To Our Community,

We continue to be grateful to the Jacksonville community for investing in our young people’s lives through The Bridge. 

Despite the faltering economy, The Bridge under the leadership of capital campaign co-chairs Poppy Clements and Terry Walton have completed our capital campaign for the purchase and renovations of  the 1911 school building, the latest addition to our main campus at 8th and Pearl Streets. It is now The Weave Zone, an epicenter for teens, providing us with space to offer more services to more children and youth. As we see our young people and their families struggle to meet the economic challenges in our world today, we realize that the need is ongoing and even increasing. Yet the investment in our youth is paying dividends in teens staying in school, graduating and going on to college.

We wanted to share some of our milestones with you.

  • The Capital Campaign for The Weaver Zone reached its goal of  $4 million in December 2009
  • Over 544 children and teens are attending programs on The Bridge main campus
  • The Bridge has three TEAM UP programs at schools that received “A” grades through the Florida State School Grading system. Those schools are: DuPont Middle School, Andrew Robinson Elementary and Rutledge Pearson Elementary.  
  • The Bridge Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension program, through a partnership with the Duval County Schools, another part of the Jacksonville Journey Initiative, is one of the most successful sites in the city with an average daily attendance of over 25 students. The Bridge is one of two nonprofit agencies partnering with Duval County Schools for this program
  • 55 college scholarships were awarded to Bridge students including 25 2009 graduates and 30 Bridge alumni currently in college.
  • 154 participants from Bridge job skills training and employment programs worked in “real world” jobs during the summer of 2009.
  • The Bridge received a $10,000 grant from The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida to expand our Bridge garden at the corner of 8th and Pearl. Students work in the garden, attend nutrition classes taught by partner War on Poverty and hold a monthly farmers market to sell their produce.

We are especially grateful for our partners and supporters in the community. Thank you for believing that this long term, comprehensive investment in children is a “bridge to the future.”

Sincerely, 

 

Davy Parrish, D.P.A.                        
President/CEO