Bridge serves over 100 families during holiday drive

The Bridge was also known as Santa’s Shop this year with numerous Board members, donors and friends acting as our “elves.”  As a result of the generosity from Bridge supporters including CSX, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Mala Via Washington Kid’s Foundation and so many more, The Bridge served over 500 children, teens and parents for Thanksgiving and distributed approximately 400 bags of gifts for Christmas.

The holiday began with Board members, Poppy Clements, Terry Walton, Susan Jangro, and Mimi Stephens along with Bridge supporter, Stephanie Wilson planning and implementing the Holiday Coffee to raise funds for the A Season for Sharing drive. Over 40 women from the Jacksonville community attended the event and raised almost $3,000  to help our Bridge children and their families with a wonderful Thanksgiving meal and presents for Christmas.

The generosity did not stop there. EverBank employees showed an enormous outpouring of support by collecting food, presents and making generous monetary donations. “EverBank was just a God-send. We were able to serve so many of our children and their families because of EverBank’s support. They were so enthusiastic , warm and generous. “

The generosity still did not stop there! The Dubow Family Foundation provided $100 for 25 Bridge students to shop for their families for Christmas at the local Wal-Mart.  In attendance to help the children shop were Jaguars football players and Bridge board members. The purpose of the event was to teach children the importance of giving instead of receiving.

 “Many of our Bridge families are feeling the pains of job loss, poverty and hunger. We are so grateful to our Bridge numerous supporters who allowed these families to experience a wonderful and joyous holiday,” said Dr. Davy Parrish, Bridge President/CEO.

Thank you to our Corporate and Community holiday donors 

Apex Systems, All Saints Episcopal Church, All State Dealer Services, Baker Distributing Company, Bolles High School, CSX, EverBank, Golder & Associates, Junior League of Jacksonville, Mala Via Washington Kid’s Foundation, Mothers & More, Publix, Second Harvest Food Bank, Smoak, Davis & Nixon, Springfield Mommy’s Group, St. John the Divine, Steinemann & Company, and Winn Dixie, Inc.

A Season for Sharing is in full swing and we need your help! 

Come and adopt-a-family for Christmas by collecting gifts for a Bridge child and their family or by contributing a monetary donation! Please turn in all unwrapped gifts and/or monetary donations to The Bridge main campus by Dec. 21.

To adopt a family, please contact Judith Brown, volunteer coordinator at (904) 354-7799 or volunteercoordinator@bridgejax.com.

Thank you so much for helping make this holiday season a merrier one for our Bridge families!

The Bridge is getting social... on Facebook!  

Now Facebook users can stay connected with The Bridge of Northeast Florida on Facebook.  This is a great way for Bridge kids and families, staff and volunteers to stay up-to-date on Bridge news and events!  Become a fan and receive our updates through your newsfeed!  

Its easy!  Just search for The Bridge of Northeast Florida using the search bar located at the top right corner of your Facebook page and don't forget to click "Become a fan" when you visit The Bridge's page.

Not a Facebook user?  Anyone can create a free personal account at www.facebook.com.

Who ya gonna call?  Nobody!  It's the Phantom Ball... and you're invited! 

It's the non-event of the season, and THE place NOT to be seen! 

Don't wait for this opportunity to disappear!  R.S.V.P. today.  Your gift will help children and teens at The Bridge of Northeast Florida.

Yemen visitors tour The Bridge

Lamia Yahia Abdulrahman El-Eryani, general manager, and Maryam Ebrahim Mohammed Saif, executive manager from the Shawthab Foundation for Childhood and Development – Yemen, toured The Bridge of Northeast Florida on September 10th. The two women along with other staff from the foundation learned basic information about The Bridge from Development Director Zoe Ann Boyle and then visited the other facilities on the Bridge main campus. El-Eryani and Mohammed Saif toured the Weaver Zone Teen Center, a center for youth grades 6 – 12. The two women also toured the Learning Center, a center for students grades K – 5. Both programs feature academic programs, enrichment activities and a hot meal.

Join The Bridge in supporting the Fix It Now movement

The City of Jacksonville is facing a budget crisis which is jeopardizing critical city-funded programs for children. 

The children served by these programs are in dire need.  According to The Jacksonville Children's Commission, more than 80% live in poverty, 60% from single parent homes, and are surrounded by factors leading to poor life outcomes.  For this at-risk group, after school programs are proven to reduce juvenile crime, antisocial behavior, and experimentation with alcohol, drugs and sex.  Already, only 25% of those in need of after school programs are served, resulting in a 75% gap in service.  With the proposed funding cuts, this gap would widen to 81%. 

On July 28, 2009, Jacksonville's City Council will vote on a proposed increase in the millage rate of approximately 1 mill.  The proposed increase, along with significant government budget cuts and important pension reforms would minimize the impact of this crisis on our community's children.  To ensure that critical children's programs like those at The Bridge of Northeast Florida remain intact, please join the Fix It Now movement, call or email your Councilman and let your voice speak for the 19% of Duval County's children who live in poverty and who need our help and support.   

In the words of The Bridge of Northeast Florida's President/CEO, Davy Parrish, "As a community, we understand that the moral character of a city is defined by how we treat our children."

Bridge President/CEO Davalu Parrish wins 2009 Eve Award for Employment

On June 5, 2009, Bridge President/CEO Davy Parrish was honored with the 2009 Times-Union Eve Award for Employment.  Dr. Parrish has dedicated her career of over 30 years to helping children in some of Jacksonville's most impoverished neighborhoods.  Most recently, she led a successful $4 million dollar capital campaign to establish The Weaver Zone, a teen center serving youth in urban Springfield. 

View additional pictures and newspaper coverage of the 2009 Times-Union Eve Awards, held June 5, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency.

Read Dr. Parrish's acceptance speech.