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BridgesWork News
Updates
BridgesWork students
meet new friends for a week of hard work and fellowship in Waco, Texas
Kicking off the 2025 Summer Enrichment experience for our BridgesWork family, twenty of our grade 7-12 students traveled to Waco to participate in a week of service for others. In addition to those students, we were pleased that Ms. Cathy Rodgers and "Coach" Everett Dunkley joined Ms. Michelle Pepper as adult participants.
At the invitation of Ms. Susan McConnell, Family and Youth Services Director for Ash Lane UMC, several other committed adults and youth joined our kids in their quest to serve others. We made many new friends across the week and soon came to realize that Mother Teresa was indeed correct when she said,
"The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it."
We finished our visit to the area with laughter, learning, and companionship as each team worked together to serve others and build relationships. It was a week we will long remember.
Our 2025 Summer Enrichment Program was Awesome
The BridgesWork summer enrichment program continued in 2025, with approximately 185 students, student assistants, teachers, and mentors gathering for two weeks of excitement, learning, and laughter.
Ms. Mel Rothermel (Trinity High School) and Ms. Michelle Pepper (Meadow Creek Elementary) successfully navigated the administrative hurdles. At the same time, Ms. Barbara Borland (Midway Park and Fuller Hearts Pre-School), Ms. Kristy Paiboon, and Ms.Kari Sanchez (South Euless), Ms. Wendy Bambico (Viridian), Ms. Susan Lamphere and Ms. Amy Ruby (retired faculty), Ms. Ashley Harris (Meadow Creek), Ms. Tonya McKenna and Ms. Sophie Rodgers (River Trails), Ms. Cathy Rodgers (Meadow Creek), Ms. Vonny Williams (Wilshire), and "Coach" Michael Boykin (Midway Park) all returned to lead classes once again.
Coach Dunk stepped into a new roll facilitating the introductory leadership program for 25 students in grades 7-8.
In addition, we were pleased to add several new team members this year.
Miss Lauren Thorsell and Ms. Stephany Robertson (Lakewood Elementary), Ms. Alicia Bellinger (Meadow Creek), and Ms. Cheryl Browning-Lotto (Wilshire) brought intriguing new ideas to the programs they led.
We were also fortunate that several student/adult assistants joined us to support and also learn from our seasoned veterans. Miss Emma Speegle, a "rookie" teacher from Pflugerville ISD; Miss Mia Fontenot, a BridgesWork graduate and current nursing major from UTA; Miss Nelly Lozano Burgos, a freshman education major at TCC; and Ms. Tristan Briggs, a music teacher from Lewisville ISD. Miss Gaby Martinez, a Pre-School aide at Fuller Hearts Pre-School in Euless, returned for a second year.
Our kids described our meals this year as "the best they'd ever had!" That praise was universal and made possible by a dedicated meal preparation staff that included Ms. Mary Smith, Justin Smith, and Ms. Dayline Burgos Del Valle. They worked tirelessly to prepare several homemade items, including strawberry shortcake and S'mores, as well as continuing to offer old favorites. Special recognition is in order for Ms. Dina Ferreira for donating many of our basic items and treats.
There were delicious surprises almost every day, including nachos, Frito pie, and spaghetti/meatballs with salad! In addition, the kids had several days of cool treats, including watermelon, popsicles, unique icee flavors (donated by Rita's Italian Ice), and ice cream (donated by Andy's Frozen Custard)!
Our two weeks of learning, laughter, and love ended way before we were ready, and we cannot wait to be together again. Our fall and spring Saturday sessions begin October 4. Please see our home page's "About Us" section for the fall and spring schedule.
Follow this website and our Facebook page for more comprehensive information about our programs.
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