Neighborly gesture helps The Bridge
Originally published October 8, 2015
In June 2010, Rob and Priscilla Steinmetz had a vision of a safe, nurturing place where teens could meet, relax and hang out with their peers.
The Bridge Teen Center opened at 15555 71st Court, Orland Park, filling a void for a place teens could call their own.
The center now offers free after-school programs, one of which invites chefs from area businesses and colleges to teach teens how to cook — for themselves and perhaps someday for others as culinary artists. But it was limited in equipment, having only one small cart and a hot plate (think back to your college days).
A nearby business, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, stepped in, offering the fully functional kitchen in its design center. This neighborly gesture was the beginning of a transformation that is taking The Bridge culinary classes from wonderful to extraordinary.
The Bridge is expanding and now is involved in creating a kitchen in its new space, again with DreamMaker’s help. The franchisees, Glen and Denise Borkowski, showing their community spirit, are being assisted by Cambria countertops, Old World Stone fabricators, and Wehmeier Photography.
“One of the first tenets is that we believe in superior service to our customers, our community, and to each other as members of the DreamMaker team. As we were able to build out our design center, it was always our intention to have a working kitchen to offer to local groups for demos, meetings, etc.,” Denise Borkowski said.
“The Bridge is a community treasure — in our opinion — so Glen (who also is involved with Habitat for Humanity) mentioned that plan to Rob and Priscilla Steinmetz, and was stunned to hear” about the cart and hot plate, she said.
Students, volunteers and chefs settled into using the design center’s kitchen, and then Glen Borkowski offered his services to design the new kitchen for the expansion.
“Since The Bridge is a not-for-profit and a terrific community resource, Glen called in a few favors and asked for discounts on goods and services from our vendors,” she said.
When completed, the space will accommodate about 12 students, while classes currently number eight to 10 students.
The Bridge is looking to the community for donations of time and volunteers. Please contact Rob Steinmetz at (708) 532-0500 to coordinate.
The Bridge is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that receives no ongoing federal or state funding. The free programs for teens are offered from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays and from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays. For more information, visit www.thebridgeteencenter.org.
One last thought from Rob Steinmetz: “We want The Bridge to be a safe place where kids have a place not just to BE but to BECOME,” he said.