The final phase of our nearly $1M shelter renovation is nearly complete! After finishing the remodel in Resilience House last winter, our incredible contractors from Dolezal Creative Design + Build have been working on improvements to common spaces for youth and staff, including the front lobby, group room, community room, and more.
This project has been two years in the making and is fueled by our partners.
A special shout-out goes to The Youth Advisory Board, Dunwoody College of Technology, and Joy Collaborative. Additional support has come from The Butler Family Foundation and our dedicated commUNITY of supporters. A refreshed and healing responsive space means we can more effectively meet the needs of youth and staff.
With more functional spaces, comfortable lighting, new flooring and furniture, a fresh coat of paint, and so much more, The Bridge has transformed into an even more welcoming space.
Thank you to everyone who helped push this project to the finish line. Stay tuned for a tour of the new space.
Expanding the ways we support youth, The Bridge has introduced a new Young Fathers Group. A safe, non-judgmental space for young fathers ages 15 to 24 to receive resources, find support, and build community.
Together, participants grow as parents and individuals. Typical group sessions include a space to share experiences, time for goal setting and accountability, strength-building exercises, and connecting to resources. Click here to read a youth’s reflection on the group.
If you are a young father seeking support, join us on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
“As a young father, it can be hard to find support. But this group has taught me that it takes all of us to be present and support each other. We stay connected, hold each other accountable, and work on becoming better men for our families.” – A Participant of The Bridge’s Young Fathers Group
With most youth out of school for the season, our team at The Bridge works to ensure those in shelter are able to experience some summer fun. A variety of programs have been taking place to help youth build commUNITY and create memories.
Last week, youth and staff gathered for our monthly CommUNITY in the Courtyard. Together, we enjoyed karaoke, yard games, airbrushed giveaways from our friends at Phancy Face, and the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream truck.
Meanwhile, at ‘So What If I Am’, The Bridge’s long-running LGBTQ+ support group, staff have been educating youth on gender-affirming summer clothing, and how to still feel like your best self despite the heat.
Additionally, we’ve been lucky to welcome our friends from Big Brothers Big Sisters’ program, Free Arts, every week to do art mentorship with youth. Each of these pieces helps make a space where youth in shelter feel safe, accepted, and supported.
Did you know that back-to-school season is one of the busiest times of the year at The Bridge? As youth, both in and out of shelter, return to school, their needs for support increase. Too often, this time of year can cause stress and anxiety for youth in crisis. Will you join us in helping ensure youth start the school year on the right foot?
Fill up backpacks, donate school supplies and room essentials, and help ensure all youth are safe, accepted, and supported. These supplies will be used both in shelter and on our Mobile Youth Outreach Center for youth experiencing and at risk of homelessness.
We’re greatFULL for the abundance of support we receive from our Bridge for Youth commUNITY! Here are a few of the ways our friends and neighbors showed up this month:
-Medtronic donated 216 Dignity Bags, each containing a toiletry bag, water bottle, socks, and essential hygiene products.
-Sally Beauty donated a wide array of salon products. This included a variety of nail polishes, hair dye, lotion, and bows. Items like this are always sought after by youth in shelter so they can feel their best and experiment with different looks.
-Congregants from St. Barnabas Lutheran Church made homemade tie blankets for youth and invited staff from The Bridge to speak at Sunday service. The warmth of their gift will surely be felt by youth in shelter.
-RBC Wealth Management organized a donation drive among their employees and packed 250 snack packs for the Mobile Youth Outreach Center.
-BFY staff joined with members of the Twin Cities’ nonprofit commUNITY at the 2025 Nonprofit Fundraising Conference. Together, we connected with friends from other organizations and learned the ways we can more effectively make change across the State!
