About BRIDGES Girls Runaway Shelter
Our Mission
BRIDGES2 is a Basic Center Program that strives to meet the immediate needs of Runaway and homeless female youth ages 13-17 for up to 21 days, with the end goal of reunification if desired by the teen or transitioning to a permanent and stable living environment. While at BRIDGES2, girls are allowed to rest their mind and body from the constant worrying about finding a safe place to sleep for the evening and how to eat with little to no money, and how to perform personal hygiene while on the streets. Once revived after getting some peaceful and safest, nourishing food and the opportunity to address person hygiene and grooming, BRIDGES2 staff and community collaborators begins to work towards providing the appropriate assistance to the run away teen.
Our Purpose
We are a safe haven for females 13-17 who have made the choice to leave a place in search of a different space. Bridges2 is a safe refuge that will supply food, a bed, education and employment opportunities, in the form of GED obtainment, entry level employment, individual/family counseling, medical health services and legal aid.
Teens Empowerment Awareness with ResolutionS Inc. / Building Responsible Individuals through Deliberate Guidance, TEARS Inc. / BRIDGES 2 Runaway Shelter/Home was birthed as result of the founder of TEARS Inc., Angelia M. Walton who saw a void in her community’s teenage population. She observed the lack knowledge about STD, AIDS, teen pregnancy prevention, the use and access to drugs and alcohol as well as increased violence which were all destroying the family and her beloved community.
Teens are either running away from something i.e. physical or sexual abuse, drugs and alcohol use etc. or running to something i.e., acceptance, basic amenities, affection and safety, etc. The cycle of homelessness, substance abuse and loneliness are a vicious one that ends with many teens struggling/stumbling unsuccessfully into adulthood. To avoid this, BRIDGES 2 offers interventions like safe shelter, food, clean clothes, a bed, access to medical, dental and eye care and other professionals to address psychological and emotions issue.
BRIDGES 2 Runaway Shelter strives to boosts protective factors and provide opportunities to address ACE, Adverse Childhood Experience issues to solve some and prevent others from costly choices that their, affect health, freedom, family separation, halt in educational achievement and many other.