News & Events

Graduates from BRIDGES programs ready for the world. In the space of a few days at BRIDGES in April, about 320 youth and adults marked the beginning of new chapters in their lives in two separate graduation ceremonies.  

On April 24, 34 individuals got the chance to move tassels, toss caps and mug for the camera as BRIDGES celebrated the success of 20 new graduates from the GED/Life Skills program. Friends, family and staff were on hand for inspiring words, music and dramatic performances and to congratulate the graduates who have worked so hard to make their lives better.  

Each and every grad has his or her own story to tell. For Tajuana Hullum, the story was about a goal, a milestone and the inspiration she received from GED instructor Greta Wilburn.  

“I signed up one year ago and made a goal to give myself a 35th birthday present—that I would have my GED,” Tajuana said. “I turned 35 earlier this month. This was a great program. Greta opened that box that was closed. She got me through. Not just her teaching, but also her words of encouragement. She got me through and she got all of us through.”  

Then, on April 28, the BRIDGES Center was filled with 300 seniors graduating from the Bridge Builders® program and their friends and family. Before breaking into groups to discuss how the program has changed their lives and then taking part in a blindfolded “Sherpa walk,” the grads heard from BRIDGES president Cynthia Ham and from Emilee Lewis, a graduate who chairs the Bridge Builders Leadership Council. Emilee reminded the grads of the lessons they’ve learned about honestly, perception and trust.   

 “Now, take what you’ve learned here,” Emilee said, “and go out and do something with it.”

Two events in one month raise almost $60K for BRIDGES Friends and supporters came out not once but TWO times this spring to celebrate BRIDGES’ 90th anniversary.  

With a nod to the decade in which BRIDGES was founded, about 200 guests dressed up in 1920s attire, enjoyed live jazz, ordered drinks from a "speakeasy" cocktail bar and noshed on delicious food at The Great Gatsby affair on March 23. With ticket sales and sponsorships, the event raised $25,500 to support BRIDGES.  

On April 14, BRIDGES hosted its first ever fashion show, Sharing our Worlds thru Fashion, featuring the designs of local designer Yendry Alvord. The event raised $32,650 for the organization.  

“We’re grateful to all of our sponsors and to everyone who came out to celebrate 90 years of BRIDGES serving the Memphis community,” said Linda McNeil, BRIDGES vice president of development. “It’s our supporters who make the work we do possible and who ensure that BRIDGES will be around for the next 90 years and beyond.” 

Check out pictures from both events on our Facebook page!

Day two of BRIDGES Spring Break for Change helped youth learn how they can be better leaders for change in their home, their school and their community. Using experiential learning activities, youth were thrust into challenges where leaders of all styles emerged.  Here's a quick video of Adu, one of our sixth grade Bridge Builders.

Spring Break for Change continues through March 17 and is open to BRIDGES and non-BRIDGES participants in grades 6-12. Visit http://www.bridgesusa.org/springbreak to learn more or email connect@bridgesusa.org.

BRIDGES new president Cynthia Ham is getting a firm understanding of the different ways BRIDGES works for justice in the Mid-South.  Check out this video to see what she's been up to...

Earlier this month, BRIDGES received a generous gift from St. George's Episcopal Church. Each year, the church holds its wildly popular Antiques Arcade, featuring dealers from throughout the Mid-South offering a wide variety of antiques and one-of-a-kind decorative items.

In previous years, proceeds from the event have been split among several area non-profits, but this year the committee chose just one organization as the sole beneficiary - BRIDGES! On Sunday, Feb. 5 committee members David George and Marie Hayden presented BRIDGES representatives Gene Lamanilao (far left), Bob Rogalski (third from right), Emilee Lewis and Tim Green with a check for $26,130.23.

A special thanks to St. George's Episcopal Church for a long and wonderful partnership!

Gifts like this one from St. George's are what allows BRIDGES to continue to build a community of leaders to advance justice. You can be a bridge yourself by making a secure gift online today.

Cynthia Ham, Principal and chief PR officer for archer>malmo, has been named President of BRIDGES, the Memphis non-profit known for its leadership work with thousands of Mid-South youth.  

Ham comes to BRIDGES after 15 years with archer>malmo and nearly another decade as Executive Director of the Memphis in May International Festival. A graduate of the University of Memphis, Ham has also served in marketing and advertising directorial roles for Beale Street Historic District and Mud Island River Park.  

She says that the decision to leave archer>malmo was not an easy one to make but that the BRIDGES mission is compelling. “At this juncture in my life, I have a strong desire to give back to the community that has so enriched me,” Ham said. “Accepting this special opportunity allows me to do so and provides more meaning in my life and work.”  

Ham’s official first day is Feb. 15. She accepts the position as BRIDGES celebrates its 90th year of service and enters a new era. The organization has begun an expansion of its Bridge Builders® program to include 6th through 12th graders in order to give more youth access to the life-changing program.  

She replaces Jim Boyd, who led the organization from 1994—when it was called Youth Service of Memphis—through 16 years of growth until October of 2011, when he stepped down to lead The Alzar Foundation.  

Brent Alvord, former chair of the BRIDGES Board of Trustees and head of the search committee that hired Ham, says that she is a particularly good fit for the organization.  

“Cynthia has strong management skills, non-profit experience, a keen marketing mind and an intimate knowledge of the Memphis community,” Alvord said. “The search committee, the board and I believe whole-heartedly that Cynthia is the right person to lead BRIDGES into the future.”

