New Year's Challenge

News Post

Hot Tea & Winter Landscape Painting w/ Pekoe & Bean

Program

Experience the warmth and coziness of full-flavored tea from a local tea room, Pekoe & Bean. Audrey is the owner of Pekoe & Bean, she’s passionate about tea, and will take you through a few of her favorites. While you’re sipping on your tea, paint winter evergreen trees on a…

DIY Workshop: Thrift Store Cork Magnets w/ Becca, Bridge Staffer

Program

Dust off your creative hats in this DIY program. Recycle old bottle corks into fun mini sculptures! Create tiny dogs, cats, people, or anything else you can think of. Turn them into magnets for your fridge or locker or use twine to hang them up as a fun decoration. These…

Garage Hangout & Cheesy Snacks

Program

It’s Cheese Lovers Day, and we are so ready to celebrate it! Come hang out and play your favorite games in the Garage. While you’re here, choose from a variety of pre-packaged cheesy snacks to enjoy. We’ve got all you need to enjoy the afternoon with friends.…

STEM: Web Coding w/ GenZCoders

Program

We all love our electronic devices, but they are only as smart as humans make them to be. Think about it – every game you play, app you use, and video you watch all started with an idea. This is where you come in! Create computer code using Python, a…

Violin w/ Jenna, Bridge Staffer

Program

Experience properly holding a violin and bow, learn the names of the instrument parts and strings, and start playing notes. The road to learning the violin requires patience, discipline, and enthusiasm, so come see if this is the right instrument for you. The greatest music ever created by composers like…

Culinary: Homemade Pasta w/ Joliet Junior College Culinary Arts

Program

Walk through the entire pasta-making process! You can use cool gadgets to get this done quicker, but we’re going to try it the old-school way - by hand. Essential ingredients are eggs, flour, olive oil, and a little salt. Mix them to create, roll out, and cut dough into thick…

Project Serve: Thrift Store Displays

Program

Did you know that every dollar spent at The Bridge Thrift Store helps to fund the FREE programs you and your friends get to enjoy at the teen center? In this program, you’ll get to learn the marketing secrets behind creating cool displays that draw guests in and keep them…

ZOOM LIVE: Homemade Pasta w/ Joliet Junior College Culinary Arts

Program

Join us from home on Zoom! See above description for details. If you have the ingredients, feel free to make these fresh and tasty pasta dishes right along with us or just watch. Click HERE for full recipes. Thank you to Mariano’s for sponsoring programs in the Kitchen this semester. To enter a…

Garage Hangout

Program

Come spend time with Bridge friends and play some of your favorite games in the Garage! Challenge someone to a match of foosball, pick out a board game, or play a few rounds of pool. Our video game area will also be open for you to kick back on our…

Yoga to Sleep Better

Program

Have you ever had one of those nights when you just could not fall asleep? Do you have trouble sleeping on a regular basis? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you could benefit from practicing specific stretches from a professional yoga instructor. Relax your mind and body…

Thrift Store: Winter Holiday Shopping

Program

Did you know that The Bridge Thrift Store is the main supporter of all the FREE programs you and your friends enjoy? Get out of the cold & enjoy some winter shopping at The Bridge Thrift Store. Be thoughtful while spending less on gifts for family and friends - for…

Acting & Improv w/ Dylan Cruz

Program

Do you have an energetic, dramatic personality? If so, you may find yourself bursting to unleash that inner flare. We’ve got just the thing - try out unrehearsed acting! Improvisational theatre (“improv” for short) is a form of theatre when most of the performing is done spontaneously without a script.  Meet…

Relax In The Hideaway (HS ONLY)

Program

Good news! We’re opening up the Hideaway for this afternoon program.  Come hang out in this BTC favorite spot, get cozy in a pod and relax! Bring a good book to read or earbuds to listen to some music. Take a nap if you want. Coloring books and pencils will…

Project Serve: Thrift Store Jewelry

Program

Give back to The Bridge! Show your heart of service by helping out at The Bridge Thrift Store, which supports all the free programs you and your friends enjoy at the teen center. In this special Thrift Store program, you’ll get to check out all the generously-donated “bling” behind The…

Sewing: Mini Tote Bags

Program

Get into the lost art of sewing and create a mini tote bag! If you’ve never used a sewing machine before, this could be a great program for you. Our volunteers will show you how to read a pattern and they’ll empower you to try all the little gadgets on…

Handyman: Wooden Cutting Board

Program

Do you want to work with your hands to make furniture, sculptures, and DIY ideas come alive? Begin your training with a few friendly volunteers who have been woodworkers since their childhoods! Sand, cut and stain a wooden cutting board with industrial tools, techniques, and safety gear. Students should wear…

ZOOM LIVE: Three-Cheese Calzones w/ Chef Karla Temple, RDN

Program

Join us from home on Zoom! See above description for details. If you have the ingredients, feel free to make these super cheesy calzones right along with us or just watch. Click HERE for full recipe. Thank you to Mariano’s for sponsoring programs in the Kitchen this semester. To enter a Bridge…

Culinary: Three-Cheese Calzones w/ Chef Karla Temple, RDN

Program

Have you ever worked with homemade dough? It’s a great workout - you have to put your muscles into it! Mix flour, water, olive oil, cornmeal, salt, sugar and yeast to make homemade pizza dough. Knead and even punch it to release air bubbles and let the dough “prove” or…

Soul Cafe: Natural Ways To Combat Anxiety w/ Hannah Gibbs, LCSW

Program

What does your internal voice sound like? If it’s negative, anxious, or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Hear from a friendly professional about how you can incorporate motivating self-talk into your everyday life. Fun fact - when we use our hands or do something physically active and productive, that can increase…