In Episode 8 we welcome Dakota Kildoo Operations Manager of The Bridge in Chandler. There are people all over this city making impacts on lives. Dakota and his workmates and volunteers at The Bridge are one of those.

The Bridge is a non-profit organization in Chandler for 7th-12th graders with a game room, cafe, block wall, gym and more.

Background

Grew up in Utah
Went to school to be youth pastor
Friend told him about the opening of The Bridge
Was involved in his church as a teenager
Went to College in Missouri
Close friend lived in Arizona and invited him to come out and live and apply at The Bridge

The Bridge

Was hired to help open it
Worked with the community so they know what is going on
First opened with 80 kids so knew they were onto something
Still work to make it better with new ideas
Open M/T/W 2-8, F2-9, Sat 9-5
Thursday have basketball games/practices in the gym with a 6/7th grade club teams and men's league
Wednesday have Life Groups - Separated by Age and Gender Biblically based life groups
Friday is fun day, usually 120-150 teens
Saturday is Family Day so anyone of any age can come with their family
Funds come from Compass Christian Church
Game night has all types of video games, pool tables
Some kids come and hang out and play basketball, some come hang out and do their homework with help from volunteer mentors

The Landing - Tuesday nights, biblically based program to deal with the hurts habits and hang-ups. Kind of like a 12-step program to help teens with things they are dealing with in their life.

Resources The Bridge Website The Bridge Twitter The Bridge Instagram The Bridge Facebook

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