The Community Congregational Church of Short Hills, NJ has very generously donated $43,000 to The Bridge’s Imani Center, a School-Based High School Outreach Program located on the grounds of Irvington High School.   Inside Imani’s blue trailer, the Imani staff provide critical support, counseling, and after school services for students and parents in the community.  Rev. Dr. Johann J. Bosman, Senior Minister of the Church, saw the need for additional support and mobilized resources.  “This generous donation will fund the hiring of two bilingual Parent Outreach Coordinators (Creole and Spanish), and provides funding for basic need items such as bus tickets, clothing and food for students.  “We are so grateful to The Community Congregational Church of Short Hills for recognizing our work in this significant way.  They are a wonderful partner and supporter,”  Inya Chehade, CEO, The Bridge.
 
Rev. Bosman, along with Jennifer Hyrnyk and Meredith Wright, spearheaded this program and worked closely with Beverly Canady, Imani Center Program Director and Inya Chehade, Bridge CEO.  Ms. Canady remarked, “By bringing these bi-lingual Parent Outreach Coordinators to the Imani team, we hope to increase access to parents by opening our doors on Saturdays and engaging parents to become empowered advocates for their children.”