At Bridges, located in Norman, resilience meets opportunity. The organization’s mission is clear: to empower high school students in family crisis to pursue education without obstacles. This goal represents hope, strength and transformation. With a generous $10,000 grant from the OEC Foundation, made possible by generous members who round up their electric bills each month, Bridges will uplift more young lives and brighten their futures.
“Most people don’t realize how hard it is for these kids just to survive, let alone thrive, without proper support,” said Stacy Bruce, executive director at Bridges. “It’s a world many of us can’t imagine, and that’s why the work we do here is so crucial.”
Bridges began as Independent Living Services for Youth (ILSY) in the early 1990s, aiming to support homeless teens in Norman. Through advocacy and legal changes, the organization evolved to provide comprehensive support to students in crisis, ensuring they could remain in school and avoid falling through the cracks.
“The goal is to remove barriers to graduation, whether it’s providing food, clothing, shelter or medical needs,” Bruce explained. “Our students have faced unimaginable challenges, but they show extraordinary resilience.”
Bridges also employs a dedicated student success coordinator who works closely with students to ensure their academic progress and future planning. This role involves daily checkins on grades, arranging tutoring sessions, and assisting with college and career readiness.
“Our student success coordinator is vital in helping students stay on track and envision a future beyond high school,” Bruce said. “Whether it’s filling out FAFSA forms, organizing college tours, or preparing for career assessments, we make sure each student has a clear path to success.”
One of the cornerstones of Bridges’s program is its life skills classes, held every Tuesday night. These sessions cover essential topics such as financial literacy, job readiness, cooking and higher education preparation. Led by community volunteers passionate about sharing their expertise, the classes aim to equip students with practical knowledge they can use daily.
“We want our students to leave Bridges not just with a diploma but with the skills they need to thrive independently,” Bruce said.
The recent OEC Foundation grant, will be crucial in supporting Bridges’ direct student expenses. These expenses include a wide variety of essentials such as clothing, living supplies, school supplies, driver’s licenses and various educational and employment-related costs – essentially anything a parent would typically provide.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the OEC Foundation; it allows us to focus on what matters most: the wellbeing and success of our students,” Bruce said. “This grant will help cover direct costs for things like driver’s education, ACTs and college application fees, which are critical for our students’ future.”
Betty Allen, a board member of the OEC Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting organizations like Bridges. “Bridges is one example of how the money helps the needs of young people in these difficult situations not only today but in the future, and this helps our community to have strong, productive citizens,” Allen said.
Carrie Koesler, community outreach associate, highlighted the careful consideration that goes into allocating grants.
“We look for organizations that truly make a difference,” Koesler said. “Bridges has a proven track record of transforming lives, and we are proud to support them through Operation Round Up.”
The students at Bridges are individuals with different dreams and ambitions. From one student to another, success looks different, Bruce said.
“One of our students graduated from the University of Oklahoma in three years with a degree in engineering and is now working on developing the next generation of digital weather radar,” Bruce said. “Another student, who admitted he wouldn’t be alive today without Bridges, is now pursuing a career as a firefighter.”
What matters most is preparing their students for success, regardless of the path they choose. These success stories reflect the staff’s dedication and the community’s support.
Despite the successes, challenges remain.
“One of the biggest hurdles is awareness,” Bruce said. “Many people in our community don’t know we exist or the extent of the challenges these students face. Teenagers are resourceful and prideful, often keeping their struggles hidden.”
Bruce emphasized the need for continued community support through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about Bridges.
“Volunteers are essential; they help set up apartments, lead life skills classes and provide meals. Every bit of support makes a difference,” she said.
The OEC Foundation’s grant is a lifeline, but ongoing support from the community is vital. Bruce encourages individuals and organizations to get involved in any way they can. “Whether it’s donating supplies, volunteering time, or providing financial support, every contribution helps us create a better future for these students,” she said.
The collaboration between Bridges and the OEC Foundation exemplifies the power of community in transforming lives. As Bruce aptly put it, “Our students are resilient. They don’t have a quit button, and with the support of our community, they can achieve anything.”
The story of Bridges is one of hope, resilience and transformation. With continued support, the organization will continue to empower high school students to overcome obstacles and build brighter futures.
This year’s prize pack will include a 2025 wall calendar featuring the people of OEC, a ball cap, an ink pen, a 6-in-1 screwdriver set, and a drawstring bag.
