Winter 2024

A lot has happened since our orientation retreat in August, where we welcomed new eleventh grade fellows into the Fellowship and twelfth grade Bridgers into their second year.  Fellows and Bridgers have been busy attending skill-building sessions, committee meetings, hearing from our alumni, and joining together for team building and bonding activities.  Read more below and check out some photo highlights of the year so far!

CONNECTING WITH OTHERS

by Murphy Slater

Connection and open communication is such an important part of a community, especially one that strives to make effective change in the world - just like YouthBridge. Starting right at the beginning of the group interview, I instantly knew that this was a place that intentionally fostered this kind of connection, and I immediately wanted to be a part of it. All throughout the interview process everyone was so warm and welcoming, and that same energy has definitely remained consistent throughout my time as a part of this program. 

Along with being an amazing chance to learn more about inequality that exists in a wide range of situations and environments, YouthBridge provides a unique chance to connect with other high schoolers across the city in meaningful ways. Through YouthBridge, I’ve been able to have conversations with students from Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, which are the three boroughs that I’m really not that familiar with on my own. It’s because of these conversations and interactions that I’ve been able to learn so much more about different aspects of New York that I was previously unaware of. This ability to connect with others through the topics and activities in this program has directly increased my social awareness and ability to communicate effectively with a much wider range of people.

In fact, some of my favorite moments from this program have been based off of this incredible connectivity. Whether I was learning about the raft social experiment and how to make situations equitable for the most people possible, or reading about the sustainability of homegrown food and planting my own seeds with my fellow food justice committee members, it’s been an incredibly engaging and educational experience. 

One thing I’m looking forward to is learning more about the grant writing process, because I’m very excited to be a part of a real solution that can help combat some of the social issues we’ve spent the last few months learning about. I’m so thankful to have gotten a chance to be a part of this program, and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

COMBATING INEQUALITIES

by Gabriel Mittler

Hello everyone, my name is Gabriel and I am currently a junior at the Ramaz School. At the start of this year I began YouthBridge. Since September I have had nothing but great experiences and have learned a lot about the inequalities in New York City and the country as a whole. I have met so many amazing people from other schools around New York who I can learn so much from as  everyone has different backgrounds. I applied to YouthBridge at the end of tenth grade for the opportunity to learn and discuss with a diverse group of teenagers about problems that people face, as well as come up with solutions. My school is not diverse at all, so one of the reasons I joined was to hear other perspectives from people with different backgrounds and cultures.

I am a member of the Healthcare Disparities committee. This topic is so important to discuss just from hearing the name itself. So to me, and all the teenagers in the group, discussing and analyzing how there is inequality in such an important aspect of life is very important. Entering the Healthcare Disparities committee, I expected to have intense discussions and debates on why there are inequalities, how the government can fix them, and what we can do as a group of teenegers who live in New York. This is exactly what we have done. A couple of meetings ago, the group was split up into two teams. One was to debate the pros of healthcare in America and the other was the cons. I was on the side of the pros and we went back and forth with the other side for a while; both coming up with great points. I think we won! That was one of my favorite moments so far this year. 

Another one of my favorites was during our skillbuilding workshop before winter break. We had guest speakers come to teach us about the city council and how to utilize them as citizens of the city. I enjoyed the presentation and I learned about what to do when we encounter a problem in the city. We got split up into groups and received a problem idea. Our assignment was to make a short skit about a real life example of the issue and how to address it. The other groups would then have to guess what the problem was. 

We are only halfway through the year and I have already learned so much. I am looking forward to continuing to do projects like this and having debates with the Healthcare Disparities committee. I am excited to hear more amazing guest speakers, continuing to meet new people and discussing why there is inequality in the healthcare system and how to fix it. 

NEW EXPERIENCES SPARK NEWFOUND CURIOSITY

by Bridgette Jeonarine

I joined YouthBridge-NY because I wanted to be in an environment which helped me grow as an individual and further my passions. I was initially drawn to this program because I had an ability to bridge two of my interests — law and advocacy through the Criminal Justice Reform committee. When I discovered that this was a 2 year program, I was even more excited to not only learn valuable skills but to learn alongside like minded individuals and form some tight knit connections. 

Entering the program, I had expected it to be very hands-on and was pleasantly surprised when it was not only very teamwork based but also allowed us to be ourselves and branch out into other groups through the monthly Thursday workshops, which focuses on developing leadership skills rather than our advocacy work, done in smaller groups. 

Undoubtedly, this past January workshop was one of the most interesting yet challenging sessions yet. I feel so honored to have been able to be taught by Ivy Cohen, on communications and marketing, a field I had never really been introduced to before. She made the workshop very interactive, through an activity in which we were required to promote products to certain audiences. While this became very enjoyable, it also required us to think about how to get certain groups intrigued by certain products, through examining their lifestyles and interests. 

Beyond this, I especially appreciated how Ms. Cohen took her time to talk about her own experiences as a student and her non-linear career path. She not only was a great instructor but wanted to form connections with us, making the experience very special. 

