Testimonials
--Amy Elkins, Parent of student who came from Grand Rapids Schools for his suspension
“The Bridge is a home away from
home. It is a place I know I can go to where people will
listen to me and really care what is going on in my life.”
--A 10th grader
Zeeland Public School
“The BMC is a safe place for kids to come.
There they will find caring adults that accept them for who they are
and where they are in their lives, with no questions. These
adults, with God's help, start relationships with these kids, to
help them through any situation that they may find themselves in.
God is the center of all they do, knowing that He is the answer to
every problem”.
--Chuck
VanderZwaag, Youth for Christ - middle school staff
“As a parent I was so happy to have the Bridge to
Excellence Program. It helped my son get his homework done,
and taught him that doing homework was very important.”
--Brenda, Parent of
a student attending Bridge to Excellence
“The Bridge Ministries Center is having a positive impact
on young people in the Zeeland area. Their outreach programs,
enthusiastic volunteers, and willingness to work with other churches
and programs is a plus for the future of our youth and community at
large”.
--William Olney,
Zeeland City Police Chief
“I am heartened by your vision of community building as
you open the Bridge Ministries Center. Our national motto, "In God
We Trust", is underscored in times such as these, but I know you and
your ministry live this everyday. Only through our faith-based
organizations can we reach and truly touch the youth in our
community. Your leadership in helping our youth energizes us all”.
--Peter Hoekstra,
Member of Congress
“As an alternative intervention to sending a student to an empty home, Suspending Bridges gives them a place where there are other people who care, provides opportunities to make connections, a chance to share feelings/issues that are going on, participate in a structured day, helps them take responsibility for the discipline issue that they were suspended for which they won’t get if they just went home. It’s a much more effective option than sending them home or even sitting in school for an in school suspension.” -----David Moore, Cityside Social Worker
“I've been doing volunteer work with elementary and
middle school kids for the past three years, and Suspending Bridges
represents a great idea. Letting our young people who get into
trouble at school sit home with little to do other than watch TV or
play video games serves no useful purpose. Suspending Bridges
provides a chance for a middle school student who has been suspended
from school to get help with academic work, as well as explore how
his or her behavior resulted in trouble and plan new ways of
behaving in school. This program clearly deserves continuing
support.”
--Frank Barefield,
Volunteer for Behavior Management
“It’s comforting to know the students are being helped
and guided on their day(s) of suspensions. Parents are glad to have
the option for this program and the majority of the parents utilize
the option. It’s been wonderful!
--Laurie Poll, Dean
of Students at Cityside Middle School
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without it. The
program afforded me the opportunity to stay at work. As often as he
was out of school, I could’ve lost my job. I certainly don’t want to
leave my son at home alone. Daniel really respected the volunteers,
especially one in particular. The volunteers really made an impact
on my son.”
--Jodie Jones,
Parent
“It is so encouraging to see the positive effect the
program has had on the students. The volunteers do an amazing job of
letting the students know that they care about them and are willing
to help them think through better options for resolving conflict as
well as exploring possibilities for their future. Also, the students
receive extra help on classes they are struggling in which has had a
positive effect on their school grades.”
--Christen Conner,
former Suspending Bridges Program Coordinator
“The Bridge program, along with other support, is
helping my child make better choices. I am very thankful for this
program. I would use it again but hopefully we won’t have to. Thank
you to your staff. I didn’t have to worry about my son sitting at
home for three days. This is a valuable program that must continue
in our community.”
--Shannon Lowe,
Parent
“The Bridge to Excellence program has helped out my
daughter so much. She is more confident in her ability to do
homework and in herself. It was great to see her smiles when
she knew she had made the honor roll. Thanks.”
--Michelle, mother
of student
“The difference the Bridge Ministry has made in these two
boys lives is awesome. Since they have started to come to the
Drop-In Center, I can see the difference in them. They take
more care in how they look and dress. They bring their Bibles
everyday and are not afraid to let others see them. They are a
witness to me every day.”
--Teacher at
Cityside Middle School