News & Events
"Different outside - same inside"
For folks off work or out of school Monday for the recent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, there was no shortage of things to do (or not do) here in Memphis. But for about 300 youth from Future Builders, Bridge Builders and PeaceJam, the day was an exercise in focusing on justice - not just the abstract justice of historic speeches, but justice applied to the worlds we all inhabit today.
Activities throughout the day for this unique Day of Service included interactive, theatrical expressions by Playback Memphis of the categories of justice on which BRIDGES’ programs are focused– racial, economic, educational and environmental. And then after lunch, the youth broke into groups led by 16 representatives of local advertising/creative agencies where they were asked, "What justice issue would you be willing to march 
for - or even die for?"
The result was a powerful march into the High Adventure Hall and a throng of young people with newly acquired sense of what justice means today and sense of the power residing in the words of a man who died long before they were born.
A big "Thank You" goes out to all the volunteers and staff who made this colossal day a reality - and to the young people for their effort and inspiration.
Mission Accomplished-O2E!
At the end of 2008, BRIDGES set a lofty goal: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Memphis by 10 million pounds by 2010 with its new program Ordinary to Extraordinary: Learning and Leading Green. Just before the end of 2009, after a year of engaging programs and over 1,500 participants, we reached the goal for the O2E Challenge. O2E participants have reduced GGEs in Memphis by 10,682,908 pounds. Please join us in celebrating this great accomplishment! There is still more work to be done to ensure a greener and more sustainable Memphis, so let's all keep up the good work. Stay tuned for our O2E Challenge for 2010. If you haven't yet, sign up to take the O2E Challenge today.
This year's EJ's 5k burns up the road
Thanks to a host of volunteers and a bevy of actual and virtual runners, this year's EJ's 5K and 1-mile Fun Run at Temple Israel was an unqualified success. More than 300 participants showed their support for the day of health and wellness-focussed demonstrations and workshops and running competition, all benefiting youth served by Temple Israel and BRIDGES.
Congratulations to Marilin Rivera, 32, the first-place overall female finisher (with a time of 21:29) and to Clark Butcher, 25, the first-place overall male finisher (with a time of 17:24).
Check out this Memphis Runners page for a complete list of this year's finish results. AND, photos from the day can be viewed, shared and purchased from this online gallery. See you at next year's race!