EMPOWERING GIRLS

2018 ANNU

AL

REPO

RT

BUILDING LEADERS

FOR THE COMMUNITY

ANNUAL REPORT

EMPOWERING GIRLS

BUILDING LEADERS FOR

THE COMMUNITY

2018 July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018

Fiscal year 2018 has been a truly amazing year for Community Bridges! We started the year off with our 20th

Anniversary Celebration, Girl Legacy. The evening was magical and brought together many of the supporters

that have helped Community Bridges to serve over 3,800 girls in the last 20 years. Over the last year, the

connections that I’ve seen from the last 20 years show just how bridges are built through Community Bridges

and how the bridges impact not just the CB girl but those around her; her family, her mentor, her school and her

community. As I’ve celebrated this year and learned about all of our bridges and connections, I’ve continued to

believe that our legacy will continue to build and grow for many more years to come. Our bridges connect our

CB girls to their future!

The one connection that really stands out this year, is giving CB girls the opportunity to experience their dream

colleges and building the bridges to their future. Last summer CB girl, Jordine shared her plan to attend an Ivy

League college. Her dream became my dream and we took our first CB college trip to an Ivy League, Princeton.

I’m proud to share that Jordine’s dream came true and she is now a freshman at Cornell University. Before

leaving Jordine shared, “CB helped me to write and edit the essay that got me into Cornell. CB also provided

me with unique opportunities, such as performing at OTC and being an ambassador at the 20th anniversary

gala, that I could put on my application and talk about in college

interviews. I am grateful for all the opportunities I received.”

Over the next few pages you will have the opportunity to see our

bridges and the connections that we have built through the stories

of some our amazing CB girls, their families and mentors. As we

close out our 20th Anniversary year we aim to continue to grow

our programs and reach more girls in grades 4-12 in Montgomery

County with a goal to expand into another school cluster. With our

amazing supporters like you, we can continue to grow and expand

and achieve our goals. Thank you to our outstanding CB staff,

AmeriCorps members, volunteers, mentors, families, girls and

supporters who have all contributed to our 20th Anniversary. Through

your support, CB will continue to empower diverse girls and connecting

them to their future. Let’s continue to work together and to see how

many bridges can be built in the year ahead. 

Shannon Babe-Thomas

Executive Director

Message from the Executive Director

OUR MISSION OUR VISIONCommunity Bridges empowers girls from

diverse backgrounds to become exceptional

students, positive leaders, and healthy young

women

We envision an inclusive community where each person is valued and has abundant

opportunities to improve themselves and the world around them

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CB Family Emily, Alliss, Josey and their mother Ana see a future full of

hope and empowerment. Their mother Ana, has witnessed firsthand the

growth within her three daughters. She’s watched her daughters

transition from being shy, to now independent and confident young

women. “CB has been another family to us since day one, they’ve been a

helping hand in leading my three girls to success,” says Ana. 

Emily, a CB Alumna just finished her freshman year at Montgomery

College, where she is pursuing an Associates Degree in Studio Art. For

the Arevalo-Campos family, college did not seem realistic due to the

cost and unfamiliarity with the process. After receiving guidance from

the CB College and Career Planning program, Emily learned that she

could be the first person in her family to attend college and build the

bridge for her sisters to follow in her footsteps. “I didn’t see college as a

possibility before. CB opened up the opportunity of college for me and

my sisters,” says Emily.

"I think I’ve evolved since CB because I am more aware of my

surroundings, I talk to new people, I don’t judge others based on

appearance. I am able to show compassion to others because I

understand that we don’t always know others situations." - Alliss

"CB showed me to believe in myself. I learned the importance of not

giving up on myself." - Josey

 

Total Number of CB Families

262

Events/Advisory Meetings for CB

Families

30

Hours spent with  families 

86

of families were more likely to discuss their

daughters career goals in FY'18

85%

CB Family Institute Program

 3

Riti Rozario may seem like a timid girl, but don’t be mistaken. She is a girl

full of ambition interested in pursuing a STEM career. Riti joined

Community Bridges when she was in 4th grade, now a 7th grader she has

become a young lady that takes initiative.

