BRIDGES In the News

Young people gain life skills, contribute to community's future

By Rody Thompson
Originally appeared in the December 2, 2004 edition of the Commercial Appeal in the Special to Whitehaven Appeal

On Nov. 19, BRIDGES, a nonprofit organization, hosted a lock-in for 300 students including 10 A. Maceo Walker students and students from 14 other public and private middle schools at the BRIDGES Center, 477 N. Fifth.

The Wilson Family High Adventure Hall provided the perfect venue for the students to lose a night's sleep while gaining valuable memories. The diverse group of eighth-graders learned about themselves and others through adventure experiences, shared meals and African dancing.

"The lock-in was a great mingling experience where we could meet peers from all over the city," said Wooddale Middle student Anitra Selmon. "It was lots of fun, too."

All the lock-in participants had attended last summer's BRIDGES Future Builders camp. Like all of BRIDGES' programs, Future Builders develops, among diverse groups of youths, the skills necessary to improve their self-knowledge, strengthen their relationships, and contribute to building a strong community.

For further information, call 260-3790, E-mail rthompson@bridgesusa.org, or visit www.bridgesusa.org.

Rody Thompson is the director of the BRIDGES Future Builders program


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