Bridge to Brighter

Thanks for following along this month as we highlighted some of the daunting statistics facing youth who age out of foster care. Despite these challenges, we’re committed to helping these deserving young men build successful adulthoods.

There are so many ways you can help!

👍 Like and share our posts — this helps others learn about our mission.

💰 It may not be the most glamorous ask, but monthly or one-time donations help us keep the lights on and support more young men aging out of foster care.

🫂Become a mentor! If you are interested in mentoring one of our young men, please do so by signing up with Safe Families. They will help facilitate this process and are able to specifically pair you with one of our young men.

Link to sign up: https://sfcms.net/apply/

When choosing a chapter make sure to choose Wisconsin - Greater Milwaukee Area and please check the box “other” at the top when choosing your role, there you should write “Safe Families PLUS Mentor - Bridge to Brighter”

🍂 The 4th Annual Fostering Hope Dinner & Auction will be held Friday, November 13 at the Wisconsin Club. This event will include a plated dinner, silent and live auctions, and live music by The Five Card Studs. We’d love for you to join a committee, pass along any sponsorship opportunities, and of course, attend! If interested in learning more about what type of help is needed, please reach out to [email protected]

🪏Our properties need your green thumb! It is a clean slate right now, and we would welcome suggestions and support! We even have an indoor hydroponic garden that you could play with!

🍔Grilling at Sendik’s in Wauwatosa! Please check your calendars to see if you, your family members, and/or friends are available to help us staff the grill at Sendik’s! This is a great opportunity for us to share more about Bridge to Brighter (a staff member will be present) while raising funds to support our young men. Sign up below!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044DADA82BA1FD0-62310707-sendiks

As always, thanks for being a part of our village 💙

This staggering statistic becomes even more heartbreaking when you realize that those who do find employment often earn only about half the median income of their peers.

At Bridge to Brighter, we are committed to changing that trajectory. We support youth in completing high school or earning their GED, encourage higher education opportunities for those who choose that path, and help connect them to meaningful employment that can lead to long-term stability and successful adulthood.

Several of our youth are already taking important steps toward their futures — participating in skilled trades programs, gaining hands-on experience, and even pursuing opportunities like IT internships. These experiences are helping build confidence, independence, and career pathways.

We know lasting change happens through community. If you or someone you know has connections to employment opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, or career pathways for young people, we would love to connect. Together, we can help create brighter futures for our youth.

Thank you to for organizing a collection for our .

We’re so grateful you chose and loved sharing more about our mission with your students💙

We’re incredibly grateful that selected Bridge to Brighter as a recipient for their Day of Service. Thank you for your support and for making a meaningful impact in our community!

Happy Birthday to our incredible Executive Director, Nick! 🎉

Nick wears many hats, but his biggest passion is making sure every young person we serve knows they are loved, valued, and surrounded by opportunities for a bright future. His selfless dedication and heart for our mission inspire us every single day. We’re so grateful for all he does for Bridge to Brighter! 💛

Every year, thousands of young people age out of foster care and are expected to navigate adulthood on their own. The reality is tough: only about 60% of foster youth graduate high school.

At Bridge to Brighter, we believe every youth deserves the support, stability, and encouragement needed to reach their goals. Many of the youth we serve are still in high school, working hard to finish their diplomas while building a future without the safety net most teens have.

Together we can-

🎓 Help foster youth graduate high school
📚 Support them in pursuing college or career training—if that’s the path they choose
💛 Provide guidance, mentorship, and a community that believes in them

When we invest in these , we’re not just changing individual lives—we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures✨

Join us in helping youth move from surviving to thriving.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month 💙

We’re shining a light on the realities youth face when they age out of the foster care system.

1 in 5 foster youth are homeless the day they age out.
By age 26, 31%–46% will experience homelessness.

At Bridge to Brighter, we provide safe, stable housing where every youth we serve has their own apartment—along with community spaces to work out, connect, and share meals.

Our goal is to help young people make a successful transition to adulthood—and that starts with safe, secure housing. 💙

Feeling grateful for a beautiful day spent doing a spring yard clean-up for the winning bidder from our 2025 Fostering Hope Dinner & Auction 🌿☀️

So thankful for the support that makes moments like this possible 💚