BRIDGES School Programs

"...the environment on this campus is dramatically different! We see almost no conflict that has racial implications." - Middle School Principal

"One thing I will do differently is accept everyone, no matter who they are and what they believe in."  - High School Student

Children learn best in a safe, secure, inclusive environment. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy to find for Orange County middle and high school students. Over the past twenty years, Orange County schools have experienced bias-related incidents and violence that have prompted administrators and teachers to contact OC Human Relations to help build inter-group communication, cohesion, and a sense of community on their campuses. In response, OC Human Relations created the BRIDGES: School Inter-Group Relations and Violence Prevention Program.

Watch the Highlights of the 2010-11 BRIDGES Program

What is the BRIDGES Program?

BRIDGES is a multi-year program with the mission of improving inter-group relations by partnering with schools and communities to create, advocate for and sustain a safe, inclusive

BRIDGES empowers members of the campus community to identify, investigate and address the human relations needs on their campus via trainings and dialogues. They acquire the skills to work with a diversity of people while improving the human relations climate on campus and addressing student success and opportunities. Their worlds grow larger as they are exposed to different people, backgrounds, cultures and experiences.  Click here to read an overview of the BRIDGES Program.

How does the Program work?

Each BRIDGES School Site partners with a BRIDGES Staff person to implement the program. BRIDGES staff work with administrators to form a Task Force -  the core group of students and adult allies charged with creating a plan to address the human relations needs of the campus. This group is continually supported by BRIDGES staff via meetings and presentations, members are trained in facilitation, project planning and identifying and prioritizing issues. These skills are used to develop and execute the campus wide human relations plan including new programs and projects that support a safe, welcoming and equitable learning environment and increase opportunities for all students to be successful. Click here to read the scope of services offered through the BRIDGES Program

The BRIDGES Program also offers trainings for teachers, parents and community members.  Additionally, schools are invited to participate in retreats at the BearPaw Preserve,  Walk In My Shoes Youth Conferences, summer camps and leadership programs that attract students from across the county.

Watch an interview with BRIDGES Program Grad, Adriana Cortes

BRIDGES is nationally recognized:

• Identified on the White House website as a "Promising Practice"
• Received the Multicultural Diversity Award from the National Association of Counties, the National Association of
  Black County Officials and the National Association of Hispanic Officials and Woman Officials of the NACO
• Chosen by the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Education as one of seven programs to prevent
  hate crimes in schools and communities.
• Featured in School Safety Journal, Fall 1997

To read more about the BRIDGES Program, please  Download Bridges Overview.