National Safe Place Week Scheduled for March 17-24, 2013
Youth Bridge is partnering with the National Safe Place organization to recognize March 17-24, 2013 as National Safe Place Week. Youth Bridge is the only authorized Safe Place agency in Arkansas that works with the organization to help runaways and troubled teens who need immediate shelter.
Youth Bridge will sponsor several community activities during national Safe Place Week as a way of sharing information and awareness of the program. Youth Bridge also is working to expand the number of Safe Place locations in Benton County and has recently signed up the Bentonville Police Department.
There are 31 mobile and 28 fixed Safe Place sites in Washington and seven in Benton County. Youth Bridge partners with Safe Place to create a network of Safe Place locations — schools, fire stations, libraries, grocery and convenience stores, public transit, YMCAs and other appropriate public buildings – that display the yellow and black diamond-shaped Safe Place sign.
Safe Place provides access to immediate help and safety for all young people in crisis. The Safe Place program was created by the YMCA of Greater Louisville in 1983. For additional information, visit www.nationalsafeplace.org
The Benton County Emergency Shelter in Centerton recently received a new Sign
The Benton County Emergency Shelter in Centerton recently received a new double sided, cast iron and metal street sign from the Arkansas Sign and Banner Company in Bentonville. Arkansas Sign contributed half the cost of the sign and installation labor. Youth Bridge is collecting donations to cover the remaining costs. The new sign is a welcome replacement to the old wooden sign that was falling down and very hard to read.
Youth Bridge Kicks-Off 50th Year Anniversary
Celebrating 50 years of Excellence and Opportunity
Youth Bridge held a reception on January 30, at the Arkansas World Trade Center in Rogers to officially kick-off its 50th year anniversary and to announce its 2013 event and activity calendar. Youth Bridge also recognized and thanked its 2012 sponsors, in-kind donors, contributors, volunteers and board members who have worked so hard to make Youth Bridge a success.
In addition, Youth Bridge used the occasion to present Jordan Garcia and Deb Eucalano with the Doris Bishop 2012 Volunteer of the Year Award. Both Jordan and Deb serve on the Development Advisory Committee and have personally spent a lot of time volunteering to help with special events and activities.
From its modest beginning as a custodial care organization for homeless and neglected boyscalled Boyland, Youth Bridge has experienced many transitions and organizational changes as it has evolved into one of the most successful youth health care and shelter agencies in the state.
Boyland was established in 1963 in Winslow, Arkansas by private business men to provide a “ranch-style” living environment in an effort to prevent boys who were homeless, neglected, or abused from turning to crime and becoming a threat to society. The organization was funded through community service and private donations, and received no government support.
“Our goal in 2013 is to promote a different event or activity each month to help educate the public as to the role and value Youth Bridge has on our community.” said Scott Linebaugh, Youth Bridge Executive Director. “We are proud of the thousands of youths we have helped in the past and of the thousands we will help in the future.”
Youth Bridge is a non-profit agency that serves youths and their families in the areas of abuse, neglect, addiction, homelessness, mental health issues and behavioral problems. Its services range anywhere from providing an immediate safe haven, to individualized treatment plans, aftercare and support, prevention programs to offering transitional living. Youth Bridges’ mission is to change the lives of our youth by providing preventative services, counseling, and shelter to strengthen families and build stronger communities.
Youth Bridge Boars Will Be Boars PIGShibition Sculpture at Fayetteville Sam’s Club
Youth Bridge officially unveiled its PIGShibition sculpture on Thursday, December 13, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. at the Fayetteville Sam’s Club, 3081 N. Highway 112, Fayetteville. The name of the Youth Bridge PIG is: Boars Will Be Boars.
The boys at the Youth Bridge Substance Abuse treatment Center in Springdale designed the unique artwork for the PIG. Local artist Barbara Price Davis painted the PIG in collaboration with the Youth Bridge boys. The Fayetteville Sam’s Club will be a temporary home for the Youth Bridge PIG until a permanent home is found.
PIGShibition is a Community Art Project sponsored by the Ozark Literacy Council in partnership with the Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commission. It is a community art project that will draw awareness to local literacy issues, support the Ozark Literacy Council and local artists, promote the work of local artists, and beautify and promote the city of Fayetteville.
Twenty-five larger-than-life PIG sculptures are being displayed around Fayetteville through spring 2013. These giant PIGS have been transformed into unique creations by local artists through sponsorships by community members and corporations. These custom works of art will continue to be on display throughout our beautiful city during the fall and winter.
Youth Bridge Receives $150,000 from the Blue & You Foundation as part of $2.2 Million in Arkansas Grants
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Dec. 4, 2012) – The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas has awarded a total of $2,237,910 in grants to 33 health improvement programs in Arkansas.
“Our grants this year went to programs across the state that address such issues as nutrition and exercise, dental and mental health, and medical professional education,” said Patrick O’Sullivan, executive director of the Blue & You Foundation.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield established the Blue & You Foundation in 2001 as a charitable foundation to promote better health in Arkansas. The Blue & You Foundation awards grants annually to non-profit or governmental organizations and programs that positively affect the health of Arkansans.
In its 11 years of operation, the Blue & You Foundation has awarded more than $16 million to 326 health improvement programs in Arkansas.