On Monday, Jan. 16 2012, youth from across the Mid-South gathered at the BRIDGES Center - as they have in recent years - to learn about and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And while any gathering marking the birthday of the civil rights leader is a special occasion, this was no ordinary Dr. King Day event.

On a day off from school, 356 young people chose not to sleep in, but to gather at BRIDGES to mark Dr. King's birthday - AND to help kick off a year-long celebration of BRIDGES' 90th anniversary. And if that weren't enough, BRIDGES staff used the opportunity to announce the expansion of its Bridge Builders® program to include youth in grades 6-12 - more youth ready and willing to advance justice in Memphis and to help keep King's dream alive and well.

Youth spent Monday morning in activities and exercises that illuminated the history and context of Dr. King’s legacy and dream. Working in 20 small groups they explored how they can advance the justice he fought and died for—in their communities today.

Friends and supporters then gathered in the Wilson Family High Adventure Hall and watched as youth processed into the hall and helped to reveal a 4' by 8' puzzlee that revealed a Memphis cityscape and the BRIDGES logo.

Following the puzzle assembly, staff and students led a candle lighting ceremony illuminating the organization’s 90-year past.

Then the REAL fun started, as staff leaders explained the expanded Bridge Builders® curriculum, which will engage youth in 6th through 12th grades in a variety of activities and experiences that vary in scope and commitment—all designed to expose an increasing number of Memphis youth to the BRIDGES mission and the opportunity to be part of youth-led social change.

On Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011,  the Wilson Family High Adventure Hall at BRIDGES was the scene of history-in-the-making as 52 participants graduated from the GED/Life Skills Program. If you're keeping score, that's the program's largest graduating class - EVER. Congratulations to each and every grad for your bravery, persistence and hard work!

Each and every graduate has a different story - but they're united by the fact that they made a decision, stuck to it, worked hard and transformed their lives. Graduate Donita Robinson dropped out at 17 and worked for 12 years before deciding to become a nurse.

"I learned that I needed a high school diploma and I knew that the only way would be to get my GED," Donita says. "I enrolled at BRIDGES with a made-up mind and within two weeks, pass the test!"

 

Donita didn't waste anytime - she's already applied to nursing school and has received a $5,000 per year scholarship to a nursing school in Arkansas. "My classes will begin in February 2012," she says. "I'm so happy!"

 

Learn more about BRIDGES GED/Life Skills Program.

Nearly 400 youth gather to study peace

On Friday, Oct. 21, more than 370 Mid-South youth engaged in a day-long conference about social justice organizing and how to create and maintain peace in their personal lives, their homes and their communities.

During the Gandhi-King Youth Conference (part of the annual Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking) youth chose two interactive workshops to attend during the conference. There were 20 workshops to choose from, ranging from slam poetry, how to erase racism, understanding food justice, keeping inner peace with yoga, and many more. Youth made new friends while bonding over issues that are important to them. Of the 370 students taking part that day, 263 were new to BRIDGES, meaning hundreds more young people in Memphis now have an experience of the BRIDGES mission.

Mark your calendars now for the next Connect experience at BRIDGES - World of Traditions, set for Saturday, Dec. 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be small-group presentations from various religious and cultural groups on their holiday traditions, including a show of performances of song and dance from various cultures and religious groups.

Admission is $5 per person and Future Builders are hosting a food/clothing drive at the event so youth are encouraged to bring a canned good or gently used clothing to donate. Contact Timorie Stewart to learn more.

 

BRIDGES Summer Success

To say summer 2011 at BRIDGES has been eventful is a summer-blockbuster of an understatement.

 

Each year, we’re excited to bring youth together from all walks of life at summer conferences to form new friendships, learn to lead and take a stand for advancing justice in our community.  We’re inspired by the transformations taking place each and every day – whether it’s high on the ropes course or in the middle of an acid river.  This summer is no exception.  About 225 Future Builders, 568 Junior Bridge Builders and 400 Senior Bridge Builders are taking part in our programs and living the BRIDGES mission.   

 

My Nguyen knows first-hand how much fun Future Builders can be.  “We’re learning stuff we don’t get to learn in school,” My says. “I got a chance to conquer my fear of heights. All my camp friends and facilitators encouraged me to go on, and I finished the whole course.”   

 

That same excitement can be found just about anywhere you look at BRIDGES these days - like the Bridge Builder alum-turned-counselor who exclaims, "I love Bridge Builders because without Bridge Builders, I don't know where I would be right now. My counselors have been awesome. I build teamwork, leadership. I just love Bridge Builders. That's why I work here, I'm going to keep working here so I can pass it down to the next students."

 

 

Graduation adds hundreds to Community of Leaders

On Saturday, April 30, the beginnings of hundreds of new bridges were put in place when the Bridge Builders ® Class of 2011 celebrated its graduation at the BRIDGES Center with family, friends and staff.

More than 375 graduating seniors marked the occasion by receiving certificates from their parents, a statue from the BRIDGES staff and encouragement from one another. Check out more pictures on our Facebook page here and follow the link to Xceptional Photography and check out their photo booth shots from the day. (While you're there, make sure to "like" BRIDGES page, if you haven't already).

 

Want to hear from graduating Bridge Builders themselves? Thought you might. Check it out.