As the year progresses, I am eagerly awaiting our annual Bridging the Gap grant, in which the smaller advocacy committees are able to give a grant to a non-profit of our choosing, who focuses on our objectives. This is such a great way to give back to the community as well as further our own committee efforts. I also am looking forward to our next workshop and being around all of the fellows. I feel extremely grateful to be around my peers, share laughs, and support each other. 

YouthBridge has combined many aspects that are rare to find in high school fellowships and I can’t wait to see what we dive into next as well as what is in store for the next round of fellows.

Fall 2023

We have started off the program year with a bang! Beginning with our orientation retreat in August, we welcomed new eleventh grade Fellows into the Fellowship and twelfth grade Bridgers into their second year. Fellows and Bridgers have been busy attending skill-building sessions, committee meetings, hearing from our alumni, and joining together for team building and bonding activities. Read more below and check out some highlights of the season!

A RAW CONNECTION WITH MY NEW PEERS

by Alisha Vohra

YouthBridge-NY is a program I stumbled across several times and kept coming back to during my quest to find extracurricular programs. My passion for social justice, combined with the longevity of the program (something I had never seen before), made me interested in applying. I recall filling out the application late one night, and not thinking much of it, but noting that the questions felt sincere and engaging compared to anything I’ve filled out in a similar format. It is the interview that made me fall in love with the program, and learning about what it has in store made me even more compelled to give it my all. In the weeks after, I would look at the Instagram and website and hope that soon, I could be the one in these pictures and at these meetings. I wholeheartedly hoped to be accepted to YouthBridge, anticipating the distinct connections and learning it could provide for me.

I was thrilled to have received the acceptance. I had no idea what to expect from the retreat, afraid of a new setting. Thankfully, the Popsicles at the Park event let me meet the people I would be with for the 2 days to subtly relieve my fears. The immersive experience began when we stepped foot on the camp. I felt at peace breathing in the air of Copake. The camp life was such an exciting adventure, and I loved everything about it: the comradery of existing together in the bunks, journeying to the dining or alumni hall together (and tripping more times than I’d like to admit), and the outdoor activities. My favorite moment was when after our scheduled hours, all the Fellows and Bridgers got together around the campfire and played games for hours. I remember thinking at that moment that I was having the most fun I’d had in a while, feeling a raw connection with my new peers. 

The most integral aspect of the retreat was the group activity portions. I was expecting your average first-day-of-school icebreakers where my brain would scramble to find something interesting about myself, but this was so different. I felt an added layer of comfort being with like-minded people. The activities were far from basic, as we got to know each other and work together in diverse and creative ways. Suddenly, hours of team building didn’t seem so bad. The game that sticks out to me was YouthBridge Neighborhood, where we were given an allotted set of money to buy materials for building a community. It was soon revealed to be all about privilege. 

I anticipate the best as I build on these foundations created at the retreat to fully immerse myself in the space that is YouthBridge. Wherever my junior and senior year take me, I am eternally grateful to be able to complete the latter half of my high school journey with YouthBridge to support me in my growth.

ADDRESSING THE INJUSTICES IN OUR UNFAIR SOCIETY

by Doris Zheng

Hello to those reading this. My name’s Doris and I'm currently a junior at Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics.

I joined YouthBridge for a chance to be able to engage in discussion with other people my age about a topic we were all interested in, which is criminal justice reform and addressing the injustices in our unfair society. I wanted to leave this program with new knowledge on this topic and what I can do to make a difference. Initially, I had joined just to test out the program but I eventually found it went hand in hand with a long mystery I had tried to solve. Entering this committee, I expected at least 50 people, so I was surprised to see the amount of people in my committee which was 8 people. 

Walking into that very professional building, I felt as though I was taking on a serious job and about to engage in a really beneficial conversation. The main takeaway I had from our last session would be that the American Justice System will continue to be unfair for all of us and the only change I'll be able to make would be taking it career path in the future. Not just the political state, but the social state of our society needs to improve, and we can all come together to ensure that change. We played the Bail Trap game, which gave my group a headache. Every option that was given wasn’t beneficial and drained the bank of the character especially if they were a person of color or a woman. Our experience playing it was annoying as the other character, who was a white, financially stable middle aged-man, had a better chance at getting money back while the young woman of color lost her job, schooling, and a lot of money all at once.

I'm looking forward to more engaging discussions regarding this topic and more social events to get to know my peers better. This program would also look great on my resume regarding programs I've attended to show my teambuilding, and collaborative skills. I can't wait to discover what skills I develop and what new people I'll meet.

