Orland Park's Bridge Teen Center Celebrates Helping 10k Students

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Bridge Teen Center has announced the milestone of serving 10,000 students, since opening in 2010. Over 10,000 individual students in 7th-12th grade from 128 different communities have participated in after school programs, attended a Friday night and/or volunteered at The Bridge Thrift Store, according to the center.

The Bridge Teen Center — located at 15555 S. 71st Ct, Orland Park — is a nonprofit organization which provides free programs during after school and unsupervised hours that help teenagers develop emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually in a safe environment. Since 2010, The Bridge has served teens from 128 Chicago Southland and northwest Indiana communities, according to the center.

“We are humbled and still consider it an honor and privilege that over 10,000 unique students (and families) have welcomed The Bridge into their lives over the past 10 years,” said Priscilla Steinmetz, Founder and Executive Director of The Bridge Teen Center. “This special place belongs to the community, and it stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when committed and caring people rally together around a common cause.”

The center said since opening their doors ten years ago, it has stood as a light for the community through an economic recession, three presidential elections, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, dozens of mass shootings, community riots and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, the center says they have been able to help over 10,000 different students find hope, purpose and direction through the organization’s free programs and events.

The nonprofit credits community support and donations from businesses, other foundations and volunteers to help keep the center afloat, while donating to its sister organization, The Bridge Thrift Store. The center notes that 90 cents of every dollar donated directly supports The Bridge’s free programs, without any ongoing state or federal funding.

“We can say without a doubt that we have been built and sustained by hard work and an outstanding community of supporters,” said Steinmetz.

The center said despite this new milestone, they are nowhere near done reaching new students.

“We have lots of things planned in the next ten years including the growth of our student leadership program, the introduction of student care groups, expanding our job readiness programs and...something big and thriftastic,” Steinmetz said. “This is just the beginning, so buckle up and here’s to the next 10,000 students and beyond!”

For more information, visit The Bridge Teen Center website, or call 708.532.0500.