Allen Temple, AME Church Sponsors Bridges Program at Woodward High School

Our newest Bridges program will be sponsored by Allen Temple, AME Church. Assigned police officers will mentor students at Woodward High School. The program is held after school for students referred from teachers, counselors and/or principal, and with written permission from their parents.

Cincinnati police officers will serve as mentors in the Bridges Mentoring Programs for adolescents and teens. Bridges provides a non-threatening, trusting, relaxed environment for police to interact with adolescents. Lt. Col. Ron Twitty, Assistant Cincinnati Police Chief said, "Our officers will be happy to serve as mentors to our youth. Bridges offers positive interaction with students. Interaction that will help increase the trust level students have for police. Serving as mentors will provide opportunities for dialogue and ongoing relationships."

Bridges utilizes Christian teachers, police officers and other volunteers as mentors. They provide guidance to help students manage personal anger, boost self-esteem and strengthen their character development.

Fifteen students meet once a week for one hour to discuss problems, to encourage one another, and to form friendships. The informal non-threatening environment allows students to express concerns with their peers, the teacher, the volunteer mentor and the assigned police officer.

Bridges began in 1995 at Winton Woods Middle School as a partnership between the Forest Park Police and the Council. In 1999, they credited the program with decreasing juvenile arrests in their community by 5 percent. We are now working with the department to begin classes for their high school students. For information about starting one at your school, call Lilly Bibb at 559-3151.

Last Updated 9/5/2007
Copyright © 2001-2007, Council of Christian Communions
 7030 Reading Rd., Suite 642, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237-3839
 All Rights Reserved

Comments or questions about this site can be directed to our Webmaster.