July 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 39

of these socioeconomic issues or is
only removed by a couple degrees
of separation. This can cause mental, physical and emotional stress,
which, in turn, creates a barrier to
achieving success in the form of
gainful employment, college acceptance and attendance, and strong
mental and emotional health.
Professionals within recreation
and leisure services can help counteract some of the issues young men
of color face. One approach is the " if
you build it, (they) will come " idea
first made famous in movies, such
as " Field of Dreams " and " Wayne's
World 2. " For example, the District
of Columbia Department of Parks
and Recreation has spent tens of millions of dollars building and renovating its facilities to provide adequate
space and amenities for all our constituents. If we create welcoming,
bright spaces, our youth, particularly
young men, will come to play, learn
and socialize. Another important
park and rec role is the facilitation
of positive relationships with adults.
Taken together, the welcoming facilities and opportunities for positive
adult interactions through program
and activity development afford
these young men a safe, comfortable space where they can relax, find
mentors, and learn and grow.

Unlocking the Potential
BRIDGE stands for bonding, realism, identity, dreams, goal setting
and exposure. These critical aspects of youth development, used
in combination or individually, can
help young people overcome most
obstacles and begin to unlock their
full potential. The following list includes a definition of these terms,
the key skill-builders and best
methods to achieve success:

Bonding builds strong relationships
with participants by developing trust,
providing consistency and care, and
modeling positive behaviors.
* Key skill builders: character and
leadership
* Best methods: talk, listen, establish and enforce rules, spend
time together and be consistent
Realism helps individuals develop an understanding of the issues
that surround them by focusing on
the " why " to understand the reasons problems exist and how to address them.
* Key skill builders: resiliency,
mental durability, awareness,
coping and honesty
* Best methods: present facts, be
clear and direct, and share past
experiences
Identity helps develop an evaluation of self. Focuses on the question, " Who am I? "
* Key skill builders: independence,
self-awareness and discipline
* Best methods: emphasize health
values, highlight passions and
strengths, support self-motivated
activities and provide opportunities for them to help others
Dreams develop aspirations,
whether unrealistic or practical.
* Key skill builders: creativity and
ambition
* Best methods: provide resources
needed for creative expression, allow autonomy to explore ideas and
ask questions that spark dialogue
Goals develop (short-, mid- and
long-term) objectives and plans
that can be revisited.
* Key skill builders: strategic planning and time management
* Best methods: be supportive, develop S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and
time-specific) goals and create a

S.W.O.T (strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats) analysis.
Exposure develops an understanding of the infinite opportunities at their disposal.
* Key skill builders: learning, conflict resolution and sense of higher purpose
* Best methods: build effective
community partnerships to leverage resources, provide workforce
opportunities and create diverse
programs and special events

Tools for Positive Impact
When developing a recreation center's programmatic offerings, it is
important to determine the likes
and dislikes of the young men being served. Enlist their feedback
about ongoing programs and activities, use outcome-based programming and keep them interested by
engaging them in social activities
with their peers (especially with
those individuals who they do not
know). This allows them to practice the skills they're being taught
and to build meaningful bonds
with other young people.
Finally, be sure to give them access to new ideas and opportunities. Like their peers, young men
of color need to be nurtured and
supported, and park and recreation
professionals can provide just that.
We have a responsibility to do the
best we can to foster relationships,
set good examples, provide opportunities and show these young men
they can be successful. Now that
you are thinking about the impact
that you can make, how will you be
" BRIDGE-ing " the gap?
Elliott Brown, B.S., is Recreation Manager for D.C. Department
of Parks and Recreation (elliott.brown@dc.gov). Marcus Coates,
M.P.A., is Interim Chief of Community Recreation for D.C.
Department of Parks and Recreation (marcus.coates@dc.gov).

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