Working towards stability with the entire family
At ourBRIDGE for KIDS, we are committed to providing intentional, culturally responsive support to our vastly diverse community of families. We know we must not separate students’ success from their families’ success.
We strive to create authentic, meaningful relationships with our students’ families and support them as they acculturate to a new life in the US.
With representation from nearly 30 countries and cultures and a vast array of experiences and perspectives, we embrace Cultural Humility and utilize a Community-Centered Approach in our work.
Community-Centered Approach
Dignity
We believe every family has innate strengths, perspectives, and experiences that deserve to be honored. We provide support in a way where our community members are respected and newcomers' dignity is preserved.This includes always providing high quality resources and communication.
Personal Advocacy
We encourage parents’ voices to be expressed in ways that center their unique needs, strengths and dreams. Parents are encouraged to ask questions, create communal relationships and feel confident using their native language when doing so. We believe parents are capable of making important decisions that uphold their cultural values in regards to their family and community.
Parent Autonomoy
Parents are given the tools to effectively navigate the resources within their communities, schools and social networks, as they are the best advocates and voices for their children. We hope for parents to feel equipped to fully engage and thrive within their new environment.
Family Support Navigators
We prioritize hiring within our community and provide families with resources in their first language. We hire Family Support Navigators to facilitate events and resources in the native languages of ourBRIDGE parents and help us to ensure all documents and communications are translated and provided correctly.
Joy
We create environments that not only support practical needs but cherish the emotional and social wellbeing of families and children through acknowledgement of their cultures, traditions, celebrations, cuisines and languages. As LERD’s we always make time to share fun and showcase our vibrant backgrounds, talents and personalities.
Events and Workshops While Building Community
Through a series of events and workshops, we provide families the information and skills they need to navigate life in the United States effectively. Topics include:
- Know Your Rights: We equip neighbors and families with essential knowledge about our rights as immigrants, as parents, and as human beings.
- Navigating the School System: Understanding the U.S. education system can be daunting. We provide guidance on how to navigate school enrollment, advocate for your child, and engage with teachers and administrators.
- ESL Classes: Language is a bridge to opportunity. Our ESL classes help parents improve their English language skills, enhancing their access to education and employment opportunities.
- Free Health Clinics: We host clinics with our partners to provide comprehensive medical exams, vision exams and vaccinations. Our Family Support Navigators provide interpretation and support families with navigating the health system.
Navigating Systems
We understand that settling in a new country involves a multitude of challenges. We assist families in enrolling their children in school and accessing technology, healthcare, and other vital services. Our goal is to ensure that families feel supported as they navigate these essential systems.
Time-Sensitive Challenges
Life can bring time-sensitive crises, and our responsive team is here to help families find swift and sensible solutions. Whether it's addressing food insecurity, housing issues, domestic violence, legal matters, or other emergencies, we are ready to work together to ensure access and guide each crisis toward a positive resolution.
Emergency Funds
Through our partnership with the United Way of Charlotte, we are able to provide emergency funds to families facing unforeseen financial hardships. These funds can be a lifeline during challenging times, ensuring that families have access to immediate support.
Decreasing School Chronic Absenteeism
In collaboration with the CMS Department of English Language Learners, ourBRIDGE has developed a successful program to address chronic absenteeism among K-12 ELL students. By identifying and addressing the barriers preventing consistent attendance, we reconnect students to their schools. Our program includes translation and interpretation services, transportation assistance, home visits, referrals to resources, access to healthcare, and access to community services.
Access to Resources
We believe that access to resources should be a right, not a privilege. At ourBRIDGE for KIDS, we are dedicated to connecting families with the resources they need to thrive in their new home, whether it's educational support, legal assistance, healthcare access, or other crucial services.
At ourBRIDGE for KIDS, we are more than just a community organization.
We are a group of people that belong to the communities we work with and we have experienced many of the situations ourBRIDGE families are going through. Together, we work towards building a stronger, more just community where every family can thrive.