Elmbrook Rotary Club member Nick Sgarlata is the Executive Director of Bridge to Brighter. At the Friday morning meeting, Nick shared stories about the mission, vision and history of this great organization. Nick and his wife Carrie are foster adoptive parents. They have fostered 15 children, adopted two, and have three biological kids.
Bridge to Brighter is an organization dedicated to supporting youth in and aging out of foster care in Milwaukee County. They provide vital services, resources, and programming to help these young individuals transition successfully into adulthood. Their focus is on building independence and self-sufficiency through life skills training and supportive housing.
Bridge to Brighter meets the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of youth aging out of foster care. The organization supports these youths by focusing on the:
Five Pillars of Success:
- Stable Housing
- Employment Assistance and Coaching
- Self-care and Healing
- Building Healthy Connections
- Life Skills Development and Mentoring
“Eighteen-year-olds who age out of the foster care system have neither been united with their families nor adopted, and statistics on what happens next for these young people are particularly daunting:”
- Are homeless the next day they age out of foster care
- Only 60% graduate high school and only 3% graduate college
- 60% of young men are convicted of a crime
- Only 50% are employed full-time at age 24
“Bridge to Brighter provides stable housing for up to eight young men to live independently in and apartment building on Milwaukee’s west side. This cohousing model created opportunities for these young men to receive therapeutic, mentoring and spiritual support as they unlearn the survival skills that have helped them survive the foster care system but are creating barriers in their transition to adulthood.”
Group sessions provide these young men financial literacy, personal budgeting, life planning, healthy cooking, self-care, and healthy group social dynamics.
To learn more, volunteer, or become a mentor, contact Nick at, nick@bridgetobrighter.org or visit, www.bridgetobrighter.org.
Nick, thank you for sharing your story, experiences, and how Bridge to Brighter is positively impacting these young men who have aged out of foster care in Milwaukee.
