At The Bridge for Youth, our mission is rooted in our 56 year legacy that every young person deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive — free from violence, fear, and harm. Our work is grounded in care, equity, and justice, and we stand alongside the youth and families in our community who continue to be impacted by traumatic events and systemic violence.

As members of the south Minneapolis community, The Bridge is deeply saddened and impacted every day by the horrific fatal shootings of our neighbors Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement agents, as well as the harms to community members in Minneapolis and beyond during ICE operations, protests, and observing. 

As an organization that walks with youth who have already endured trauma, instability, and loss, we recognize that these events do more than make headlines — they reverberate through the lives of children, youth, and families across our neighborhoods. Violence, especially when carried out by systems meant to protect, leaves emotional and psychological scars that persist long after the immediate incident. We mourn with the families affected, and we stand in solidarity with all who seek justice, peace, and a future where youth can feel safe in the places they call home.

At The Bridge for Youth, we believe:

• Safety is a basic human right. No young person should grow up in a community where anyone, particularly neighbors and caregivers, lives with fear of harm.
• Accountability matters. Communities deserve transparency, justice, and accountability of actions infringing upon public health, safety, dignity, and constitutional rights.
• Healing begins with community care. Young people need spaces where they are heard, affirmed, and protected — especially in times of crisis.
• Equity must guide action. Systems of enforcement that disproportionately harm communities of color and marginalized families must be critically examined and reformed.

The Bridge for Youth’s commitment is to the youth and families who make up our commUNITY—especially those who carry the weight of trauma, loss, and instability. This is the heart of our work: creating safe shelter, meeting basic needs, providing holistic and healing-centered care, and surrounding young people with a community that shows up for them.

CommUNITY is love made possible. It is care in action, dignity upheld, and hope made real. Minnesota, you are a powerful reminder of what compassion looks like when we choose one another. Together, let us uplift youth voices, strengthen supports that meet urgent needs, and work toward lasting change—so that young people and families can be safe, whole, and empowered, today and into the future.

In commUNITY,

Lisa Hicks Mears, President
Geoff Jones, Chairperson, Board of Directors