In 2016 CB did not run its program at Takoma Park Middle School, the

school that she was going to attend upon promotion. Hoping to not lose

the connections and friendships she built in elementary school, Riti

encouraged program managers to restart the program at her new

school. With her persistence and initiative, she helped build the bridge

for CB and Takoma Park Middle school to start a new cohort in 2017.

The cohort started off at a slow speed with only Riti in attendance the

first day. “What kept me coming back week after week was that it was a

safe space to talk. We are all girls, so it was really easy to share our

problems and what is going n in our lives. We can communicate with

each other like a family,” says Riti. As weeks went by, others girls joined

the program and there is now a total of 10 girls in the Takoma Park

cohort.

One of Riti’s favorite moments at CB was her performance of Maya

Angelou’s Still I Rise at the 2018 Our True Colors Showcase. Riti was not

originally supposed to perform in the showcase, however she volunteered

to fill in when her friend injured her arm.  

 

Hours of after-school  programming delivered

by CB Girls Programspecialists over FY'18

614

Girls enrolled inCommunity Bridges' Girls

Program in FY'18

293

Schools served by Community Bridges' after-school Girls Program in FY'18

12

67%of girls who showed an

increase in civicresponsibility

CB Girls Program

4

100%of high school seniors who

graduated in Spring2018 & enrolled to attend

college/university

of CB high school girls who showed an increase in scholastic competence over the course of FY'18

100%

Juniors and seniors whoreceived individualized

College & Career  counseling during FY'18

59

19College tours and

college/career workshops offered over FY'18

program year

CB College & Career Planning

From the start of 5th grade to the end of 12th grade, Siryi Santos, a

2016 CB alumna has been what a CB girl embodies. The junior, who

attends the University of Maryland, College Park is studying Sociology

and Latinx studies.

“I learned a lot about myself in this program and a lot about what was

going on around us, including social issues, racial tensions and gender

roles that sparked my interest in wanting to study Sociology.” Child to

Salvadoran parents, Siryi is a first-generation college student who is

passionate about creating social change.

Siryi credits the program on helping her through the college application

process. “I’ve been going on college tours since I was in 6th grade,

before I even understood or thought about college,” said Siryi. This

allowed her to explore her options early and spark different areas of

interest.

Her engagement in the College and Career Planning Program exposed

her to multiple workshops such as resume building, mock interviews,

financial literacy, time management and networking.  “It was evident

that they made it a priority to educate us on important topics to

prepare us for when we enter college," said Siryi. 

 

5

The energy between CB mentor and mentee pair Margo Reid and Etsube

Yitbarek is dynamite. The pair met each other at the Mentoring Program

Open House and Etsube naturally gravitated toward Margo. She says,

“When I first saw her I immediately knew that I wanted her to be my

mentor.” The two have a lot more in common than what it may seem like

from the surface. 

The pair, who began their mentorship in 2017, invite each other to think

from different perspectives. Etsube has introduced Margo to her

Ethiopian culture by discussing the similarities and differences in the

United States over a traditional dish of Injera. Margo has introduced

Etsube to the professional world by discussing the importance of

networking. “I helped Etsube reveal her confidence, while she helped me

reveal my patience and thoughtfulness,” says Margo. 

Margo and Etsube support and learn from each other every day.

Together they've built a mutual bond of trust and respect. "One time I

had a difficult situation in my household and Margo opened up the space

for me to express how I was feeling," says Etsube. The two have

continued their relationship throughout the summer and will continue the

mentorship into the next school year.

“My hope for Etsube is that she can pursue whatever she wants, I know

that she will be able to put those wishes and desires into perspective

from within her core,” says Margo. 

Total hours mentors and mentees spent together and/or communicating

during FY'18

750

Mentor/mentee pairs who participated in the CB Mentoring Program in FY'18

40

11Events/workshops/

activities hosted for mentors and mentees in FY'18

Mentors rated the Mentoring Program

good/excellent

82%

CB Mentoring Program

6 

Joy Jones Memorial Scholarship Recipients

A: My first year of college is going really well. I've met a lot of new

people and tried things I haven't done before. The amount of opportunities at

Cornell really amazes me and the community is so friendly and

supportive. Community Bridges helped prepare me by giving me experience

working in groups, a skill that I've discovered is very important when trying to

join organizations on campus. It also prepared me by giving me tips on what to

be aware of, such as financial aid, social life, etc.

