Changing the lives of our youth by providing,preventative services, counseling, and shelter to strengthen families and build stronger communities.

YOUTH BRIDGE EXPANDSSCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMSIn November, Youth Bridge expanded their school-based counseling services and programs in order to add another important component into the continuum of care we provide the youth from northern Arkansas. School-based mental health services have shown to increase patient consistency and the

In order to accommodate this expansion, we have added approximately 40 employees. Additional

We now have services in 13 schools in northern Arkansas and have added to our outpatient practice. Some of the school-based mental health services we provide include individual, family and group

IN THIS ISSUE

Pg2.Starry, Starry Night

Pg2.Our Pot o’ Gold Rush is coming up in March...See details inside

Pg3.Arkansas grant brings improvements to Youth Bridge

VOLUNTEER WORKSHOPSStarting in 2015, Youth Bridge will hold Volunteer Orientation Workshops for individuals interested in volunteer opportunities

third Tuesday of each month. We will help new volunteers with the

with Youth Bridge and answer any questions people might have about our organization or how to help.

All volunteers must complete the orientation before volunteering with

volunteer work; it is simply an information session and a chance to see if there is a suitable match for the opportunities we have available.

January 20th at 6:00 PM at the Youth Bridge Administration

or visit www.youthbridge.com to register online.

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT MAKES A BIGDIFFERENCE FOR ART THERAPY“Starry, Starry Night…Almost a Masterpiece” was held at the Embassy Suites on November 13, 2014. Brittney Duke, Business Development Officer at Saatchi and Saatchi X, served as Honorary Chair and Chairwoman of the event was Daymara Baker, co-founder of the Community Creative Center and National Account Director for Chiquita Brands. Approximately 400 guests attended the event. With the changing of the venue and more expenses this year, event planners were hoping to raise at least $25,000. Through sponsorships, donations, ticket sales, promotional sales and artwork auctions, the event raised $34,489.

The fundraiser’s 92 pieces of art work were sold during a silent auction. Proceeds help support the art therapy program. Art therapy uses materials such as paint, oil pastels, markers, clay or crayons as a means of self-expression. It is a great solution for a teen to use in communicating thoughts and feelings.

POT O’ GOLD RUSH5K TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SAFE PLACE

Mark your calendars for March 14th, 2015, because Youth Bridge is planning our first-ever 5k. The Youth Bridge Pot o’ Gold Rush will take place at the Arvest Ballpark in Springdale and will mark the kick off of National Safe Place Week.

Get ready for some St. Patrick’s Day-themed friendly competition whereby runners search for various pots of gold throughout the course for chances to win several different prizes at the completion of the race. There will be an Instagram photo competition, a costume contest, as well as food, games and music.

Participants will receive a medal and a t-shirt, but only the first 50 people to register will receive a goody bag from our sponsors. There will be an after-run festival at the finish line for all to enjoy. This will include activities such as fingerprinting and safety advice from local police and fire safety discussions. Kids will have an up close and personal look at the fire trucks and gear worn by firemen. Other activities include various booths with information about Youth Bridge, Safe Place and after-school programs.

Money raised by the event will go toward purchasing resources for the Safe Place partner sites. Safe Place is a national youth outreach program that educates thousands of young people every year about the dangers of running away or trying to resolve difficult, threatening situations on their own. The partners create a network of Safe Place locations — schools, fire stations, libraries, grocery and convenience stores, public transit, YMCAs and other appropriate public buildings – that display the yellow and black diamond-shaped Safe Place sign. Partner locations in the community extend the doors of the youth service agency. Every year an entire week is devoted to highlighting programs and resources with partner organizations (like Youth Bridge). Youth Bridge is the exclusive Safe Place agency in the state of Arkansas.

So whether you’re a runner or not, embrace your inner leprechaun and come join us for this amazing event to support Youth Bridge and National Safe Place.

For more information or to register, visit our website at www.youthbridge.com or call 479.575.9471.

A non-profit organization is nothing without the many people who contribute time, money and energy to help keep their operation running. As 2014 comes to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to recognize the many individuals, groups, foundations and companies who have donated money and devoted countless hours to Youth Bridge and the clients we serve. Last year, Youth Bridge had 613 volunteers for a combined 11,581 hours of volunteer work. According to the Independent Sector, this equates to a value of $261,151.55 contributed to Youth Bridge!

