From the BRIDGE
Program Director

Telling your truth.
Making an unexpected friend.
Accomplishing something new.
Walking in someone else's shoes.
Being truly heard and valued.
Learning to listen and care in return. As youth development specialists, we at ENCOMPASS know that it's often the little experiences that make big differences in the lives of youth. But moments like these rarely happen by accident, so we've designed a unique art and discussion program that offers a valuable enrichment opportunity to teens throughout the San Gabriel Valley. The program is called BRIDGE, it's super fun, and one summer at a time, it's transforming the lives of local high school students. I look forward to talking to you about BRIDGE.


Program Director, BRIDGE
skylerjackson@encompass.org
(626) 796-7317

About BRIDGE

BRIDGE is an experiential summer program for local high school students. The program combines visual art-making, human relations activities, and group dialogue to help teenagers' build a stronger und rstanding of themselves and greater compassion for others.

Comprised of professional artists and trained facilitators, the BRIDGE staff leads the group in daily activities and discussions that help them navigate their unique experiences with identity, diversity, inclusion, and exclusion.

Over the course of three weeks, BRIDGE youth also gain artistic skills in mosaic tiling, which all participants learn to use, regardless of skill level, to express their different experiences as area teens.

BRIDGE is a rare opportunity for local public and private high school students to talk honestly about the complex issues that teens face today-while building new friendships and creating amazing art in the process!

Benefits of Participation

Gain the human relations skills to better your community - "I learned how deeply ingrained stereotypes, prejudice and oppression are in our society, and how much they affect how humans relate to one another."

Learn visual art skills from professional artists - "I enjoyed working with tile to create mosaics that I feel expressed how I feel."

Increase self-awareness and self-confidence - "For me, BRIDGE created a personal connection within myself which allowed me to find that in relationships with others."

Develop an appreciation of differences - "I learned not to be so judgmental about where people come from and who they are as a person."

Improve communication and leadership skills - "I learned how to deal with people who share different opinions than my own in a very respectful manner."

Meet students of diverse backgrounds from other schools - "BRIDGE helped me form new friends that I thought I could never have."

Strengthen your college application - "BRIDGE has been an amazing opportunity that has helped me grow."

Represent your school and share your perspective - "I love to come to BRIDGE knowing I will have a fun day either working on mosaic or just talking in a group about how we feel."

Learn how issues of difference effect other youth - "I learned why it is important to have an inclusive community."

Make life -long memories - "It's probably been one of the best experiences of my life."