Osita Obi

Student now enrolled at Clemson University

"Bridges is really something special and every single life it has touched has never been the same. It took me from an insecure boy to a confident man. I owe a lot to Bridges and to you for your hard work and dedication. I will never forget your kindness."Go forth and do great things"-I will always remember those morning assemblies."

Lakeshia Ellis

Current Bridges Student

"What has Bridges done for me? It has given me confidence, love, support, family, honesty, strength, self-fulfillment, self-identification, friendship, purpose, priorities, a positive outlook, a better future, inspiration, a chance, an opportunity, and most of all, it has been a refuge, and it has given me hope. The love you get in Bridges, I can’t explain it in words. You know how sometimes you can’t explain something because you just have to be there to experience it? That is exactly how I feel about Bridges. The love is real. Everyone loves you; they love you for who you are, no matter what. I was hurting so bad before I came to Bridges. When I came to Bridges, they just loved on me until I couldn’t hurt anymore."

Ashley Tapperson

Current Bridges Student

"Overall my whole life has changed because of this program. I learned that I can be me and be happy about people liking me because of who I am. Bridges is my second family and Saturday College is a way to keep connected to them and know they’ll be there."

Thomas Dixon

Current Bridges Student

"Bridges is EVERYTHING to me. Bridges is my life, my hope, and my family. When I think that I am a failure, you all are there to pick me up and tell me I am not a failure. Every time I try to isolate myself or even rebuild the walls that I feel protect me, someone or everyone comes in, disguised as a trojan horse, and you destroy my defenses and my attempts at isolation fail. Through this, I have gained more courage from everyone one of you, and somehow I would like to give it back. I thank you for this amazing opportunity."

Jorge Jimenez

Bridges graduate enrolled at Furman University

"Nobody’s ever had a real career in my family. They just take whatever job they can. I don’t want to do that. I want to get a degree. Bridges is about learning while having fun. Everything we did encouraged me toward the idea of going to college. I realized I would need a certain grade point average to return to Bridges and eventually go to college. I started studying a lot so I could come back. I thought, maybe I’ll get somewhere."

Cierra Riddle

Bridges graduate going to Furman University

"Bridges to a Brighter Future will forever be the greatest turning point in my life."

CLICK TO PLAY

BASHIA : Self Esteem

ALEEN : Life Changing

ANGEL : A Family

ROSA : Bridges at Furman

RODRICK : Overcoming Obstacles

BREE : Being Nominated