Bridge to
New Hope
Changing the lives of our youth by providing preventative services, counseling, and shelter to strengthen families and build stronger communities.
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IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE GALA RAISES $152,000 TO HELP HOMELESS YOUTH
or the last six years, members of the community have come to Youth Bridge’s annual “It’s a Wonderful Life” gala to socialize, watch our local celebrities be roasted and, most importantly, support our mission to help at-risk youth. In 2013, we planned a big celebration for December to mark 50 years of our organization serving Northwest Arkansas. Unfortunately, the shutdown of the federal government caused financial difficulties so we had to postpone the celebration until February 13. But it was worth the wait. For our 50-year celebration, we brought back past celebrity roastees Jeff Schomburger, Dick Trammel, Becky Panietz, Dick Johnson, and Shawn Baldwin. During the gala, they spoke about why they believe in Youth Bridge and our mission. In addition, they conducted our Fund the Shelter segment, which raised $13,000 in pledges in minutes. ThinkFast, the high-energy, interactive game show that tests the audience on their knowledge of a variety of topics from pop culture, history, and more was another highlight of the evening. The five tables with the highest scores were represented in a lightning round by the aforementioned celebrity roastees. The highlight of the evening was
Celebrity roastees Jeff Schomburger, Dick Johnson, Dr. Becky Panietz, Dick Trammel & Shawn Baldwin. Photo courtesy of 3W Magazine. the testimony of Josh McKee, a client in our Transitional Living Program. He told his story of being evicted by his adoptive mother at age 18 and sleeping in the woods surrounding Walker Park in Fayetteville before a chance meeting connected him with our agency. We are very proud of Josh for sharing his powerful and emotional story. Dr. Nancy Hairston, development director for Youth Bridge was proud of the reception for the event. “This was the last year that we will have
the ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ gala,” said Dr. Hairston. “I feel like we went out with a bang. Josh’s story was very touching and showed how our agency really helps those in need build a brighter future. I’m grateful to have all of our previous roastees return to show their continued support. And, to top it all off, we raised $152,000 for our programs.” In 2014, Youth Bridge will move their annual “Starry, Starry Night” event to the fall, making it the major fundariser of the year.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Safe Place Proclamation
Youth Bridge Adopt-a-Room
Walmart Foundation Donation
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CENTERTON MAYOR DELCARES NATIONAL SAFE PLACE WEEK IN MARCH
oung people in danger need a secure place to turn for help, which is why Youth Bridge is a National Safe Place partner. Since 1983, the National Safe Place Program has helped over 300,000 teens. Currently, Youth Bridge is the only authorized National Safe Place Agency in our state. During National Safe Place Week (March 16-22), Mayor Bill Edwards of Centerton read a proclamation commemorating our agency’s role in helping young people. “Youth need to know that a safe place exists because some are in abusive relationships or dealing with people who are predators,” said Mayor Edwards. “Young people need to know where they can go to seek some place safe for help. We are happy to have Youth Bridge in Centerton helping our growing
community.” There are 40 stationary and 31 mobile Safe Place sites in Northwest Arkansas. Youth Bridge helps promote and recruit new Safe Place locations in the region. Helping teens reach safety quickly is very important in emergency situations. The Benton County Shelter plays a big role in this. “We participate in Safe Place because it is a great resource for kids who might not have another option,” said Marti Nicholson, Safe Place Coordinator for Youth Bridge. “We are the only Safe Place partner in Arkansas so it’s a good way to further our mission of helping youth and promoting an organization that does great things across America.” VISIT: NationalSafePlace.org
VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUTH BRIDGE
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olunteers are essential to any non-profit and Youth Bridge is certainly no exception. Each year, individuals, business groups, and faith-based organizations come together to help us support at-risk youth. In 2013, 712 volunteers gave 2,928 hours of their time, which is the financial equivalent of $62,542.08. That’s more than a little pocket change. We recently honored Kama Marsh and Kyrie Leaf as our 2013 Volunteers of the Year. They both assisted in the Development Department and with events. “My brother went to counseling here and it helped him a lot,” said Kyrie. “So I figured this would be a good place to work and help out. I was surprised, excited and very honored to be chosen as a Volunteer of the Year.” We have many groups that prefer to work on projects at our facilities, which is why we have the Adopt-a-Room program. The United Methodist Women and the Health & Wellness group from Walmart adopted rooms at our Benton
County Shelter. We are very grateful for their efforts to make the drab walls into something more cheerful for the girls. Also, some of our staffers such as Development Director Dr. Nancy Hairston and Community Outreach Coordinator Marti Nicholson adopted rooms as well. “While we have a devoted staff that works hard, sometimes we need the extra hands to put the finishing touches on our facilities,” said Dr. Hairston. “We are very grateful for everyone who has volunteered to make the shelters feel more like home for the kids. I’m happy to devote some of my free time to working at the shelters by adopting a room myself.” If you would like to volunteer, please contact Ms. Nicholson at 479-575-9471.
