesy of Quincy Medical Group

QUINCY — More than 800 participants came together on May 14 to the riverfront in Quincy for the 22nd annual Quincy Medical Group Bridge the Gap to Health Race, which supported the supportive housing program at the YWCA Quincy.

Representatives from QMG presented a check to the YWCA on Sept. 22 for $53,947.73.

“Our race committee aims to provide a unique race experience, but our primary purpose is to
help bridge the gap for a community need,” QMG director of community relations Morgan Parker said in a press release. “We are so honored to partner with the YWCA of Quincy and their supportive housing program, which serves individuals and families with safe, stable, and affordable housing.”

The focus of the YWCA Supportive Housing Program is to move people and families facing
homelessness into a program that teaches life skills to help them be successful. The program takes a hands-on approach and offers those in need a place to stay, as well as the guidance and support necessary to help meet such goals as financial independence and stability, to help strengthen family bonds and support to make good decisions.

YWCA Quincy executive director Maria Rench said the funds from the Bridge the Gap to Health Race allowed the organization to secure matching funds through a grant from the State to launch the “Gap Housing Project.” The project enhances the supportive housing program by expanding housing options for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, youth who are unstably housed, and those experiencing domestic violence, as well as “couchsurfers.”

“This project will fill a gap in Quincy to help people at risk of becoming homeless. Last year, there were more than 500 reported cases of homelessness in Quincy,” Rench said. “With funding from Bridge the Gap and the state, we maximized our funds so we can reach individuals and families who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness.”

For more information on the Bridge the Gap to Health Race, visit bridgethegaptohealth.com. For
more information on YWCA of Quincy, visit ywcaquincy.org.