journeys spring 2019
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Bridge’s network of Safe Place sites
Bridge launches 15th Safe Place site in our network Our Adolescent Runaway Counselor, Jade, trains and manages our network of Safe Place sites.
This network of Safe Place sites is an extension of Bridge’s outreach to homeless and runaway youth. Each Safe Place site is an access point to Bridge’s programs and services for underage youth who urgently need help and safety.
Bridge joined the National Safe Place Network in July
When a youth sees the distinctive yellow diamond sign and walks in to ask for help, trained staff at the Safe Place site are able to connect each youth to Bridge for further support.
2016 as a lead agency to create a network. Just two and a half years later, we are excited to have expanded our Safe Place network to include Haley House Soup Kitchen in Boston’s South End.
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Bridge’s Emergency Residence provides pivotal support for youth to escape homelessness Originally from New Bedford, Laura’s childhood was turbulent. When she was 10, she was placed in foster care in Tennessee and her teenage years were riddled with trauma and abuse. Once a legal adult at 18, she wanted to leave everything behind and hopped on the first bus out of town back home to Massachusetts. Laura spent several months in and out of Bridge’s overnight Welcome Center, determined to only use Bridge as a place to sleep and try to make it on her own. After some time struggling, and seeing her fellow peers Emergency Residence story continued on page 2… bridgeotw.org
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Career Café helps brew fresh futures Bridge created Career Café for youth to better connect with our Education & Career Development staff.
Career Café is a daily drop-in forum led by Bridge’s Education & Career Development staff. Each session involves group discussions, three-minute assignments to evaluate career interests, or guest workshops with industry professionals – all designed to help youth identify their interests and talents as well as discover road blocks to success. Through these interactive workshops, youth are better prepared to seek jobs that will lead to successful careers and become more self-aware about professional demeanor. Kristen was fairly timid, but highly observant, when she first showed up in Career Café. Without a job and overwhelmed by how to begin, she struggled with the job search process. Through daily Career Café activities, Kristen spent time reflecting on her interests and talents. She realized she enjoys playing with toddlers, cares about early childhood education and would be really happy working at a daycare. Discussing her options with staff, Kristen learned she will be able to develop her interests into a fulfilling career. After sending out several applications, Kristen had great news. In one week she received two job offers! Kristen was very happy when she found a daycare employer who wants to invest in her by providing training and opportunities for growth. She is looking forward to starting her new role, and still visits Career Café sessions to finetune her professional preparedness.
BOMA Boston extends its partnership with Bridge As BOMA Boston’s Charitable Partner, Bridge is truly fortunate to receive multi-faceted support through their volunteer-based Service Day, a Career Development workshop for Bridge youth to participate in mock interviews and resume writing, a holiday gift card drive, and an annual membership event that raises significant funds for Bridge programs. To learn how your organization can get involved with Bridge, please contact Barbara Baxter, Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations, at bbaxter@bridgeotw.org.
Emergency Residence
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move out of the Welcome Center and into the Emergency Residence, she realized, “I need to get there. I need a more stable place to rest my head and be able to get more sleep. It’s not good for my mental health.” Laura was ready to accept more help from Bridge. On the third floor, our Emergency Residence is a pivotal transitional living program for youth coming in from the streets. Without the overwhelming stress and distraction of figuring out where to sleep each night, residents are able to focus on securing a job or going to school. 2
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L to R: Adrienne Maley, Executive Director, BOMA Boston; Elisabeth Jackson, Executive Director, Bridge Over Troubled Waters; Scott Rickards, President, BOMA Boston.
Libby, Laura’s Bridge counselor, noted, “It’s like night and day how Laura has transformed since moving into the Emergency Residence.” In two short months, she has shifted from day-to-day survival mode to growing in her job and quickly earning a promotion. Laura is busy working and saving 70% of her paycheck towards her next goal – an apartment. “Bridge has helped me a lot. I’ve changed a lot, and am more aware of myself, my surroundings and who I associate with,” Laura commented. “I am now someplace where I feel comfortable and sleep so much better.”
