Community Bridges Fosters Confidence in Silver Spring Girls

Non-profit provides after-school programming to girls of mostly low-income, immigrant backgrounds.

“Can I have more brownies,” asked fifth grade student Aaliyah as she and the rest of the Community Bridges girls wrapped up their journal entries and handed them to Ms. Sia. It was a normal Tuesday afternoon and, for the most part, the hallways of Broad Acres Elementary school were clear as the school day had ended and the janitors were putting finishing touches on the floors. Sia Boima, program manager at Silver Spring non-profit Community Bridges, was tucked away down a side hallway with a class full of about 15 fourth and fifth grade girls who were eager to unwind after a long day of school work. According to Katherine Morrison, the organization’s interim executive director, Community Bridges serves about 125 girls in the Silver Spring …

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Community Bridges Young Artist Showcase

Community Bridges' Luna Girls share their poetry and artwork at the Silver Spring Civic Center.

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Community Bridges: Q & A with the Director

Bridging the gap with young girls.

Local Silver Spring non-profit Community Bridges services 17 schools with free after-school programs that teach, tutor, mentor, nurture the needs and interests of young girls in the community. Ana Lopez, the Executive Director has been with the program since 2006 and works to fulfill the mission of the program. Last year, she was one of five recipients of the 2009 Exponent Award from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation and nominated as Washingtonian of the year. She plans to use the money from the foundation to further her education in leadership. Lopez took some time to sit down with Patch and discuss how it all comes together.  Patch: Why did you decide to be a part of this particular organization? Ana Lopez: I have a passion for …

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