Youth Bridge, Inc., Fayetteville received $150,000 to go toward its new Electronic Medical Record System that allows Youth Bridge to continue providing mental health, medical-related, and substance abuse services to 250 low-income youth on Medicaid from eight counties. The new EMR system allows Youth Bridge to save time and money on its client record processing which will increase billing and revenue opportunities.
The Blue & You Foundation received 124 grant applications requesting $8 million in support. The 2013 grant selections were made by Blue & You Foundation board members:
Carolyn Blakely, Ph.D., Pine Bluff; Robert D. Cabe, chairman of the board, Little Rock;
Sybil J. Hampton, Ed.D., Little Rock; Mahlon Maris, M.D., Harrison; George K. Mitchell, M.D., Little Rock; Marla Johnson Norris, CEO, Aristotle Inc., Little Rock; and Mark White, president and CEO, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Little Rock.
The application deadline for the foundation’s next funding cycle is Jul. 15, 2013. For more information about the grant application process, visit the foundation Web site at www.BlueAndYouFoundationArkansas.org or write to Blue & You Foundation, 320 West Capitol Ave., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201.
The foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves the state of Arkansas. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.
2012 Youth Bridge Gala Best Ever!
Tyson Foods Announces $150,000 Award to Youth Bridge Capital Campaign
Wes Morris, Group Vice President-Consumer Products for Tyson Foods, served as this year’s Gala Chair and also made a special announcement during the event. Tyson Foods awarded Youth Bridge $150,000 toward its Capital Campaign for a new Youth Bridge residential and clinical complex off Don Tyson Parkway in Springdale. Tyson Foods’ contribution is an important step in raising the remaining $500,000 needed to match a $1 million challenge grant that will allow the next building to be built. (See Capital Campaign for more details).
Youth Bridge 2012 Gala Called a Big Success by Participants and Sponsors
Youth Bridge celebrated its sixth annual “It’s A Wonderful Life” Fun Roast, Gala, and Silent and Live Auction with some 350 friends and sponsors November 9th at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.
“The Gala was one of the best attended and most profitable yet,” said Nancy Hairston, Youth Bridge Development Director. “We had a great business and community turn-out for our roast and for the Live and Silent Auction. Everyone seemed to have a great time.”
Jon Williams, well-known radio personality from 104.9 The X, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and keep the show rolling. His jokes and personal knowledge of Youth Bridge added to the fun atmosphere.
Shawn Baldwin, Sam’s Club SVP for Fresh and Frozen Foods in the U.S. and Puerto Rico was recognized with the Youth Bridge It’s A Wonderful Life community service award to recognize all the work he and his Sam’s Club team of volunteers have done to help Youth Bridge’s Benton County Emergency Shelter for Boys and Girls in Centerton. Shawn received a special service award and his team also received a special community service.
Roasting Shawn were Dennis A. Horn, Sam’s Club Director Fresh Merchandising and Support Areas; Kevin James, Senior Account Manager with Smithfield Pork Group; and Tony Engle, General Mills Director and General Manager. The three poked fun at Shawn and shared a little insight as to why he is so community focused.
As an added attraction to this year’s gala, Youth Bridge organized a Live Auction with the help of Sach Oliver, Partner Bailey and Oliver Law Firm, and a team of nine auctioneers. They helped raise a substantial amount of money from the sale of five unique Live Auction items and from a special “Fund the Shelter” Auction which raised money from individuals in the audience to help fund various Youth Bridge programs and client related activities.
Bryce Barlow, a current Youth Bridge Transitional Living Program participant and a former shelter client and substance abuse program member, shared his story with the audience of how he became addicted to drugs, lived on the streets and came to Youth Bridge for salivation. It was a touching story that demonstrated the actual affect Youth Bridge has on so many local area youth. Youth Bridge recognized Bryce’s accomplishments and success with a standing ovation from the audience.
Wes Morris, Group Vice President-Consumer Products for Tyson Foods, served as this year’s Gala Chair and also made a special announcement during the event. Tyson Foods awarded Youth Bridge $150,000 toward its Capital Campaign for a new Youth Bridge residential and clinical complex off Don Tyson Parkway in Springdale. Tyson Foods’ contribution is an important step in raising the remaining $500,000 needed to match a $1 million challenge grant that will allow the next building to be built.
Specific amounts raised from the gala will be shared as available.
Youth Bridge Collects $505 from Ball Corporation for Recycle Can Program
Ball Corporation in Springdale, Arkansas has donated $505 to Youth Bridge for collecting some 843 pounds of aluminum cans. The donation is part of an annual program sponsored by Ball Corporation to help a local non-profit raise money. With the help of its many friends, Youth Bridge collected the cans and Ball delivered them to a recycling facility.
This is the second year Youth Bridge has partnered with Ball Corporation to raise money through aluminum can recycling.
Pictured are: Roger Breshears, Ball Corporation; Nancy Hairston, Phil Bode and Scott Linebaugh from Youth Bridge.
Sam's Club Presents Youth Bridge with "Business member of the Month" Award
Sam's Club in Fayetteville has presented Youth Bridge with their "Business Member of the Month" award. Sam's Club considers this a very important recognition ward and presented Youth Bridge with a framed certificate and a gift card. We are very proud to receive the award.
