Getting Young Lives Back on Track

87% of students who graduate from Bridging the Gap do not re-offend within a year. Our recidivism rate is among the best for similar programs.

BRIDGING THE GAP MISSION: To educate youth on the resources and tools needed for them to make better decisions for themselves and ultimately attain a more promising future.

In 1996, we initiated our Bridging The Gap Between Youth and Community Services program to serve court-involved and at-risk or high risk youth ages 12 to 17. This innovative program is designed to provide the support and skills youth need to keep their lives on track. The twelve-unit life skills curriculum, designed by The Salvation Army, focuses on either prevention or intervention. The program is offered at no cost to participants.

Since 1996, the program has served over 6,000 youth throughout Massachusetts. Today, Bridging the Gap is operating in 13 communities across the Commonwealth. Programs are placed where there is an urgent need to provide safe alternatives to violent and risky behavior in youth. Catching young lives at a critical juncture, we aim to significantly reduce the potential for court-involved youth to become re-offenders. Bridging The Gap is designed to provide youth with a foundation for reaching their personal potential and for positive interaction with the community at-large.

For success stories and more information view our 2013 Fund Report

Schedule

Tuesday and Thursday 4:30-6:15 PM

Curriculum

The curriculum includes topics such as building self-esteem; how to deal with peer pressure; anger management and decision making; communication skills ; relationships with family members, friends, figures of authority; culture and diversity; violence and gangs; the effects of drugs and alcohol, job seeking and financial planning, legal issues and ethics. Teens also learn about the resources available in their community. A Christian attitude underlies everything we do.

Program Objectives

Bridging the Gap has three primary objectives:

1. Students complete the program
2. Students further their education
3. Students do not re-offend

We also work to stabilize the family and youth through the crises of arrest and court appearances, and then work with them to address the factors that led to the arrest. READ MORE.

Key Partnerships lead to Proven Results

Our Bridging The Gap programs work cooperatively and effectively with numerous other community agencies, including District Attorney's offices, local law enforcement, juvenile probation offices, Department of Youth Services (DYS) and Department of Children and Families (DCF), schools, corrections system, and volunteers to create a network of services aimed at keeping youth on track, keeping them engaged, and keeping them focused.

Upon graduation, youth sent to the program through Juvenile Diversion programs with the District Attorney’s office may have their criminal records cleared provided they do not re-offend for one year. Bridging the Gap staff members and volunteers periodically meet with graduates and their parents. It is a blessing to report that, one year after graduation, 87% of program participants had not re-offended.

What People are Saying about Bridging the Gap Lawrence

Students
[I have learned from Bridging the Gap] that anything is possible, life is much easier with an education, and to go for your dreams. I have learned to get my life back together and pray for a positive future… I really appreciate everything that the program has taught me. [My favorite subject was] the subject about jobs, it helped me have an idea when filling out an application. I [also] liked the college activity, because it helped me realize what I wanted to study about when getting into college. [If I could keep something the same after leaving BTG] I would want to have the same relationships I had with my peers. I would also like to keep thinking positive. —Adrian

Parents
Both David and Jared came away from your course program with a new outlook and understanding of life's complexities and the importance of making solid and secure decisions in the future. This was due in no small part to your course content. As an added bonus, both boys expressed having made new "buds" as they say, within the program as well. "Kudos" to your obvious dedication and empathy when working with the youths of today who will ultimately be tomorrow's future adults! —Gloria

For more information or questions regarding Bridging The Gap, please contact the Lawrence Bridging the Gap Director, Robin DelNegro. She can be reached by phone at 978-590-0278 or through email at Robin.DelNegro@use.SalvationArmy.org.

To reach the director of our program in another community, click on the name to email or call the indicated number.

COMMUNITY	DIRECTOR (click name to EMAIL)	PHONE
Attleboro	Daniel Dore	508-226-8624
Boston	Jovan Zúñiga	617-318-6916
Cambridge	David Edwards	617-547-3400, ext. 235
Fitchburg	Maggie Perez	978-342-3300
Haverhill	Robin DelNegro	978-374-7571
Holyoke	Christy Torres	413-532-6312
Hyannis	Cindi Woerdeman	508-775-0364
Lawrence	Robin DelNegro	978-590-0278
North Adams	Carole Hildebrand	413-663-7987
Pittsfield	Carole Hildebrand	413-442-0624
Salem (North Shore)	Katina Polemenako MSW	978-744-5181
Springfield	Anthony Falvo	413-733-1518
Worcester	Amanda Thompson	508-756-7191