My name is Leslie Banks I am the mother of Future Builder Tyler Banks. I am happy to share with all, that I think there is no greater program for middle school students! Since Tyler became a future builder 3 years ago, I have seen him grow into a leader that has a great respect for diversity and his environment. I am always singing the praises of the program and staff to others that have middle school aged children, as well as urging them to enroll their children into the program. Go FUBU!    

--Leslie Banks, Leadership Team Parent

Bridges means a lot to me. Even though I have not been in Bridges for very long I have gotten to do the coolest thing in the world. I have met some pretty cool people, gotten to go to Land Between the Lakes, and I am even on the Future Builder's leadership team. Every time I find out that there is a Bridges event, I am SO excited! I even got a couple friends interested in it. Bridges has been a life changing experience. GO BRIDGES!!!!!!!!

--Maggie Burchfield, Leadership Team Member

Ever wonder what exactly it is that the FUBU staff do? Here's your chance to find out!

Mollie Campbell, Director of Future Builders

As director of Future Builders, Mollie is the driving force behind this program! Mollie Develops and enhances FUBU programming, maintains relationships with community partners, oversees the annual budgets, manages program staff, manages the FUBU Leadership Team, and much, much more! Of her job, Mollie says, “My favorite part about working with the Future Builders is the moment in which a young person realizes the power of their voice and the impact that they have to change the world. At 12 years old, that’s a pretty powerful thing!  If they experience what it feels like to be a leader in the community at 12 years old, they’re likely going to still be a leader in the community at 45. It’s incredible to help young people be able to find this power!”  

Stephanie Dennis, Assistant Program Coordinator for Future Builders

Stephanie serves as the organizing power for Future Builders as Assistant Program Coordinator. Her job involves coordinating detailed logistics for program events, facilitating FUBU program events, assisting with recruitment and retention, developing partnership, coordinating the FUBU Leadership Team, managing data, and coordinating program event staffing. One of Stephanie’s favorite quotes is by James Dean: “I also became close to nature, and am now able to appreciate the beauty with which this world is endowed.”  She says, “This quote pretty much sums up why I love my job. Through working with Future Builders and O2E I not only have become closer to nature but I’ve also been able to provide this opportunity to the students that come through our program as well. Nature encompasses every aspect of our program when we take the time to stop and look.”  

Sydney Shearer, Future Builders Program Intern

Sydney is a junior at Rhodes College and serves as one of two Future Builders program interns. As intern, Sydney serves as a facilitator at FUBU program events, assists with the FUBU Leadership Team, helps prepare program materials and supplies for program events, researches additions and expansions to FUBU program, creates FUBU newsletters, manages the FUBU blog and Facebook group, builds collaborative partnerships with college groups, and assists with outreach for FUBU for marketing and recruitment  

Lee Bryant, Future Builders Program Intern

Lee is also a junior at Rhodes College and serves as a Future Builders program intern. Lee’s responsibilities include serving as a facilitator at FUBU program events, assisting with preparing program materials and supplies for program events, coordinating creative arts initiatives for FUBU programs, and creating collaborative partnerships with college groups.  

This is the first year for my daughter to be involved with Bridges. Our experience began this summer when she attended the second session of camp. It was 2 weeks packed full of amazing experiences! We knew this was an organization that she could grow, learn and be active in for a long time. She is learning the importance of making connections within her community, working together, supporting each other, learning about environmental and social issues and taking action. Being a part of Future Builders and all of the activities offered at Bridges has shown her just how confident and strong she truly is. I encourage anyone that is interested in learning more about Bridges, to go and take a tour, or visit on an open rock climbing night! It is a great family event open for everyone big and small! And then, sit down with your child and register with Future Builders. Thank you Bridges for everything you do for this community!

--Meridith Martin, Future Builders Leadership Team parent

My first event with the Future Builders was so much fun!  I was nervous at first but once I got the building and saw a few familiar faces, I felt much better. We went to the Land Between the Lakes State Park where we took many nature walks. My mom gave me a disposable camera to take pictures of anything I wanted that was important to me. I enjoyed the nature hikes and the team projects of making a shelter of materials we found in the woods. Also, the scenery of the trees and lake make you want to take more responsibility to conserve and preserve our natural resources. I am looking forward to many more events as a Future Builder.

--Jeffrey Henderson, Jr., Leadership Team Member

I am very pleased with the raised level of awareness that Jeffrey is now displaying to other cultures, our environment, and his responsibility to leading the way for others his age.  Before his membership in Future Builders, Jeffrey was already a strong willed, independent thinker. Now, he understands that if several strong leaders ban together, change is inevitable.  I am grateful for such an organization and its coordinators that take the time to allow the kids to think and be heard.  This past fall, when they wrote to the mayoral candidates and got a response back, that spoke volumes to my child and the others that they can and will be heard as the future generation of the leaders of our city and this nation!

