Bridge Academy & Community Center

A neighborhood bridge to opportunity

By Rachel Cathell, WCCCC

On any given afternoon, kids make their way down Olive Street in Coatesville. Youthful sounds echo from the door they’re headed for- this is the door to the Bridge Academy Community Center. Inside the auditorium is a vibrant mural of the neighborhood, a representation of the heart of the center. “From the beginning it has always been about the neighborhood and the families.” said Jordan Crans, Executive Director of the Bridge.

The Christian faith-based community center totes a dynamic list of offerings because its mission is a big one- to equip youth and families with the tools for academic achievement, life skills, creative expressions, spiritual growth and leadership. As Jordan puts it, “We walk alongside the kids and their families as much as possible” and that task is done through many avenues that influence both school and home life.

Some activities found at the center include after school programming and homework help, life skill building, recreational activities, creative arts and opportunity. As a whole, the Bridge serves as a safe, welcoming and inclusive space where youth can grow and develop into themselves through pathways that interest them.

Each age group at the center is set on a different path that fits their academic and social level. “We have a special focus on building literacy and helping children to navigate their educational journey to be academically successful.” Jordan formerly worked as a teacher and recognizes the need for multi-layer support systems in a child’s school life and home life. She says the two go hand in hand. “We act as a liaison between teachers, kids and parents. We advocate for our families but are a partner with everyone to give that extra support.” Jordan explains that the center is truly a “bridge” between the two. “You can be a really good kid but still can slip through the cracks, we try to fill those cracks.”

Academics is a major focus at The Bridge and so is accessible opportunity. Jordan explains, “We work to provide opportunities to our kids that they might not always have access too.” This work paved the way for the creation of a wood shop, art classes and partnerships with outside organizations, like sleep away summer camp at the Camp at Old Mill. These community partnerships provide the kids access to new activities and events that build their network. The center also offers specialty programs such as the Mom’s club, Teen night and The Ways of Gentlemen program designed to teach and challenge young males to prepare them for manhood.

Most of the youth at the Bridge come from the surrounding neighborhood. “We live in the community so

we’re always available for the kids here.” Being in the neighborhood has helped Jordan and her staff build the personal relationships that can make all the difference in a child or family’s life. She says, “I love that I am able to have a place where I can genuinely be myself while serving others, and grow relationships with people from different backgrounds and different walks of life.”

“At the bridge we ask ourselves, how can we be engaged in the community in a way that makes a difference.” One way is the community center’s Beautification Team that takes pride in their neighborhood by engaging in the revitalization efforts of the City of Coatesville through clean up trips to downtown. Jordan adds, “The Bridge’s desire is to be relationally connected to the community.” The organization also hosts a bi-monthly food and necessity distribution for their surrounding neighbors that are in need.

The Bridge has really grown through love over the years. The idea for the center took root in 2001, with an opening in 2002. A small staff and an army of volunteers put in countless time to be there for the neighborhood

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kids every step of the way. Now, twenty years later, the center is seeing its first set of children fully grown into young adults, navigating the world and standing as role models to the kids entering into the programs at Bridge. “We’re a family. once you’re in the Bridge, you’re family.” Jordan says, “I have learned so much over the years by being a part of other’s lives and opening up.” In doing so, Jordan and her team have walked alongside a generation as they made their way over the bridge.

Over the past 2 years the center has focused on building their team so they can continue to grow and be there as a support in the community. “We have a great team,” Working with Jordan is

Chanea, Autumn, Raquel, Edwin and Nora who keep the ball rolling with all of the activities provided at the center. “It’s not just a job to us, we’re serving and doing what we love.”

Local volunteers also contribute in different positions at the center, “Our volunteers come from the community, local churches or people may see something we’re doing and want to connect.” Jordan encourages them to volunteer in places they have interest in, and that may come in different forms such as helping with operational needs the center has or contributing to enhancing the center. “Some volunteers work entirely with the kids, others may lend a hand painting or filing, whatever pops up that helps us further our mission here.”

