Orland's The Bridge Teen Center Seeks Volunteer Groups For October’s Empowering Teens Month

ORLAND PARK, IL — With October officially proclaimed "Empowering Teens Month" in Illinois, The Bridge Teen Center is calling on businesses, community organizations, churches, families and volunteer groups to roll up their sleeves and help support local teens by serving at The Bridge Thrift Store in Orland Park, located next to the teen center.

The Orland Park nonprofit is seeking volunteer groups throughout October to help process donations at The Bridge Thrift Store. Volunteer service at the store helps generate revenue that directly supports The Bridge Teen Center's free afterschool programs and events that are holistically designed to engage, connect, and empower thousands of local teens.

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"Everyone in the community can be part of empowering the next generation," said Priscilla Steinmetz, Founder and Executive Director of The Bridge Teen Center. "Whether it's volunteering for a few hours, donating gently used items or shopping at our thrift stores, these everyday actions help create opportunities for teens to discover hope, purpose and direction."

In addition to ongoing scheduled service dates throughout October, the community is invited to participate in The Bridge's Empowering Teens Month Family Service Day on Monday, October 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Individuals, families, businesses and community groups are welcome to participate. Volunteers must be at least 10 years older and sign up in advance through their website.

Why volunteer? Two hours of service from a group of six can generate enough support for two students to have unlimited access to The Bridge Teen Center for an entire year. Volunteer groups help process clothing and household donations received by The Bridge Teen Center's sister nonprofit thrift stores.

More Ways to Empower Local Teens

Volunteering is just one way the community can participate in Empowering Teens Month:

Shop. With thousands of donations processed each month, inventory changes daily at The Bridge Thrift Store in Orland Park (next to the teen center) and Bridge Thrift Home & Restoration located at 21420 S. Harlem Avenue in Frankfort. Every purchase helps generate revenue to support The Bridge Teen Center's free programs and events.

Donate Your Stuff. Community members can donate gently used clothing, furniture and household goods to both nonprofit thrift stores. Larger items may be eligible for scheduled pickup. Donations are accepted during store hours. Donations receipts are available as donations may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law while helping local teens.

Support Local Businesses That Support Teens. Businesses can support Empowering Teens Month through sponsorship and volunteer groups. Businesses that have already supported the initiative include Old National Bank, Ozinga Brothers, Inc., Providence Bank, Tri-State Disposal, NuMark Credit Union, Moraine Valley Community College, Azteca Foods and more.

The State of Illinois proclamation recognizes the importance of programs that provide young people the opportunity to discover new things, navigate life, and explore who they were created to be.

For more than 16 years, The Bridge Teen Center has provided free, holistically designed afterschool programs and events to more than 15,000 teens from 128 communities. Located at 15555 S. 71st Court in Orland Park, The Bridge offers more than 350 free programs and events each year, designed around the needs and interests of suburban teens.

"We are humbled to have impacted more than 15,000 young lives over the past 16-plus years through our free programs and events," Steinmetz said. "We are grateful to the State of Illinois for recognizing the importance of empowering teens, and we are especially grateful for the individuals, businesses, foundations and volunteers who make this work possible every day."

The October proclamation marks the 19th time The Bridge Teen Center has received recognition for its programs from private and government entities. Previous recognition has included the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Afterschool Alliance and Illinois Afterschool Network, among others.

To volunteer during Empowering Teens Month, learn more about sponsorship opportunities, donate or find thrift store information, visit thebridgeteencenter.org or call 708.532.0500. Information about donating and shopping at The Bridge's nonprofit thrift stores is available at bridgethrift.org.