We’re Taking It to the Streets: Agatha the Mobile Office Is Changing the Game for Homeless Services

March 12, 2025

Donna Garcia RN, BSN

Executive Director GRBB

Bridge Builders ICT is thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter in our mission to support those experiencing homelessness! We are proud to introduce Agatha, our brand-new 35-foot nomadic office. This bold imitative will revolutionize our ambassador's efforts, enabling them to take our peer-to-peer homelessness navigation and advocacy services directly to the communities that need them the most. With Agatha on the road, we can reach individuals and families who may not have access to traditional support systems, thereby expanding our impact and fostering meaningful connections.

Agatha is a 1995 Ford Eldorado Class C RV

However, it's not all smooth sailing! In a rather unexpected turn of events, we faced a significant setback right from the start. We encountered a major issue when all six tires blew out just half a mile down the road as soon as we made the final payment. It quickly became apparent that while Agatha had a charming exterior, her underlying condition was not as sound as we had hoped. This experience has taught us to use caution when investing and the importance of following our intuition when negotiating marketplace deals.

Although she appeared to be in good shape, we could tell things may not be as good as they seemed on our second inspection.

Someone had put a lot of time and energy into all the wrong things to make her look livable; the seller kept referring to 'cosmetic' problems and 'good bones',

As we dug a little deeper, it was appearent that the damage was glossed over by temporary solutions--

Despite these initial challenges, we remain optimistic and excited about the journey ahead. We are gearing up for a full gut and rebuild of Agatha, which will allow us to create a truly inspiring workspace tailored to our needs. The mechanics of the vehicle are in great shape, providing us with a solid foundation to work from. This gives us a unique opportunity to design a dream office that not only meets our functional requirements but also reflects the values and mission of Bridge Builders ICT.

All of the 'fixes' on Agatha were from products not intended or appropriate for an RV on the road designed to be water tight. We could tell that there was water damage, but it was difficult to determine how extensive it was due to the very thorough cover up job.

The smell of mold and mildew was so strong we had to wear masks; here my family and I are starting to do some of the superficial demo. The kids were excited and made a great volunteer team. But is was very clear that they could only help so much due to health concerns.

We invite you to take a sneak peek at the initial stages of our demo, showcasing the potential of Agatha as she embarks on her journey. Our team is committed to documenting every step of this process, so stay tuned for updates as we navigate the challenges and triumphs of transforming this vehicle into a fully functional office on wheels. We want you to be part of this adventure, sharing in the excitement of our progress and the hurdles we may encounter along the way.

Despite the set backs and the unknown cost to rebuild, we know that this is the answer GRBB was searching for on how to deliver our service to where its needed most.

As we embark on this transformative project, we are eager to share our vision and progress with you. From the design phase to the final touches, we will keep you updated on our journey, highlighting both the successes and the obstacles we face. Together, we can turn Agatha into a beacon of hope and support for those in need, proving that with determination and creativity, we can overcome any challenge. So, hang tight and prepare for an incredible ride as we bring our mobile office to life!