The Bridge Teen Center Awarded $10,000 Grant

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Bridge Teen Center at 15555 S. 71st Court in Orland Park has been awarded a $10,000 grant to help fund after-school programs for students in middle school and high school. The local non-profit was awarded the grant from RetireMax Insurance through the Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance "Make More Happen" awards.

Jen and Joe Francis, agents at RetireMax Insurance, began volunteering at the Bridge’s "Friday Night Live" events which offers entertainment and complimentary food from local restaurants to 150-250 students every week, according to a news release. In addition to their volunteering efforts, RetireMax donates gently used items to The Bridge thrift store to help raise funds for the nonprofit.

The $10,000 award will help The Bridge Teen Center "continue to provide students with a safe place to visit after school and develop mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually" by providing 30 students access to their 250 after-school programs and weekly "Friday Night Live" events.

Supported entirely by foundations, individuals, corporations, and churches in the community, The Bridge directs 90 cents of every dollar donated to the support the students they serve. It costs $300 to provide one student with unlimited access to free programs for one year.