Before I found Mona and Bridges, I struggled a lot—not just financially, but mentally. My mental health was in shambles, I was stuck in a toxic, abusive relationship, and I had no support system. I felt stuck in neutral, spinning the tires of my life and getting nowhere, with no real confidence or motivation to do anything about it.
At the time of my first interview, I didn’t fully realize what I would gain from Bridges, but I had hope. I desperately wanted to be shown a different path than the one I was on. It’s crazy how much your life and perspective can change in such a short time—that’s exactly what Bridges has done for me.
It has given me knowledge I didn’t have before, from impulse control to recognizing different predators in my own community who prey on desperate people for profit. I also learned about the different registers of language. One of the most valuable lessons I’ll hold onto from this program is abstract thinking. I now realize that the reason I felt so stuck was because my circumstances prevented me from seeing the bigger picture and creating a constructive plan. I was trapped in my tyranny of the moment.
Bridges has given me the confidence and support system I so desperately needed. I can’t thank them enough for the knowledge and self-empowerment they have given me. Because of Mona and Bridges, I have enrolled in school to become a registered nurse. I’ve gone back to therapy and have been consistently taking my medications to be the best version of myself. They’ve also given me hope and a stronger faith, not just in humanity, but in God as well. I truly believe He put me on this path and wanted me and my classmates to meet Mona and get connected with this Godsend of a program for a reason.
I will close with a quote that perfectly describes Bridges:
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”