-- Joletta Henderson, Future Builders Leadership Team parent

Last Saturday, BRIDGES’ Future Builders embarked on an all new kind of outdoor adventure. We braved the 30-something degree weather and traveled to Pinecrest Retreat Center, where we had our first NIGHT-TIME TRIP! Future Builders enjoyed a late afternoon hike led by Great Outdoors University naturalists as well as a hayride around the Pinecrest grounds. After warming up inside for dinner, we ventured outside again for a night hike.  Then, we topped our day off gathering around a bonfire roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Thanks to all the Future Builders who came out and made this day a success!

I think that all students should have the opportunity to be a part of a program like Future Builders that teaches diversity and leadership.  When parents buy in to the idea that we can all come together for a common goal, the students will buy in.

--Pamela Stubbs, Future Builders Leadership Team Parent

One of the things that I enjoy about being a part of Future Builders is that it has afforded me the chance to meet people with a common interest that may not look like me.  I have learned that we can have the same interest and look different but respect each others’ differences.

-- Tyfani Stubbs, Leadership Team Member

There are four core values of Future Builders (leadership development, diversity appreciation, environmental awareness and community change). What do these values mean to me? They mean learning how to be a leader, appreciating other religions and ethnicities, being conscious about what we do to the environment around us, and changing the community one step at a time.

--Maya Todd, Leadership Team Member

Hi, my name is Imhotep Kyser, andwhat I enjoy about being a Future Builder is that I love being around myfriends. I also love the activities that we do at BRIDGES such as the ropescourse and going to to different places that involve nature. I also lovemaking new friends, and that happens to me a lot at BRIDGES. This is why I always enjoy being a Future Builder!

-Leadership Team member Imhotep Kyser

Eco-Friendly Tips for a Greener Thanksgiving

In honor of the Environmental Awarness component of the Future Builders Program, please consider adopting a few of these tips for your holiday feast! Thanksgiving is a great time to go green. The season of Thanksgiving is about celebrating the earth and what it has to offer us, so respecting the environment is a great way to send the planet an eco-friendly thank-you.

1. When running around picking up all your necessities for the big day, make sure you bring along reusable bags. See if you can reduce the amount of waste you produce by buying only as much as you need and choosing products that come in packaging that can be recycled.

2. Buy locally grown food. It’s a great way to have a green Thanksgiving. Locally grown is generally organic and therefore good for your health and the environment. It requires less fuel to reach local store shelves which saves on fuel. It also contributes more to your local economy by supporting the local farmers and merchants.

3. Buy organic fruits, vegetable, (apples and potatoes are very high on the pesticide hit list, and retain huge amounts of the chemicals sprayed on them), and grains grown without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Organic farming also increases soil fertility, prevents erosion, and is more cost-effective for farmers.

4. If you’re having Turkey as part of your dinner, search the Eat Well Guide. You can find types of meat by production methods, and locations where you can purchase an organic turkey. The “production methods” section allows you to select items labeled 100% vegetarian fed, grass fed, free-range, non-confined, no antibiotics, organic, etc. You can also contact your local grocery store and ask if they carry turkeys labeled “American Humane Certified,” or “USDA Certified Organic.”

5. Keep your thermostat at an acceptable setting, and start a fire in your fireplace to keep warm. If you normally keep your temperature at 74 degrees Fahrenheit, try lowering it two degrees on Thanksgiving. This will conserve extra energy. The cooking and people filling up your house or apartment will create extra warmth as well!

6. Purchase recycled paper products, if you need to have disposable plates and cups. Otherwise, use regular plates and cups that can be washed so you don’t produce any waste.

7. Try and cook just the right amount of food for your family and friends because nothing is worse than wasted food. However, if you have too much food, send your guests home with a doggie bag. You can also donate leftover food to a local shelter or food bank.  

Whatever else you do on Thanksgiving, make it a time to say thank you to the people in your life who matter most. Many of the best moments in life are those spent with friends and family. As part of your eco-friendly Thanksgiving, give thanks to the many ways the environment sustains and enriches our lives.

Adapted from: http://www.modernecohomes.com/blog/organic/eco-friendly-thanksgiving/

Thanks to Everyone who Participated in the November Trip!

Our November Outdoor Adventure Trip was a blast thanks to GOU and all the youth participants who came out! We spent the day at Shelby Forest creating nature-inspired arts and crafts. We aslo went on a nature hike and had an AWESOME reflection on diversity. Thanks to everyone who came out; you made this trip a huge success!