Bridge to Stability Foundation and The Hope and Recovery Foundation
Joining Forces to
Bridge Hope
For the first time, two life-saving foundations come together for an afternoon happy hour and a look into the work that gives people their lives back. Come listen as our clients share how they turned their lives around — and why scholarships and support can change everything.
The Event
Bridge to Stability Foundation and The Hope and Recovery Foundation
For the very first time, Bridge to Stability Foundation and The Hope and Recovery Foundation join forces for an afternoon happy hour and a look into the life-saving work we do together. Come and listen as our clients share how they turned their lives around — becoming productive members of society, getting their families back, and proving that this work saves lives.
The Date & Time
Thursday, October 15, 2026
2:30 PM arrival & mingle · Program begins 3:00 PM
The Venue
Joya Kitchen
10275 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121
The Gathering
A Look Into Our Work
Hear how lives are changed
Be Part of the First
There's no cost to attend — and no one is ever turned away from our programs because they can't pay. When someone has the will to change their life, we meet them with food, shelter, school, work, and a foundation to build on. Your support fuels the scholarships and life-saving work of both foundations.
Our Mission
A Community Where Recovery Is Supported
Bridge to Stability Foundation operates two connected programs that work hand in hand to build stronger, healthier communities. One focuses on prevention through education and community awareness. The other provides recovery and housing support, giving adults the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
When people in recovery are supported, the entire community benefits. Young people see that substance use does not have to determine their future and that hope, healing, and help are always within reach. Prevention, education, and recovery are not separate efforts—they strengthen one another. By investing in all three, Bridge to Stability Foundation helps create communities where people support one another, recovery is encouraged, and every person has the opportunity for a second chance.
Recovery
Scholarships to vetted sober living homes
Stability
Follow-up support at 30, 60, 90, 180 & 365 days
Awareness
12-sector community partnerships working together
Education
Evidence-based community education and resources
What We Do
Two Programs, One Mission
Drug-Free Communities Coalition
We lead a multi-sector community coalition that brings together schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement, faith communities, businesses, and youth-serving organizations under one shared community strategy. Together we work to reduce youth alcohol and drug misuse by changing the environments, norms, and systems that influence young people's choices.
Guided by the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) federal grant program and the evidence-based Seven Strategies for Community-Level Change, this is sustained, coordinated, community-wide action.
Sober Living Scholarship Program
For adults ages 18+ who are ready to pursue recovery but cannot afford stable housing, we provide direct scholarships to licensed, vetted sober living homes. Sober living houses offer structured, substance-free environments that bridge the gap between treatment and independent living.
Leadership
Meet the Founders
Bridge to Stability Foundation was built by people who believe that every person deserves a fair shot at recovery and stability — regardless of income or background.
Stephen Spong
Co-Founder & CEO
Stephen Spong is a recovery professional with a lifelong commitment to helping individuals and families find lasting change. Drawing from lived experience, professional training, and decades of 12-step involvement, he offers grounded, compassionate support for those navigating addiction, codependency, and emotional recovery. His approach addresses the whole person — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual — with an emphasis on structure, accountability, and honest, steady guidance.
Bentley Ruff
Co-Founder & COO
Bentley Ruff is a Co-Founder of Bridge to Stability Foundation with more than a decade of leadership experience in the recovery field. His background includes private case management, sober coaching, team development, and the operation of multiple sober living homes that have supported over 1,000 individuals on their path toward long-term sobriety and stability. After witnessing firsthand the growing crisis of housing affordability in early recovery, Bentley co-founded Bridge to Stability to bridge the gap between recovery and long-term stability — believing that a strong housing foundation gives individuals the best possible chance to rebuild healthy, meaningful, and self-sustaining lives.
Penny Nagel
Treasurer
Helping others is a large part of her life. From fundraising for orphans, volunteering for challenged athlete programs, sustainable agriculture, and helping sponsor and guide women through recovery, Penelope has been on the front lines working to make the world a better place.
"Substance use doesn't discriminate. It touches families across every neighborhood, income level, and background."
— Bridge to Stability Foundation
Our Commitment
Transparency, Accountability & Real Impact
BTSF is committed to transparent, rigorous evaluation across both program areas. Our impact measurement framework serves three purposes: accountability to funders, continuous program improvement, and communicating community impact to the public.
Three-Year Strategy
Build the Foundation
Establish coalition partnerships, launch scholarship program, secure initial funding
Expand & Integrate
Grow coalition reach, increase scholarship capacity, deepen community partnerships
Sustain & Scale
Long-term sustainability, expanded geographic reach, replication model development
No One Is Turned Away
When someone has the will to change their life, we support them in every way — food, shelter, school, work, and a foundation to build on. Every gift fuels recovery housing scholarships and the life-saving work of both foundations. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your contribution is tax-deductible.