Bridge Youth Center

The Bridge Youth Center, which opened in the fall of 1990, is a faith-based community center that offers various programs for children and youth, grades 3-12. The center provides a safe, enjoyable environment for each person to feel loved, appreciated, cared for, and valued.

Our programs, which are geared each to elementary, middle school, and high school age groups are held on four separate evenings. They each include recreational activities (basketball, dodgeball, kickball, etc.) in the gym and in the game room, foosball, crafts and various board games. A hot meal is provided as well as a time for group discussion of current issues, Bible stories and pertinent challenges/problems the youth may face. We also offer a summer mountain biking program and have a bike repair shop! The mountain biking program is for middle and high school students. A group goes out every other week in the summer to trails in the surrounding area (like Mt. Gretna). We also have a bike repair shop where students can receive hands-on instruction on how to repair their bike. As part of this program, we have taken many donations of used bikes and are donating them to youth who don’t have one. Since we’ve started the program, we have given away a few bikes.

Through all of this we seek to demonstrate the love of God in a real way. Our programs and activities provide key moments for mentoring and connection between the youth and our staff and volunteers. We have witnessed the influence of positive role models and the teachings of Biblical truths to positively affect and empower the lives of these kids.

Our History: In 1990, The Bridge Youth Center opened its doors with the vision to provide a safe place for the youth of Ephrata to enjoy recreation and have the opportunity to build caring, positive relationships. Approximately a year previously, a group of people began walking the streets of Ephrata, building relationships and praying for the many teenagers who were hanging out in the downtown area during that time. As the group built relationships with the teens, the need for a place to better minister to their needs was realized. After many hours of labor and contributions from local businesses, the church, and donors, The Bridge Youth Center opened its doors in the fall of 1990.

Here’s how your gift might help:

While we have many different groups that come in and provide meals for each night there are some nights that The Bridge provides the meal.

• $120 a month will cover meals for the Monday night program
• $500 a year will cover the meals for other evening programs in need