It has been over a month since I started interning at The Bridge Teen Center and I have loved this experience so far. I was drawn to The Bridge because of the work they do in the community they are a part of which happens to be the one I live in! The founder, Priscilla, felt called to make a place for teens in Orland Park and this summer, it celebrated its 13th birthday. The Bridge provides free programs for students in grades 7th-12th and the programs allow them to develop holistically in five ‘buckets’: community connections, educational support, everyday life, expressive arts, and mind/body. These programs allow students to learn more about themselves. There are also Friday Night Live programs which are every other Friday and these are where students can hangout and have fun throughout the entirety of The Bridge space. The first Friday event was the celebration of the 13th birthday of The Bridge!
Since my first day, there has always been something new happening around me. Tuesdays-Thursdays are the program days where students come to The Bridge to participate in programs that range from culinary and songwriting lessons to bracelet making and learning how to change a flat tire. There are volunteers and staff that run these programs who want the students to have fun while also learning something new. I have loved connecting with the volunteers, the staff, the other interns, the students, and even the parents since the start of my internship. Everyone has such a positive attitude and are there because they love what The Bridge provides.
This summer, I am able to be both the Human Resources and Program intern. Through this, I get to see the background on a nonprofit organization as well as interact with the students who come to the center. I have a few different projects on my plate which will surely keep me busy this summer. As the HR intern, I am helping plan our Fiesta brunch to celebrate the people who take time out of their busy days and choose to volunteer at The Bridge. Through this, I call local businesses to donate to us in order to give gifts to our volunteers. Something else I have enjoyed while being the HR intern is my responsibilities with the thrift store! The Bridge’s sister organization is the Bridge Thrift Store which brings in revenue to the center. The thrift store allows for volunteer groups to serve in the store for a form of ‘team bonding’ or if they need some form of service hours. This past week we had an insurance group come in of about 30 people and they sorted about 220 bags of clothing! Then as the Program intern, I am able to lead programs and I get to lead my first solo program which will be a karaoke program in July!
Before starting this internship, I was unsure on what I wanted to do in the future. I still am unsure but I feel like there is something here that is helping me figure things out and look internally at what my passions truly are. I look forward to the rest of my time here at The Bridge and hope to forge a path for myself for the future!
– Mikayla Flanagan, The Bridge Teen Center