Jordine Williams

Cornell University - Economics Major

Tasnin Aktar

Notre Dame of Maryland University - Nursing Major

Q: How is your first year of college going so far?

Each year, Community Bridges awards scholarships to several deserving CB high school seniors who

have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and commitment to community service.

Learn more at https://communitybridges-md.org/support-our-girls/scholarships/

Mirian Fuentes Romero

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)

Art Direction Major

A: What I want to pursue is art direction. They are responsible for

creating an overall vision in something that is publicized. I chose it

because I love bringing an idea to life and art is always something that

I've been passionate about.

Q: Can you discuss your field of interest/major and why you chose it? 

A: The best advice I would give it to the younger CB girls is that start

going to more college visits, start applying to scholarships, it's not too

early or late to apply.

Q: How has the scholarship from Community Bridges impacted you?

Q: What advice would you give to younger CB girls about college?

A: The scholarship from CB really helped me to buy my books because

the books were expensive therefore, the scholarship money saved me.

7

8

FY'18 Year In Review

Total Income By Source 

$647,243 

Total Expenses By Source 

$481,717

0

50

100

150

CB Elementary CB Middle CB High

CB Participants By Program 

Assessment Score Increase

By Measure %

0

25

50

75

100

Social Competence

Civic Responsibility

Global Self-worth

Scholastic Competence

GET INVOLVEDJoin Community Bridges in changing the lives of girls and families in our community.

Visit www.communitybridges-md.org to learn more

VOLUNTEER SPONSOR A GIRL BECOME A MENTOR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robin Salomon - Board Chair

Skyline LLC

Shannon Billings - Treasurer

American Council of

Young Political Leaders

Sharon Gleason - Board Vice Chair

Society of Nuclear and Molecular Imaging

Alicia Alexion - Secretary

Alexion Fischer LLC

Alicia Escoto

Montgomery County Recreation Cara Capizzi

Capizzi Designs

Christina Taylor Serrano

Taylormade Experience

Dana Davidson

District Communications GroupDeirdre Robinson

The Donohoe Companies, Inc.

Edward (Ted) Geier

Morgan Stanley

Jennifer Dickens

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

Kimberly Rusnak

Greater Washington

Community Foundation

Leslie Heyer

Cycle Technologies, Inc.

Maryam Hatcher

American Petroleum Institute

Mier Wolf

Retired Federal Government Attorney

9

THANK YOU!On behalf of the girls and families Community Bridges has served this past year we are grateful to the

following individuals and organizations for their generous support.

