ABOUT US
We work hard every day to provide a better future for those in our care, with the belief that every young person deserves the chance to thrive.
Staying true to one of our strategic goals, Bridge to Brighter provides vital services to support and strengthen youth in and aging out of foster care in Milwaukee County.
We are focused on providing support for youth in and aging out of foster care through resources and programming that help them achieve their goals.
The Bridge to Brighter family tree will continue to grow and flourish as we strive to achieve our vision: that all youth in our care feel safe, respected, nurtured, and able to reach their full potential.
“History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children”
Our Mission
Guided by faith, we will meet the physical and emotional needs of youth impacted by foster care through mentoring, building healthy relationships, and creating life success plans that promote healing and a brighter future.
OUR GOAL
- Help aged out youth meet their basic needs, obtain stable housing, fulfill their educational dreams, assist with employment and job training, heal from trauma, and move towards sustained independence.
Our Team
Our leadership team and Board of Directors are dedicated to the best possible outcomes for the youth we serve.
Officers
- Kevin Mehring, Founder, Chair/CEO
- Nick Sgarlata, Executive Director/President
- Rob Wilson, Treasurer/CFO
- Kim Malvick, Secretary
MEMBERS
- Chris Mehring, Goldstein & McClintock LLLP, Attorney
- Bladen Burns, Fiduciary Management, Inc., Executive Vice President, Partner
- Carlos Avila, Western Building Products, Former foster youth
- Heather Grams, Principal, St. Sebastian School
- Lanetta Greer, Owner, Home 4 the Heart, Author, Aged-Out
- Cliff and Machelle Brown, Foster Parents
- Demonte Dismuke, YTA Program Manager, Wellpoint Care Network
- Michelle Minessale, Educator and Community Volunteer
WE BELIEVE...
Every young person deserves the chance to thrive.
“100 years from now, it won’t matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like, but the world may be a different place because I was important in the life of a child."
Forest Witcraft
- All children have potential
- All children should be provided the tools and skills needed to succeed
- All children are worthy of love
- All children should feel safe and secure
- All children should have stable housing
- All children should have their nutritional needs met
- All children should have access to educational opportunities
- All children should have access to employment and job training
- All children should have access to health care
0 %
of foster youth will become homeless the day they age out
0 +
children are in foster care
0 %
of children in foster care will never graduate high school or obtain a GED