The Bridge Teen Center continues to grow
Originally published December 17, 2015
The joint was jumpin’ when I arrived for an open house held earlier this month to unveil the 4,800-square-foot expansion at The Bridge Teen Center, a nonprofit community center in Orland Park that provides free after-school programs to support students and help them grow in myriad ways.
I was greeted by Jeanne Lazzara, a center staff member, who provided a quick tour of the facility at 15555 S. 71st Court.
Checking in at the front desk, with a coffee bar just behind it, one notices the clocks, showing the times in different time zones, and then other decor in the new art studio. What stands out is the clean, crisp feel to the environment. It is not a kiddy-style playhouse but visually stimulating. And that is just the first room.
The second area resembles a service station or garage, but with booth seating, part of a Volkswagen protruding from the wall, and filling station signs. It’s a comfortable place for teens — durable, yet not overly industrial.
And then you enter “The Big Room.” The new area doubles the space of The Bridge and seamlessly joins the other areas as if it always existed in its current state. However, visiting with other guests reveals the time, effort, fundraising, donating and resourcefulness of the volunteers and others associated with the endeavor.
A mix of supporters were among the attendees. Glen Borkowski, of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, showed me the new kitchen. It was hard to miss with movie-marquee lights spelling “K-I-T-C-H-E-N” over the cabinets. (The lights were repurposed from a restaurant remodel.)
The kitchen, which will be used for culinary demonstrations to teach the teens, has a large refrigerator, oven, microwave and quartz counters, with ample space for demonstrations and multiple levels to accommodate any special concerns. There also is a state-of-the-art cooktop.
Vern (of ReMax Synergy) and Gloria Ohlson were in the Hideaway, exploring the nooks, crannies, furniture, lighting and care given to the design. The ReMax Synergy offices (across from The Bridge) recently were used for various meetings and gatherings of the teen center while this location was under construction.
Among the Orland Park officials on hand were Mayor Dan McLaughlin, Assistant Village Manager Joe La Margo, Village Clerk John Mehalek and trustees Kathy Fenton, Michael Carroll and Daniel Calandriello. John Calzaretta, a member of The Bridge Teen Center board, also was there.
Taking to the new stage, teen center founders Rob and Priscilla Steinmetz shared their emotions after the long journey, thanking the many contractors, designers, laborers, donors, volunteers and local businesses who had a hand in the expansion. Priscilla said the simple message that students who visit The Bridge should know is that “they are loved; they were created for a purpose; and their story matters.”
She thanked those who “breathe into their students’ lives the truth they need to hear.”
Rob detailed some of the “nuts and bolts” of the expansion design, explaining, for instance, that a wall was created from repurposed pallets, and thanking fathers who did the “heavy lifting” as well as the many foundations, companies and organizations that either funded projects or volunteered time or materials.
Wheat Ridge Ministries senior vice president Brian Becker said decisions to fund organizations such as The Bridge are based on some principles: inspired, passionate leadership; an innovative approach that addresses serious community issues; and keen understanding of the needs of the community.
“Rob and Priscilla and their team hit these three in the bull’s-eye,” he said. “I’d strongly encourage anyone from this community who cares about teens to support The Bridge Teen Center.”
The Bridge board of directors also was recognized.
“I am excited about this expansion project and what it will mean to the students,” said volunteer Karen Heide, whose husband Dave Heide has been a board member for more than six years. “I look forward to seeing the students each week and can’t wait to see their faces when they see the new space for the first time.”
Never ones to keep still, the Steinmetzes also talked about their next major project, the takeover of the day-to-day operations of the thrift store next door on Jan. 1. It is expected to become a sustainable source of revenue for The Bridge, which has had operational costs of $500,000 per year even before the expansion.