BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE RIVER

I have enjoyed my tenure on the board of directors of Building Bridges Across the River which provides oversight, leadership and growth of The Town Hall Arts & Recreation Campus (THEARC).
This destination site on Mississippi Ave, S.E., is comprised of ten or more partner organizations who through their collaborative efforts have become a bright light and a beacon of hope and opportunity for the youth and families who reside in that community, throughout the District of Columbia and the entire metropolitan area. A wonderful quality of THEARC is the appeal it has for everyone because whether it is meeting a critical need or providing an opportunity for educational or creative growth, or offers a day or evening of entertainment, it is a place that inspires and encourages the human spirit. Truly it is a gift to our community, and one that keeps on giving! A heartfelt thanks to the visionary and leadership of Building Bridges Across the River.

Building Bridges Across the River by far exceeds my expectations of a nonprofit organization. This organization has done an amazing job to work together not only with its internal partners but also the rest of the community as well. It totally lives up to its name of Building Bridges. They have helped to bridge the divide from the Northwest and Southeast communities and beyond by partnering with organizations like Washington Ballet, Levine School of Music, Lift, Children's Health Project of DC, and Corcoran Artreach, just to name a few. These programs offer a lower income community the opportunity for creative outlets, family engagement, and social unity through the ability to bring together different social classes to participate in the same programs on an affordable basis. This brings a greater level of diversity to the community.

Building Bridges has also partnered with Washington School for Girls and Trinity University. These two schools are located on campus and offer a unique faith based education to middle school girls and new and returning adults who are pursuing their Associates Degree. Without this convenient location many of the adults may not have had the option to return. THEARC, where Building Bridges is located, has become a centerpiece of Ward 8 for every type of assistance imaginable. It is a sure bet that if you are in any need THEARC would be the place to receive the assistance or be pointed in the right direction. From Covenant House Washington's assistance with our homeless youth, 11th Street Bridge Park's new Bridge Park that's in the works, and the beautiful Organic Garden, I don't think there is one avenue of life that Building Bridges has not taken into consideration.

I have seen first hand how the staff at Building Bridges have went above and beyond to make sure that every resident, member and non member resident are treated with the highest level of respect and dignity. This is a true reflection of the great leadership that they receive from their Director, Mr. Edmund Fleet. Beyond the beautiful landscape and upkeep this is truly a wonderful place to be in Ward 8.