The Bridge for Youth

History

The Bridge for Youth centers youth voice, justice, and equity in all we do, and empowers youth experiencing homelessness through safe shelter, basic needs, and healthy relationships. Our vision is a community where all youth feel safe, accepted, and supported. Since 1970, over 50,000 youth have found safety and stability at The Bridge through emergency shelter and transitional housing – including pregnant/parenting youth and their children; individual, family, and group counseling; specialized case management for crime victims and youth who identify as LGBTQ+; phone/text crisis intervention; and street, site, and mobile outreach. At the forefront of addressing youth homelessness in Minnesota, The Bridge offers a pathway out of poverty and chronic homelessness for the most vulnerable youth in our community through youth-centered programs.

Strategic Priorities

The 2022 – 2024 Framework for The Bridge for Youth was approved in September 2021, and includes a new mission, vision, and values, centered in racial justice and equity.  Primary objectives include:

• Racial justice and equity are centered in all we do.
• Youth voice and leadership is at the core of all programs and is used as a catalyst for change to disrupt and prevent homelessness.
• Programming is holistic, inclusive, and journey oriented.
• Homelessness is prevented whenever possible or is otherwise a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience

Annual Budget: $5.2 million – Foundations, Individual Contributions, Government Grants or Contracts

Skills

The Bridge for Youth is seeking board members with skills in the following areas:

• Facilities and Real Estate
• Fundraising
• Human Resources
• Public Policy and Advocacy

Information

• Number of members currently: 21
• Meeting frequency:  6 meetings annually
• Meeting location: Minneapolis
• Does nonprofit carry liability insurance? Yes

Expectations

• Time Expectation: Up to 5 hours/month
• Financial Contribution Required: Yes
• Service on Committee Required: Yes
  • Committees: Executive, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Other
• Length of Term: 3 Years
• Renewable: Yes