2024 was a year of growth and innovation at The Bridge for Youth. Together, we provided safety and stability to nearly 8,000 youth, followed youth voice during our shelter remodel, launched the Young Families Campaign, and so much more.
We’re excited to celebrate this work with the release of our
2024 Annual Impact Report!
Thank you to the BFY commUNITY – youth, staff, board, donors, volunteers, community leaders, and corporate partners – for walking alongside us. Because of you, we’re better equipped than ever to achieve our vision of a community where all youth feel safe, accepted, and supported.
Read Our 2024 Annual Impact Report
Make a Gift To Continue To Support Youth
This month, we deliberately gather in commUNITY to celebrate Black Liberation and Juneteenth – a national holiday held on June 19th honoring the emancipation of African Americans who had been enslaved in the United States. Youth, staff, and board, look forward to celebrating Black resilience and excellence at our monthly CommUNITY in the Courtyard, and by continuing to educate and empower youth in shelter. Stay tuned next month for highlights from our celebrations.
Liberation is love when we create intentional spaces, celebrations, and communities where we can show up as our authentic selves. When one of us thrives, we all thrive – especially youth. Celebrate with us by learning more about Juneteenth.
We’re honored to share that The Bridge has been chosen as this year’s recipient of Lavender Magazine’s Community Pride Nonprofit Award. The Bridge has been honored with this award because of our continued dedication to LGBTQ+ inclusion in a time when it has become increasingly difficult.
This award is only made possible thanks to the dedicated staff who come to this work with love and care, authentically welcoming every youth into our commUNITY.
Throughout Pride Month, we look forward to celebrating LGBTQ+ voices and identities through community events and special activities at ‘So What If I Am?’, the Twin Cities’ longest running LGBTQ+ youth support group. Stay tuned on social media to keep up with us during this exciting month!
On June 27-29, find us at Twin Cities Pride Festival in The Youth Zone, sections 329-332!
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, staff and youth at The Bridge have been focusing on the importance of mental health and wellness.
Youth and staff enjoyed a healing-themed Community in the Courtyard event, which included making Zen Gardens and having access to free massages thanks to our friends at Body of the Earth Wellness & Massage.
Meanwhile, BFY team members Thomas “TC” Collins and Marea Perry have been leading staff on a new Health and Wellness Initiative to keep everyone motivated towards their personal goals.
Read a youth’s reflection on mental health.
“The staff at The Bridge have taught me that it’s important to care for yourself in every way, especially mentally… The support I’ve received here has really changed the way I think about myself and my journey. It feels like I am a lot closer to healing.” – Youth in BFY Shelter
Thank you to everyone who took the time to support youth this month. Here are some highlights of the ways our commUNITY gave back:
-Girls on the Run Minnesota donated potted succulents with affirmation cards for youth in shelter to keep in their bedrooms.
-Students from both Orono and Chanhassen High School concluded an awesome school year of supporting us through donations and service projects at their own Bridge for Youth clubs.
-Kemps donated towels and picnic blankets – a perfect gift to kick off the summer months!
-The Pfund Foundation invited us to join their volunteer engagement fair alongside other great organizations who support LGBTQ+ individuals.
-The Ally Coalition, which provides critical support for organizations dedicated to bettering the lives of LGBTQ+ youth, shared their platform with us and helped amplify our work supporting queer youth.
