BRIDGES Mentoring Program (Fort Dodge Community Schools)

Mission: To empower youth by building positive, lasting relationships with adult mentors who provide support, guidance, and encouragement, helping young people achieve personal growth and success.

BRIDGES is a PreK-12 school-based youth service program for students who have significant absences or have multiple office/health referrals. Students serviced by BRIDGES experience serious emotional distress and struggle to make and maintain connections with the school. Academic achievement and social skills are negatively impacted.

BRIDGES staff work with students/families to increase the connection students have with the school by providing the support necessary so students can attend school and remain in class, increasing instructional time. BRIDGES is available to all students in the FDCSD. Parents are encouraged to become involved. The BRIDGES staff coordinates with parents, students, and the appropriate service provider to get the help needed where and when the student needs it – at school.

Mentoring connects youth with caring adults who can help youth aspire achieve and develop to their fullest potential. Mentoring matches build friendships and develop healthy relationships. Mentors become a role model that make a difference in the life of a youth in their area.