WATERING THE SEEDS FOR MY PASSION

by Tiara Naselli

I initially joined YouthBridge because I thought it was a unique opportunity to further my passion for criminal justice through experience and knowledge alongside other teenagers my age. Moreover, I have fortunately been able to take up an internship at the United Nations which has been incredibly eye opening. As enlightening as the experience has been, I have noticed its lack of representation from the teenage perspective, especially for minorities like Latinos. This made me realize that our voices are actually one of the most significant. We essentially are the next generation of workers who will make active strides to better our environments, so finding a community like YouthBridge who helps nurture our ideas and opportunities was incredibly appealing to me. Having the balance of utilizing resources to become active members of society through our committees but also, interacting with fellow adolescents and exchanging opinions that range from our backgrounds is very necessary and powerful.

Entering the program, I was expecting to learn advocacy skills that would translate to being an active member of my community. Building off of my point earlier, there’s a modern plague amongst teenagers where they are confined to think that we cannot always contribute to society because we are not working members, and instead, just kids when the truth couldn’t be further from that. 

One of my YouthBridge highlights is the boat exercise with Don Kao. To describe the activity, us fellows were split up into groups of four and each given 14 cards, depicting a different individual with characteristics ranging from their race, sexuality, health, age and occupation. Given the scenario that all 14 people were in an apocalypse, we could only pick 10 to save. After every group deliberated and picked, we were all met with a shocking surprise at the end of the exercise. Our activity mediator, Don Kao, revealed that he was actually one of the individuals depicted on the 14 cards. That moment was heavily impactful because it removed my mentality from the context of the game to fully process that the human eye is not foolproof. They’re many characteristics that we cannot identify just by looking at people. Thus, the overall activity taught me that it’s our duty as humans to mitigate implicit bias as much as possible by carrying ourselves with unflinching empathy and open mindedness.

As a first generation Latina-American, my identity is heavily forged by my experiences with my heritage and as I navigate spaces where I am a minority, I look forward to speaking up and being a bridge of communication. Moreover, I know that in order for meaningful change to happen, collaboration is a necessity so I would look forward to striking a balance between taking space and giving space in conversations, engaging with the diverse range of perspectives in YouthBridge and making valuable connections. I hope for YouthBridge to water the seeds in my passion for criminal justice reform and allow for me and my fellow companions to have the resources to accomplish our goals collectively, and branch out individually to network amongst the industry and flourish even after the program.

A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR PEOPLE

by Samuel Gusel

Dear YouthBridge Community,

When I first applied to YouthBridge, I didn’t know a lot about the program. I was told about it by my Dad, who said it was a program that brings together and educates teen leaders about building bonds between diverse cultural groups in New York City. Throughout my high school career, and especially due to recent events in the Middle East, I have seen and engaged in disagreements between cultural groups sparked by a difference of perspective. I have seen political conflicts cause friction among family members and friends, and have personally experienced tense conversations and disagreements with friends who are Muslim or of Palestinian background. I’ve heard hurtful things from people close to me and have said hurtful things back. Witnessing how people relate to one another in difficult times has instilled in me a deep appreciation for people who can communicate effectively with each other. This skill has always been valuable to me, and the opportunity for education and experience in these areas made me eager to apply.

In our most recent meeting, we discussed methods for effective advocacy, given the political structure of New York City. This topic is of particular interest to me, because I have personally taken part in advocating for causes I believe in, and am keen to learn how to be more effective in driving change. In eighth grade, I attended a rally to protest inaction around climate change. At that time, I thought that attending protests was the best way to effect change. Through our recent meeting, I learned that there are more direct ways to advocate and take action for the causes I believe in. For example, I learned about the option to speak directly to representatives of our local government. A detail that struck me was the fact that I could join my local neighborhood board at the age of sixteen, which would allow me to have a voice in the governing body of my community. Another method I learned was lobbying, where I can go and meet with government representatives and share with them directly my thoughts and opinions on causes that I believe in. This workshop taught me that advocacy is available to everyone and doesn’t require particular connections or resources. I learned that the most effective methods of advocacy involve speaking directly to individuals who have the ability to effect change, and that the best way to personally effect change is to join a body of governing representatives.  

I look forward to learning and discussing more about building bridges with those who have a different perspective on the world, and the methods we can use to strengthen communication and unity in our communities.

Summer 2023

SPECIAL FEATURE

GRADUATION

Below are some reflections from our Fellows and graduated Bridgers about their time in the Fellowship. We want to wish a hearty congratulations to all of our graduated Seniors, it has been a pleasure knowing each and every one of you, and we cannot wait to see all that you accomplish in the years to come!

NEW IDEAS AND EXCITEMENT

by Hallel Abrams Gerber

You can tell a lot about a program based on the entrance process. The first time I looked at YouthBridge’s application, admittedly only a few nights before the deadline, I was immediately moved by the meaningful and nuanced questions, the text excerpt, and the commitment to diversity. I excitedly pressed submit, then hoped for the next steps. YouthBridge was my first group interview, and it set the bar too high. I came away brimming with new ideas and excitement, hoping to continue discussing with people I had just met, learn from their experiences, and gain a better understanding of the city I inhabit. When I received the acceptance, there was considerable celebration.

