Proud Member of the Union City Chamber of Commerce
Copyright 2004 Bridges Intervention.org All Rights Reserved.
Special Services
The House of Bridges was formed to create “Bridges of Opportunity” to at-risk youth and their families in a residential setting. The purpose of the program is to offer customized intervention strategies to each resident, which address the current negative cycle of destructive youth culture. Such emphasis will provide the necessary extension of services, which are traditionally neglected or not easily accessible by the present service industry.
Community Integration and Outreach
Residents will receive topical, educational and social interaction through a variety of individual and group activities. These services will enhance the overall concept of resident’s participation within the larger community. The following programs are provided to all residents and their families:
The Bridges Leadership Academy was developed to provide a forum for residential care youth and local community youth to interact and explore systematic, social, civic and current issues that pertain to their world. The goal is to produce leaders among youth who are dedicated to seek positive change and direction in their once wayward lives. This non-traditional approach of leadership development offers disenfranchised and alienated youth the necessary opportunity to flourish within a learning environment of their own. Parents, guest speakers, community leaders and other youth routinely participate. The leadership equation is R+R=S (Respect + Responsibility = Success).
The Bridges SEED Program was designed as a personal and community development project for at-risk youth and youth in the foster care system of Alameda County Department of Social Services. The program emphasizes self-esteem building and ethical standards of achievement. It explores risk factors and skill development through landscaping and the beautification of the community and blighted areas. The program philosophy is to empower these youth through community integration. Strategies consist of using community professionals as mentors, who provide supervision and training, as well as using peer counselors, who cover all aspects of program development and implementation. The logistics of this program include matching at-risk youth from the community with youth in group homes and the foster care system. The program has won several awards and accolades. It has been funded by the Fremont Rotary Club through a one-time $1,500.00 donation and the Alameda County Office of Education through a $5,000.00 grant for the development of a Peer Counseling component.
Peer Counseling Program
The Peer Counseling Program was developed as a means to provide leadership skills and outreach opportunity to Bridges clients and the community at large. Peer Counselors are used as a primary source of mediation, conflict resolution, community education and various presentations, including schools, government agencies and assisting law enforcement intervention. Several Bridges Peer Counselors and Alumni have represented our agency in national conferences, state government, several books and an annual symposium at the University of California Berkeley. Funding for this program was provided by the Alameda County Office of Education in the form of a one-time $15,000.00 grant.
Gang Intervention and Tattoo Removal
Bridges plays a key role in the community intervention process. The gang intervention program was developed due to the growing need for innovative intervention for residential care and community youth, which has grown to epidemic proportions. One of the problems youth face in residential care is a lack of identity. In the absences of strong male role models and positive ethnic pride, youth form subcultures, which breed negative group ideations. The gang intervention program offers reality-based formulas to teach self-awareness and individuality verses group mentality. Bridges works with local law enforcement and other agencies, including Project New Start Tattoo Removal Program, in a collaborative effort to create an intervention net for these particular youth. Bridges provides an on-site gang intervention program at Robertson Continuation High School in Fremont, California. Bridges also provides services to various agencies, individuals, families and The Alameda County Departments of Social Services and Probation. Funding for this program is provided through community donations and youth fund-raisers.
“AGAPE” Parent Support Group
The “AGAPE” Parent Support Group was formed to address the growing need for innovative support services towards “at risk families”. The foundation of the program is to provide solid opportunities of reality based community support. Such a non- traditional approach allows parents to express their inner selves as it pertains to their struggles to create a positive family dynamic. Topics include risk assessment, managing behavior, substance abuse and various aspects of contemporary parenting skills. The term Agape although ancient in nature, derived from the Greek word meaning “unconditional love” is principal, which is emphasized throughout the programs philosophy. Parents, guardians and relatives explore within a confidential circle of influence their value and experience as it relates to giving and receiving unconditionally. Thus the Agape Project is not looked upon, as just another “program” yet has become a work in progress, a parenting life style, and a life long project.
The Bridges SEED Program was designed as a personal and community development project for at-risk youth and youth in the foster care system of Alameda County Department of Social Services. The program emphasizes self-esteem building and ethical standards of achievement. It explores risk factors and skill development through landscaping and the beautification of the community and blighted areas. The program philosophy is to empower these youth through community integration. Strategies consist of using community professionals as mentors, who provide supervision and training, as well as using peer counselors, who cover all aspects of program development and implementation. The logistics of this program include matching at-risk youth from the community with youth in group homes and the foster care system. The program has won several awards and accolades. It has been funded by the Fremont Rotary Club through a one-time $1,500.00 donation and the Alameda County Office of Education through a $5,000.00 grant for the development of a Peer Counseling component.