The Bridge Receives $30,000 YouthBridge SEIC Award

Teen Venue Plans to Expand from Joplin, Missouri, into the St. Louis Community

St. Louis, Missouri , July 24, 2007 -

On July 24, YouthBridge presented a $30,000 check to THE BRIDGE, which will use their award to fund a site study for their future St. Louis location.  THE BRIDGE provides a safe and attractive venue for teens during the after school hours and on weekends.   Attractions include live bands and concerts, extreme sports, recreational games and whatever else becomes part of the ever-changing teen culture.  THE BRIDGE has been highly successful at attracting youth to its current facility in Joplin and connecting them with adults who care.  St. Louis teens will now profit from the same venue.  

Priscilla Block, Executive Director of ST. LOUIS ARTWORKS, and winner of the 2006 YouthBridge Award, passed the baton to Deb and Jim Matush and their team from THE BRIDGE along with Rex Reed, Co-Executive Director, Community Development at YouthBridge, who presented the check.  Norm Moenkhaus, Co-Executive Director of Operations and Development, kicked off the celebration and posed with his granddaughter, Marin, who he hopes will become the fourth generation Moenkhaus family member to work with the YouthBridge Association.