Community Bridges Inc.

05/13/2026

Congratulations to CB Girl Alexa Amaya, RN! 💙💉

We are so proud of Alexa on completing her Transition to Practice Program at , an incredible milestone as she continues growing in her nursing career.

A proud Community Bridges alumna (Kennedy) and College Access and Success graduate at , Alexa has been shining since day one. Along the way, she’s also served as a Community Bridges ambassador, always showing up to encourage and uplift younger CB college students.

Alexa, your commitment, compassion, and leadership continue to inspire us all. We are cheering you on as you step fully into this next chapter as a nurse—your impact is already so powerful, and it’s only growing! ✨💙

05/12/2026

Theresa Testoni is a dedicated community champion whose generosity, leadership, and steady commitment have made a lasting impact on Community Bridges Inc. and the girls and families the organization serves.

A longtime supporter of Community Bridges, Theresa consistently gives her time, talent, and resources to ensure that young women in grades 4-12 have what they need to thrive academically, personally, and emotionally. She is deeply motivated by their mission to empower girls to become confident, engaged students and strong, compassionate leaders in their communities.

One of Theresa's most meaningful contributions has been helping to establish and strengthen a partnership with the Rainbow Community Development Center. This partnership has supported the ongoing distribution of nutritious food and healthy snacks for girls and their families—an essential resource that strengthens well-being and removes barriers to learning. Since 2020, this effort has contributed to the distribution of millions of pounds of food to the Community Bridges community.

Additionally, Theresa played a key role in helping to secure a 15-passenger van, expanding the organization's ability to safely transport students to programs, college visits, and leadership opportunities. She also helps coordinate the Adopt-a-Family holiday program, ensuring that families experience joy, dignity, and support during the holiday season, and the Blazers for Her initiative, which collects professional attire so that girls are prepared and confident for workforce opportunities.

"Theresa's impact goes far beyond any single program," said Shannon Babe-Thomas, Executive Director of Community Bridges. "She is a connector, problem-solver, and tireless advocate who continually expands the network of people invested in [our] mission. Her work helps strengthen the entire ecosystem of support around the girls and families [we] serve."

Theresa's commitment reflects the heart of Community Bridges: when a community comes together around its young people with intention and care, meaningful and lasting change is possible.

Support Community Bridges this by visiting GiveGreaterDC.org!

Photo taken by Shannon Babe-Thomas. Additional photos by Community Bridges

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

During April, Community Bridges explored an important theme with our girls: celebrating the diversity of our cultures and communities.

As part of the activity, girls were invited to bring in an item that represented their culture and share its meaning. What followed was powerful, girls proudly shared stories about their heritage, family history, traditions, and what makes them who they are.

Curiosity filled the room as girls asked thoughtful questions, listened deeply to one another, and discovered shared experiences that built connection and belonging across different backgrounds.

At Community Bridges, we empower girls to be proud of their identity. Through weekly programming like our Girls Program, we create safe, supportive spaces where girls can express who they are, elevate their cultures, and build confidence through community.

Today, you can help continue this work through Give Greater DC with Spur Local.

💜 Make a gift: https://www.givegreaterdc.org/o/community-bridges
💜 Share this post to help us reach more supporters
💜 Support programs that help girls feel seen, valued, and empowered

Every donation helps create spaces where girls can grow with pride, confidence, and connection.

05/12/2026

Samira almost didn’t join the Step and Hip Hop classes during Community Bridges spring break programming.

She was nervous and unsure about stepping outside her comfort zone but with encouragement from Community Bridges staff and the girls around her, she gave it a try.

By the end of the day, she wasn’t just dancing. She went home excited to teach the dances to her mom. 💃

That’s the power of Community Bridges.

A moment of encouragement becomes confidence.
Confidence becomes self-expression.
Self-expression becomes leadership.

Today is Give Greater DC, and your support helps create these life-changing moments for girls across our community.

