Mission: The bridge helps youth in crisis. The agency's vision is to be the premier resource for youth and their families in ending homelessness. The bridge is the twin cities largest provider of emergency and long-term shelter for children between the ages of 10-17. Additional services include crisis counseling for youth and families. All services are free of charge.
Programs: New crisis services:the bridge completed product development for two innovative tools that make it easier for youth in crisis to access immediate help. (612)400-safe, a 24-hour live crisis text hotline, launched in late june, 2015. Over 50 volunteers were recruited and trained to staff the hotline. Ysnmn. Org is a live service providing real-time information about the availability of shelter beds in the twin cities. The bridge convened 11 other youth-serving agencies to help develop and launch this new tool. In 2015, staff responded to 4,017 crisis hotline calls, providing counseling and referrals. Youth shelter programs:as the twin cities' largest youth shelter provider for children ages 10-17, the bridge housed 836 youth. These youth experience all sorts of crisis. 80% of youth expressed serious concern about household dynamics. Over one-third experienced violence in the past 90 days. 29% inflicted self-harm and 16% have previously attempted suicide. 799 youth stayed overnight in the bridge's emergency shelter, with 86% exiting to safe and stable housing: 70% reunified with family and 17% exited to a safe alternative. In 2015, the bridge for youth formed a partnership with westwood community church in excelsior, mn and open hands foundation with a shared goal of opening a 6-bed youth shelter to serve at-risk children in 9 southwest suburban communities by year-end 2015. Longer term shelter for youth:transitions, the bridge's longer-term shelter, provided residency to 37 youth. 70% of these youth exited to safe and stable housing: 39% reunified with family and 31% exited to a safe alternative. In 2015, 76% of youth accessing shelter attended school regularly. Counseling for youth and families:the bridge's counseling team provided 280 walk-in counseling sessions, provided 643 family counseling and therapy sessions, and provided 263 support group sessions with 1,216 attendees. After receiving services, 85% of those completing exit surveys were able to identify a positive connection with a caring adult and 69% reported having a better relationship with family. Expanded services: sexually exploited youth:the bridge developed new programming to meet the unique needs of children at high risk for or engaged in sexual exploitation. New assessment tools were developed and implemented leading to better identification of these youth. Specialized services include outreach, case management, a special support group, and more flexible program requirements for youth who stay in shelter.
I lived at the bridge back in 1997 even then they were always there when i needed to talk, help talking to my parents that were abusive and on drugs. Eventually i did end up going to live with my aunt for a year until after alot of work on my behaivor and attitude, my parents addictions and abusiveness. Then i did go back home. Even after i left i went for supportive care. I only remember good things about the bridge. Thanks you for being there for me especially when i needed you.
My son did his Bar Mitzvah Project on the Bridge. It is a wonderful organization that helps Runaway children. They work to keep them safe and out of adult shelters which are scary and at times dangerous. They have 24 hour counseling service that can help parents as well as children in crisis. This group helps children from all over the state of MN. They are friendly, caring, and responsible. When we went up to find out more about the Bridge the energy was bright and alive and Chelsea Miller was extremely helpful and appreciative.
