For several years BuildaBridge has had the goal of being a restorative presence in the community where we live. Serving primarily homeless children in transitional homes they recognized that long-term change required long-term relationships--not transitional relationships. To do this a focus of BuildaBridge Community has been to enrich the offerings in the Germantown section where our offices are located.

Enter Americorps Vista members Trista McGetrick, Bethann Jensen (2nd year), newly appointed Saman Kahn, Kathleen McLaughlin (part-time development) led by Charlene Melhorn Director of BuildaBridge Community. When they heard that there was the possibility of a Philadelphia Safe and Sound grant to begin an after-school program in the community they flew into action to meet the 24 hour grant deadline. What could they loose, grant rejections are common place in the non-profit world. But to our surprise, BuildaBridge received a phone call and an email within a very short time with the news that they had received the grant and there was only three short weeks to get the program up and running.

A local church Second Baptist of Germantown had this past summer offered their space for a phenomenal art and biology camp "Artology" conducted by BuildaBridge in partnership with Bridging the Gap program of Drexel University. (view this video ) The church offered its space for the after-school program and the Achievement team has been off and running to recruit kids, teachers and raise additional funds to meet the deadline.

You can help. In addition to raising an additional $25,000 to meet the full budget, we need 10 new computers for a computer lab, art supplies, and basic school supplies for kids.