YouthBridge is a true community, a place where you show up knowing no one but walk away with five new conversations in fifteen minutes. A place where a single praise of a snack guarantees its reoccurrence for months to come. And that is because people at YouthBridge pay attention. They listen intently to teachings. They discuss. And they remember.

There is so much I will cherish from YouthBridge, whether memories of sitting on hammocks and looking up at the sky at the retreat or learning to talk–and market myself–to industry professionals. I have grown so deeply—in my confidence and ability to ask difficult questions, my understanding of intersectionality, and so much more. 

I will take away the knowledge that I am capable of what I set my mind to, whether making it from school in the Bronx to Midtown in record time or tackling important issues, and that I always have people who will fight for me. 

I cannot wait to see what happens next. I know it will be a learning opportunity and a great deal of fun.

A SIGNIFICANT TURNING POINT IN MY LIFE

by Yijin Dong

My name is Yijin Dong, and I am truly honored to have this opportunity to share my experiences at YouthBridge with all of you here. This lovely organization is a place filled with love, kindness, and endless possibilities.

My journey with YouthBridge began officially last summer during the retreat, where I got to meet so many remarkable and talented individuals, many of whom are graduating today and embarking on a new chapter in their lives.

I still vividly remember the moments we spent playing volleyball, indulging in hot Cheetos, and engaging in exciting scavenger hunts together. It fills my heart with pride and joy to see all of you overcoming the challenges of the past year. There is a lot more I want to say to tell you how amazing our seniors are, but for the sake of the time - congratulations and thank you for all of the support.

YouthBridge has been instrumental in teaching me the importance of appreciating the things I have in my life, and highlighting the importance of the various social inequalities that we as high school students can work towards changing. As a member of the healthcare disparities committee, I have had the opportunity to learn crucial topics such as the injustices in the healthcare system, which often goes overlooked in our daily lives. Being part of this organization has been an honor and has marked a significant turning point in my life.

In YouthBridge, I have found a sense of belonging. I have discovered my self-worth and values. Most importantly, I have found an unforgettable community that has had a lasting positive impact on my life.

CARVE AND DEFINE YOUR OWN SUCCESS

by Daiana Azimova

I want to start off by saying Assalamualaikum, which translated from Arabic means “May peace be upon you.” It’s a common phrase used by Muslims to greet one another. I, myself, use this phrase countless times throughout the day. Saying this particularly in the West can definitely send bells ringing. But I decided to start off my speech this way because that’s what YouthBridge taught me: To be myself. To embrace my identity. To be unapologetically me, which sounds super corny, I know, but it’s exactly that.

YouthBridge is like no other program I have been a part of. Not only is it 2 years, but the vastness and depth of the curricula deserves a round of applause. 

I chose the Healthcare Disparities committee, aka the best committee, because of my previous experience in this field. Every Monday that we met, we not only had profound and enriching conversations, but also bonding ones. Which groups face the most disparities? What kind of disparities? Are some of the questions we all were thinking about that contributed to the conversation. Not only did I review some of the material I’ve previously learned but also broadened my knowledge of health care disparities. And I got to learn more about the organizations doing the work to combat these issues, like our Bridging the Gap grantee, Together We Can Community Resource Center Inc.

With the knowledge that I’ve gained, I have applied it in multiple settings outside of YouthBridge like class discussions and essay prompts. YouthBridge is not just about learning something we’re passionate and interested in but applying it in our communities and advocating for change.

I think everyone here would agree that YouthBridge has helped shape and enhance our advocacy skills. It taught me to be even more vocal than I already am. And it also taught me to have evidence to back up all of my points, making my argument so much stronger. We were able to use our advocacy skills in all of the workshops we participated in. A skill we will continue using beyond YouthBridge, and for the rest of our lives.

Although I love every memory of YouthBridge equally, my favorite one has to be our first skillbuilding workshop. As I was the first to arrive, I felt completely out of my bubble. When other fellows began entering in, everyone was a new face to me, but there were a couple I recognized either from school or from Popsicles in the Park. In my head I thought, this is going to be so awkward, how do I make friends? 

As everyone settled in and we began the workshop, it was not as awkward as I thought it would be. Everyone was really relaxed, enjoying the food and drinks, and engaging in the conversation. But the reason why this is my favorite memory is when we did the interactive activity, the Cultures game, when we were all given a colored card describing how we should act when meeting new people. Everyone was easy to get along with and many laughs were shared that night. I hope you all enjoyed the party me and my brother hosted (if you know, you know). But that night, I knew that YouthBridge was going to be extraordinary… and it has been nothing less than that. 

Every meeting, I had the chance to get to know incredible people. We have built strong bonds over many shared experiences of junior year. I know senior year is gonna be a rollercoaster, but I also know that every Thursday that we will meet next year, we each will have a support system; which is always there in- and outside of YouthBridge. I am so excited to continue growing with YouthBridge and with you all.   

For graduating Bridgers,  I want to congratulate you on reaching another milestone, which you all should be proud of. The next chapter of your life may be a tumultuous one, but it will be filled with joy and life long memories. As the pressure of college and choosing the right path sets in, remember that you don’t have to follow the societal idea of success. 

