By Jeremy Park Updated 3:17PM
Article from The Daily News
Last week we spotlighted Samaritan’s Feet, which is providing new shoes and renewed hope to the 300 million people around the world who go without shoes each day. We also thanked the volunteers who recently came out and helped us wash the feet of more than 200 kids here in Memphis, providing them with new socks and shoes as a part of the Samaritan’s Feet National Day of Service.
This week let us discuss an organization that is helping to build a community of leaders to advance racial, economic, educational and environmental justice: BRIDGES.
For 90 years, BRIDGES has been focused on building personal bridges in our community by bringing youth and adults from diverse backgrounds together to experience learning that is adventurous, relational and transformative.
Its programs are designed to help students discover personal greatness by igniting motivation and self-confidence, developing their creativity and communication skills, and enhancing their ability to make ethical decisions. The learning also focuses on working effectively as a team, practicing leadership and youth-led social change as well as initiating and leading complex responses to issues that affect their lives and improve the well-being of the whole community.
With an indoor rock-climbing wall and ropes challenge course high overhead, tying “adventurous” into the programs is easy at the futuristic BRIDGES Center. Inclusion and respect for diversity are at the heart of the “relational” experience, with strong friendships forged among children from vastly different backgrounds. “Transformative” describes the results of the organization’s Bridge Builders programs, which offer youth in grades 6 through 12 three different ways to engage – Connect, Collaborate and Change. For adults, Team BRIDGES, Workforce Development and GED/Life Skills programs are also offered.
The proven benefits for students who participate in these programs range from improved academic achievement to increased concern for the welfare of others and the increased belief that one can make a difference in their community.
When you think about what that means for the future of Memphis, it is exciting! The organization currently serves annually more than 15,000 youth and adults who are learning, leading and helping to lift up our community. Students represent 85 area middle schools and 56 high schools, covering the spectrum of public, charter, parochial, private and home-schooled. BRIDGES is serving all races, religions and income levels, and is truly helping to chart a new course for the interpersonal dynamics of our city.
Getting engaged with BRIDGES is easy. Set up a team-building session using its rock wall, ropes course or other experiential learning programs. Take a tour or consider hosting your next party or event at its BRIDGES Center. In terms of volunteering, there are many ways to help its efforts. Learn more by visiting www.bridgesusa.org, reaching out to Linda McNeil at lmcneil@bridgesusa.org, or welcoming the organization’s new president, Cynthia Ham, at 452-5600.
Jeremy Park, director of communications at Lipscomb Pitts Insurance and director of the Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club, can be reached at jeremyp@lpinsurance.com.
Article from The Daily News