INDIVIDUAL

DONORS

$1-499

$500-$999

$1,000 and above

$1-$9,999

$10,000-$19,999

$20,000-$29,999

$30,000 and above

Alicia Alexion

Cara Capizzi

Catherine Leggett

Erik Heyer

Graham Anderson &

Shannon Billings

Janet Barlett

Janice & Bob Babe

Julie Statland

Kim Jones

Kimya Jones

Kylie McCleaf

Lucy McFadden &

Marc Allen

Mier Wolf

Reemberto Rodriguez &

Geraldina Dominguez

Shannon Babe-Thomas

Scott & Chris Harper

Sharon Gleason

Tom & Melane Hoffman

Vicki & Skip Crawford

Ann Marie Habershaw

Anna Howard

Anne Peyer

Arina Kadam

Becca Fredrick

Beth Daly

Beverly Alexis Coleman

Bonita Cullison

Brad Stewart

Brandy Fransen

Brigid Howe

Carrie Banachowski

Carter & Allen Blakey

Catherine Allen

Charlain Bailey

Claudia Barragan

Colin & Megan King

Cyndie Shadow

Cynthia James

Damon Callis

Dana Davidson

David Wunderlich

David & Ilene Chait

Debbie Keller

Deborah Davidson

Deborah Kalb

Debra Liverpool

Denise Viau

Dezne Fraser

Dieneke Johnson

Elizabeth Keeler &

Harvey Meyerson

Ellie Sywak

Elly Tucker

Emily Skow

Emily Molloy

Eric Rasch

Eve Zimmerman

Fernando Moreno

Floralee H. Felsenthal

Frances Cook &

Darren Mitchell

Gabriele Geier

Garrett & Sareeta

Schmitt

Ellen Cohen

Jeffrey Slavin

Laurence Platt & Clare

Herrington

Michael Mann

Mozella P. Ademiluyi

Robin Salomon

Susan Cottle

Hattie M. Strong

Foundation

Mitsubishi Electric

America Foundation  

NBC Telemundo

Paul M Angell Family

Foundation 

Shugar Foundation Inc

Wells Fargo

The Nancy Peery

Marriott Foundation Inc

Montgomery County

County Council Grant

Gloria Bonilla

Gregory Simon

Hanna Abdalla

Holly Fechner &

Kevin Mills

Ingrid Jon

Ira & Sharon Silverman

Jacqueline Samuda

Jacquie Bayer

Jan Bogrow & John

Fleder

Janet Martin

Janet & Jack Schiff

JC Williams

Jeanette O'Connor &

Alan Quinlan

Jennifer Levin

Jennifer Dickens

Jennifer Maged

Joanna Pappafotis

Joanne Capizzi

Joe McBride

John Arbaiza

John Brill

Jose Medrano

Josh Whitman

Joshua Carin

Julia Geier

Juliana Cochnar

Kady Keita

Karen M. Taylor

Karen DeYoung

Karla Maraboli

Kate Kennedy &

Bill Bystricky

Katharine Boerner

Kathy Lorr

Keith Brown

Kevie Niland

Kimberly Rusnak

Kristen Reza

Lacey Myren

Lara Friedman

Laura Frene

Laura Hessburg

Eugene & Agnes

E. Meyer Foundation

Montgomery County

DHHS

Montgomery County

Executive’s Grant

Morris and Gwendolyn

Cafritz Foundation

Weinberg Foundation

Marvin & Jo Anne

McIntyre Family

Foundation

Montgomery County

Collaboration Council

Milton and Dorothy

Sarnoff Raymond

Foundation

Takoma Foundation

Vanguard Charitable

Alec Anderson

Alicia Criado

Alicia Escoto

Allen Mattison

Allen Perper

Allison Karasik

Amy Levner

Amy Kossoff

Ana Van Balen

Ana Villeda

Andrea Ewart

Andrea Herman

Andrea Dores

Angela Dobransky

Laura Blackwelder

Lillian R. Briggs

Linda Winpisinger

Lizabeth Folk

Lori Rounds

Lucile Freeman

Lynn Jennings

Madison Goldstein

Maite Moncayo

Margaret H. Gervasi

Margaret Meleney

Margo Reid

Margot Zimmerman

Marianne Hope

Mark Denbo

Mary Freeman

Mary Brown

Mary Ann Zimmerman

Maryam Hatcher

Matt Tarka

Matthew Wolf

Maury Gittleman

Megan Han

Melissa Brown

Melissa A. Clark

Michael & Marianne

Thomas

Mike Larson

Molly Knopf

Nancy Wood

Naomi Nim

ND Consulting Group

Neely Horak

Nina Price

Noelia Quintana

Norah Neale

Pam Feinstein

Pat Niland

Paul Weech

Paul Lehrman

Paulette Sanders

Philip Bayrd

Philip Dahan

Philip Gray

Pierre Fernandes

R. Underhill

Christopher Payton

Edward Geier

Elizabeth Dahan

CONTRACTS,

CORPORATE &

FOUNDATIONS

10  

THANK YOU!On behalf of the girls and families Community Bridges has served this past year we are grateful to the

following individuals and organizations for their generous support.