Carve and define your own success.

UNDERSTANDING AND COMMUNITY

by Erina Chowdhury

As someone who’s been surrounded by the same people and like-minded perspectives for their entire life, I needed to branch out and meet new people in an approach that was meaningful to me. My neighborhood had the people I loved, the alluded sights I grew familiar with, and the welcoming smells of home in a town with predominantly Black and Brown immigrants, like mine.

Growing accustomed to this tight-knit bubble made me feel extremely comfortable and not ready for change until the pandemic, when isolation was now the new norm. I found YouthBridge during this reflective time. Not only was I captivated by the possibility of meeting youth across my diverse city, but I wanted to get involved in something bigger than myself through the grant-making process and leadership training I received throughout my years in high school.

After the acceptance, I knew YouthBridge was for me. It was where I began to express myself while being proud of my personal story and perspective.

I’ve met many wonderful individuals who are unique in their own diverse ways — with each person bringing something new to the table every time we meet. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each skill-building workshop and the fun, yet enlightening moments I’ve gained in the Criminal Justice Reform Committee.

I initially chose this committee because I wanted a better understanding of how our criminal legal system works and the ways it implicates BIPOC in all spheres discriminatorily. 

I distinctly remember coming 10 minutes earlier to our first committee meeting and I was so nervous while entering the elevator. However, my nerves went away as I saw Tiffany and began to form endless conversations with my peers from icebreakers, to then games of realization. This sense of comfort never left, even when tackling topics that brought discomfort due to their realness.

Each meeting is an experience for me to learn more about the systemic issues that lay the groundwork for this inequitable system, including the prison-industrial complex, the school-to-prison pipeline, and having the ability to hear from the perspectives of those personally impacted by these barriers was powerful. I remember sharing my experiences on metal detectors for the first time and feeling heard in my story because of the safe space YouthBridge has fostered for us Fellows.

Our committee has a sense of deep understanding and community, where we felt we belonged to share our own ideas in a non-judgemental space. I really appreciated the space (and the amazing snacks that were always provided each Tuesday, which made me even happier)!

I’ve loved having discussions with my peers on these topics and why young people like us are needed at the forefront of this change. I’ve learned how to take action through restorative practices and educate my community with knowledge and care. And I am proud to have made an impact through our Bridging the Gap Grant, which we will award to A Beautiful Heart Ministries in support of their work to improve the quality of life for formerly incarcerated women, girls, and gender-fluid individuals through their Alternatives to Incarceration program.

I’ve understood the importance of teamwork while tackling challenges, the necessity to understand new perspectives while forming an opinion, and how new experiences can shape me in an utterly transformative way. 

Becoming open-minded to adversity is the number one skill that stuck with me throughout this year. Being open to new perspectives and ideas is something I will bring into every space of my life and will continue to use these new ideas into approaching my life in New York City. I’m excited for my journey into my senior year of high school and transitioning into a new phase of college. I will continue to use the skills of leadership, empathy, and open-mindedness everywhere I lead as a future and (continuing) changemaker within New York City.

A GREAT EYE-OPENER

by Chelsea Mclaurin

My initial motivation for joining this particular committee was the standing history of food inequity in America. I wanted to be a part of the conversation on how we can help solve the huge problem of food insecurity in this country. With that, our meetings happened once every month where we considered various perspectives and became enlightened on problems faced in regards to food justice.

Particularly, one game that I have a vivid memory of is “Spent”. This game, created by Mckinney, allows players to be put into the shoes of different people. It is where I became aware of the struggles faced in our societies. Struggles in regard to poverty and homelessness. I remember when I role-played as two different characters. One was a mother that had to rely on hourly pay that wasn’t cutting it. The amount of money she made was not enough to buy nutritious groceries and pack a lunch for her child. Another character had just immigrated to this country and had difficulty finding their footing in our society. They were afraid of asking for help outside of their ethnic and religious community. On top of that, they were not able to obtain a job due to their lack of communication skills in the English Language.

Spent was surely a great eye-opener. It revealed to me that individual values are based on the circumstances people are dealt. So, when it comes to what I learned being on the Food Justice Committee for YouthBridge, I’ve learned that there are several stories from various people just waiting to be told. People in our society are sometimes dealt with unimaginable circumstances. Times where nutritious food is out of reach in communities that are red-lined making it increasingly difficult for minorities to eat healthy, wages and salaries being not nearly enough for nourishing food, and a lack of opportunities making it nearly impossible for children to be fed on a regular basis. 

As a committee, we put ourselves into other people’s shoes and began to see the livelihoods that people endure day to day. Certainly, nutritious food needs to be assured to everyone. But first, the inherent issues in our society need to be addressed.

INSPIRED TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE

by Kristen Lau

It has been an incredible journey that has opened my eyes and strengthened my commitment to addressing food justice.