The Bridge’s dedication to community centric action really made a national impact this year when they we’re awarded the annual Chik-Fil-A True Inspiration Award for their youth programs. This recognition celebrates and supports non-profit organizations who serve communities of color in the areas of education, hunger or homelessness. The community center was awarded a grant with this acknowledgment and it couldn’t have came at a better time. Jordan says, “In the last two years we stretched to serve our community in innovative ways, these funds allow us to enhance programming, create new opportunities and build a reserve to sustain the legacy of Bridge.”

In celebration of the legacy of the Bridge, the organization will host its annual Night of Hope, Gala and Silent Auction. The event will be held on April 1st and is a fun tribute to all of the activities and youth that engaged and grew together at the community center this year. For more details visit thebridgeacademy.org/ night-of-hope-gala

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The Bridge serves as a common ground area that grows a culture of health and wellbeing for the community. Within this space is not just the youthful sound of laughter, but a unit that is busy building academic and physical wellness, social responsibility, self-awareness, positive values, and a commitment to compassion and faith. Jordan expresses, “We try to make sure, regardless of what people believe, they’re welcome here.”

To learn more, volunteer or engage with the Bridge Academy Community Center visit them at thebridgeacademy.org

Octorara Area Career & Technical Education Programs: Where Futures Begin!

The Octorara Area School District is unique to other districts in Chester County in that the Junior-Senior High School includes a ‘school within a school model’ that offers eleven career and technical education programs. Known as OACTEP, Octorara’s career and technical education programs combine college preparation with real-world workforce skills development so students are ready to pursue their goals upon graduation from high school. Today, students need a rigorous academic education along with 21st century skills to ensure success in the workplace. Fortunately, students no longer need to choose between the academic courses needed for college and a vocational or technical training program. The STEM related career and technical education (CTE) courses offered by OACTEP allow students to customize their education in wide range of high priority occupational areas, including business, woodworking, engineering, childhood education, graphic design & illustration, culinary, technology, animal science and plant science, agriculture, engine repair, welding, and much more. Students are well prepared for continuing education at entry-level positions or for additional training at technical schools and colleges. All of Octorara’s career and technical education programs are aligned to the Pennsylvania state standards for workforce have practical application after graduation. For example, within the Animal and Plant Science program, students may participate in the Octorara Equine Sports Team. Working with nationally known local professionals, students are exposed to different riding disciplines and prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in the equestrian industry. According to OACTEP Director Lisa McNamara, “The Animal and Plant Science Program is open to any school district that has a student interested in the equine industry. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and Octorara students love it!” Another example of practical application includes the OACTEP partnership with Dutchland, Inc. to offer a Pennsylvania approved apprenticeship program. This apprenticeship partnership provides a high-quality career pathway for Octorara students and helps Dutchland develop and prepare their future workforce. Octorara graduates obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and maintain employment within a successful company with a successful career. “Placing students directly with experienced professionals serves as a recruitment tool for potential employers,” McNamara notes. “We have begun to see a growing gap that separates education from the practical and technical skill sets further emphasizes that “educational systems have to reach out to industries and ask what they need and what they want.” According to McNamara, “Employers are telling us, we need trained and focused skills in our industry.” OACTEP is also excited to announce the addition of solar energy to the school district campus. Through a grant from the Dockstader Foundation and OLLO Energy, OACTEP will be installing 24 solar panels. As a result of this project, students will study solar energy as part of a larger overview of renewable energy sources. Students will learn about output per panel, how to measure energy use, and how to monitor the module on a computer to see the input of energy the panels produce. OACTEP continues to extend opportunities for all students in Chester County to participate in the Octorara Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy. This program is for any student interested in a ca care, EMT, emergency management, and the military. Students receive vehicles and participate in real-life situations. In partnership with the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus, the Academy prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills required to perform services, and other safety services. “It’s an unbelievable career development opportunity for our students also known as academy cadets,” notes Lisa McNamara. Students enrolled in the Academy give back to their community, immediately. They have access to every industry that offered through the program ensure student success. Students graduate from the program with over 64 industry credentials, and if they choose to go to a two-year or four-year college, the credentials may convert to college credits, and qualify them for free college housing and tuition. To learn more about all eleven Octorara Area Career & Technical Education Program opportunities, visit www.octorara.k12.pa.us, or contact Lisa McNamara at 610-593-8238.