Bridge Scholars: A level playing field of educational opportunities
A grassroots not-for-profit formed to prepare underrepresented students for academic success and leadership roles in their community.
Nonprofits work diligently to meet unmet needs in our communities and to fill gaps that are often wide and deep. These gaps sometimes start with the youngest in our society.
Wonjen Bagley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Bridge Scholars of Chattanooga, saw a disparity in accessing quality education in the community and knew that she needed to find a way to level the playing field.
“We see far too many students from low-income families and minorities in underperforming schools, falling further behind each year,” Wonjen said.
In 2015, Wonjen and co-founder Rebecca Suttles founded Bridge Scholars of Chattanooga. It began as a 5-week summer enrichment program for middle school male students in Hamilton County, with a focus on math and language arts as well as recreational electives like swimming.
Bridge Scholars has added special programming on Saturdays during the school year. They have also added a rising 9th grade program for students who have previously participated in the program. This program focuses on successful transition to high school and standardized test prep.
Every year since its launch in 2015, students have demonstrated
improvement above 80% in both language arts and math. And beyond this measurable improvement, Bridge Scholars has encouraged and embraced students helping them to improve their self-image and role in their communities.
Bridge Scholars is a multi-year program, so Wonjen and her team have the chance to see students year after year and to build strong relationships with them and their families.
“It is hard not to be inspired by the hope, optimism and excitement we see in students who accept the challenge to be their best,” Wonjen said.
Wonjen and the teachers at Bridge Scholars become part of their students’ lives and enter with them on their journey to become engineers, doctors, teachers, dancers and musicians.
“We also get the opportunity to inspire others to take part of this journey. We are building community. It is hard work, but it feels great,” Wonjen said.
Wonjen is constantly thinking about the future of Bridge Scholars and those that they serve. Their biggest challenge is increasing educational opportunities by reaching more students and also by adopting a more hands-on model with current students. She believes that they are best serving their students by taking a deeper approach and providing continual support until they graduate high school.
Unfortunately, not all students in Chattanooga have a chance to be served, but Wonjen and her team are hoping to change that.
“I want everyone to have a chance at a quality education regardless of their zip code, last name, nationality, or family income and the challenge is we can’t provide every student the attention and resources they need to be successful,” Wonjen said.
When Wonjen started Bridge Scholars, she relied on the support of those who believed in her idea.
“An important first step was to be bold enough to tell people my dreams. The people who believed in my vision for Bridge Scholars grew to be strong supporters, board members, funders, partners, cheerleaders, advocates and advisors,” Wonjen said.
Wonjen has learned that you don’t need all the answers to get started, but that just taking a leap and starting something is the way to grow. Passion and vision are the secret ingredients to their success.
“Together they are your motivators. They can be contagious and they make even the most mundane task joyful,” Wonjen said.
Make a Mark and Bridge Scholars came together for the 2017 Chattanooga Make-a-Thon when Bridge Scholars was selected for a social media toolkit.
Wonjen knew that Bridge Scholars needed an inexpensive and wide-reaching method of connecting and communicating with their audience of parents, students, community members, board members and funders.
The Bridge Scholars maker team worked together to get to know Bridge Scholars, enhance their brand, create collateral, and form a social media strategy that would work.
“Oftentimes in a young organization you find yourself wearing multiple hats. However, working with the makers allowed me to tap into my own creativity and marry that new confidence with our mission to create a presence on social media that I’m proud of,” Wonjen said.
Cory Williams (VaynerMedia and No Cow) and Gabrielle Blades (Blades Creative) joined forces for 12 hours to make for good. They created a custom toolkit for Bridge Scholars including brand guidelines, best practices, content ideas, post templates and free tools and resources.
So, what is next for Bridge Scholars in 2018?
“We have moved beyond the idea that we will create pathways to greater educational opportunities. That is what we do! We create pathways to greater educational opportunities,” Wonjen said.
To learn more about Bridge Scholars visit their website. They are accepting applications for their summer program through March 23, 2018.
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