Youth gain paid internship experience through WorkBased Learning Program Bridge’s Work-Based Learning Program (WLP) is a three month part-time internship for youth as receptionists on our Counseling floor. The program provides youth with an opportunity to develop and refine their professional skills as they navigate the job market. Harry currently lives in our Emergency Residence, busy stabilizing his life. He had heard about the Work-Based Learning Program (WLP) from Bridge staff. “I was trying to ride the wave with my old job, but got thrown off.” Having lost his job, Harry considered his options while jobhunting. Harry continues, “So, I decided to apply for the WLP. I believe that the more you know, the more valuable you become.”
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I saw this was an opportunity for me because the skills offered are skills I need. — Harry
Ayanna is a graduate of Bridge’s HiSET program. She participated in the WLP last fall while enrolled as a part-time student at Urban College. Once her internship finished, Ayanna decided to become a full-time student at Urban College. Inspired by her experience and skills-development during her internship, Ayanna has applied for a front-desk role at Urban College.
Meet Ben, a Bridge Street Outreach Team Member Ben is one of Bridge’s frontline staff members, part of the Street Outreach Team. Our Outreach team connects to 1,100 youth on the streets each year. He walks around downtown Boston every day, no matter the weather, eagle-eyed for any teenger who may look like they need a little help. Recently, Ben met a teenager, Sam, asking for money near South Station transit terminal. Only 17, Sam had run away from a treatment center. Introducing himself, Ben suggested that they visit Bridge. Sam was hesitant. He felt he had been surviving on his own. An older man nearby, who had been listening, urged Sam: “I’ve been homeless a long time. Go to Bridge. This is your chance.” Together, Ben and Sam walked to Bridge. Because Sam is 17, our staff immediately connected him with our Adolescent Runaway Counselor, who specializes in the unique needs and considerations of supporting underage youth. Today, Sam is working on his sobriety and has successfully reconnected with his family.
Safe Place continued from page 1… Together, we are the Safe Place network for youth in need. Additional sites include four Boston Public Library branches and four Boston Public School Welcome Centers, along with community organizations like the Wang YMCA of Chinatown in downtown Boston. Last year, 135 underage youth ages 14-17 were connected to Bridge in their time of distress through the Safe Place network. No matter where they are, Bridge is ready to provide safety for youth. Bridge headquarters at 47 West Street is a Safe Place.
To learn more about our work as a lead Safe Place agency and our network, visit www.bridgeotw.org/safeplace. bridgeotw.org
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 594
47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
Upcoming Events MAY 10
JUN 28
AUG 18
2019 Annual Gala Honoring
David H. Long, Chairman and CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance. For sponsorships, contact Melissa Cording, mcording@bridgeotw.org.
Graduation Celebration
Celebrating Bridge’s Education & Career Development graduates.
Falmouth Road Race Join our team and run for Bridge Over Troubled Waters!
For more information, please visit www.bridgeotw.org/events
YOUR IMPACT
Open to read about how our wraparound services ensure youth are transforming their lives. In 2018...
Street Outreach
Outreach staff connected to 1,100 youth on streets
765 youth met counselors 3,564 times to process past trauma and develop goals
Transitional Living Program
22 young adults worked on establishing new futures
Education & Career Development
Counseling & Support
387 youth developed their education or career
80% of our young parents established their footing
Single Parent House
50 youth began to stabilize their lives
Emergency Residence Housing
Runaway Programs
Mobile Medical Van
Youth sought survival aid 5,600 times on van
135 underage youth contacted Bridge in times of distress
Transitional Day Program & Welcome Center
50 young adults took the next step to independence
Over 200 youth relied on our day and night programs for safety and rest
47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111 | www.bridgeotw.org | 617-423-9575 | @BridgeOTW