As a youth-serving organization, one of our greatest joys is watching young people grow into leaders and achieve their goals. Through our Youth Advisory Board (YAB), youth up to the age of 24 who have been program participants at The Bridge use their voice to advise on program policies and practices within the organization. For example, YAB members serve on staff interview panels with their evaluations weighted highest in hiring, and no new strategic framework or organizational values can be adopted without YAB review and formal approval. 

This year, YAB members Nova and Jania will be graduating from their leadership in YAB at the age of 24. Their leadership with us, however, will continue to grow as they become members of The Bridge for Youth’s Board of Directors! As full members of the board, they will move from a program advisory role to being equal governance partners on the board. These young leaders hold voting power and governance oversight, honoring their lived wisdom as they set the strategic direction, policy positions, financial, and organizational priorities of The Bridge.   

For Nova and Jania, joining our Board of Directors is a full-circle moment that has taken years of building upon leadership and advocacy.  

Read more as Jania and Nova reflect on their time as youth at The Bridge and look forward to their next steps on the Board:  

Jania’s Reflection  

Before coming to The Bridge, I felt misunderstood. I didn’t have anyone to relate to. But now, as I graduate from my time in YAB, I have a degree, and a community who cares about me. Looking back on my journey makes me feel accomplished. 

There were plenty of roadblocks on this journey. I struggled with housing stability in ways that the county couldn’t help with. But The Bridge was always there to help fill the gap and stabilize me. I entered their transitional housing program and found the footing I needed to get my degree. 

Being at The Bridge taught me real-life skills. The most important thing I learned was leadership through being on the Youth Advisory Board. 

The Youth Advisory Board enabled me to use my voice and communicate effectively. I learned the power of my story, the importance of patience, and what it means to show up for what you believe in. 

My favorite memory was visiting the State Capitol for Homeless Day on the Hill. Being part of a monumental event like this was amazing. I felt so powerful using my story to advocate to lawmakers for solutions to end homelessness. 

Although my time in program and on the Youth Advisory Board is coming to an end, I am excited to remain with The Bridge as a member of their Board of Directors, where I can continue using my experiences to help The Bridge grow. 

The support I found here was so compassionate, reliable, and reassuring. Everything I have experienced and accomplished has been done with constant love and care. I look forward to giving that same love and care to my role on the Board of Directors. 

Nova’s Reflection  

My journey with The Bridge began in 2021, when I received a referral for Rita’s House, which was the beginning of my life changing for the better.  

I was working 50-hour work weeks on a small salary, living in a homeless shelter and not having a single clue as to how I was going to be able to get out of there. When I moved into Rita’s, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to be a singer and actor, but I also knew that I needed something more than that. I needed to do something that motivated me.  

So, when the idea of joining The Bridge’s Youth Advisory Board was brought to me, I couldn’t have said yes faster!  

I was given so many incredible opportunities over the years, mainly noting the time when I was asked to film a video for the Ally Coalition, as well as getting to share my story for the CommUNITY LGBTQ Celebration in 2023.  

When I first became homeless in 2014, I had no idea that my life would end up here. I was just a scared 13-year-old, unsure of the future and how my family was going to make it out, especially with my mom being 2 months pregnant. Looking back, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.  

Moving on is bittersweet, it always is for me. Despite knowing it was coming, it’s still hard to accept that my time as a youth at The Bridge is over. But my involvement here is far from over.  

I will be joining the Board of Directors, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue to help today’s youth! 

Something I always say is that if I can turn my story into something good and help others in some way, then everything I’ve gone through will have been worth it. It’s still so crazy to me how I was able to not only make it out but completely turn my life around and use my story to impact others or make them feel less alone.  

I will forever be grateful to The Bridge for everything they’ve done for me. I want to give a special shout-out to the staff that made a big impact on my journey. Travina, Trina, Sierra, AP, Juli, Lou, Jeremiah, Bryson, Shae, Connie, Lisa, Brittney and War, I will never be able to thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.  

Thank you for believing in me when it felt like no one else would. This program saved my life, and I’m so excited and honored to continue my work with them.