The schools in St. Louis do not serve children well. Children are not centered in the decision made and parents are often ignored. In St. Louis, 80% of kids are reading below grade level in the largest district that services predominately Black and Brown children. Over the last 20 years, there has been a mass exodus from our city schools, with enrollment of children dropping from 100,000 to less than 20,000 students in 2022. Parents with wealth and access are choosing to go to other places with better schools, support, and opportunities. But what about the parents who are trapped in chronically failing schools operating under a flawed education system?

This is the unmet need that B2H serves. By equipping, connecting and engaging parents to advocate, demand, and take action on behalf of not just their children but all children, we believe this impact will change the system. Parents have to take their rightful place back in the education space. There is no greater time than now. We believe the people closest to the problem have the brilliance, expertise, and lived experience needed to disrupt the inequitable systems of education, moving out of the “you don’t know what you don’t know” space and activating their power to create change.

I had a unique educational experience. I too was removed from my neighborhood school through the desegregation program. I did learn in those schools, but I wasn’t valued in them. I do this work because I believe all children deserve a chance to write their own path to a great education. No more barriers!

I joined Bridge 2 Hope because I wanted to make a difference in the world. Growing up, I had always been passionate about helping others and giving back to my community. When I heard about Bridge 2 Hope, an organization dedicated to making sure all children receive a quality education,, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me.

I remember my interview with Bridge 2 Hope vividly. We talked about all the work they had already done and how many parents they impacted, I was super excited! Seeing the joy on their faces as they talked about new things that they wanted to do and p.e.a.a , it was truly inspiring.

Since then, I have continued to work with Bridge 2 Hope. Bridge 2 Hope Impact was their commitment to empowering individuals like myself to take control of our lives and advocate for their children. With great passion for what I do Through this organization, I have been able to make a tangible impact on the lives of countless children and families around Saint Louis. Joining Bridge 2 Hope has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I am grateful for every opportunity to give tools to others to be able to advocate on their own.

The reason why I am here at Bridge 2 Hope is because of the impact they made on my kids and my life. My aim has always been to teach my children that they have a voice and they have the right to use it. However I found myself not knowing how to use my voice to speak up for them when it came to errors in their education. My son for example, he has autism and high school was challenging for him. It got even harder during his senior year which was during the pandemic. He was drained in every way possible. Trying to fit in, staff not listening to his call for help, his IEP being ignored by teachers; it was just too much. Unfortunately, I didn’t encounter Bridge 2 Hope until years later.

When I did connect with them, it was perfect timing. My daughter was getting ready to start her first year in school. I had homeschooled her for kindergarten and first grade.. Kindergarten was planned, but first grade wasn’t in any way planned. When it was time for my daughter to enter first grade, schools just began letting students back into schools. I ran into so many brick walls trying to get her registered for school. I just finally chose to homeschool her for one more year until the new Charter school opened up.

Finally came time for her to begin 2nd grade. Although, I believed I made the right choice for sending her to this new school; it was still a school. I happened to see Bridge 2 Hope advertising on Facebook and I decided to connect with them. I attended a parent social first. The staff were so inviting and informative as well. This encouraged me to attend the class they were offering. Attending my first PEAA is when I realize how much of a gem Bridge 2 Hope is in our community. I was amazed by the amount of information they shared with us. They knew their stuff. All that I was able to learn, I was able to utilize and it made my daughter’s school year successful. I’m so thankful for Bridge 2 Hope for helping me utilize my voice to advocate for my daughter. My voice can even advocate for my son with what I have learned even though he is 21 now.