BuildaBridge Community Programs

Over the course of one's lifetime, the boundaries of one's home, work and social environments will shift based on the choices one makes personally and professionally.    For a refugee, personal, professional and social boundaries are often out of their control.   A refugee may not be able to decide on the country into which they flee. Though a refugee may hold an advanced degree in their country of origin, they may not be able to pursue a career in that sector because of the language barrier Upon arrival, the location of their new home is often determined by the refugee resettlement agency handling their case. A refugee often experiences the loss of social networks, anxiety regarding the uncertainty of finding new connections and the fear of isolation in the new country. How does BuildaBridge programming seek to combat these at-risk factors and build protective factors among incoming refugee populations?   By providing culturally specific art therapy and therapeutic ...

To invest:  to give or devote time, talent or finances for a purpose or to achieve something To transform:  to change in condition, appearance or character BuildaBridge's mission is to engage creative people and the transformative power of art making to bring hope and healing to children, families, and communities in the contexts of crisis and poverty.  BuildaBridge envisions a world where all children are resilient, experience self-efficacy, and have a vision for their future. BuildaBridge dedicates its resources to building the capacity of creative adults and local communities to fulfill this vision. For the second year in a row, The Sheila Fortune Foundation and the Union Benevolent Association have both invested in the transformation that has been occurring in the lives of the refugees BuildaBridge serves through the Refugee Project. Since April of 2013, the Refugee Project has served 110 refugees, 91 of whom were children.  Each child attending BuildaBridge...