Newsletter Fall 2020
| bridgeotw.org
YOUTH STORY
Back to school in Bridge’s Transitional Living Program When Deandre’s high school closed last spring, he resumed classes online from his home at Bridge. With support from our team, the second semester visual arts major at Boston Arts Academy graduated high school in June. Through a special program offered at his high school, Deandre discovered a passion for architecture and even had the opportunity to take a few classes at Boston Architectural College. This summer, Bridge staff helped Deandre enroll, pick classes and complete his financial aid paperwork for Bunker Hill Community College. He plans to take his general education classes and eventually transfer to another school as an architecture major. He will complete his first semester of classes online from Bridge’s Transitional Living Program (TLP). Deandre admits that there have been challenges adjusting to fully remote learning. Continued on page 2…
NEWS
Since June, 50 more youth move into housing through Bridge’s Rapid Rehousing Program Since June 2020, more than 50 youth moved into their own apartments with the support of Bridge’s Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH). The program connects youth with affordable housing opportunities, helps cover some moving costs and most importantly, provides youth with the ongoing support of a Bridge case manager. Bridge’s network of RRH units is expanding steadily in places including Boston, Cambridge, Lynn and Lowell.
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Back to school in Bridge’s Transitional Living Program continued…
Working in a shared space with other youth can sometimes be noisy and distracting and like many of us, Deandre has had to learn how to engage with teachers and other students on Zoom.
“Of course it’s not ideal, but this is not going to stop me from going after my dreams.”
The most difficult part of remote learning? Deandre says, “I really miss the social aspect of school and the motivation I got from being in a classroom. We still talk all the time but I haven’t seen my best friend in months.” Despite the difficulties, Deandre says he is also grateful for the transition to remote learning because of the flexibility and resiliency that he believes the pandemic has taught him and his peers. He notes that these will be helpful skills as he enters the workforce. Ultimately, Deandre reflects that he is grateful to have a space and the technology to focus on his education at Bridge.
Deandre was recently interviewed on WCVB Boston about his experience learning from home in Bridge’s Transitional Living Program. You can watch the segment on our website at www.bridgeotw.org/news.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Climbing peaks for Bridge Over Troubled Waters High school sophomore Regan Miller has a goal to hike around New England this fall to raise funds and awareness for youth at Bridge. Regan was inspired to help other young adults when she learned more about the unique challenges that homeless and at-risk youth are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of family and friends, Regan hopes to assemble 50 backpacks for youth at Bridge, containing basic necessities, personal protective items, and supplies for remote learning. This fall, Regan is hiking peaks for packs!
PROGRAM UPDATE
Youth unlock their potential with new online life skills development tool The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many activities online, and for youth involved in our residential and RRH programs, that includes some key life skills development work. The “Unlocking Potential” program is a series of selfguided online modules on topics including financial literacy, self-care and professional skills that help youth to develop confidence and skills for independent living. Each section contains an online lesson, a video or other participatory activity and a quiz to help youth measure their progress.
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Bridge’s Director of Special Projects Stefani Harvey notes that the “Unlocking Potential” program teaches youth tangible skills and helps them to feel empowered and confident as young adults.
“The Unlocking Potential program supports our young people who need educational resources, mentorship and a sense of belonging during these unpredictable times.” - DR. STEFANI HARVEY, BRIDGE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
Youth can complete modules on their own schedule and have their progress celebrated during community dinners and other group activities in our residential and RRH programs.
THANK YOU
Yawkey Foundation and the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust support safe program space renovation As we move toward phases of reopening, Bridge is continuing all COVID-19 safety and prevention measures. This has created significant challenges to our ongoing operations, as we try to balance the return of staff at full capacity and serve an increased number of youth, all while maintaining appropriate distancing. Always rising to the challenge, Bridge has begun renovating the 6th floor to include expanded meeting spaces for Bridge youth and case managers, additional bathroom and shower facilities for youth and physically distant program space. The Yawkey Foundation and the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust have made generous gifts to support the renovation and ensure safe, responsive spaces at Bridge.
SUCCESS STORY
Sylvia Scott came to Bridge as a teenager with nowhere else to turn. Today, she is a successful author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. In her own words, this is her Bridge story: When I was 16, I became homeless after a fallout with my mom. Fortunately, a friend’s mom who was a social worker offered to help me. At the time, she was sick battling both diabetes and AIDS, but still she insisted on finding me a place to live. When we arrived at Bridge, I was given a bed. It was small, clean and just what my weary body and mind needed. The staff was warm and inviting, but my trust issues still made me keep them at arm’s length. I resented the weekly meetings with counselors and my housemates and protested by limiting my communication in our sessions. I had been in the program for a couple of months when I received a phone call that my friend’s mom, who had brought me to Bridge, had died. Shocked by the news, I knew I could not let her death be in vain. So, I buckled down, committed to the program, and started communicating with my counselors. In fact, it was through counseling that I was able to repair my relationship with my mom.
Bridge’s Executive Director Elisabeth Jackson is serious about safety, wearing her Bridge hard hat on a recent Zoom call with the team of contractors working on our 6th floor renovation.
WAYS TO HELP
Help make the holiday season bright for homeless youth We know that the holiday season will look different this year - and we need your help to make it special for youth at Bridge. We are looking for individuals and corporate partners to provide holiday gifts, sponsor meals and collect critical cold weather items for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth this winter. If you would like more information or are interested in supporting seasonal activities at Bridge, please contact Katherine Bottieri at kbottieri@bridgeotw.org or 617-423-9575 ext. 249.
With the support of Bridge, I enrolled in college and later, began a career as an author, speaker and coach, determined to help others take back their power and create their dream business. I would have never known this path was possible had it not been for the unwavering support I received at Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Bridge is more than a homeless shelter. It is a second family for teenagers who are in many cases abandoned, alone and unloved. So, if you’re wondering if Bridge works, my life is living proof of its impact. Sylvia Scott is a coach, author of “Creating a New Normal: Cleaning Up a Dysfunctional Life,” speaker & professional writer.
Each year at Bridge, hundreds of young people take important steps forward on their journeys home. To read just a few of these stories, visit our website at www.bridgeotw.org/successstories
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47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE Since June, 50 more youth move into housing through Bridge’s Rapid Rehousing Program Back to school in Bridge’s Transitional Living Program Yawkey Foundation and the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust support safe program space renovation Reflection from Sylvia Scott, former Bridge youth
JOIN US
November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month Did you know? •
1 in 13 youth ages 13-25 experienced some form of homelessness this year
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Black and brown youth, parenting youth and youth from the LGBTQ+ community are all at greater risk of experiencing homelessness
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Over 70% of homeless youth report experiencing abuse 50% of homeless youth are unsheltered or hidden - sleeping outside, in a car or someplace else not meant for human habitation 1,400 students in Massachusetts are homeless and unaccompanied - doubled from a decade ago
This November, in recognition of Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Bridge Over Troubled Waters is raising funds and awareness for youth experiencing homelessness - and we need your help. Join us. On Monday, November 16, 7:00pm, Bridge Over Troubled Waters will be hosting a virtual event to share more about our youth and how they’ve been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For event information and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.bridgeotw.org/nhyam. Lend your voice. Bridge will be sharing more information throughout the month on social media, print and around Boston. Help us spread the word by sharing resources from Bridge with your friends and family. Learn more. Visit our website and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest from Bridge.
We hope you will join us virtually on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 PM! bridgeotw 4 | bridgeotw.org