Our volunteers come to us via the United Way, from Volunteer Match, from the University of Arkansas, as well as through our website or by word of mouth. The United Way “Live United” Day and the UofA Volunteer Action Center “Make A Difference Day” pair volunteer groups with non-profit organizations with needs and Youth Bridge benefits from these initiatives every year.

Over the past year, our volunteers contributed toward many different activities. Some of these include the cleaning, maintenance work, landscaping and general upkeep of our residential facilities, as well as helping with administrative duties, special event planning and staffing, mentoring and tutoring.

Another type of volunteering includes third party fundraisers. These are individuals, teams, groups and organizations that donate money or raise funds on our behalf to go toward the many programs Youth Bridge provides for the youth in our area. This year’s contributors include Centennial Bank, Riders United 4 Children, Bikes, Blues & Barbecue, Champions for Kids, Outback in the Ozarks, Giving Laughs, Brushes & Wine and Flying Burrito.

Additionally, every year during the holidays we have individuals and groups who adopt our youth and families for our Holiday Giving Initiative. The point of this project is to make sure all of the youth residing in one of our shelters and the families within our Intensive Family Support Services program have something to open on Christmas Day. This year’s outpouring of support was overwhelming. We received donations from organizations such as Executive Women International, the C.A.R.E. Initiative (through Saatchi and Saatchi X) and the American Heart Association, corporations such as Tyson Foods and Walmart Health and Wellness, as well as many individuals and groups.

At the end of the day, YOU are the people that make it possible. The success of Youth Bridge and the clients we serve would not be possible without the many people who are passionate about making sure the youth in our community reach their full potential. We hope all of our donors and volunteers enjoy their experiences and know that your efforts are truly appreciated. Youth Bridge will continue to rely on our supporters for the many needs it takes to operate the organization. Please know that it is with the utmost sincerity and genuine gratitude that we thank you for your continued support!

Four long-standing members of our Board of Directors (BOD) recently retired and were recognized during the Starry, Starry Night event. Mr. Dennis “Denny” Upton, Ms. Doris Bishop, Ms. Martha Agee and Mr. Ralph Johnson were honored for their service as members of the Youth Bridge BOD.

Denny Upton, former Police Chief of Tontitown, a former juvenile officer for the Springdale Police Department and helped pilot the juvenile program in Arkansas. Upton served on the Youth Bridge BOD for 34 years, including serving as Vice Chairperson for 12 years.

Doris Bishop, a longtime advocate for those less fortunate, has worked with many nonprofit organizations, as well as working for Boone County Juvenile Services. Bishop served on the Youth Bridge BOD for 32 years.

Martha Agee was a former school counselor, teacher and education specialist. She previously served as the Director of the first alternative school in Arkansas, Uptown School. Agee served on the Youth Bridge BOD for 33 years.

Ralph Johnson is the former Child and Adolescent Program Director for Vista Health and is currently the Administrator for the Chenal Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Little Rock. Johnson served on the Youth Bridge BOD for 15 years, five of which he served as the Chair.

HONORING FORMER BOARD MEMBERS

THANK YOU FORYOUR SUPPORT

ARKANSAS GRANTIMPROVING FACILITIESArkansas Representative Debra Hobbs(pictured below) recently announced that Youth Bridge received $40,000 from the General Improvement Fund (GIF) Grant Program. The GIF grant program is used to improve the economic, community and social well-being of the citizens of Arkansas.

“I recognize that non-profit organizations operate on a very tight budget while contributing so much to the community,” Hobbs commented. “I appreciate what Youth Bridge does for the young people in our area and it is an honor to get to connect such a worthy organization with available funds for much-needed repairs to their Benton County facility(pictured above).” The shelter sees over 500 youth annually. “This funding has come at a critical time as the shelter is in dire need of repairs. The funding will be used to re-roof and provide siding for the aging facility,” said Scott Linebaugh, Executive Director for Youth Bridge.

EVENT AWARDS

1st Place Youth“The Road Ahead”by Clients at Youth BridgeBenton County Shelter

1st Place Amateur“Cecile’s Swirls”created by Mandy Hoffman

1st Place Professional “A Place Called Hope”by Michael Skinner& Vivian Saddic

EVENT JUDGES

Karolyn FarrellJonathan HarrisNeelo AhmadMatthew HerrenBilly VetetoDenise GarnerMauriahh BeezlyNatalie OlsenJoy Price

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