Organization/Company Questions Narrative and Mission
- What is your organization or company? Give background history including by whom, when, and why it was founded.
BuildaBridge International is a non-profit arts education and intervention organization. It was founded in 1997 by two university colleagues, Dr. Corbitt and Dr. Nix-Early seeing a need for impoverish youth in Philadelphia.
2000, BuildaBridge gained 501c3 status.
2001 established the first community based arts program and trained over 1000 participants from Philadelphia and around the world to work with vulnerable populations in art.
2004 – collaborated with local family shelter to paint a mural. This grew into a regular volunteer art program for transitional homes.
2006 – Collaborated with Homeless Children Initiative and the Philadelphia school district to develop after school programs in 7 emergency shelters and transitional homes.
2007 – Summer program “Artology” was born for 250 elements elementary and Middle School youths integrating learning, art, biology and environmental responsibility.
2008 – 1 week camp for kids living in poverty held simultaneously in several countries around the world.
2009 – International work spread to Guatemala, Egypt, Kenya, Nicaragua and Philadelphia. Trainings established for local community workers for arts based trauma informed work.
2010 Haiti project following the Earthquake with teams to help schools and orphanages with art based intervention.
2011 – BuildaBridge jointed 3 refugee resettlement agencies, mental health providers, and pediatric treatment facilities creating the Philadelphia Refugee Mental Health Collaborative. Supported by a grant from the Department of Behavioral Health.
2012 – present – Arts based program with psychology and Arts relief program in disaster areas. Collaborative work with community programs in Philadelphia and Global services.
2. What do they do or make – describe the products and services and what makes them unique.
BuildaBridge provides art based intervention, education and development for healing and trauma. They started in a Baptist Church providing a Saturday Morning Art Program for at risk youths in Philadelphia. In 2000 Dr. Corbitt and Dr. Nix-Early (Co-founders) were asked to lead a team to Rwanda to work with communities following the genocide. They lead counseling services for children and adults. From this experience, BuildaBridge began developing training materials for survivors of violence and abuse. Over the years, they have provided trainings and art programs to several countries in the world.
- Describe the culture of the organization or company. What is the work environment like – the atmosphere? What is the building like – exterior/interior, architecture, fittings and furniture? How do the employees work together? What are the jobs and roles of individuals? How does management treat them?
In February 2003, the Co-founders purchased the Caroline Karsner Historic Mansion to host the offices for BuildaBridge. This is a beautiful historical mansion in Philadelphia. The staff is young (late 20s-30s) and range in degrees from artists to therapists/counselors, Graduate students from Eastern University’s Urban Studies Program, an art teacher, and Social Worker. Staff positions include: the Project Manager with the Philadelphia Refugee Mental Health Collaborative providing arts-based community mental health activities, Global Relief and Development Coordinator, Special Events & Programs Associate, Community Programs Administrative Associate, Research & Evaluation Associate, Communications Associate, Online Curriculum Development & Administration Associate. They work in collaboration with global communities teaching local staff to work with suffering populations within their communities.
4. Who is the targeted audience? What are their demographics? (Age, gender, income level, where they live, own or rent, etc.)
The targeted audience are those who are the lower 20% of the US and world’s population who suffer in poverty, physical pain, homelessness and emotional suffering as a result of war, catastrophe, human trafficking, abuse and neglect. The organization serves these populations in Philadelphia, Guatemala, Egypt, Kenya, and Nicaragua.
- What is the organization or company mission statement? Tagline? (Can be the same – Nike’s is, “Just Do it!”
BuildaBridge mission is to engage creative people and the transformative power of art making to bring hope and healing to children, families, and communities in the contexts of crisis and poverty. BuildaBridge envisions a world where all children are resilient, experience self-efficacy, and have a vision for their future. BuildaBridge dedicates its resources to building the capacity of creative adults and local communities to fulfill this vision.