Palatine walk raises $8,000 for agency

The Bridge Youth and Family Services hosted its second Bridge the Gap Walk on Saturday, Oct. 16. Led by Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz and event co-chairs Ann Bokor, Karen Brookwell-Miller and Cindy Phelps, 94 people participated in the three-mile walk, which started and ended at the Community Consolidated School District 15 building in Palatine.

The event raised more than $8,000 to support the programs of The Bridge: child and family counseling, crisis intervention for runaway and locked-out teens and mentoring for at-risk youth. More than 90 percent of The Bridge's clients pay reduced or no fee based on family size and income. No one is turned away because of an inability to pay. Demand is growing. Recent cuts in funding from multiple sources have made it impossible to continue services at the same level. The Bridge is increasingly relying on the support of members in the community to make sure that families in the community get the help they need.

The Bridge thanks all the sponsors, walkers and volunteers who helped make the event a success.

The Bridge Youth and Family Services helps families stay together and be successful by providing parenting skills and education, counseling, youth advocacy (mentoring) and crisis intervention. Established in 1965, The Bridge is a comprehensive, community-based charitable organization serving youth through age 17 and their families in northwest suburban Cook County. For more information, visit bridgeyouth.org.