Although Craig Stevens has only been to Fayetteville, Arkansas once, he was so impressed with some of the employees he met from Youth Bridge that he decided to make a contribution. Because Craig is such a college football fanatic, he thought the best way he could give back to Youth Bridge was by sending clients to Reynolds Razorback Stadium to experience a University of Arkansas football game. Clients regularly are able to attend games to root on the Razorbacks, and even get money to buy popcorn and souvenirs. Additionally, Craig has generously donated to our annual campaigns the last several years and continues to make an impact with the clients at Youth Bridge.

Craig is a partner in a CPA firm in Maryland. He is married to Belinda and has two wonderful children, Carter and Patrick. At one point in time, Craig worked briefly with Madison Guaranty S& L and has visited Little Rock a few times, however, Craig is not from Arkansas, nor did he know anyone previously from Arkansas.  Youth Bridge is so privileged and proud to have a donor such as Craig Stevens. When we told Craig how much we appreciated his support his answer was simply, “Thank goodness there are programs like Youth Bridge.” He also says, “Don’t make fun of a youth for his odd behavior; he is only trying on one face after another to find his own.” What a wise man! We thank Craig from the bottom of our heart for his commitment and generosity.

United Way Day of Caring was Thursday, April 17 where more than 700 volunteers from all over Northwest Arkansas came together to give back to non-profits in the area. The United Way considers the value of a highly trained volunteer to be $18.77, and with over 700 volunteers, we put close to $90,000 back into the community in just one day! Thanks to the great volunteers and the United Way for making the Day of Caring possible.

Youth Bridge was lucky enough to have four different projects going on with a total of close to 30 volunteers working hard. In Fayetteville volunteers planted a vegetable and berry garden at our Copper Creek House (16-18 year old homeless and runaway girls), cleaned up and painted the deck at our Zion House (long-term foster care girls ages 13-17) and painted and stained the deck at our Julie House (The Fayetteville Junior Civic League Transitional Living Program for homeless and runaway youth ages 18-22). All of the volunteers also helped weed, pick up limbs, gather trash and make our Fayetteville houses and their yards look great. Now these houses really look like homes!

In Centerton we had a very active group who built heavy duty shelves to hold all the food in the dining room. Clients were having to share their dining space with various tables and bookshelves to hold all their food. Now they can relax and enjoy the dining room without being cramped. Our volunteers also cleaned up flower beds, weeded and mulched to make the Centerton offices and shelter grounds look beautiful.

Youth Bridge always has volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups and would love to match you up with a project. If you’d like to volunteer or learn more about the United Way’s Day of Caring, please call Holland Hayden Jensen at 479-575-9471.

Photos from the Day of Caring

Audie Weatherford, who has contributed more than 200 volunteer hours to Youth Bridge since October was named a co-winner of Volunteer of the Year for 2007 by the United Way Foundation of Northwest Arkansas. Donna Hamilton, Director for the United Way of Northwest Arkansas said, “we are proud to announce this year’s winners for 2007 award for Volunteer of the Year; Audie Weatherford of Youth Bridge and Linda Morgan of the Red Cross. This year was one of the most difficult years to choose a winner because of double the amount of nominations. The winners show exemplary service and interest in community and volunteerism and put their efforts where their words are. They contributed huge numbers of hours based on the huge need of volunteers in the community. The United Way is proud of all the nominees and without them we could not exist.”

“Out of all the awards I’ve won this one means the most because it recognizes all the hard work I’ve done for Youth Bridge. My kids in the program are some of the ones who nominated me and that really touches my heart. I do volunteer work because it’s important to me, not to get awards…but the recognition is nice”, Weatherford said.

In the past five months, Weatherford has secured many donations, including personal hygiene products for more than 40 clients, jackets for teenagers, baby wipes and supplies for clients with children and two new tires for a young woman in Youth Bridge’s Transitional Living Program. She has played an integral part in allowing Youth Bridge to participate in the United Way’s “Day of Caring” through the organization of volunteer projects and supplies.

Not only has she secured donations from businesses all over Northwest Arkansas, but has also helped seven Youth Bridge clients enroll at Northwest Arkansas Community College. This was a huge accomplishment for Weatherford, who pulled records, diplomas and credits together for seven teens from across the country. She also secured a donation of eight Dell computers for the students to help with schoolwork and arranged for free tutoring at the college. Weatherford has helped with donations, in-kind contributions, taxes and FASFA acquisition (Federal financial aid).

Weatherford’s direct work with Youth Bridge clients has become indispensable. Scott Linebaugh, Executive Director of Youth Bridge said, “needless to say, Audie is a wonderful person, student and volunteer. We are proud and very privileged to have her at Youth Bridge.”

Weatherford, of Sulphur Springs, donates her time to Youth Bridge while a full-time student at the University of Arkansas majoring in social work. She is married to Gerry Weatherford and is the mother of three boys; Joshua, 23, a Marine stationed in Japan, Nick 21, and Alex, 15, a sophomore at Gravette High School.

Weatherford graduated from NWACC in May 2007 with two Associates Degrees in Arts and Science. She was the Distinguished Graduate of her class and spoke at graduation. She earned a scholarship as one of the Top 20 All-USA Academic Team chosen by USA Today and Phi Beta Kappa out of 1,600 applications from across the country. She was also named the New Century Scholar among all two-year college students in Arkansas.

The mission of Youth Bridge, Inc. is to help at-risk youth and their families build brighter futures by providing supportive and empowering services. Youth Bridge has been providing services for the youth and their families of Northwest Arkansas for more than 44 years.

For more information about Youth Bridge, Inc. or to speak with Audie Weatherford, please call Holland Hayden Jensen at (479) 575-9471.

Someone save me,
Someone set me free.
I need to be let out of this cage,
I need to be let out of this rage.
I’m an abused puppet on an empty stage.
Will the audience seize the puppeteer,
Or leave the puppet alone from fear?
I love the world,
But hate my life,
It is dismal and filled with strife.
But with some help it could be nice.
Please fill it with love,
For it is dear, without someone surely
The end is near.
Hopefully someone will hear…

-Brett, 14