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Bridge Builders
Bridge Builders
Creating a Bridge to a Brighter Future
Bridge Builders began with a desire to help homeless families in our communities. It was founded in 2003 by a small group of Glen Ellyn friends who wanted to to increase awareness about Bridge Communities, as well as sponsor entertaining, fun and educational opportunities for client families - in particular the children.
Over the years, Bridge Builders has offered several educational seminars and family-focused activities that have helped enrich client families' experiences while in the Bridge Communities Transitional Housing program. The Bridge Builders has sponsored nutrition counseling sessions, cooking workshops, relationship and dating workshops, family picnics and other family fun activities. The Bridge Builders has helped underwrite costs for summer day and overnight camps, music lessons, family portraits, holiday meals and special family events, such as a basketball game to see the Harlem Globe Trotters. The Bridge Builders also provides child care for client families at Bridge Communities' sponsored events and meetings.
Bridge Communities' Scholarship Fund
But what the Bridge Builders is most proud of is the scholarship program developed for the youth that are in the Transitional Housing program. The Bridge Builders' Scholarship Fund is designed to enrich the lives of teens and young adults in the Bridge Communities program through traditional education, social, health, fitness and personal development.
Funds raised for the Scholarship Fund has helped children/youth:
- attend YMCA fitness camp
- attend Bulls Basketball Skills camp
- attend local park district football camp
- participate in karate lessons
- participate in a class field trip to Springfield, Illinois
- attend COD education courses
- purchase electric scooter for physically challenged high school student
- attend overnight summer camps
- attend overnight Christian faith development and leadership camps
- participate in Equine Therapy Camp for a children who had been in foster care
Most notably the Bridge Builder's Scholarship Fund has provided SIX renewable $1,500 college scholarships to graduating high school seniors that are attending accredited universities, including:
Bridge Builders Fundraising Events
Bridge Builders sponsors two fundraising events each year: End of Summer Bash and The Garage Party
End of Summer Bash
Held annually at the end of August, the End of Summer Bashis the last hurrah to summer. The Bash brings together nearly 350 Bridge Communities friends and neighbors for a casual, relaxed party to enjoy one last night of summer while at the same time help homeless families in our communities. The event features an impressive silent auction (funds are used to support the Scholarship Fund), a DJ, cocktails, hors d' oeuvres and hours of dancing.
The Garage Party
Held annually in January, The Garage Party is the "IT" party of the season. Proceeds from The Garage Party benefit the Bridge Communities' Auto Donation Program. Many of our families enter our Transitional Housing program with no car or one that soon breaks down. Donated used cars are refurbished and given to clients in need of a safe, reliable car for commuting to work and transporting their children to school and child care. Our Auto Donation program is a critical piece to getting our families back on the road to self sufficiency.
On February 7th, nearly 400 guests joined us at The Garage Party. We are thrilled to announce that the Bridge Builders raised more than $23,000 to support the Auto Donation Program of Bridge Communities. Visit Glen Ellyn Life for photos and complete re-cap of The Garage Party.
Become a Bridge Builder
Bridge Builders continues to grow through its membership, fundraising events and geographical impact:
- If you are interested in becoming a Bridge Builder, please contact Barbara Arentsen at arentsen@wowway.com
- If you are interested in expanding Bridge Builders to your community, please contact Sue Lupori at slupori@att.net
- If you are interested in joining the Bridge Builders event mailing list, please contact Kathy Doyle at kdoyle196@aol.com
- If you are interested in donating to Bridge Builders, please contact Patricia Lekacz at plekacz@att.net
- If you are interested in becoming an event sponsor, please contact Deb Ritter at deb@ritter.name
- If you have other questions or ideas to help, please contact Carrie Morris at camorris@wideopenwest.com