What is the cost for the programs?
Free! The Bridge Teen Center provides free programs for students and parents. For parents interested in helping support the cost of programming please see our wish list or visit the donation page.
Can my child “just show up” at the center?
Currently students are welcome to drop-in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 2:00 and 6:00 PM; and on Friday nights between 7:30 and 10:30 PM. In the future, as the organization grows, we will be extending our hours and days. All programming/events in the storefront, with the exception of drop-in hours, are “planned” programming, which require advance sign-up. To learn more about current programs we offer, look through our calendar HERE. If students would like to reserve space for study groups they can call us at 708.532.0500.
When are you open?
For the safety and well-being of The Bridge Teen Center family, every student needs a student membership application on file. Once it is filled out and filed, it lasts until a student graduates high school. Click HERE for an application.
How do I know if my child is safe?
The Bridge takes the safety of every child as top priority, but we need your support as well.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITY:
- Each student is required to complete a free student membership application which includes health, emergency, release information and The Bridge Code of Conduct. Click HERE for an application.
- Each parent is asked to promptly pick up your child after programs (please notify us if an emergency arises).
- If your child is under the age of 16, please inform the staff if your child is being picked up by another person other than a parent.
- Each parent is held responsible for their child’s responses (verbally and non-verbal) with staff, volunteers and other students.
- The Bridge strives to provide a safe environment for all teens. Please feel free to communicate any special needs or concerns with us, to help us achieve this.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY:
- Each student is required to complete a free student membership application which includes health emergency, release information and The Bridge Code of Conduct. Click HERE for an application.
- Upon arrival, please feel comfortable, by privately notifying staff if you are allergic to any substance, food or medication.
- Each student is required to sign-in and out of the center each visit.
- Each student is responsible for his/her responses (verbally and non-verbal) with staff, volunteers and other students. Please see Code of Conduct below.
Code of Conduct -- At The Bridge Teen Center we want to maintain a safe and fun atmosphere for students based on the following guidelines:
- Be faithful to attend the program you signed up for or contact The Bridge within 48 hours of the event if you need to cancel.
- Remain in the building for the length of the program unless you have communicated with both the Bridge staff and your parent(s).
- Interact and respect others—Bridge staff, volunteers and other students; listen when others talk.
- Decide to be responsible for your attitude by being open and teachable.
- Go with the flow, honor The Bridge's and other people's space and property. This is an illegal substance and weapon free facility.
- Encourage rather than put down others; use appropriate language.
If students are unable to adhere to the Code of Conduct and have repeated or extreme infractions, The Bridge reserves the right to contact student's guardian/parent(s) and/or the authorities.
THE BRIDGE RESPONSIBILITY:
We continually strive to provide a safe atmosphere for parents and students.
Facility:
- We have taken every precaution to create a safe environment and provide adequate accessibility for every student.
- Each student (and adult) is required to check-in and out of The Bridge during each visit.
- We keep a ratio of 1:5 adults to middle school students and 1:10 adults to high school students for student safety.
- Our front desk volunteer monitors who comes into the facility as well as activity in the parking lot.
- We have a complete security system (with one-button police/fire access) and surveillance cameras to monitor activity inside and out.
- Anyone over 18 years old must go through the volunteer process to be on site during student hours, and must wear a nametag while on the premises.
Volunteers:
- The Bridge has different levels for volunteering depending on interaction level with students.
- The Bridge desires each volunteer to serve out of their strengths, skill and giftedness. We also want adults who serve here to have in mind the best possible good for students.
- To best determine where each person should serve to the best of their ability in a role they enjoy, we have a set process for becoming a volunteer. Every volunteer is required to complete an application, is crossed referenced with the National Sex Offender list, goes through a sixty minute interview, receives extensive training for their role, and has a follow-up placement evaluation.
- Along with the complete volunteer process, all mentors are required to have a complete background check before entering The Bridge Mentor program.
Is this a place for troubled teens?
The Bridge recognizes all teens face “trouble” at some time in their life and need a support system to help them through that. The staff at The Bridge is trained to identify students that need immediate professional care and will direct them to a care facility that meets his/her needs.
