As I reflect on so many young lives that have come and gone from Bridgeway my heart always wants to reach out and hold them tight. We often hear from them as they gain new insights after leaving Bridgeway. I thought perhaps you would like to see the perspective of a beautiful, special, amazing former resident. She tells of Bridgeway so much better than I could:
"Jan. 4, 2005. As I sit here in my cubicle, an AmeriCorps member, stationed at the Mayor’s Office of Workforce and Development, I think back on the long road I traveled this past year. My road consisted of pot holes, road construction, and severe weather advisories, but nothing that couldn’t be overcome.
Feb. 7, 2004. This was the day I first set foot into adulthood. Boy, it was nothing like I had imagined it to be. I hated Bridgeway, only because I didn’t want to be here, but I respected it because it was the only place that opened its heart to me when my friends and family closed theirs. I was 18 years old, pregnant, and struggling to finish four very accomplished years of high school. Disowned, alone, and alienated, I had nowhere to go and no one in my life but my wonderful, unborn 3-month old baby boy.
Adjusting to life at Bridgeway wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. But when you take into account that you’re living in a house full of pregnant, hormonal teenage girls, your entire view on life changes. Everyone had their differences. Sometimes those differences collided, but when it all came down to it, we were all there for the same reasons, struggling together. Bridgeway was the only support most of us had. We were family.
With adjustment came friendship and bonds that have lasted thus far and probably will last for the rest of my life.
Thank you for giving me a chance to succeed. You gave me the ability to fly by giving me wings. Thank you for actually letting me use them and not clipping them like everyone else in my life has.
A whole year has passed, and I look back in amazement at all the life changes that have occurred. Becoming pregnant at a young age doesn’t mean that your life has to come to a complete stop. It means that you have obstacles in your path that you can overcome. It just takes time. Having patience is the key. Facing adversity builds character. Failure is staying down, not falling down. All that I have learned about life... I learned from Bridgeway.
With love always,
Lynn"
