2 COLLEGEBRIDGE Solutions Service NEW YORK CITY

MISSION MISSION The Bridge-2-College Solutions Service New York City is a referral and information service aimed at empowering and informing student mothers in college in New York City. We are committed to provide information on available resources and also to actively engage in discussions with policy makers and others to find ways to assist student mothers in college.

OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES Bridge-2-College Our main vehicle of information is our resource manual. This includes listings of the child care options available for mothers pursuing higher education. Options include day, evening and weekend child care so that mothers can attend classes. It is a fact that the City of New York in these harsh economic times is looking to close many of the city's subsidized child care programs because they are under-utilized. Our goal at Bridge-2-College is to send the listings of available child care to agencies that have regular contact with those who need it. These agencies include, college enrollment offices, homes for pregnant teens, welfare centers etc. We also provide feedback assistance on our website from a licensed psychologist to questions on handling conflict and other emotional issues which may arise for mothers. Our organization will also hold a yearly conference with mothers who have successfully completed college, policy makers and other professionals to discuss the future of the organization and trends which may affect the venture.

DETAILED PROJECT GOALS DETAILED PROJECT GOALS The project has three main initiatives: 1.Create and widely disseminate a resource manual. The manual will contain a listing of CUNY Colleges that provide child care services including information of certified providers who provide late evening services for mothers taking evening classes. In addition the manual will contain helpful hints on areas such as time management and conflict resolution to help student mothers. 2.Create a web site which will be an interactive site where resource manuals can be ordered. An important feature of the web site is that it will afford student mothers the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered by mentor Dr. Richard Orbe-Austin (licensed psychologist). 3.Host a yearly conference workshop with successful student mothers as well as professionals in the field to offer suggestions and brainstorm ideas.

STRATEGY OF IMPLEMENTATION/TIMELINE STRATEGY OF IMPLEMENTATION/TIMELINE Short Term: Short Term: In the short term I hope to get the manual completed and sent to welfare agencies, teenage shelters, high schools and other agencies by August 2009, in time for the new school year. In addition the web site should be up and running at this time as well. Long Term: Long Term: It will take a couple of months to put together the panel members and format of the conference which will take place in March A long term goal that I have for this project is to find support for and fund a dorm for mothers with children at a CUNY campus.

ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION Sarah Allen Sarah Allen is the founder and creator of the project and will be responsible for the organization and planning. She is also responsible for representing the project to the public. She has a lot of experience writing and had published in the Campus and other newspapers. She has also volunteered for several agencies and done public speaking. Lisa O’Connor Lisa O’Connor holds a BA in Corporate Communications and a double minor in Graphic Communications and Journalism from Baruch College. Currently, she is in pursuit of a MSEd degree in Counseling and instructor of Freshman Seminar at Baruch College. Outside of Baruch College, Lisa has been working with youths for over 7 years, from early childhood to college students. Dr. Richard Obre-Austin Dr. Richard Obre-Austin is a psychologist who will support the overall project and provide feedback on the website and the helpful hints section of the manual. Dr. Orbe-Austin has years of experience working with clients/students, his field of specialty is career efficacy.