During our monthly meetings, our small committee has created such a friendly and welcoming environment, which has allowed us to get to know each other very well and become close friends.

As a committee, we focused on understanding and finding solutions for food insecurity, and we analyzed the underlying factors such as limited access to fresh produce, transportation challenges, and economic disparities. To deepen our knowledge, we watched documentaries like "A Place at the Table," "Wasted," and "The American Food Disparity".

"A Place at the Table" showed us the struggles faced by people in the United States who don't have enough nutritious food, and it really emphasized the need for a fair and inclusive food system. "Wasted" highlighted the shocking amount of food wasted throughout the food supply chain. It made us aware of the environmental impact and encouraged us to explore ways to reduce food waste, like composting and food recovery programs. And "The American Food Disparity" documentary shed light on the unequal access to quality food in our communities. It showed us the challenges faced by marginalized and low-income neighborhoods, motivating us to raise awareness, challenge inequalities, and advocate for change.

Seeing firsthand the impact of the hunger crisis on individuals has been truly heart-wrenching and a reminder of my own privilege. In our recent committee meeting, we reflected on our YouthBridge experience and the word "awareness" strongly resonated with me as a word to encapsulate my time as a fellow. 

This journey has transformed my understanding of the world, and I have developed a deeper sense of empathy and a heightened awareness of the numerous challenges faced by vulnerable communities. I now feel a much stronger sense of responsibility to address the systemic issues that contribute to food injustice, and I’m inspired to advocate for change, raise awareness, and work towards a more fair society.

CHANGING THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE

by Alishba Waqar

As a committee of three, it was vital that we discussed thoroughly and took everyone’s opinions into account. We had six solid applications, each demonstrating passion, community service, dedication, and excitement to the cause.

When evaluating our grant applicants, our committee focused on their specific mission, their innovativeness, how the organization plans to spend the $500, and the impact the organization plans to make using our grant. This was a difficult process, as it required several discussions filled with deliberation, ultimately relying on our communication and discussion skills, and strengthening the relationship between the members of the Food Justice Committee.

The opportunity to give out a grant was something I have never been given before. We had the ability to make a direct impact in our communities and change the lives of our people as our grant provides people with the necessary resources to implement programs, offer services, and make a positive impact. After two hours of deliberation, there was one application that stuck out to us the most. In this application we saw clear determination, creativity, and a goal that aligns with our values. 

The 2023 Bridging the Gap Grant Winner is an organization named Community of Unity. Community of Unity connects with youth, empowers them to make choices that lead to growth, and inspires their pursuit of a personally satisfying future. Through their association with over 200 schools in NYC and beyond, Community of Unity has reached over 30,000 young people through their youth programs, professional development workshops, and consulting materials. 

What specifically caught our eye was The Shop. The Shop is Community of Unity’s student run cafe where the New Design High School community comes to eat, drink, celebrate, and collaborate. At The Shop, students are given the opportunity to expand their job experience through training that teaches them to craft high quality products, provide excellent customer service, and run a profitable small business.

Our committee thought this was amazing as it aligned well with our goals in the Food Justice Committee by directly educating and guiding youth towards opportunities and better lifestyle choices. 

And we are so happy to support this work.

I FOUND SOMETHING IRREPLACEABLE

by Adom Kirshner

My name is Adom Kirshner, and I am a graduating Bridger.

Whenever I have writer's block, I love to think of a random metaphor and English teacher-ify it.

I remember when it came time to write my college essay, I thought of this wild metaphor of a wall. And throughout the essay, I was getting closer and closer to it. The wall symbolized me getting closer to my inner self or something like that. While it gives “I want to get into college” vibes, I feel like there is some truth in there. I spent a lot of time thinking about what extracurriculars would get me into a “good” college that I didn’t think about what would actually make me happy.

I thank my mom for forcing me to find extracurriculars in my sophomore year of high school because that’s how I found YouthBridge.

I was shy. I didn’t want to talk to people and I thought it would be a boring program just to put on my resume. When we did the first retreat in Harlem during COVID, I was happily surprised to see how nice everyone was and how laid back the program was. But what made me finally fall in love with YouthBridge was the overnight retreat. The first activity that comes to my head when I think of the retreat was when we played YouthBridge Neighborhood, where we were divided into teams and given materials to build our own neighborhood. I learned about how different neighborhoods have different resources but I also built stronger attachments to my fellow Bridgers as we got sent to jail by Tiffany the police officer and comedically struggled to build a functioning society.

If I go back to my college essay metaphor, I can say that I passed that wall. While it started out as something to simply put on my resume, I found something irreplaceable. I learned to communicate with people without feeling in my head. I learned to advocate for what I want, whether it be social justice or simply organizing a project at school. Everyday when I walked out of that building with my fellow Bridgers, I felt accomplished. I could imagine myself actually making a change in politics some time soon instead of it just being a distant dream. 

I want to thank Tiffany, Karen, all the Bridgers and Fellows, and the YouthBridge board for making me the person that I am today. 