💜 Donate today: https://www.givegreaterdc.org/o/community-bridges
💜 Share this post to help us reach even more supporters
💜 Invest in girls discovering their confidence and voice

When you give to Community Bridges, you are investing in a girl’s future.

05/12/2026

At first, Coley was too scared to try glassblowing during Community Bridges spring break programming. She stood back, watched the other girls go first, and quietly built up the courage to participate.

Then she did it. 🌸

By the end of the activity, Coley proudly held a beautiful flower she created herself but more importantly, she walked away with something even bigger: confidence.

These are the moments your support makes possible.

At Community Bridges, girls are discovering their voice, building self-esteem, trying new things, and learning to believe in themselves every single day.

Today is Give Greater DC, and we need your help to continue creating these opportunities for girls across our community.

💜 Make a gift of any size at https://www.givegreaterdc.org/o/community-bridges
💜 SHARE this post to help us reach more supporters
💜 Help more girls step into confidence and leadership

Every share matters. Every donation changes a story.

05/02/2026

🎓 College Decision Day Celebration! 🎉

Today, we’re celebrating 42 incredible seniors in our Community Bridges College Access program and the amazing range of colleges and universities that recognized their hard work, talent, and potential.

From local campuses to schools across the country, our girls were admitted to:

American University • The Catholic University of America • Columbia University • Coppin State University • Frostburg State University • George Mason University • George Washington University • Georgia State University • Goucher College • Hampton University • Hobart and William Smith Colleges • Hollins University • Hood College • Howard University • Hofstra University • Loyola University Maryland • McDaniel College • Montgomery College • Morgan State University • Mount St. Mary’s University • New York Institute of Technology • Norfolk State University • Notre Dame of Maryland University • Salisbury University • Savannah College of Art and Design • Spelman College • St. Mary’s College of Maryland • Stevenson University • Syracuse University • Towson University • Trinity Washington University • University of Maryland, Baltimore County • University of Maryland, College Park • University of Maryland Eastern Shore • University of Richmond • University of Rochester • University of Virginia • Virginia Commonwealth University • Virginia Tech • Washington College • Washington Adventist University

Each acceptance represents perseverance, ambition, and a future full of possibility. 💙

You can be part of what comes next.
Your support ensures more girls have access to the guidance, resources, and encouragement they need to get to—and through—college.

👉 Make a gift today and invest in the next generation of leaders: https://communitybridges-md.networkforgood.com/projects/30734-community-bridges

Together, we’re opening doors and these results show what’s possible.

05/01/2026

🎓 Finding confidence—and a future—in new places

“Being part of College Access with Community Bridges has been such a great experience. They didn’t just help me step by step with applications, financial aid, and my essay—they also encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. The New York trip gave me the chance to really see myself there… and I could.”

This fall, she’s making that vision a reality—heading to Hofstra University to study Mechanical Engineering. ⚙️

“I’m very thankful to the Community Bridges College Access Program for giving me these experiences and opportunities—and for not giving up on me.”

This is what exposure, encouragement, and persistence can do. 💙

05/01/2026

🎓 From uncertainty to confidence—this is what College Decision Day is all about.

“Their support and mentorship gave me confidence when I doubted myself and made me feel like I wasn’t going through it alone.” – Betel Issak
Northwood High School | headed to the University of Maryland (C.D. Mote Scholar)

The college journey can feel overwhelming but no one should have to navigate it alone. Today, we celebrate resilience, growth, and the power of mentorship. ✨

📸 Pictured: Betel (left), alongside Sudipta Dasmohapatra (Georgetown University) and Ethan Dastugue (Vanderbilt University), who shared their time and insights to help support our students on their college journeys.

05/01/2026

🎓 Making the impossible feel possible.

“They helped me complete my applications and understand financial aid like FAFSA… It made something that seemed impossible feel doable.” – Ariam Tesfazghi, Montgomery Blair High School | headed to UMBC.

For many of our students, this journey is about more than acceptance letters, it’s about access, opportunity, and believing in what’s possible.

And today, we celebrate all of it. 💙