After two-years of design and construction, we’re thrilled to share that the renovations at The Bridge for Youth are complete. Click here to take an inside look!
“We believe that youth hold the wisdom to their wellbeing. So, centering youth voice in the design and creation of these spaces was key to the project’s success,” exclaimed Lisa Mears, President at The Bridge for Youth.
Our renovation project saw a total remodel of our shelter floors in Resilience House and Gloria’s Place, along with vital updates to the front lobby, youth entrance, and Youth Response Center, as well as the community and group rooms.
“These renovations were inspired by youth themselves. We followed their lead and centered their voices,” Lisa continued. “They have a profound understanding of what trauma informed design means. They informed everything down to the color of the walls, to the lighting in the rooms.”
From wall removal in common areas for more natural lighting and sense of community, installing enclosed cabinetry to keep spaces clean and functional, adding 3 kitchenettes for functionality and access to healthy food, private bathrooms for each bedroom, and more – this multiyear project was essential in ensuring youth in shelter felt safe, accepted, and supported.
“For youth, this is their home temporarily,” Lisa said. “We wanted to make sure they felt safe, accepted, and supported here.”
The Bridge for Youth would like to thank our partners: The Joy Collaborative, who were instrumental in consultation and partner cultivation, Dunwoody College of Technology and their 5th year architecture students who helped with early design and centering youth voice, Doran Companies for phase 1 construction and design, and Dolezal Creative for phase 2 construction and design.
We’d also like to thank our funders from The Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation, The State of Minnesota’s Department of Economic Opportunity, and our commUNITY of supporters like you – thank you!
