After completing a Building Bridges training day in November, Giulia Gallo '22 wrote a guest op-ed for The Benedicts News online about how the experience shifted her assumptions and perspectives.
Building Bridges
Developed to build bonds of understanding and trust between communities of color and law enforcement, Building Bridges is an initiative that brings students from St. Benedict's Prep together with members of law enforcement for a shared experience involving physical, mental, and emotional challenges, as well as team building and reflection. Facilitated by Victory Road Leadership Development Group, the program launched in 2021 with a group of Benedict's students and New Jersey State Troopers. Its aim is to become a national model that can be replicated locally, regionally and nationally.
Building Bridges is sponsored by Davis Polk and the Other Fellow First Foundation. Donations of all sizes will help support and expand this vital program.
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To support Building Bridges or get involved, please contact Michael Fazio, chief advancement officer, at mfazio@sbp.org.
Building Bridges in the News
CBS News cameras captured a daylong training session of Building Bridges involving St. Benedict's Prep students and New Jersey State Troopers. The segment aired in December 2021.
Veteran journalist Steve Adubato, host of One on One with Steve Adubato interviewed Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B. '63 about Building Bridges. The segment aired on April 14, 2022.
Impact of Building Bridges
St. Benedict's student participants in the Building Bridges program reunited with New Jersey State Troopers on December 7, 2022 to celebrate the success of the program. While reconnecting, students and troopers discussed barriers to positive relationships between communities and law enforcement, as well as changed perspectives and new friendships.
Testimonials
"[Building Bridges] allows Troopers to see things through the eyes of high school students and vice versa, allowing those high school students to see things through the eyes of our Troopers," says Colonel Patrick J. Callahan of the New Jersey State Police.
We are grateful to our inaugural sponsors:
