Bridges to a Brighter Future

Program Description
Bridges to a Brighter Future is a three-year pre-college academic enrichment program at Furman University for Greenville County high school students whose potential outdistances their circumstances.

History
In 1997, a special woman in the Greenville community desired to enrich the academic experience and success of high school students. Therefore, she gave a gift to Furman that formed an endowment to fund the Bridges to a Brighter Future program.. The first class came to Furman in 1997 and was made up of 24 students from three Greenville County high schools. The program has now expanded to serve all 14 public high schools in Greenville County as well as one charter school.

Program Mission
The mission of Bridges to a Brighter Future is to provide students with opportunities to grow and learn, the tools necessary to successfully graduate from high school, and guide them toward the best post-high school academic placement.

General Overview
Students are nominated in ninth grade by their classroom teachers and/or guidance counselors. Students then go through an intensive selection process including an application and interview. 24 selected students attend the first summer program between ninth and tenth grade. They join two classes of continuing students for a total of approximately 72 students. Students may return for two consecutive summers if they maintain a 3.0 grade point average and remain in good standing with the Bridges program and their school. Year around contact and support is provided through Bridges Saturday College, two reunions, school site visits, grade reports, and information.

Summer Program
The four-week summer residential program at Furman University is held June through July. The daily schedule begins at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and morning assembly and ends at 10:30 p.m. with an evening meeting. Parents are allowed to visit on two Sundays and the students go home for one weekend in the middle of the four weeks.

Furman students serve as live-in counselors and mentors on the hall. Greenville County teachers serve as faculty. Each week includes four class days and one field trip day. The daily schedule is structured as a six-period day. Students attend the following classes: Math, English, Social Studies, Science, Art, and College Planning. Evening activities include sand volleyball, basketball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, swim lessons, hip hop dance, step team, salsa, fitness center, walking, and improvisational comedy/theater.

Once a week, rising juniors and seniors visit colleges in and out-of-state, and rising sophomores take field trips in and around the Greenville community. Each Saturday, students participate in community service. First-year students participate in the Furman ropes course and diversity training (NCBI). Evening and weekend workshops include career exposure and planning, college planning, financial aid, conflict management, healthy decision-making, dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, leadership development, diversity training, and personal development. Weekend activities include roller and ice skating, Gattitown, water and theme parks, movies, pool parties at the President’s house, and other social outlets. The four-week experience ends with a graduation banquet and celebration.

The four-week summer program is a life-changing experience!

Saturday College
Through a two-year grant (AY 2006-2008) from The Jolley Foundation, Bridges will provide extended year-round academic and personal support.

The goals of Bridges Saturday College are:

Further increase students’ academic and personal success.
Keep students focused on the academic and personal goals they have set for themselves.
Identify student challenges as they develop, in order to provide opportunities for intervention before problems magnify and become insurmountable.

The services provided to students during Saturday College are:

1. Tutoring in:

Math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus and Calculus)
English (Writing, Grammar, Essays, Research Reporting, etc.)
Social Studies (Reading Comprehension, Memorization, Writing, etc.)
Science (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science)
Foreign Language

2. Academic success and college planning workshops such as:

Goal Setting and Organization of classes and homework, Time Management, Study Skills, Effective Test Preparation, and Note-taking Strategies. Completing College Applications and Financial Aid, Writing College Essays, and Determining the Right College Fit.

3. Mentoring by Furman and community leaders:

The Saturday College will provide a consistent location and time to establish mentoring relationships. Mentors will be invited to lunch each Saturday.

4. Emotional support and strengthened friendships with Bridges classmates and staff.

Nine Saturday College’s are held at Furman University September through May. The program begins at 9:00 a.m. and students are dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Students receive at $20.00 stipend for each Saturday College they attend to assist with transportation costs and missed work.

Unprecedented Program Success
It is difficult to communicate the profound impact this program has on these students. Bridges to a Brighter Future is entering its ninth year of operation. Here are some indicators of our success:

Since 1999, 126 students have graduated from Bridges.
100% of Bridges graduates have graduated from high school or earned diploma equivalency.
90% of Bridges graduates enroll in college.
Bridges students have enrolled in the following: Anderson University, Clark Atlanta University, Claflin College, Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, College of Charleston, Francis Marion University, Furman University, Duke University, Greenville Technical College, Lander University, Newberry College, Azusa Pacific University, United States Marines Corps, University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina Upstate, and Winthrop University.
73 high school students are currently participating in Bridges.