Each Sunday, UUCW invites attendees to split their offerings between the church and a community nonprofit making a purposeful difference. Our September Split the Plate partner is Bridge to Brighter, suggested by member Pat Ginter.
Nationally, 50% of youth in foster care never graduate from high school or earn a GED. In contrast, 100% of Bridge to Brighter participants achieve their diploma or high school equivalency. This statistic speaks directly to the effectiveness of their comprehensive approach.
Bridge to Brighter assists young adults who have “aged out” of the foster care system, ensuring they do not have to navigate early adulthood alone. They provide a vital safety net anchored in the belief that all youth deserve stable housing, security, and a chance to thrive.
The organization offers practical assistance with rent, groceries, and education expenses, including college books and GED testing. Beyond immediate support, they focus on long-term self-reliance by providing personal mentoring, financial literacy training, driver’s education, and mental health resources.
By giving transition-age youth these essential tools and fostering healthy community connections, Bridge to Brighter empowers them to become independent and helps break generational cycles of abuse.
To learn more about their work, visit https://bridgetobrighter.org/
To support Bridge to Brighter, go to the UUCW website’s “Donate” tab and select “Split the Plate” from the menu provided. Or, you can text “UUCW” to 73256 or mail your donation to Unitarian Universalist Church West, 13001 W. North Ave., Brookfield, WI 53005.
