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Copper Shores Bridges

Empowerment. Stability. Community.

Empowering our community across all economic classes

Focusing on Individuals and Systems

Creating connections to resources and building stronger systems that support people across all classes.

This program is for residents of Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.

Our Community Needs This

Many hardworking people across the country struggle in poverty to make ends meet despite being employed. When people live paycheck-to-paycheck, they are one flat tire, one burnt out lightbulb or one broken bone from not paying rent, not putting food on the table or not making utility payments on time.

These people are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed, or ALICE. This means that ALICE populations live above the Federal Poverty Line, but do not make above the Household Survival Budget, which includes housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, basic technology (like a smartphone and phone plan), and miscellaneous payments like taxes.

The reality is that observing the Federal Poverty Line alone does not show the full picture of living in poverty in the United States, and certainly not on a community level. ALICE offers a broader view of those struggling with poverty, and without that full understanding, solutions for ALICE cannot be made.

Map of Alice and Poverty in Copper Country
17
Week Journey
9
Cohorts Completed
89
Participants Graduated

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About Bridges

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Getting Ahead

Explore the factors affecting your financial and personal well-being.
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Financial Bootcamp

An in-depth and personal look at your finances.
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Workshops

Discover why “middle class” solutions to poverty don't work.
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Staying Ahead

An ongoing alumni group for graduates of Getting Ahead.
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"Being poor is like climbing a hill with a backpack full of rocks... some of us just have more rocks than others."
Getting Ahead GraduateCopper Shores Bridges
"We're not just surviving anymore, we're learning how to build."
Getting Ahead GraduateCopper Shores Bridges
"For the first time in a long time, when something went wrong, I wasn't panicking. I knew I could take care of it."
Getting Ahead GraduateCopper Shores Bridges

The Latest

News and Updates

July 23, 2026

Putting hope back on the road

For the past few years, Jasmine balanced work, raising three children and caring for her mother, all without her own vehicle. In a rural community, ...
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July 20, 2026

Video: Relive the Spring 2026 Getting Ahead Graduation

🎓 Celebrate the perseverance, growth and determination of the Spring 2026 Getting Ahead Graduates with Copper Shores Bridges! Through Getting Ahead, ...
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June 11, 2026

Pictorial: One graduation, two classes, countless achievements

On Tuesday night, our Bridges program celebrated and honored the graduates of not one, but two Getting Ahead classes! This is a first for the ...
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May 19, 2026

Exposing the weight of poverty on our community

Bridges Workshop, Tuesday, June 30, 2026 in Hancock “Being poor is like climbing a hill with a backpack full of rocks… some of us just have more ...
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Follow along, get involved or simply show your support for those working toward stability, by subscribing to our email list.
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Meet the

Bridges Team

Angela Coon - Featured Image

Angela Coon

Receptionist and Getting Ahead Facilitator
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Callisto Cortez - Featured Image
Callisto Cortez - Featured Image

Callisto Cortez

Youth Development Specialist
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Cindy Drife - Featured Image

Cindy Drife

Childcare
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Lindsey Fosdick - Featured Image

Lindsey Fosdick

Childcare
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Zane Freeman - Featured Image

Zane Freeman

Community Support Specialist
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Jaxon Freeman - Featured Image

Jaxon Freeman

Meal Asssistant
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Aimee Kempen - Featured Image

Aimee Kempen

Getting Ahead Facilitator - Copper Shores Bridges
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BethAnne Riffer - Featured Image

BethAnne Riffer

Financial Bootcamp Instructor - Copper Shores Bridges
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Richard Simpson - Featured Image
Richard Simpson - Featured Image

Richard Simpson

Program Coordinator - Copper Shores Bridges
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Allison Szlachta - Featured Image

Allison Szlachta

Childcare
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Members of the

Bridges Steering Committee

The Bridges program is led by an advisory committee of people from around Michigan's Copper Country. They meet regularly throughout the year with staff to provide advice and guidance for the program's operations.

  • Nick Roberts - City of Houghton Police Department, Chair
  • Amanda Archambeau - Program Graduate
  • Alyssa Cherubuni-Sutinen - U.P. Kids
  • Pastor Aaron Gehrke – St. Peter and Paul Church
  • Robert La Fave – Village of L’Anse
  • Michael Messner – Calumet Electronics
  • Curt Pennala – Keweenaw County Sheriff
  • Jeff Ratcliffe – Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance
  • BethAnne Riffer - Huntington Bank
  • Joshua Saaranen – Houghton County Sheriff
  • Heather Store – Calumet Electronics
If you are interested in volunteering as a steering committee member, email bridges@coppershores.org or call 1 (906) 281-9204!
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About aha! Process

aha! Process is an award-winning training and publishing company providing workshops, publications, and consulting services to help improve lives and build sustainable success in communities, schools, and higher education. They do this by creating an understanding of the dynamics that cause and maintain poverty from the individual to systems level.

Poverty, middle class, and wealth are about an abundance or lack of resources. Our work helps individuals, businesses, students, and communities build resources for a more successful sustainable future. Learn more about them at ahaprocess.com. 

How to Support

This program wouldn't be possible without the financial support of our community. We hope you consider making a donation to help individuals find stability in their lives.
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