The Bridge Fellowship 2006-2007 Application
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YouthBridge-NY is a teen leadership program that trains and develops youth to meet the challenges of New York 's new diversity through leadership development and community service. In existence for almost ten years, YouthBridge-NY promotes intergroup relations, coalition building, and community service amongst high school student leaders reflecting the diversity of our city. YouthBridge – NY is a joint inter agency effort between the A rab-American Association of New York, ASPIRA of New York Inc., the Chinese-American Planning Council, Council of People's Organization, Habitat for Humanity, Ishmael and Isaac, Jeter's Leaders, Jewish Child Care Association , The Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, The New York Tolerance Center, Ramaz, Solomon Schechter High School of New York, South Asian Youth Action, and Thirteen/WNET New York's New York City Lab School. This leadership development program is coordinated by CAUSE - NY a division of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York .
We are currently accepting fifteen students entering grades 9 th - 11 th
Application Requirements:
• One letter of recommendation from any of the following - a participating organization, guidance counselor, teacher, or Principal.
• Interview upon receipt of completed application.
• Parents/Guardian meeting upon acceptance.
• Sign a letter of dedication upon acceptance.
Bridge Fellow Program Requirements:
• The two-day Bridge Retreat at the end of August.
• Participate in every Bridge meeting - one Tuesday per month from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(calendar will be distributed at the retreat).
• Participate in an additional one of three Bridge committees: Shared Resources for a Shared Future, Youth Summit Planning, or Diversity in the Corporate World - Intergroup Relations & Diversity Trainings - one Thursday per month from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (calendar will be distributed at the retreat).
• The Youth Summit – year end educational conference involving 350 of NYC's top students in June.
• At least one Bridge organized Community Service project held throughout the year.
In addition, the 2006-2007 Bridge Fellows will participate in:
• Community service projects
• Roundtable meetings with New York City 's top decision makers
• Field trips and tours of local neighborhoods
• Leadership development and diversity trainings
• Team building and problem solving activities
• Public speaking and creative expression workshops
• Habitat for Humanity Build
• Internship Opportunities
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a final deadline of Friday, July 7, 2006.
For more information about this exciting opportunity contact:
Elana Bekerman, MPA
Director of Special Programs, YouthBridge NY
CAUSE – NY/Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
70 West 36 th Street, Suite 700 ; New York , NY 10018
212-983-4800 ext. 147 (Phone), 212-983-4084 (Fax), Bekermane@jcrcny.org (Email)
Applications can be downloaded at www.youthbridgeny.org/bridgeapplication
YouthBridge–NY receives technical and coalition building assistance from CAUSE- NY, a division of the Commission on Intergroup Relations & Community Concerns at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York . The JCRC is an affiliate of UJA-Federation of NY.
2006 – 2007
Application
PERSONAL INFORMATION
(Application must be typed on a typewriter or computer)
NAME ________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________
CITY_______________________________________STATE__________________ZIP___________
HOME PHONE _________________________________
CELL PHONE_______________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS_______________________________________
PERMANENT ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________
CITY_______________________________________STATE__________________ZIP___________
DATE OF BIRTH _______________________
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER___________________________
GRADE (as of Fall 2006) ________
HIGH SCHOOL______________________________________________________________________
YOUTH AGENCY (if applicable)__________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Emergency Contact Information
Contact #1
NAME ________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________
CITY_______________________________________STATE__________________ZIP___________
HOME PHONE ________________________________
CELL PHONE__________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS_______________________________________
Contact #2
NAME ________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________
CITY_______________________________________STATE__________________ZIP___________
HOME PHONE _________________________________
CELL PHONE_______________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS_______________________________________
Applications with all accompanying documents will be accepted on a rolling basis and must be postmarked by Friday, July 7, 2006 at the offices of:
YouthBridge-NY
Attention: Elana Bekerman
70 West 36 th Street, Suite 700
New York , NY 10018
or by email to bekermane@jcrcny.org.
Applicants will be notified upon receipt and evaluation of completed application forms.
Personal Statement
Please respond to each of the following questions, in 250 words or less; please type and doubled space essays using a 12 point font.
1- Please describe a significant leadership role you have played within the context of your community and/or high school in which you demonstrated initiative and responded to a difficult issue. Explain how that experience qualifies you for this fellowship and what you hope to gain from your Fellowship.
2- What do you perceive as the major issues regarding the state of intergroup relations (coexistence of diverse groups) in your community/college/neighborhood today, why do they exist, and what are some solutions you propose?
3-The Bridge Fellowship is intense and requires a time commitment, how will you be able to make the Bridge Fellowship a priority? Please list all other extra curricular involvements.
Any questions or inquires should be directed to
Elana Bekerman, Director of Special Programs, CAUSE – NY/JCRC
by e-mail to: bekermane@jcrcny.org or by phone at 212-983-4800 ext.147.
*Please attach a passport picture of yourself. If you are accepted into the program, it will appear on the website.