Our History
In 1991, the Zeeland Action Coalition sponsored a Town Meeting to discuss the needs of youth in the Zeeland community. People came away from this meeting discussing the need to build a youth center for the Zeeland community.
It was from this meeting that the vision for the Bridge Youth Center was born. Studies and other research were conducted and revealed some disturbing facts about the self-destructive behaviors among local teens. The study also unearthed a community-wide recognition of the need for a safe place for kids to congregate; a place that provides activities, structure, and security.
The members of First Christian Reformed Church responded to this vision, utilizing open space in a downtown storefront to initially provide a place for youth to be after school one day per week. During the course of 2000/2001 First CRC raised money for and built a 19,500 square foot facility adjacent to the main church building on Main Street in downtown Zeeland. The doors opened on September 11, 2001 to a host of high school students searching for how to make sense of the tragedy that had occurred earlier that day in other parts of our country.
The Bridge Youth Center also became an independent 501c3 in 2001, operating as a not-for-profit organization, and allowing the ministry’s leadership to expand it’s footprint in the Zeeland community by increasing community funding and collaboration. Soon the one day per week Drop In programming expanded to two days per week. Over time the base of the students being served expanded to a greater number of middle and high school students. Programming began to focus on recreation, academics, socialization, and building deeper relationships between youth. Additionally, community support increased, and The Bridge was able to claim dozens of churches, businesses, and a large contingent of individuals who provided financial, in-kind, and volunteer support.
In 2004 The Bridge began offering programming beyond the original social & recreational space, introducing an alternative suspension program and an after school tutoring & mentoring program. Over the next few years a number of additional programs focused on athletics & recreation, school improvement, and community service were added to the roster.
While needs & programs change over time, The Bridge Youth Center continues to cling to its mission to be a place where kids are safe, loved, and valued, surrounded by caring community members who introduce Christ’s love in all they do. Through that process we have been able to expand our reach in the community, reaching over 200 students each week through collaborative programming focused on building positive relationships, improving social, academic, & mental health outcomes, and connecting more fully to our community. We’re excited to see where God continues to lead us.
Interested in being part of our story going forward? Click below to learn about ways to become invested and involved.