Built on showing up
Bridge began with one teacher, five students and a promise to be there every week.
How Bridge started
In 2011, middle school teacher Carla Nguyen noticed that her quietest students lacked someone to talk to after the bell. She asked five friends to each mentor a student for a year.
By the end of the year all five pairs were still meeting. The next fall there were 30. We became a nonprofit in 2013, and we have grown ever since.
Today we serve schools across Franklin County and a community program on the south side. Our mission is simple: every young person deserves a trusted adult who believes in them.
What we believe
Consistency over everything
Kids can count on their mentor to show up.
Strengths first
We start with what each student is good at.
Families as partners
We keep parents and guardians in the loop.
Fun is serious
Joy builds trust faster than lectures.
How we got here
A few moments that shaped who we are today.
Five matches
Carla Nguyen recruits five friends to mentor five students.
Bridge becomes a nonprofit
We open our first office and partner with three schools.
Homework Hub
Our after-school program launches in the community center.
420 youth matched
We reach record enrollment and a 94 percent school retention rate.
Meet the team
Founder and CEOCarla Nguyen
A teacher who never stopped showing up.
Director of ProgramsMarcus Bell
Oversees matches, training and school partnerships.
Match CoordinatorSofia Alvarez
Checks in monthly with 150 mentors and families.
Mentor AmbassadorDre Holloway
A mentor for nine years, now trains new ones.
Our commitments
- Every young person has potential worth investing in.
- Mentors are trained, screened and supported.
- We listen to students first.
- Trust takes time, and we are in it for the long run.
- We measure our success by how kids feel and what they achieve.
Match one more student with a mentor
Drop in for a tour, meet our team and see the Homework Hub in action.