Bridges from Borders: Being Yourself is Good Enough
Several Tower grants since 2021 have supported Bridges from Borders’ youth programming, promoting mental wellness and greater inclusion for young people with disabilities in Buffalo’s immigrant community. This is an introduction to their work.
Through advocacy, education, and counseling, teen immigrants connected to Bridges from Borders are exposed to community-based tools that build confidence, provide a sense of belonging, and empower them to learn and grow on their journey toward mental wellbeing. As immigrants living in Western New York, these teens have some things in common; however, the intersection of their ethnicity, race, gender, class, and more makes their experiences, challenges, and fears unique.
Yan Liu, the founder of Bridges from Borders (BFB), believes some of the difficulties immigrant youth experience stem from a belief that they must constantly prove themselves to others, which can lead to chronic stress. Liu wants the immigrant community to know that being yourself is good enough.
“I did not have an identity crisis before I immigrated to the U.S. from China. Even when I frequently traveled to the U.S., I knew who I was; but when I came to the U.S. as an immigrant, I felt like I was nothing but the terms and labels associated with where I was originally from,” Liu said. “I had to prove that I was somebody and re-evaluate what it meant to be somebody on my own terms, not what society dictated.”
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2023 Cycle 1 Strengthening Partner Capacity Grants Announced
The agencies below were awarded Strengthening Partner Capacity (SPC) grants in February. SPC grants, which are capped at $40,000, may be applied to a wide range of capacity building needs. More information on the next SPC cycle, with a deadline of May 17th, is available here.
MASSACHUSETTS
- Beverly Children’s Learning Center
- Blueskies Behavioral Health Services
- Calmer Choice
- Express Yourself
NEW YORK
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo
- Buffalo Creek Academy Charter School
- Compeer Buffalo
- Cradle Beach
- Jewish Family Services of Buffalo and Erie County
- Restoration Society
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Coffee Shop "Office Hours"
 The Tower Foundation is headed to a coffee shop near you! If you’re in town when we are, sign up or just drop by for one of our upcoming office hours to catch up and discuss upcoming Tower Foundation grant opportunities.
Essex County Office Hours (March 29)
- Chuck will be at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee in Lynn (61 Munroe Street) on Wednesday, March 29, from 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM.
- Later that day he will be at the Cotton Mill Cafe in Beverly (254 Essex Street) from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. Drop by anytime in those windows to say hello! It’s not required, but if you want to let Chuck know you are coming RSVP him at cec@thetowerfoundation.org.
Cape Cod Office Hours (April 12 and 13)
- Megan will be holding office hours at Old King’s Coffeehouse in West Yarmouth (44 MA-28) on Wednesday, April 12, from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. RSVP to mtm@thetowerfoundation.org.
- Megan will be at the Kitchen Cafe in Brewster (2671 Main Street) on Thursday, April 13, from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. RSVP to mtm@thetowerfoundation.org.
Niagara County Office Hours (March 27, April 5, and 17)
- Meet with Don at Power City Eatery in Niagara Falls (444 3rd Street) on Monday, March 27, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. RSVP to dwm@thetowerfoundation.org.
- Meet with Nick at Steamworks Coffee in Lockport (51 Canal Street) from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Wednesday, April 5. RSVP to ngr@thetowerfoundation.org.
- Meet with Chuck at Platter’s Chocolate Factory/Cafe in North Tonawanda (908 Niagara Falls Boulevard) on Monday, April 17, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. RSVP to cec@thetowerfoundation.org.
Can't make it to one of our office hours? No problem! Schedule a call with a Tower Foundation Program Officer any time.
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GRANT PARTNER SPOTLIGHT :
Cotuit Center for the Arts
A 2022 grant to Cotuit Center for the Arts supports Hello World, summer camp and after-school arts programming for youth with disabilities. Middle and high school-aged students with disabilities have the opportunity to explore a wide range of arts-related activities. The Cotuit Center for the Arts partnered with the Barnstable Recreation Department to offer instruction in painting, poetry, drumming, singing, and yoga - to name just a few of the activities available.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION
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In this space, we will share what we learn, what inspires us, and - in the spirit of transparency - what new actions we take in pursuit of a more equitable approach to our role as grantmaker both internally and externally.
What we are learning:
Have you read this thought provoking piece yet from Maurice Mitchell, national director of the Working Families Party? In this long read, “Building Resilient Organizations,” looks at some of the challenges, anecdotes, and opportunities facing movements emerging from the crises of today. [There’s even a discussion guide!]
What we are doing:
Quarter one at the Tower Foundation has been made up of a great deal of grant review, allowing us to put our DEI work and intersectional focus into practice. Some may have noticed that we have even added a few new prompts to our application, like asking organizations to consider telling us how you incorporate the perspectives of the populations you serve in your work, and to describe what you are doing to make systems, access, and outcomes more equitable. We are learning so much from your responses!
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Mental Health
