Student Profile

Building Bridges accepts students from 14 to 18 years of age who are struggling with chemical dependency, disruptive behaviors – both in the home and in the school – as well as behavioral and social issues, such as depression and anxiety. Typically, young men in these circumstances will be struggling academically, acting out at home and in the community, be oppositional/defiant, and may have experienced drastic changes in their choice of friends.

Our program is designed for families who fin the challenges their son is bringing to the family too difficult to manage on their own. The young men in our program will begin to look at their issues in an open and honest manner, understanding the need to make positive changes in their lives. The average young man in our program will attend public school, and should be able to handle the academic challenges of the average high school in a highly supportive environment. Existing academic issues will be a part of what we ask each student to address, guided by the framework our program provides. More often than not we find that by working on their personal lives, our students excel in school without the use of any medications.

Our average length of stay is 12-15 months and is highly dependent on the student’s progress. Some of our students accept and understand the process rather quickly, while others may take a while longer to make that progress. Our counselors and staff will work closely with each family to determine the appropriate expectations for the student’s length of stay.