WALMART FOUNDATION AWARDS $20,000 GRANT FOR A NEW VAN FOR THE BENTON COUNTY SHELTER
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outh Bridge recently received $20,000 for the Benton County Emergency Shelter in Centerton from the Walmart Foundation Pooled Giving Program as part of its Northwest Arkansas Giving Strategy. The funds will allow the shelter to purchase a 12-seat van to transport youth to school, outings, events, medical services, and other needs. “We are very grateful for the Walmart Foundation’s donation,” said Dr. Nancy Hairston, development director for Youth Bridge. “The Benton County Emergency Shelter provides a safe haven for youth who are at risk for dropping out of school, becoming homeless, or being involved in behaviors that would be a detriment to themselves, their families and their communities. This donation will allow us to make sure that their lives are as seamless as possible during a tenuous transition period.” The Benton County Emergency Shelter is for youth ages 1317 for both short-term and long-term needs. Approximately 240 youth will stay at the shelter each year. Basic needs are provided along with counseling and targeted case management. The program keeps teens off the streets and out of dangerous situations so the community can remain safe without risk of criminal activity that often follows runaway, truant, and homeless teens. Our ongoing support allows them to achieve their full potential. “By working with Youth Bridge, we can do our part to help ensure that young people in Northwest Arkansas are provided with opportunities to receive specialized attention and the care needed to stay on the path to long-term success,” said Scott Pope, senior manager, Walmart Corporate Affairs. “We believe that our community is capable of providing a bright future for the young people that call this area home, and we are committed to working with organizations like Youth Bridge that strive to provide a better quality of life for the residents of Northwest Arkansas.”
O.N.E. Boogie Two Missions
YOUTH BRIDGE + FEED COMMUNITIES Homelessness + Hunger Relief
Opporunities Now Exist
to fight homelessness and hunger. Youth Bridge and Feed Communities will team up for a fantastic fundraiser at the Garner Farm on June 28 from 2-5 PM. Come join us for food, drink, music, and fun. Order tickets at YouthBridge.com or call 479-575-9471.
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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: JOSH McKEE
osh McKee came to us in the summer of 2012. He had been living in a tent in Walker Park when he was referred to Youth Bridge’s Transitional Living Program for young people ages 18-23. He applied and within a few days moved into the Julie House, our facility for young adults. This was the last leg on a long journey from his home in Seattle, Washington. Josh grew up in the foster care system. Shortly after turning 18, his adoptive mother kicked him out of the house. He wandered around Washington, staying with friends, sleeping outside, anything he could do to survive. An avid online gamer, Josh made a friend who lived in Carroll County. She suggested he move to Arkansas so he hitchhiked his way from the Pacific Northwest to Northwest Arkansas. After a brief stint in Green Forest, he caught a ride to Fayetteville to look for work. Six months later, he was a client at Youth Bridge. “When Josh arrived, he’d been on his own for so long that he had forgotten many basic living skills,” said Alyssa Todd, case manager for TLP. “We helped him get organized and taught him the value of daily effort to achieve his goals.” Josh is grateful for his time at Youth Bridge. Currently, TLP staff is working to help him get in a different program to help further his transition into adulthood. “Youth Bridge has given me stability,” Josh said. “I’ve been able to get in school. I’ve done some part-time work. It’s really helped. Without Youth Bridge, I don’t know what I’d do.” TLP has helped clients like Josh, but unfortunately, due to government funding cutbacks, the Julie House will close its doors very soon since the federal grant was not renewed. We hope to one day open the doors again, but will be unable to do so with our current funding. One of the leading causes of homelessness starts with drug and alcohol problems. In Washington and Benton Counties, during a 24-hour point-in-time survey conducted in 2013, over 1,000 youth under the age of 18 were homeless, and over 50 percent of juveniles arrested are due to substance abuse. All of these issues are treated by Youth Bridge. With your help, we can give our youth the opportunity to become healthy, self-sufficient, and productive. A tax-deductible donation of $25, $50, $100 or more can make a difference in the life of someone like Josh. Will you donate today?
VISIT: YouthBridge.com/getinvolved/donate
2153 East Joyce Blvd, STE 201 Fayetteville, AR 72703 479-575-9471 YouthBridge.com .com/youthbridgeinc .com/impactforyouth
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Please return this along with your contribution to: Youth Bridge, Inc. 2153 E. Joyce Blvd, STE 201 Fayetteville, AR 72703 You may donate online at YouthBridge.com/GetInvolved/Donate