Youth & Teens
We care about the future of our community's children, so we offer numerous programs and services for children from birth through the teenage years. The kids in our programs have a wide range of needs—some are in need of social and academic mentoring, some are struggling with difficult life issues, while others may be in need of a safe environment and a second chance.
Supporting and Empowering Children and Teens Through a Wide Range of Social and Academic Programs
Our youth and teen programs provide counseling, mentoring, and support groups for young people who are struggling with difficult life issues, such as depression, divorce, anger issues, death of a loved one, drug and alcohol abuse, and more.
Youth development programs focus on a young person's strengths and foster a sense of competence, usefulness, and belonging. Whatever the problem, we offer them hope because we believe there is good and potential in everyone. By building confidence and teaching empowerment and possibility, we help young people see that each new day is an opportunity to better their lives. We strive to meet the ever-changing needs of our community and structure our work to focus on both prevention and intervention.
Our Youth and Teen Services
Teen Center
Housed in the basement of the Elmwood Community Center, "The Base" is a safe, supervised, substance-free, drop-in center open to West Hartford teens in grades 9-12.
School-Based Services
The Bridge works with local schools, teachers, and parents to provide a variety of school-based counseling, support group and mentorship programs.
Positive Youth Development Programs
The Bridge's Positive Youth Development programs focus on young peoples' strengths and offer them hope for the future.
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring is offered in school to middle and high school girls and boys who could benefit from having a positive role model in their lives.
Youth Services Bureau
For nearly four decades, the Town of West Hartford has entrusted us to be its designated Youth Service Bureau, and we take our commitment to caring for the mental health and well-being of the community's youth and families very seriously.
The Youth Service Bureau is responsible for assessment, resource development, community involvement, and advocacy on behalf of children, youth, and families. Our alliance with town leaders allows us to provide the following comprehensive prevention and intervention services for West Hartford residents:
- School-Based Services
- Positive Youth Development Activities
- Mentoring
- Teen Center
- Parenting Programs
- Juvenile Review Board Assessments
- Counseling
- SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery Groups and Friends & Family Support Groups
Juvenile Review Board
A representative from the Bridge serves on the West Hartford Juvenile Review Board (JRB). The JRB provides appropriate and meaningful consequences to first-time juvenile offenders with the goal of preventing future delinquent behavior. Our counselors offer family meetings to help determine the cause of the child's or teenager's rebellious conduct. They also attempt to connect these youths with positive youth development programs.
We’re Here to Help You See a Brighter Future
From school-based counseling and mentorship programs to crisis intervention, connect with the dedicated team at the Bridge Family Center to learn more about your options.
