I still remember the anticipation for school to end, when I would walk to the back of the Boys and Girls Club, pull open the heavy door, and climb to my place on the creaky choir risers. Our teacher taught us to stand ready and expectant, because we knew a secret: it was time for magic. In that room, dreams came true, good triumphed over evil, and the little, true voice was loud enough to be heard. In that room, we learned Disney songs. It sounds silly, but we believed in the magic. I still do.

How else did our many voices become one, strong voice that made the walls reverberate? Our teacher gave us the audacity to believe the magic lived inside each of us. I learned so much in that choir room: lyrics, harmonies, rhythm. Every class, our teacher challenged us with something we thought we couldn't do. And, at the beginning of every class, we couldn't. Yet she always proved to us we could do it, together, and she told us it was okay that at first we couldn't. She believed in us - and what's more - worked with us so that we believed, too. That was the magic. Now, it's my turn to share the magic, providing these same opportunities to children of the next generation. This is why I Think 3:30.

---------------

3:30 is a question: What is your 3:30 story and what role will you play in contributing to the development of children in your city and your world?

BuildaBridge answers with our own stories of transformation from the children we serve.

3:30 is a challenge: What will you do about 3:30?

BuildaBridge responds with the continuation of after school programming for children in need.

3:30 is a promise.

BuildaBridge promises to uphold this commitment both in Philadelphia and abroad.

Will you respond?  Will you commit?  Will you advocate?  Will you give?