To prevent second-generational incarceration by connecting children of prisoners and their families to a Christian network that will inspire them to live up to their God-given potential as members of society.
General Overview
Bridge Builders for Kids (BBFK) is a Christ-centered ministry whose sole focus is children of prisoners. We provide year-round support to children of prisoners through our one-to-one mentoring program as well as through weekly and monthly activities throughout the year, including camps. Seven out of ten children of prisoners become involved with the criminal justice system, and are seven times more likely to end up in prison themselves. BBFK is taking a preventative/proactive approach to break down the walls of suppression surrounding children of prisoners by reaching out to them before the age of 11. We then continue to offer support to them until they are 18. While our main focus is the children, we also help connect their families to additional resources and support through our partners and local churches. Our service areas currently include the Twin Cites and Rochester areas in Minnesota, however, our long-term goal is to create a model that can be duplicated in other communities around the country as God so leads.
Bridge Builders for Kids believes:
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That the Bible is God's inspired and authoritative word without error.
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That there is one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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That Jesus is both man and God. He is God's initiative of Grace toward us. He was born of a virgin and led a sinless life. He performed miracles. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead. He has gone to be with the Father. He will return in power and glory someday.
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That the Holy Spirit lives in Christians, enabling them to live a Godly life.
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That all people are created in God's image. That although all people have sinned and fall short of God's glory, God made salvation possible through the death on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through repentance and faith we are born Spiritually.
Bridge Builders for Kids has adopted the following three core values under which decisions are based and business is conducted:
Bridge Builders for Kids has been accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) since 2003, and is a certified member of the Twin Cities Christian Foundation, both of which demonstrate a strong commitment to financial and internal integrity.
1. Honor God in all we do
- Give God all the credit
- Relinquish all problems to His care and commit significant decisions to prayer
- Love one another as He loved us
- Speak the truth in love and encourage one another
- Proceed boldly in faith toward the mission set before us
2. Practice responsible stewardship
- Follow policies and procedures according to Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) guidelines
- Conduct audits
- Hold an open book policy making all of our financial information available for review
- Support Kingdom expansion by tithing to like-minded ministries
3. Maintain integrity and excellence in programs and services
- Ensure appropriate procedures are followed to ensure safety of staff, volunteers and children
- Ensure sensitive information remains confidential
- Conduct annual evaluation of program and make improvements based on findings
- Provide continuing education to program staff through seminars and trainings
- Promote staff unity and positive team environment
