25 Days of Giving: Day 20

Earlier last month, while having lunch at Panera Bread I noticed a small tree on the checkout counter. The tree was filled with little gift tags, with a name and a “wish list”. Interested, I leaned in to find out more, and realized every tag had the name of a teenager with their age, and holiday “wish list” items. The tree was sponsored by The Bridge Family Center in West Hartford, which provides a variety of services for children, teens and families in the area, with special attention given to those at risk.

I thought it would be a wonderful idea for us to take one, and purchase some of the items on her wish list. So with list in and, the girls came shopping with me as we picked out her gifs. It was fun shopping for a teenager a preview into what lies ahead! We wrapped and placed the gifts into a pretty pink and green stocking, and David and the girls dropped them off today after school. They were greeted by Penny, who explained to them what the Bridge was all about. What a wonderful resource we have in our own backyard!

The Bridge’s Family Resource Center provides parent education classes, after-school and enrichment programs and early childhood intervention programs. Their Youth and Family Services provides counseling, and support programs for teens, while the Residential Services provides youth shelters and transitional living programs for teens, and their Community Services division offers an opportunity for the community to support their programs year round.

How to Give Back: The Bridge Family‘s website offers a number of ways in which the community can support their programs at www.bridgefamilycenter.org, and click “How You Can Help.”  There are also volunteer opportunities for adults.

The Bridge in a Nutshell (from their online pamphlet): "A place where teens who are at risk of ruining their lives find the help they need to get back on track. A place where parents get help when there’s trouble at home — with crisis intervention, counseling and referrals. A place where kids in crisis can find real hope. A place where kids exposed to many negative influences such as drugs find positive options. The Bridge has worked with children and families in West Hartford and other regional communities since 1969.“