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

by Aishah Awotubo-Qasim

My name is Aishah Awotubo-Qasim and I am currently a high school senior at New Visions AMS2. I am also a graduating YouthBridge Fellow, which brings a mix of emotions including sadness, joy, contentment, and hopefulness.

As someone who is driven and involved in multiple programs, YouthBridge has been a highlight for me. I have had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people, including my fellow peers and friends, two incredible mentors Tiffany and Karen, and various professionals. And let's not forget the pizza delivery people, because I always looked forward to the pizzas.

At the beginning of YouthBridge, I missed a lot as I wasn’t vaccinated yet. This made me miss out on forming a connection with my mentors and fellow peers as I wasn’t able to attend the meetings. This inconvenience made my perspective of YouthBridge not as strong as it is now. 

Back then, YouthBridge was just another one of all my extracurriculars.  However, when I eventually started attending YouthBridge, I have come to discover that all my programs were incomparable to YouthBridge.

From attending meetings where I felt like my voice was being heard and appreciated, I got the chance to speak on topics I didn’t even think were one. Gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, Women's equality, Healthcare issues in the United States and more. As a member of a minority community in NYC, my experiences with YouthBridge have allowed me to reflect on the systemic inequalities that exist in the United States. It's clear that certain communities are favored over others, but we can overcome this by using our voices, educating ourselves, and helping each other. 

I've come to realize that individual success is less important if it's not shared by those around us. Instead, we should strive to lift each other up. Thanks to YouthBridge, I've been empowered to speak up more and take a leadership role, even when I might have previously deferred to others. I'm grateful for this newfound confidence and will continue to use my voice to effect positive change.

To finalize this speech, I am grateful for the memories I made at YouthBridge, including the enjoyable retreats that strengthened our bond; the Stony Point retreat will forever be a memorable one. I am also grateful for the panels and conversations with professionals that gave us valuable insights into the workforce. I am excited to share that I will be attending Colby College in Maine this fall, and I am proud to have featured YouthBridge as one of the most significant programs in my application.

Thank you to all our supporters, we definitely appreciate it. Our beloved mentors, Karen and Tiffany, thank you for being such understanding people, and finally my fellow peers thank you so much for making my experience at YouthBridge unforgettable. 

Spring 2023

Spring has sprung! The weather is getting warmer, the leaves are returning to the trees, and our teens want to share what they have been up to at YouthBridge-NY. Over the past few months, we have continued to see engaging dialogue and growth from our teens in our Skillbuilding Workshops and Social Action Committees. Keep reading to hear from our teens about how they relate what they have been learning in our program to their own lives.

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MORE THAN A COMMITTEE

by Isioma Okoh

With the heightened amount of stress that one’s high school junior year brings, the last thing a student wants to worry about is feeling as though they weren’t doing “enough.” I knew that as soon as my tenth-grade school year ended, I would apply to programs, internships, and “check off” boxes that said I had signed up for extracurriculars in order to secure my spot in an institution for the next 4(+) years. However, growing up with two older sisters who had been through the college process and going to a competitive high school, I’ve seen the way that people apply for these opportunities as if they are mere obligations on a to-do list, rather than a chance to become closer to your community. Therefore, when my mom told me about YouthBridge, its mission, and what it would allow me to do in terms of educating myself about and advocating for underrepresented communities in a way that is digestible to high school students like myself, I felt that this was an opportunity that I could truly take advantage of. When I had learned I got in and was assigned to the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, I had crafted some personal goals of treating this program as more than just a program, but a chance to genuinely learn about issues that affect the people in my community (and other communities as well), becoming more open to new perspectives that I hadn’t heard before on the topic of criminal justice, and try to use what I would learn in my everyday life.

Now, steadily approaching almost a year into the program, I feel as though these goals are being met with each committee meeting and skill-bonding workshop we have. I finally feel as though I am able to contribute to discussions on criminal justice, have more knowledge about issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline, the process of requesting bail, and can understand the ways in which art and social justice intersect. In particular, I have enjoyed the guest speakers that have been featured and the insightful information they provide about me forming my identity in the world, becoming more acquainted with professionalism, and gaining the right vocabulary and language on how to speak to various audiences in an efficient way. Additionally, the interactive games and videos we watch help me to understand the topics at hand in a way that is digestible to me.

Most of all, the candid environment that is created by Tiffany and my fellow YouthBridge committee members impacts the experience of the program to make it comfortable and inviting for everyone, regardless of identity.

I look forward to these positives to last me throughout the program and learning more about criminal justice reform. I hope I can take the skills I am currently acquiring (and the ones I will acquire in the future) to blossom into a socially-conscious adult who makes changes in their community. 

A DEVOTIONAL CHANGE

by Ayushi Das

As I turned on the TV, the news reporter showed a quick video where someone was pushed into the subway tracks. I was shocked that this was such a vicious hate crime and unfortunately not the first occurrence of its kind. 

