We provide support to students who are ambitious but encounter barriers in realizing their utmost capabilities. Our support begins at the high school level and has the potential to extend throughout their educational journey.

Working with most high schools and youth-based organizations in San Diego, we interview hundreds of students each year to identify high-achieving, low-income students with potential in academics, athletics, and/or the arts.

Once we have found that the student will be a good fit, the student will receive financial support of at least $1,000. This money can be used to purchase items related to academics, athletics, and/or the arts.

ABFK offers East Coast and West Coast college campus tours, which allows teens to visit schools that they would otherwise not be financially capable of touring. Currently, we offer 2 West Coast trips, one visiting Southern California colleges, and one visiting Northern California campuses. The East Coast trip visits many Ivy League colleges from the Mid-Atlantic area to New England. The schools on the itinerary vary each year, as we customize each trip to cater to all of our students' requests.

Most of our teens have a strong GPA but lack the financial resources to take preparatory classes for the college entrance SAT and ACT tests. This puts them at a competitive disadvantage during the college application process, as they are competing against peers that have been tutored and prepped specifically for these tests. ABFK has partnered with Revolution Prep to provide our teens with access to an online college preparatory course with the intent of “leveling the playing field” for our students when sitting for these exams.

We believe that maintaining a strong GPA is paramount when applying to the colleges of a student’s dreams. Therefore, we offer financial support for academic tutoring to any of our students who need extra help. We work in concert with the student’s school to find an appropriate tutor within their system and arrange for a session that meets both the student’s and tutor’s schedule. If the school is not able to work directly with us, the student can work with a teacher or counselor to secure a tutor. Progress is monitored; and provided the student complies with requirements, tutoring is ongoing until the extra help is no longer needed.

All of our students have a story to tell; and, if articulated effectively, it can give them a competitive advantage over their peers when applying to colleges. Our College Application Counseling allows our students the opportunity to separate themselves from the crowd with an impressively prepared application and an engaging, thoughtful, and well-written admissions essay about their success in the face of adversity, but articulating that to a stranger is no easy task.

Every year we give out college scholarships to students who have continually excelled academically, athletically, and/or artistically. In 2023 we awarded $30,000 in college scholarships. This alleviates some of the financial burdens of attending college and allows our students to do what is best for themselves academically, without the intimidation of cost. Funds awarded can go towards anything from college tuition to textbooks, housing, dorm essentials, and more.

In March 2020, we launched our Technology Equality Program. In doing so, we committed to providing every student, who had a demonstrated need, with a free laptop and ensured they had in-home access to the internet. This initiative was truly life-changing! Our students are now able to attend online classes, do assignments at home instead of at the library, and complete school work on functioning laptops instead of their phones. If you would like to donate a used laptop please contact Grace Jo at gjo@abridgeforkids.org.

A recent and ongoing program we are proud to have started is our Internship Initiative. We noticed a high demand for students wishing to pursue computer science. As a result, we developed an internship program with ServiceNow in order to help train our students on the basics of coding. In this program, our students first learn to code. They are then tasked with developing an app that solves a real-world problem they have seen/faced in their day-to-day lives. We hope to develop more internship opportunities with other companies to broaden the tangible work experiences we can offer to our students.

Over the past year, participants have ventured to the Grand Canyon for moments of inspiration, scaled new heights with rock climbing at Vertical Hold, explored underwater realms through paddleboarding and snorkeling, embraced teamwork on the beach volleyball court, demonstrated environmental stewardship through beach cleanups, and experienced the joy of ice skating during winter months, and much more.

This holistic approach to well-being encompasses physical challenges, leadership lessons, and personal growth. A Bridge for Kids remains dedicated to expanding the horizons of our Health and Wellness Program, offering enriching experiences that inspire growth, health, and adventure.

The Crossing the Bridge program addresses the needs of graduating ABFK students heading to college, particularly those who are first-generation Americans. Recognizing the stress and uncertainty associated with dorm room essentials, the program offers a thoughtful solution.

Graduates are offered a customizable dorm room essentials kit, including items like comforters, bed sheets, towels, and more. The initiative aims to ease the transition to college for these students, who often face unique challenges. A Bridge for Kids expresses pride in their achievements and emphasizes ongoing support as they embark on this exciting new chapter in their lives.