The Bridge Youth Group - The Bridgsters

At a time when there are daily reports of the destruction of gangs, we have formed a  new, youth leadership team at the center called, "The Bridgesters". This group of responsible children shows that no matter the circumstances of life, there is always a positive alternative. 

Their leadership training requires them to:

• help run The Bridge,
  
• form a working board
  
• meet once a week as a board
  
• read & study a leadership manual
  
• lead community service projects over the summer
  
• speak and pray to peers every Friday night
  
• attend all the summer life skills classes
  
• speak to the Mayor regarding the needs of youth in our community
  
• speak to city council members
  
• do charitable work in the community
  
• and so much more.

This group has really stepped up and  worked diligently every day over the summer to give back to our community. They have served a meal to the community, speaking to youth and praying for them on a Friday night, filling 1000 backpacks to give to needy families and then passing them out.

We would like to take them to "Rock the Universe," at Universal Studios, on September 10-12. There will be Christian bands performing all weekend and closing in a "Morning of Prayer" on Sunday. Most of these kids have never had the pleasure of experiencing something like this.  It will impact them in great magnitude and reward them for stepping up as teen leaders in our community. They have been trying to raise the $2000.00 through a fundraiser reaching to friends, family and door-to-door solicitation. They have raised some money through car washes and visiting houses on the weekends. The $2000 will cover food for the weekend, rooming, liability insurance, transportation and admission to the event. Most of them will never have this opportunity in their lives to do something this spectacular and these kids deserve this. There are 10 students and three chaperone's.  Please help them if you can!   It has been amazing to work with these kids and see them rise up and want more for the community.

These students are shining examples of all the goals that we have been reaching for with all of our efforts.  Please help us reward their phenomenal efforts with a phenomenal Christian experience!  If there is anything that you can contribute, or know others that can, it will be greatly appreciated. Your contribution will be a tax-free donation and you will receive a tax-exempt letter immediately.

Thank you, so very much, 

-- Melissa Terry The Bridge Youth Center-Director 239-274-3437-center 239-322-7712-cell 2128 Cleveland Ave. Fort Myers, Florida 33901 www.urbanteens.org