I joined YouthBridge as a way to use my voice for the greater good. The skills and knowledge I learned at YouthBridge further encouraged my pursuit in assisting others in need. Personally, I’ve learned more about how incarcerated individuals are treated within the system and how the system severely impacts minority communities. I was even given the opportunity to hear guest speakers talk about how the system impacted their lives.

I vividly remember playing a game on how different people were waiting for their bail money while in jail. It shocked me that this was based off of a real story about a girl who was in jail for so long that she unfortunately passed away. From then on, I wanted to support other organizations who uplifted incarcerated individuals in and out of the prison system. 

Recently, as a member of the criminal justice committee, I along with fellow peers collaborated on a decisive decision to utilize our grant of $500 to help organizations continue achieving their mission. 

An organization by the name of A Beautiful Heart Ministries was extremely impactful as they were trying to assist incarcerated individuals who were women, girls, and even gender-fluid. While reading their description, the founder was incarcerated and created this organization to aid others who were in the same situation as her. I believe that her journey and persistence to help others is quite astonishing. 

This organization also put an emphasis on providing services whether that may be medical, social, employment, financial, or even legal help. The organization is devoted to making a change in their community which is something I wholeheartedly support. 

AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

by Alishba Waqar

For most of my life, I have lived in a small, secluded community as a minority where I highly desired to meet those of different backgrounds and experiences. Accordingly, when I came across the YouthBridge-NY Fellowship Program, I was immediately captured by its mission. 

YouthBridge is a program like no other. By far, it is my biggest highlight of my junior year and has definitely shaped me as a person. YouthBridge is a program that provides a platform where a diverse pipeline of leaders, just like me, can implement their skills & knowledge they have acquired through their experiences. Not only does this program allow me to think critically and recognize pressing societal issues, but also confront those obstacles through innovative solutions with other like-minded individuals. Being in an environment with other youth leaders, I have gained from their experiences and cooperatively inherited their knowledge, ultimately enabling me to brainstorm effective strategies to modern-day issues outside of my perspective and creating an atmosphere that inspires all. 

Personally, an experience that has really stood out to me was selecting the recipient for the YouthBridge-NY Bridging the Gap grant! I have never experienced this type of independence before and the selection process pushed me to think critically with my team members. We had no adult influence and were given the ability to make a direct impact. After hours of deliberation, our committee chose a recipient and it was the most rewarding feeling I have ever experienced. Knowing that you have made a direct impact on a specific conflict is actually the best feeling ever!

Currently, I am looking forward to the Night of Celebration! I am so excited to shift from a Fellow to a Bridger and additionally see our seniors reflect on the hard-work they have put in for the past two years. I am also looking forward to giving the grant to our grantee in person at the Night of Celebration.

If you are thinking of applying to YouthBridge, go for it! It is an experience like no other!

EMPOWERED TO TAKE ACTION

by Joshua Paz

I am Joshua Paz, an 11th-grade student at the Kew-Forest School in Queens, New York. In my search for summer and academic year programs, I discovered YouthBridge and was immediately drawn to the range of topics and issues they address. The opportunity to become a leader and receive leadership training caught my attention since I have always desired to create a positive impact in my community but lacked the necessary guidance and skills to do so. When applying to the program, I went through an interview process where I realized the potential of YouthBridge to shape my personal and leadership growth. The captivating discussions of the issues they tackled, coupled with the pleasant and supportive staff running the program, further convinced me of its value. During my interview with Karen and Tiffany, I remember being presented with unique and thought-provoking questions that challenged me to think beyond conventional perspectives, making the experience both pleasant and intriguing.

Throughout my time so far with YouthBridge, I have had the opportunity to attend numerous workshops that covered an array of topics, including effective methods for identifying relevant issues affecting my community, how to take action, and exploring any unconscious biases we might have. While all the workshops were engaging, I found the sessions on unconscious biases and the monthly social action team meetings on healthcare disparities to be particularly compelling. Going to the monthly meetings on healthcare disparities was really eye-opening for me, as it shed light on various societal issues that were previously unknown to me. In these meetings, we explored the numerous reasons behind health care disparities, including factors such as socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, and gender. Through these discussions, I became more aware of the severity of these issues and was inspired to take action to combat them. 

The workshop on unconscious biases was particularly intriguing because it made me reflect on my own biases, which I was previously unaware of. Prior to attending the workshop, I did not believe I had any strong biases. However, through the exercises and discussions, I was able to identify my unconscious biases and become more aware of their impact. This insight empowered me to take action to address and potentially change these biases. I found it remarkable how everyone has their own biases, regardless of whether they are aware of them or not, and this realization was truly eye-opening.

As I continue my journey with YouthBridge, I am anticipating the opportunity to delve deeper into various societal and diversity related topics and to engage in meaningful discussions. I am also excited about the idea of honing my leadership skills and becoming more of a leader in my community. My ultimate goal is to become a young leader who takes action on issues that I am passionate about, and I am thankful that YouthBridge will provide me with the necessary tools and experiences to achieve this goal.