The Bridge for Youth has been a part of the Minneapolis community and a national leader in youth homelessness for 54 years impacting over 50,000 lives. Our mission is that we center youth voice, justice, and equity in all we do, and empower youth experiencing homelessness through safe shelter, basic needs, and healthy relationships.  

To honor youth’s vision for commUNITY, we must call out, interrogate, and dismantle racism and injustices in systems and institutions, including our own. To do that, we must recognize and acknowledge that Black and Indigenous children are impacted by harm and trauma, both current and historical.  

It is our work to stand with youth and protect them from unnecessary injustices and practices of institutions that have caused historical harm. When situations arise that are unjust or unsafe, we proceed within our legal bounds and licensure requirements while upholding highly principled youth work. The Bridge for Youth moves in love and empathy and we expect our partners to do the same. We – board of directors, staff, and Youth Advisory Board – are unapologetic about this and will hold others accountable when youth in our care are harmed or treated unjustly.  

Fear of a Black youth. Fear of terrorism. Fear of genocide. In response to fear, The Bridge for Youth moves graciously in love and compassion. While antisemitism is real, so too is antiblackness. We unequivocally stand against both. “Fear is the primary force upholding structures of domination. It promotes the desire for separation, the desire not to be known. When we are taught that safety lies always with sameness, then difference, of any kind, will appear as a threat. When we choose to love we choose to move against fear—against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect—to find ourselves in the other.” -bell hooks 

The Bridge works with youth who – in the tradition of many young people – make mistakes. Even then, we move alongside youth in the spirit of accountability and in love, empathy, and forgiveness. We believe there is no such thing as “other people’s children”. There exists a deeply rooted significance for Native/Indigenous populations to protect the Sacred by honoring the common belief throughout Indigenous culture(s), namely here on Turtle Island, that Children are Sacred; they manifest as Royalty, entering this realm, self-actualized and Sacred. Wakaneja is Lakota for Children (English translation: sacred beings). The Bridge for Youth engages youth to center their voice and honor their wisdom. We have learned this simple measure – respect the Sacred. 

For The Bridge, respecting the Sacred means to center youth voice, justice, and equity in all we do, and empower youth experiencing homelessness through safe shelter, basic needs, and healthy relationships. We will continue to work with our partners, community, and supporters to lead with love and commit to:  

• Center and prioritize youth voice and respect their journey and timeline 

• Recognize and acknowledge harm and trauma – current and historical – to Black and Indigenous peoples 

• Identify, interrogate, dismantle racism in systems, institutions (including our own, community) 

• Stand up in commUNITY with – and for – our Black and Indigenous youth, peers, friends, and family 

• Hold ourselves and others accountable; call out wrongs and clap for “rights” 

• Emulate a Liberation is Love culture where when one thrives, we all thrive 

• Value and celebrate cultural differences with reverence and empathy 

• Experiences and identities of Staff, Board of Directors, and partners represent those of youth in program 

• Assure knowledge and resources are equitably available and distributed 

• Invest in our strategic plan which prioritizes voice, justice, and equity throughout  

Our vision is “a community where all youth feels safe, accepted, and supported”. Will you join us?