January means Mentoring Month at The Bridge

January 2023 Newsletter

It's National Mentoring Month!

For over 30 years, The Bridge has facilitated a mentoring program that focuses on strengthening the social and interpersonal skills of youth participants.

Through one-on-one time with mentors and participation in group activities, we often see youth in our mentoring program come out of their shells, connect with others, and identify new passions.

If you know a child ages 11-15 who would benefit from being paired with a dedicated and caring adult mentor, please reach out to mentor@bridgeyouth.org or call The Bridge intake coordinator at 847-485-3082

Meet a Mentor: Dan Campbell

Here's what Dan Campbell, who has been a volunteer since 2021, had to say about his experience as a mentor at The Bridge:

"When I retired, I was looking for a volunteer opportunity where I could use my 'dad skills.' [I have 5 (now grown) children]. I had heard good things about The Bridge and their mentoring program. When I inquired more about it, it sounded and felt like a great opportunity for me to help a child who is in need of a positive adult role model in their life who is not a parent, teacher or counselor. Kevin and I have been getting together weekly for over a year now. I can see and feel the positive influence our time together is having on him - and me as well."

Anyone can make a great mentor--all it takes is the desire to make a positive impact on a child's life. Reach out to Kelsey at kboyer@bridgeyouth.org to learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor!

Welcome Back to The Bridge, Samantha!

Please help us welcome Samantha Schroll back to The Bridge as our Family Stabilization Team Supervisor!

"When I first came to The Bridge, I started as an intern in the counseling program. Following my internship, I left The Bridge but soon came back as a Crisis Intervention Counselor. I was on the crisis team for three years before I left to counsel survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. However, I couldn’t stay away from The Bridge for very long. I soon came back to The Bridge now as the Family Stabilization Supervisor. I was drawn back to The Bridge because I enjoy working with adolescents, teens, and their families. The Bridge has always been a large part of this community and I continue to see how The Bridge helps these families and adolescents through some of the toughest times.The Bridge also provides this community with a safe place to go and just be yourself and that was a huge part of why I came to The Bridge and keep coming back to The Bridge."

Our Family Stabilization Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to and help de-escalate crisis situations. Our on-call counselors help families prevent break-downs and repair after there has been a lock-out, runaway, violent, or other high-stress situation.

Referrals from police, schools, and hospitals from Palatine, Barrington, Maine, Elk Grove, Schaumburg, and Hanover townships are welcome.

Call 847.359.7490 (M-F, 9-5) or 847.776-3720 to be connected with our on-call worker.

Small Change, Big Impact!

Keep an eye out for our painted piggy banks as they start popping up in local shops and restaurants all over Palatine!

The colorful pigs (hand-painted by our staff and youth mentoring group) will collect spare change while bringing positive changes to the neighborhood. The coins and dollars donated to The Bridge add up to help fund vital mental health services for kids and teens in the local community.

The business whose adopted pig collects the most change will win a sponsorship at our 2023 Golf Outing in August. Email Joanna at jclement@bridgeyouth.org to learn more about hosting a piggy bank.

Learn more about our piggy banks or donate your change online here.

As part of our on-going partnership with Buehler YMCA, The Bridge is offering a weekly Mindfulness Group for ages 8-12 starting Thursday, February 9th. Please email Meeae at mking@bridgeyouth.org to sign up.

Save the date: We will return to Cotillion Banquets for our annual Gala Collage on Saturday, April 22.

Contact Joanna at jclement@bridgeyouth.org to learn about Gala sponsorship opportunities or to donate raffle and auction items.

Support Bridge Programs by Donating Today!

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