 INDIVIDUAL

 DONORS CONT'DIN-KIND SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS

$1-$99

$100-$499

$500-$1,999

$2,000 and above

$3,000 and above

Aldi

Big Escape Rooms

Jim & Carol Trawick 

Foundation

Montgomery College

Montpelier Plantation

& Beach

Ross Clothing

TS Events

Andrea Herman

Capizzi Designs

Nationals

Washington Revels

Argyle Country Club

CAVA

Eggspectation

El Golfo

Footlights Dance &

Theatre

Moco Founding Farmers

Giant Food

La Casita Pupuseria &

Market

Peet's Coffee

Rebecca Silvestre

Richard Gollub

Roberta Valente

Rod & Ana Godinez

Rogelio Williams &

Virginia Macomber

Rosa Giron Rashid

Rosemary Brevard

Ross Anderson

Ruth Ball

Sally Rudney & Scott

Hoekman Family

Foundation

Samuel L. Statland

Sandra Moore

Sara Mazie

Sarah Nealley

Sarah McKay

Saul Martinez

Sebastian Perez

Shaka Brown

Sharon Cichy

Sheila O'Connell

Sonja Davis

Stacey Rusnak

Stephanie Helsing

Stephanie Grenidge

Stephen Morris

Stuart Smith

Suzanne Tarica

Tania V

Taylor Blackwell

Teresa Ward

Terrance Leary

Theresa Testoni

Tom Niland Jr.

Tonia Bui

Vivian Tiegen

W Gregory Wims

Walter Carlton

Wendy Patten

Wendy Doernberg

Wendy Howard

All Set Restaurant 

Dave & Buster's

NaiNai's Noodle and

Dumpling Bar

Pollo Campero

Aiyana Chery

Alejandra Vasquez -

Gonzales

Alex Reyes

Alicia Escoto

Alina Johnson-Weider

Alliss Arevalo-Campos

Alyscia Cunningham

Arielle Adesanya

Arina Kadam

Araceli Abarca

Astrid Fernanda Torres

Benedicte Raissa

Machili Fah

Betsi Shifferan

Blake Van Fleteren

Blen Amde

Brenda Salguero

Brianne Johnson

Bryan Lopez

Caitlin Hodes

Calisha Wright

Candiance Tyler

Carolina Cabezas-

Zuniga

Cecilia Martinez

Chandi Krohl

Chelsey Perry

Cinn Lun

Claire Asenso

Darouvone Estrada

Dezne Fraser

Diana Alvarez

Diana M Coutreas

Dje Dje Traore

Eliza Carney

Elizabeth Nkansah

Elizabeth Easterly

Ellen Cohen

Elmy Lemus

Emily Garcia

Erin Connolly

Fresnelle Kene

Gaby Seltzer 

Gilma Ruiz

Gina Guzman

Gisselle Romero-

Lemus

Helen Blumen

Het-Heru Sloan

Hoainhon Caramenico

Idalia Ventura

Isha McLennan

Jacquelyne Smith

Jasmyne Downer

Jeanell Amponsah

Jeanna Finamore

Jessica Bunting

Jessica Beardsley

Johanna Moraff

Jordine Williams

Karen Intriago

Karla Abarca

Karla Blanco

Kendra Harris

Kerry Lee Nelson

Keyla Aguilar

Kibi Irving

Kidist Tesfaye

Kristen Writght

Kylie White

Larisa Ketcha

Lenicia Smith

Lexus Byers

Lidya Mengistu

Lindsey Turnbull

Lizzie Hall

Loany Romero-Lemus

Lorie Jackson

Lucy Harrelson

Margo Reid

Melissa Martinez

Melissa Olivar

Michele Joseph

Micheline Kennedy

Michelle Austin

Michelle Salah

Minal Mehta

Monica Abarca

Nagnin Aktar

Nashiya McMillian

Natalie Rivera

Natasha Isler

Olivia Malcolm

Paula Gibson

Rafael Olazagasti

Rashani Ward

Rosaes Baptist

Roxanna Zamarripa

Williamson

Rebekah Smith

Renee Gillard

Robin Carnes

Ryleigh Ahearn

Sarah Sarkar

Sarah McKay

Sergeant Carlo -

Corvoisier

Shakalia Moulton

Shannon Jeffries

Shannon Trudge

Shima Goswami

Shirley Ford

Shruti Bhatnagar

Sierra Lane

Siryi Santos

Solome Teferi

Stephy Faho

Sydne Kersey

Tania Romero

Tasnin Aktar

Tatiana Villalobos

Terry Roberts

Tyra Bounxouysana

Valeria Carranza

Vanessa Pinto

Velvet Livingston

Victoria Hill

Victoria Fosdal

Wendy Doernberg

Widad Naye

Yenny Giron

Yessica Reyes

 11

8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 540

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Host and Emcee

Building Bridges

Award

Girl Legacy AwardKarla Silvestre

Connie Morella

Kathleen Matthews

STAY CONNECTED

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