The BRIDGE programs—based on the findings of a 3 year-long Pilot projects —seeks to affect a paradigm shift in the Immigrant community’s low rates of college graduates.  This shift will foster academic progress through parental involvement.   It is well known that students with parents who are involved in their education are more likely to:

·        adapt well to school

·        have better social skills

·        show improved behavior

·        attend school regularly

·        earn higher grades and test scores

·        enroll in higher-level programs

·        pass classes and be promoted

·        earn college credits

·        graduate and go to post secondary education

The BRIDGE programs target financially disadvantaged families—by introducing cultural differences awareness to help families to better adapt to America and strengthening family values to assure students’ success—while providing information about the American educational system and facilitating their integration to America through information of resources available to support them.

BRIDGE will focus on encouraging family members to make a commitment to meaningful involvement in their children’s education and improvement of literacy skills. 

BRIDGE can draw on its staff of professionals to develop collaborative relationships with family members, parenting, awareness training for immigrants, and a complete array of sensitivity training along with ESL and career development. 

BRIDGE will train a Social Services/Parent Coordinator on the major government benefit programs, informing him or her about BRIDGE services available, knowledge about clients’ potential eligibility for many programs, providing free consumer brochures on major public benefit programs in easy-to-read language, and answering questions about the world of public benefits.  Parenting skill education will be offered at the BRIDGE & TNT Educations Service at your facility.  They have developed a wide array of workshops for parents based on one underlying principle: there is a direct relationship between parents’ confidence and their ability to parent.  They will help parents develop positive parenting skills to teach children appropriate behavior without resorting to corporal punishment.  The workshops are provided by trained TNT facilitators with backgrounds in education, social work, career development, counseling, or nursing.  There is often a co-facilitator indigenous to the geographic or ethnic community.  Group materials will be available in English, Spanish or any other language necessary.  Furthermore, BRIDGE has specific groups for parents who are involved the family court and/or the DYFS.