Journeys: Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Summer 2019

journeys summer 2019

| bridgeotw.org

Graduation 2019: Celebrating academic and career achievements Whether earning a HiSET (GED), high school diploma or vocational certificate, or starting a new job, our graduates had a lot to celebrate!

For many, this ceremony marked much more than just completing a program; it was the start of a new direction.

“When I started at Bridge, I didn’t think I would ever go to college because I did not believe in myself,” student speaker Gerald shared. “With Bridge’s help, I didn’t just

survive - I thrived! I earned my HiSET earlier in the year, enrolled in college and made the Dean’s list!”

Bridge alumni speaker, Brian M., inspired graduates with his own story. Many years ago Brian came to Bridge having dropped out of high school. Here, he took GED classes and tutored other students as well as discovered a love of learning and the drive he needed to succeed in his career.

We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this year’s graduates!

Amina celebrates graduation When Amina first came to Bridge, she was looking to earn her HiSET. “I was frustrated and depressed because I was not able to succeed in school. I had failed a couple of classes. It broke me. I could barely pass on my own.

A friend suggested that I call Bridge. So I called and was able to set up an intake and meet with the Education Department and start school here.

But Bridge has helped me and it’s been amazing. I’ve been able to find progress.”

Amina’s story continued on page 2…

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“Here at Bridge, there is a ‘lighter air’ to it, is what I’d say,” Amina shares. “I was able to pass my first class at Bridge, which gave me the energy to go on.

It took some time, but I completed the five tests I needed to get my HiSET – math, science, social studies, reading, and writing.”

What’s next for Amina?

“Now, I’m learning more about graphic design, because I sketch,” Amina shares. “I am hoping to take graphic design classes at MassArt.”

Thank you to our many community partners!

Boston Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) raises funds for Bridge We are grateful that Boston ALA members designated Bridge as the beneficiary of their spring golf tournament fundraiser. Because of their support, we were able to purchase a new washer and dryer so more youth are able to do laundry in our Transitional Day Program and Welcome Center.

Hyatt Regency Boston hosts sock drive Thank you so much to our fellow downtown Boston neighbor, Hyatt Regency Boston, for hosting a sock drive! Clean, dry socks are a necessity for our youth.

When you are are outdoors, walking miles each day to get services, it is difficult to maintain healthy foot hygiene.

RCN Boston golf tourney raises $15,000 for Bridge Thank you to RCN Boston for choosing Bridge as the beneficiary of their annual golf tournament. “RCN is now in our fifth year of supporting Bridge through our annual golf tournament and it is truly rewarding to see the impact that our donations have had for at-risk and homeless youth,” said Jeff Carlson, SVP and GM, RCN Boston. We are grateful for your partnership! bridgeotw.org

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I always knew I was smart enough, and knowing that, I kept trying. The problem was not me as a person, but the way the classes were taught at school.

But Bridge has helped me and it’s been amazing.

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Amina’s story

— Amina, 2019 HiSET Graduate

Meet Lindsay: Transitional Day Program (TDP) Coordinator Lindsay shares how the TDP supports youth.

When youth are experiencing homelessness it is just overwhelming. It’s a crisis situation and it’s human nature to process things differently in the moment. There are so many needs - food, safe shelter, getting vital documents, finding income. Where to start?

The TDP team helps youth identify, prioritize and meet their basic needs.

In the TDP, we provide breakfast and lunch, showers, laundry services, and a place of respite from the weather outside, whether it’s hot, cold, or rainy.

The TDP is not just a place to drop in. It’s a program.

Youth might first come to Bridge during the day to meet their basic needs, but our work is to engage youth in programming. We help youth with life skills and create a structured environment. Together, we work on managing day-to-day needs, building positive relationships and setting goals.

There are so many rewarding moments in this work.

Because of past experiences at home or on the streets, many youth are distrusting of adults when they first come to Bridge. It means so much to me when I learn that another youth has come to trust and connect with our staff.

I am also so happy to witness the moment when each youth in our program accomplishes their first goal.

Sometimes it might be the simplest task - but it helps youth to believe in themselves and move forward.

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Youth Pride is a daylong event for the community, especially teens and young adults, to celebrate Boston Pride. At our table, staff connected with youth and community members including City Councilor Ed Flynn (second from right, above). Youth and allies were able to learn more about the programs and resources available at Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

The Equality Fund at The Boston Foundation funds Bridge’s Counseling Program Thank you to the Equality Fund for helping support Boston’s LGBTQ youth with trauma-informed care.

Did you know that LGBTQ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their peers? We are proud to be part of a supportive community for all; 25% of our youth identify as LGBTQ.

Thanks to our New Balance Falmouth Road Race team for raising critical funds for Bridge programs and services!

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The race is 7 miles. This is a pretty big commitment for us given that Jasmine has never run this far, and Neil hasn’t run this kind of distance for at least 15 years.

Why are we running this in the middle of the summer heat you might ask? Well, we are really excited to do this run and to raise support for Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

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Bridge counselors are trained to provide specialized support for LGBTQ youth.

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Bridge Over Troubled Waters hosts a table at Youth Pride

I heard about this opportunity through my mom, who volunteers on the Bridge van as a physician. I was able to see first-hand the impact Bridge is able to make in the community and I wanted to do a bit more to make a difference in the lives of the young people Bridge serves. — Matt Veale

— Neil and Jasmine Crook

2019 Bridge Gala honored David Long, Chairman and CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance

More than 300 of Boston’s influential business leaders and philanthropists came together at the Four Seasons Hotel for “The Path Home” Gala as we honored David Long and his commitment to youth experiencing homelessness. This year’s event co-chairs were Chuck Clough, Chairman and CEO of Clough Capital Partners, and Tom May, Chairman Emeritus of Eversource Energy.

Thanks to our Gala Committee, sponsors and donors, the event raised over $2.1 million to support programs and services at Bridge.

To see more photos, visit www.bridgeotw.org/gala bridgeotw.org

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47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111

Bridge led the Boston region for the 2019 MA Youth Count Over 500 surveys completed through Bridge outreach Bridge helped administer the 2019 MA Youth Count, a statewide effort to better understand the ever-evolving needs of youth and young adults experiencing housing instability and homelessness.

Any youth under the age of 25 could take the survey; special efforts made to connect with as many unstably housed youth as possible, with outreach teams of Bridge staff and youth ambassadors canvassing specific “hot spot” locations to survey their peers.

Connect with Bridge

For questions on material in this newsletter or to learn more about Bridge Over Troubled Waters and our work with homeless, runaway and at-risk youth, please contact Melissa Cording, Director of Development at 617-423-9575 ext. 228.

Photo Policy

At Bridge Over Troubled Waters, our utmost concern is the privacy and protection of the youth we serve.

As such, we may alter the name, picture or other specific identifying information of our youth at their request.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters is Boston’s foremost agency serving homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth with comprehensive, age-appropriate programs and services.

47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111 | www.bridgeotw.org | 617-423-9575 | @BridgeOTW