Bridge Community Center receives funding to help fine arts program

The Bridge Community Center (BCC) was recently named as one of seven organizations to receive mini-grant monies from the Idaho Afterschool Network (IAN).

IAN announced the winners from their first annual mini-grant competition on Tuesday and rallied community partner, the Idaho Independent Bank, as well as other individual community members to fund the needs of Idaho’s out-of-school programs.

The BCC was awarded $500 and plans on using the funds to purchase music equipment. Representatives from the BCC were surprised that the selections were made so quickly as they submitted their application in late December of last, but they are excited for what the extra money can do for their budding music program.

“We are excited to have been selected, especially considering that we were one of 57 applicants,” BCC executive director Tommie Lewis said. “We are planning on putting a big emphasis on our fine arts programs this year and this is the first step into getting us going.”

Last year the BCC implemented several different music programs that were fairly well received and decided that they would make music part of their focus.

“We had some music classes last year, including two guitar classes that did well,” Lewis said. “We stuck primarily to string instruments, but we are hoping to be able to get some percussion classes as well.”

The IAN was surprised with the volume of applications, but were pleased that they were able to accomplish what they set out to: Provide funds to as many different programs as possible.

“We are still a relatively new program and didn’t anticipate the volume of responses we would receive. Our initial thought was that we’d have enough to fund three to five applications, and maybe get 10,” director of the Idaho Afterschool Network Marie Hattaway said. “Given the increase, we put the call out to the community to help our network fund as many programs as possible, and were grateful to raise enough to fund additional requests.”

Out-of-school programs increase access for youth to develop STEM or workforce skills.

They are also allies in the statewide education goal for grade-level reading and help improve overall academic outcomes and build excitement for learning.

Additionally, these programs reduce involvement in juvenile crimes, drug and alcohol use as well as rates of teen pregnancy.

“We deeply appreciate our community members and the Idaho Independent Bank in helping provide much needed funds for out-of-school programs,” said Hattaway. “These programs are enriching young minds and building brighter futures for youth and our communities. We will continue to work hard to ensure they can carry on the invaluable work they do.”

Lewis is still exploring other grant opportunities as well including one with guitar giant- Fender.

"We are hoping to pair this money up with a possible grant from Fender, where they will send us gently used guitars for only the cost of shipping," Lewis said.

For more information on the programs that were funded with the IAN 2017 mini grant campaign , as well as other quality after school programs, or to donate to the fund, visit idahoafterschool.org.

To get involved with the BCC and their music programs visit the Bridge Community Center at 8 McKinley Avenue in Kellogg between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., or call them at (208) 783-1767.