ORLAND PARK, IL - For the third year in a row, The Bridge Teen Center is honored to announce the State of Illinois has issued a formal proclamation that November be known as Empowering Teens Month in honor of the Orland Park teen center’s free holistic programs.

Since 2010, The Bridge has helped students discover their potential gifts, talents, abilities and explore what they like or don’t. Through a wide variety of free programs and events students have the opportunity not just to be, but to become. Most importantly, Empowering Teens Month will celebrate the undeniable impact effective afterschool programs have on teens. This proclamation marks the 15th time in the organization’s 13-year history that the teen center’s programs have been recognized for their effectiveness by both private and government entities.

“We are proud of the thousands of young lives that have been positively impacted over the last 13+ years through our free holistic programs,” said Priscilla Steinmetz, Founder and Executive Director of The Bridge Teen Center. “We are grateful to Governor Pritzker and the State of Illinois for recognizing our impact and issuing this proclamation - but most importantly, we are grateful to all the individuals and entities who step up to support our free programs each and every year.”

Empowering Teens Month runs throughout November and The Bridge Teen Center offers many ways to get involved. From sponsorships to group and family volunteer opportunities at The Bridge Thrift Store, The Bridge Teen Center’s sister organization, there are many ways individuals, families, and businesses can support this initiative. With 91% of all donations directly supporting the students served, Empowering Teens Month is truly an opportunity to “give local” in support of teens and families in our own community.

So far in 2023, a number of businesses have already supported Empowering Teens Month by becoming corporate sponsors - including Bettenhausen Auto, NuMark Credit Union, Providence Bank, Moraine Valley Community College, and many others. Groups of volunteers from Comed, Parkview Christian Church, and Stagg Volleyball have also signed on to serve at The Bridge Thrift Store in November.

Other local businesses have partnered to support Empowering Teens Month. Macy's located in Orland Square Mall is asking shoppers to "round up" their purchases October 16-31 to support The Bridge. Orland Park's Chick-fil-A is donating all cookie sales to The Bridge during November 6-18. All month, shoppers at The Bridge Thrift Store can receive a $2 coupon when they donate at $1 at check-out. Pizza Pete is donating 20% of all sales to The Bridge on November 7 (Frankfort store) and November 8 (Orland Park store). Rainbow Cone in Orland Park is also asking guests to "round up" their purchases in November. Please support the businesses that support The Bridge Teen Center.

The Bridge Teen Center is a nationally-recognized 501(C)(3) nonprofit community center that is designed around the needs and interests of teens in the suburbs. Since 2010, over 12,300+ unique students from 128 different communities have been served. The Bridge is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is funded by individuals, businesses, and foundations in the community. For more information about Empowering Teens Month or to get involved, call 708.532.0500 or visit www.thebridgeteencenter.org.