Bridge on 7th overnight shelter reopens for season in Brainerd

BRAINERD — The overnight warming shelter for those experiencing homelessness in the Brainerd lakes area has reopened as of Monday, Sept. 1.

The Bridge on 7th shelter operated by the faith-based nonprofit Bridges of Hope opened its doors in south Brainerd for the fifth season. The shelter operates nightly from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. from September through May.

The Bridge offers guests who are 18 or older a place to sleep, personal necessities provided by donors and support from trained staff. Organizers say that since its inception in 2021, the program has helped more than 530 individuals and supplied nearly 13,500 nights of shelter.

“The Bridge on 7th is more than just a shelter, it’s a place where guests are seen, heard and supported,” stated Jana Shogren, executive director of Bridges of Hope, in a news release. “Our goal is to meet each person where they’re at, offering not just a bed for the night, but a connection to something more.”

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Typically, the shelter has not been open between the months of May and August. But earlier this year, the organization sought a change to the permit to keep it open year-round.

The request came after the city councils in Brainerd and Baxter instituted camping bans on public property in 2024. But the Brainerd City Council denied the request to stay open, citing concerns that included the resource attracting people from outside the community or creating public safety issues.

This prompted dozens to speak out in favor of the shelter at multiple council meetings and on the street outside city hall, while shelter leaders noted this left some of the most vulnerable without a legal place to sleep.

The shelter must also now return annually to request to renew its permit instead of every three years as a result of council action.

Those interested in learning more about the shelter, including a list of needed items for donations or how to volunteer, may visit the Bridges of Hope website.