NEW Strategic Plan Guides the Future of The Bridge
The 2022 – 2024 Framework for The Bridge for Youth was approved in September 2021, and includes a new mission, vision, and values, centered in racial justice and equity. Primary objectives include:
- Racial justice and equity are centered in all we do.
- Youth voice and leadership is at the core of all programs and is used as a catalyst for change to disrupt and prevent homelessness.
- Programming is holistic, inclusive, and journey oriented.
- Homelessness is prevented whenever possible or is otherwise a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience
The Bridge staff and Board of Directors invite you to journey with us as we share our research and highlight how we arrived at our new Vision, Mission, and Values statements, and realign our goals into order to strengthen our core competencies of supporting youth.
Vision
All youth feel safe, accepted, and supported.
Mission
The Bridge for Youth centers youth voice, justice, and equity in all we do, and empowers youth experiencing homelessness through safe shelter, basic needs, and healthy relationships.
Values
Patience
We give space for youth to make decisions on their own timeline in their own way.
Love and Caring
We believe in acceptance, empathy, and non-judgment.
Communication
We engage in intentional dialogue to understand each other’s truths.
Integrity
We actively learn, grow, and change to align our actions in equity and justice.
Co-Creation
We seek connection to amplify the voice of youth and each other.
Community
We stand together for youth and for each other.
Vision Goal
The Bridge for Youth is an Exemplar Organization and a National Leader in Addressing Youth Homelessness
- Racial justice and equity are centered in all we do
- Minor aged youth who are runaway and/or experiencing homelessness (RHY) and identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and / or pregnant and parenting is a core competency of BFY
- Youth voice and leadership is at the core of all programs
- Homelessness is prevented whenever possible or is otherwise a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience
- Programming is inclusive, holistic and journey-oriented
Programmatic Goal
Programming is Holistic, Inclusive, and Journey-Oriented
- There are no barriers to accessing shelter and housing
- Rights and needs of BIPOC youth are equitable to those of LGBTQ+
- Mental and physical health resources are integrated and expansive
- Principle-based youth work is persistent and consistent
- Staff competencies are strengthened in mental health and the 9 guiding principles of youth work
- Family supports for youth in program and community are holistic, accessible, and culturally responsive
- Case management expands and includes a robust aftercare model
Organizational Goals
Youth Voice and Leadership is a Catalyst for Change to Disrupt and Prevent Homelessness
- Historically marginalized youth in community are engaged to inform change
- The voices of youth in program who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and pregnant and parenting inform change
- Staff engage with youth in advocacy and leadership
- New audiences and partners support youth led initiatives
- Expertise in youth homelessness, particularly BIPOC, LGBTQ+, pregnant and parenting youth, is a core competency
- Internal and external opportunities impact change regionally and nationally
Expanded Options for Pregnant and Parenting Youth
- Supportive housing and shelter programs are evaluated for program expansion and/or contraction
- Feasibility of expansion and/or contraction is well understood and communicated
- Plans for expansion and/or contraction are developed, distributed, and implemented
- Physical expansion occurs in or out of current location
Board Leadership is Diverse, Engaged, and Impactful
- Youth voice informs Board actions
- Board leads the organization in equity, inclusion, and anti-racist best practices
- Succession plan engages board members who identify as BIPOC in executive leadership
- Board membership diversely represents the experiences and identities of youth at BFY
- Board demonstrates best practices in governance and strategic leadership
- Competencies and interests of board members support the organization’s strategic goals
- Board members are actively engaged in development and fundraising
Staff are Representative, Skilled, Satisfied, and Supported
- Activities and programs support and promote well-being, professional growth, and advancement of staff
- Succession plan engages staff who identify as BIPOC in leadership positions
- HR policies, hiring, advancement, and employment practices are equitable and advance racial justice
- Staff demonstrate commitment to advancing racial justice by continually healing, learning, and addressing biases
- Highly qualified and diversely representative staff are hired and retained
- Wages and compensation sustain employees and are equitable and market competitive
- Benefits support our employees and are equitable and market competitive
- Organizational culture is centered in our values and the 9 guiding principles of youth work
Facilities and Infrastructure are Welcoming, Impactful and Safe for Youth and Staff
- Access to technology, including wi-fi, meets the needs of staff and youth
- Technology is an effective tool for case management, evaluation, and reporting
- Programmatic spaces for youth are welcoming, safe, person – and healing centered (minimize co-mingling)
- Work areas for staff and shared spaces are welcoming, spacious, person – and healing centered
