BRIDGES is life skills training program designed to 'bridge the gap' between an academic education and what is required to live a fulfilling, responsible and creative life.

Focusing on communication, human interaction, conflict resolution, choice, and personal life vision, BRIDGES will prepare youth (ages 15- 19) to take action and control of their lives.

The overall goal of the BRIDGES Youth Empowerment Series is to prevent and reduce the impact of dysfunctional family patterns that lead to child abuse and neglect, and to meet the long-term goals of reduction in delinquency, drug abuse, and prevention of teenage pregnancy.

Thirty-five youth will acquire personal empowerment skills that enable them to:

• Identify and seek out advocates and allies
• Develop an ability to create healthy boundaries
• Identify goals and take steps to achieve those goals
• Develop a "how to" approach to attain tools for personal resource development
• Strengthen their ability to perceive and make life-affirming choices.

The Structure of BRIDGES

Level I: Weekend Intensive Workshop
Participants engage in a variety of interactive exercises created to explore themselves and others, with the goal of identifying, building, and strengthening Internal Assets.

8 Week(ly) Follow-up Sessions
These 3-hour weekly sessions continue the practice and development of skills learned during the weekend.

Community Service Project
Working with a small group of peers, each participant creates a plan to execute a Community Service Project. Groups are supported by an Adult Mentor Volunteer, a Lead Trainer, or Project Coordinator who will help connect the group up with community resources needed to accomplish their project. All projects will be completed within 2-3 months after the Weekend Intensive Workshop.

Level II: Youth Leadership Training Intensives
Those who have successfully completed the Bridges training series and a Community Service Project are eligible to participate in the next level of training, designed to develop Mentor Volunteers to middle school-aged youth.