The Bridge Project
We help incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people develop the communication skills and sense of belonging they need to succeed in the community.
Get Involved
BUILDING A BRIDGE TO BELONGING
In the landscape of re-entry programming, listening and communication skills are rarely taught. And yet they’re key to navigating post-prison life.
That’s why we worked in partnership with formerly incarcerated people to create The Bridge Project. It consists of two components: communications training in prisons and re-entry programs, followed by paid opportunities to work with Everyday Boston in the community, listening to the stories of others at Conversation Stations (at left) and other community events.
The Bridge Project helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people strengthen their life skills, sense of self-worth, and feeling of belonging, so they can become active, engaged citizens of Boston and beyond.
THE CHALLENGE
Communicating is challenging enough for people who haven’t been to prison. Add in a period of institutionalization, and it becomes even more difficult.
In order to succeed, people coming home from prison have to communicate effectively with people they do not know or may not understand, whether it’s loved ones, parole officers, employers, or neighbors. In these high-stakes interactions, where stereotypes often come into play, strong listening and communication skills can be a deciding factor in their ability to secure and maintain basic needs, from employment to housing to relationships.
HOW THE BRIDGE PROJECT WORKS
Everyday Boston’s “Curiosity and Connection” training strengthens these critical interpersonal skills – from active listening to exercising curiosity to asking effective questions – all through the sharing of life stories. We provide this training inside prisons as well as in the community.
For court-involved people who have gone through the training, and are particularly committed, we offer paid opportunities to work with Everyday Boston in the community. Whether it’s interviewing elders or organizing our annual kindness campaign. Bridge Project members are at the heart of our work, strengthening our programming with their skills and heart, and developing their network and sense of self along the way.
“There are moments that define certain experiences in your life, and this workshop during my incarceration was one of them. I felt like I had a voice and learned all at the same time.”
Cradle-to-prison series
This series (organized at the height of COVID) featured three powerful community advocates and members of the Bridge Project: Armand Coleman, Dana Brown and Bobby Iacoviello.
The series was inspired by our partnership with Northeastern University, in which we paired law students and returning citizens up on a a story collecting project with other returning citizens.
SPOTLIGHT:
Census outreach
We partnered with Community Resources for Justice to produce this video by returning citizens, for returning citizens, breaking down the critical importance of filling out the census.
We all wrote the script together, then Everyday Boston shot the video on the streets of Boston, Revere and Chelsea during the pandemic. The project was funded by the Human Service Providers’ Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Want To Get Involved?
Here are a few ways:
Hire us to bring our workshop to your prison or re-entry program.
Commission a story collecting project for your workplace, which would allow us to stipend returning citizens, and provide them with a professional development opportunity.
Sponsor a returning citizen to work with Everyday Boston for two months after their release from prison.