DU Helping Denver’s Youth

The Bridge Project will host its 25th anniversary gala Sept. 17 at the University of Denver’s Driscoll Green. “Wine, Stein and Dine” is the project’s largest fundraiser of the year and will feature live entertainment, a fall-themed dinner, craft beers, wine and a silent auction.

The mission of The Bridge Project is to provide a path for youth in Denver’s public housing to graduate high school and go on to attend college. It was founded in 1991 by DU’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) as a community outreach program. “DU’s commitment to the public good is made real through The Bridge Project,” says Amanda McBride, GSSW dean. “From increased literacy to STEM knowledge to leadership skills, Bridge is a high-return investment in Denver’s most vulnerable youth.”

The Bridge Project serves as an internship site for students in GSSW. By providing after-school and summer activities, as well as college scholarships, the initiative aims to reduce educational barriers and improve academic outcomes for youth in four of Denver’s public housing communities. “The Bridge Project is an evidence-based model in part because our programs are able to leverage research and expertise from DU and GSSW, thereby ensuring that every student we serve in Denver’s public housing is able to make significant strides toward self-sufficiency,” says Jesse Burne, executive director of The Bridge Project and assistant professor at GSSW.

James Herbert Williams, dean emeritus of GSSW, will be honored at the gala.