NWACC Announces $5,000 President’s Circle Scholarship Program for Youth Bridge
Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) has awarded a $5,000 President’s Circle Scholarship to Youth Bridge. The scholarship will be used to help Youth Bridge clients in the Transitional Living Program continue their education and quest for a better life.
Both NWACC and Youth Bridge have a mission of “Strengthening Lives” and this scholarship allows each organization to serve its clients and give something of value to the community.
“We are delighted to create this partnership with Youth Bridge and to help their clients earn the rewards of a college education,” said Dr. Becky Paneitz, President, NWACC. “We look forward to building a relationship with Youth Bridge and in helping them in other ways in the future.”
“Education is the cornerstone in creating a full and happy life and we have always encouraged our youth to remain in school and earn a high school diploma or GED,” said Scott Linebaugh, Executive Director, Youth Bridge. “This scholarship will now make it possible for some of those youth to continue on to earn a higher degree and achieve something many never thought possible.”
Kylia Rector, a former Youth Bridge client, now works for Youth Bridge as a Living Skills Coordinator. Kylia participates in the Transitional Living Program and plans to apply for a scholarship to attend NWACC. “These scholarships mean a lot to someone like myself who wants to continue my education but cannot afford the cost. It means a lot that NWACC is willing to work with Youth Bridge to create these types of opportunities for area youth.”
NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a comprehensive, public two-year college that serves and strengthens the community through learning for living. NWACC's service area is defined by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education as Benton and Washington counties in extreme northwest Arkansas. The commitment of NWACC to life-long learning can be seen in the quality of instruction it offers, and the variety of programs it has designed to move students into the job market in a minimum amount of time, enrich people's lives, and prepare them to further their education. For more information, visit www.nwacc.edu
Contact:
Phil Bode
Marketing and Communications Manager
Youth Bridge
479-575-9471
pbode@youthbridge.com
New Substance Abuse Treatment Center Now Open in Springdale
It was out with the old and in with the new as Youth Bridge officially opened its new 26 bed residential substance abuse treatment center for boys at 3895 George Anderson Road in Springdale.
Youth Bridge staff and volunteers spent the weekend moving from the old substance abuse residence at 4171 N. Crossover to the new facility. With the help of several corporate and private donors, Youth Bridge was able to buy new twin beds, linen, bed spreads, blankets, towels, new common area furniture and a lot of other necessary items to make the new center livable.
Arvest, Walmart, Macadoodles in Springdale, Executive Women International, as well as several private individuals, donated the much needed cash and actual items for the new center. Altogether, over $30,000 in cash and in-kind items were donated.
Contact:
Phil Bode
Marketing and Communications Manager
Youth Bridge
479-575-9471
pbode@youthbridge.com
Youth Bridge residential Shelters and Clients Celebrated a Very Happy
Holiday Season
Youth Bridge received a lot of support over the recent Holiday Season from local businesses, community groups, churches, and individuals who made a big difference in the lives of local youth.
Groups such as Walmart, Newell Rubbermaid, Macadoodles, and Arvest, WW Transport, and Executive Women International headed the list of Holiday givers with client gifts and items for each Youth Bridge client residence. Other groups and individuals also contributed clothing, toys, games, books, electronics, and numerous “big-ticket” items to the residences. Many of the groups and individuals asked to remain anonymous.
The folks at Newell Rubbermaid opened their hearts and donated over $10,000 worth of gifts and much needed clothing, bedding and linen for the Centerton Residential facility. Youth Bridge clients at the Substance Abuse Center, Zion Emergency Shelter and the Copper Creek TLP also received a lot of gifts and living items for the houses.
Contact:
Phil Bode
Marketing and Communications Manager
Youth Bridge
479-575-9471
pbode@youthbridge.com
Dr. Martha Morrison Joins Youth Bridge as New Medical Director
and Staff Psychiatrist
Dr. Martha Morrison will serve as the new Medical Director and Staff Psychiatrist for Youth Bridge, as of Monday, January 23, 2012. Dr. Morrison is replacing Dr. Ledro Justice who is relocating to Atlanta.
Dr. Morrison most recently worked at Springwoods Behavioral Health in Fayetteville and served as Staff Psychiatrist with Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. Dr. Morrison graduated from Fayetteville High before going to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and then to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Campus where she received her MD.
Dr. Morrison did her Senior Psychiatry Residency at Emory University in Atlanta. She specializes in addictionology and had had staff affiliation with: Arkansas State Hospital; Georgia Alcohol and Drug Association; Anchor Hospital in Atlanta; Northwest Medical; Baptist Medical; Arkansas Children's Hospital and other distinguished medical groups.
Dr. Morrison worked over 11 years for the Impaired Professionals Program in Georgia. She has taught on the college level and has been widely published in many medical journals. She has served as Medical Director at several different medical centers, and has extensive experience working with adolescent and youth.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Morrison join our Youth Bridge Senior Staff and look forward to her leadership and expertise in helping our clients,” said Scott Linebaugh, Youth Bridge Executive Director. “Youth Bridge is expanding its internal and out-patient clinical operations to meet growing client needs and Dr. Morrison will play a major role in directing our professional resources.”
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 include providing an immediate safe haven for runaways, individualized treatment plans, aftercare and prevention programs, and transitional living. Youth related substance abuse, homelessness, and behavioral problems, are not limited to select zip codes, social economic groups or certain geographic areas of Central and Northwest Arkansas. These are our neighbors and our children’s friends that need help. Youth Bridge is there to help turn the lives of troubled youth around and guide them back to a productive life. It is a community problem that requires a community solution.
Contact:
Phil Bode
Marketing and Communications Manager
Youth Bridge
479-575-9471
pbode@youthbridge.com
