BRIDGE THE GAP ALABAMA

Bridge The Gap Alabama (BTGA) is a By Faith Community Development Program that focuses on bridging certain communication barriers between youth/young adults and law enforcement. Through the BTGA program we focus on building healthy relationships and effective communication skills between youth and law enforcement personnel.

What Prompted Our Passion?

Former United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown stated “In the wake of so many tragic incidents across the country involving negative and often lethal encounters between law enforcement officers and young people, particularly young people of color, this program is absolutely essential to the development of mutual respect and rapport.”

There is an unpresented rising number of incidents in the state of Alabama that involve negative scenarios between youth and law enforcement. These scenarios often lead to distrust within a community. When distrust arise in the community so does other issues that often result in trickle effects of ineffective relationships. Therefore, in collaboration with local law enforcement, public school systems and other agencies, we made a commitment to implement ongoing programs that will foster healthier dynamics between youth and law enforcement.

What Does BTGA Do?

Through the BTGA program we pair local law enforcement with youth in the community in which they serve. We foster bi-weekly mentoring sessions and focus on various structured topics each session. A key factor in our success is that our youth are afforded the opportunity to see various situations through the eyes of law enforcement. 

What is unique about BTGA is that we incorporate the marketplace into our program. For those apart of BTGA ages sixteen and older, our law enforcement mentors aid with resume building, college preparation, career placement, career trades, etc.