Bridge and Build – Sports with a Bigger Purpose

OUR GOALS

Can all aspects of sports help bridge races, genders, regions, and beliefs — while helping build soft skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship?

This program aims to prepare youth for work and civic life in 2030 and support mentors in mission-driven firms. Sports will be infused in a curriculum focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership and communications. Sports videos and case studies will offer curriculum-relevant messages.

Here are the three things that make us special

Financial Literacy

Entrepreneurship

Leadership

OUR BOOTCAMP

The proof of concept boot camp to test “sports as a hook” for learning was held on August 7, 8, and 9, 2018 at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee School of Public Health and Concordia University – Wisconsin in Mequon. Some 27 high school students from Neenah, Milwaukee, Madison and Beloit participated. There were 15 adults as chaperones, teachers, coaches and observers. Among the observers from Beloit was Lamont Weaver, a parent, who’s 1969 “Shot heard around Wisconsin” captured the attention statewide and inspired Bridge and Build 50 years later.

Find Out More

Wisconsin must find a way to attract and retain talent. This sport-based approach uses the state’s strengths to motivate and develop youth so they remain as productive workers and citizens.

What people are saying

“Our future is dependent upon the curiosity, creativity, innovation, and the entrepreneurship of our youth that will bridge all generations and create worldwide change.”

Dr. Mary Pfeiffer

Neenah Joint School District

“Wisconsin can get it done and show America.”

Junior Gentry

King Middle School

“This is bigger than we can see.”

Will Green

Mentoring Positives

“Going forward, everyone involved will need to know why this program is different, and in many cases better than other options and touch points.”

Tom Boldt

Boldt Company

“Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association (WASA) is excited for the opportunity to be a part of “Bridge and Build”. It’s opening another avenue of opportunity to the athletes and community members we support and serve that have physical disabilities and or visual impairments.”

Sam Gracz

Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association

OUR ROADMAP

Engagement

Apr. 15 to Aug. 4: Recruit, prepare and motivate 30 diverse youth, some with disabilities, in 9th and 10th grades from Milwaukee, Neenah, Beloit, Madison. Youth should like sports but need not be athletes. Help parents, teachers, coaches, peers, communities support them for boot camp success.

Instruction

Aug. 5 to Aug. 10: In a Proof of Concept boot camp, use sports as a hook to instruct in soft skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership and communications and give the youth memorable and motivating experiences that carry them through the school year.

Evaluation

Aug. 11 to Dec. 31: Using a Ripon College evaluation team, prepare a Sept. 10 presentation for Bader Philanthropies; at a Ripon retreat, discuss whether to proceed, and respond to the Bader request to partner on a feasibility study of an all-youth sports center and development program in consultation with the Milwaukee Sports Alliance.

Execution

Aug. 11 to May 2019: To keep faith with the 30 youth, support their development as leaders and ambassadors in workshops and through mentoring, helping them be the inspiration in bridging Milwaukee and Madison through pizza and murals and Neenah and Beloit through collaborative and competitive entrepreneurship in the 50th anniversary year of the “shot heard around Wisconsin.”

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