Building a Bridge Program

---

We feel that making connections and building relationships with these youth who have aged out of foster care is important to build trust and confidence.  We feel this is an important building block towards being able to create a lasting and positive impact on the lives of at risk and vulnerable youth in these areas. 

We believe the benefits that come from these connections are equally impactful to those serving and those being served. 

Our  youth and young adults  have varying backgrounds, experiences and levels of trauma.  We believe this program will provide strong relationships, life skills, job and education opportunities building them up and strengthen them so they will not become one of the disheartening statistics of at-risk youth by focusing on their individual goals and dreams.

SHINE as of 2025, is a program within Collins Home Family Ministries as well as partnering with  Ripple of One and Fostering Faithfully who have an understanding of the huge need to support and strengthen the future of at-risk youth, and the difference it will make in our community.  Our Building a Bridge program, where we work directly with youth at an individual level, providing needed developmental workshops which focuses on equipping these youth with skills, certifications and education that will enable them to earn income and thrive.

We believe that a traditional education is not always the best fit to enable a young adult for a successful future. Through educational opportunities, life skills development and internships, we aim to equip Oconee County and Upstate at-risk youth to have a successful future by providing them with the necessary skill set to contribute to the key industries in our local community.

Understanding the goals and dreams through strong relationships as well as strengthen skills, learning  about decision making, time management and work ethics and providing matching savings (provided by Ripple of One)  increases their confidence as an independent adult.

 Examples of workshops, many are at the individual level, within the overall framework of the Building a Bridge program are: budget management, building credit, independent living requirements, obtaining federal funding available, communication skills, resume writing and interviewing,  job search, decision-making, transportation strategy and car maintenance. 

Donations will enable SHINE to provide the critical supplies and space needed for the skills workshops in this program, provide transportation to jobs, workshops, housing - temporary, and other living expenses. We also provide clothes interviews and work ensuring these youth become confident, empowered and have hope for a healthy future.  

SHINE will provide education, educational skills development which will be provided by volunteer workshop teachers along with their Life Coach to  ensure access to necessary supplies, tutoring and to graduate high school or obtain their GED.  SHINE's goal is to bridge the gaps that are preventing youth who either cannot attend school or did not graduate  and receive the education necessary for a bright and productive future. 

SHINE will be working with each individual youth to assess current skills, understand dreams for their future, and together work on an education, career (including miliary opportunities) plan for their path to meet their goals as well as  provide life skills, relationship skills and independent living needs.  

Donations will enable SHINE to pour into the youth in our community which in turn enhances all of our future as these youth are our future!

Many at-risk children have experienced situations and circumstances that may result in cracks in the foundation of their self-worth and impact the trajectory of their lives. By providing consistent relationships, skills development and support, SHINE hopes to ensure that every young adult knows that they are loved as well as to equip each with the tools they will need to navigate a successful future.

SHINE's monthly donors will impact the lives of at-risk youth, not only through monthly monetary donations, but also through showing these youth someone they do not know believes in them and their ability to have a successful future. 

ALL donations go towards either sponsoring a specific youth in our Building a Bridge program or goes toward all the services and assistance we provide such as: necessities for education, transportation, clothing, school supplies, materials required to complete GED certification, skills development OR help with costs associated with workshops, transportation  and emergency individual needs to bridge a temporary gap.