For high-achieving students who are also first-generation, low-income students, college tours may be unattainable, which is an incredibly big disadvantage going into the college application process. A Bridge for Kids has made it possible for students like us this summer to get to know everything from class sizes to the surrounding community of the colleges that we are interested in.       The first school that we headed to was the University of California Irvine (UCI). Being a UC school, it was a school that was on all of our lists. One of … [Read more...]

A Bridge for Kids receives 100's of applications from low income teens each year and we make a point to interview EVERY one of those students.  This takes 1,000+ volunteer hours to accomplish  but it is well worth the effort because we routinely meet kids that are deserving of a "hand up". A recent trip to Steele Canyon High School was especially rewarding, because we meet Tyler.  That is until he turned 9, and his family was flipped upside down when his mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  After this devastating event, … [Read more...]

When A Bridge for Kids first created partnerships with San Diego schools, the students most frequently nominated for sponsorships were juniors and seniors, students who benefitted most immediately from funds supporting college exams, entrance fees, and campus tours. A little over 4 years ago, A Bridge for Kids recognized that we could significantly impact the future of the teens we help if we could begin providing sponsorships to ninth graders and support them throughout their high school journey, beginning early to assist their development … [Read more...]

A Bridge For Kids is planning 3 summer tours for San Diego‘s low-income teens who, unlike many of their contemporaries, do not have the means to visit college campuses throughout California and the East Coast. Campus trips open each student’s eyes to the various types of colleges, rural vs urban, large vs small, liberal arts focus vs STEAM focus, etc.; and help them decide where they want to spend their college years. Each tour is designed to visit schools that the majority of participants are most interested in seeing. The East Coast tour … [Read more...]

Congratulations to our graduating seniors! This year, the A Bridge For Kids Class of 2018 consists of 14 sponsored students who have devoted their high school years to the pursuit of excellence and the end goal of attending the college of their choice. More teens than ever have applied to and been accepted into colleges outside of California. We definitely have seen the influence of our East Coast college tours with many students who have participated in this yearly tour actively applying to East Coast schools. We are proud of each student’s … [Read more...]

Recently, students who have received a sponsorship from A Bridge for Kids--as well as a number of our generous sponsors--gathered at Donovan’s in La Jolla to meet and celebrate the students’ collective achievements. The students hailed from local high schools including Hilltop High School, The Preuss School, UCSD, West Hills High School and many others.  Some of these students are starting their high school journey and others are looking forward to attending a four-year university this fall. Litzy Longoria and her sponsor Fiona Jha The A … [Read more...]

A Bridge for Kids is proud to announce that essays are now being accepted for the 2018 A Bridge for Kids Essay Contest! Click here for A Bridge for Kids 2018 Essay Contest Rules and Application Essay Topic and Judging: Eligible students (see contest rules and eligibility below) may enter the 2018 A Bridge for Kids Essay Contest by submitting an original essay of 750 words or fewer describing their thoughts on the following: Discuss one short term and one long term goal you have for yourself and what you believe to be the biggest … [Read more...]

Cindy Torres has experienced much heartbreak in her young life, more than most people do in a lifetime. She has lived apart from her mother for many years, and recently lost her older brother who she considered her mentor. Yet, she has been able to stay focused in school and has kept her sights on becoming the first in her family to graduate from high school, and the first to go to college. Her dedication and need for support led to Cindy to becoming the first student sponsored by A Bridge for Kids in 2018. A sophomore at Mount Miguel High … [Read more...]