3 things to do before the Bridge Conference

1. Download the latest Zoom While you do not need to have a Zoom account to access Bridge, we do encourage you to download the latest version of the Zoom Client to your device. 2. Log into Sched and set up your schedule  Be sure to search your Inbox and Junk Mail folders for an email from notifications@sched.com with the subject, “You’re Invited to 2021 Bridge Conference” or “Build your schedule for 2021 Bridge Conference.” If you cannot find your invitation or if you have not yet received one, you can check out this tip from Sched on activating your account … [ ]

Beyond voices, into action.

The Bridge Conference is a place where those in many levels of youth development can gather to share ideas and reimagine what opportunities and programs  are offered to young people. An incredibly important gift to the Conference is being able to learn from the youth directly. The Community Center for Education Results’(CCER) workshop, “Shaping Stories to Shift Systems: The Youth Storytellers Project” offers just that.  The workshop is described as an opportunity to, “center community and lead with anti-racist action, we need to reimagine who ‘experts’ are, resource young people of color to own their stories, and follow their visions … [ ]

Investing in professional development, one podcast at a time.

Housed within the University of Washington, Cultivate Learning has “established itself as a bridge between research and practice, and has emerged as an institution that delivers guidance and expertise in multiple aspects of early learning and expanded learning opportunities.” “At the end of the day Cultivate Learning believes that every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow. We think that investing in the learning of those who work with youth and their families creates those types of spaces,” said Sophie Biddle, Project Specialist at Cultivate Learning. Partnership is also very important at Cultivate Learning and they’re thrilled to … [ ]

The long journey to liberation

The Bridge Conference has a history  of bringing together those in the youth development field to reconnect, revitalize, and reinspire themselves for the work ahead. JVH Empower Consulting Firm intends to be part of that revitalization at this year’s conference.   Their workshop, “Hold Change: The Power of Collective Healing in Movement Leadership,” is an “enlightenment session, participants will learn about the effects of unrecognized collective trauma and examine how we may have individually participated in the collective trauma of our culture. We will also explore the depths of our radical imaginations to uncover how Expanded Learning Program spaces become a … [ ]

Vaccine information for youth development professionals

Youth Development (Expanded Learning, Child Care, Mentoring, Wrap-Around) Tools for Vaccines COVID-related infections and hospitalizations have increased across the state and country. In order to keep children, youth, and those that work with them safe; Governor Inslee has signed an Executive Order mandating all K12, child care, early learning, higher education, and youth development employees be fully vaccinated or obtain a medical or religious exemption from their employer by October 18th. This impacts all programs and their employees working directly with children and youth, more information here and here. The Youth Development Strategy Table is working with the Governor’s Office … [ ]

Lights on Afterschool 2021

We are looking forward to celebrating Expanded Learning Opportunities and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. Expanded Learning Opportunities support students in so many ways by offering opportunities to learn and discover new skills. This was especially true throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring youth had a safe and productive place to be while schools were closed. This year we will be hosting our Lights on Afterschool event on October 28th at the 2021 Bridge Conference. Organizations can host their own event as well–online or in-person! It’s important to show policymakers, school districts, and other partners … [ ]