Legislators Visit Orland’s Bridge Teen Center, Highlight Organization’s Community Impact

"The Bridge Teen Center is a crucial resource for teens in our community," said Rep. Sean Casten.

Posted Mon, Apr 13, 2026 at 10:55 am CT

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Bridge Teen Center welcomed U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) on Monday for a special collaborative visit to its Orland Park and Frankfort facilities. Both Congressmen recognize the importance of having accessible resources available for teens in our communities, and wanted to see first-hand how The Bridge is impacting teens and families throughout the south and southwest suburban communities.

During their visit, Representative Casten and Jackson toured The Bridge Teen Center and The Bridge Thrift Store in Orland Park, then traveled to Frankfort to see the new Bridge Thrift Home & Restoration store. They also met with staff and learned about some of the more prominent issues teens today are facing, including a growing mental health crisis. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase how The Bridge is proactively addressing the issues local teens are facing, while creating a safe and welcoming environment where they can begin discovering who they were created to be.

“We were honored to host Representatives Casten and Jackson and share the heart behind The Bridge Teen Center’s mission,” said Priscilla Steinmetz, Founder and Executive Director. “Their visit highlights the importance of investing in programs that support the well-being and development of teens in our communities, and it demonstrates their collective commitment to doing their part to make sure The Bridge is accessible to teens for generations to come.”

The mission of The Bridge Teen Center is to provide free programs during afterschool and unsupervised hours where students in 7th – 12 grade can develop mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually in a safe environment. Programs offered include culinary and other career themed programs, social events and self wellness programs, creative & visual arts programs, trade-focused programs and many more. Each year, more than 350 different programs and events are offered free of charge to thousands of local teens.

“As inequality is on the rise, and our youth are facing unprecedented challenges, it was wonderful to see what the amazing staff and volunteers of The Bridge Teen Center are doing to create safe spaces for youth to grow mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually” said Rep. Jackson. “Moreover, the resources offered to help parents navigate the teenage years are invaluable to address inter-generational needs and break cycles.”

“The Bridge Teen Center is a crucial resource for teens in our community,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “With an ongoing mental health crisis impacting teenagers, spaces that foster community and personal growth are important to support and invest in.”

In partnership with its sister nonprofit thrift stores in Orland Park and Frankfort, The Bridge Teen Center also offers the “Thriftastic” job readiness program designed exclusively for teens. This growing program requires teens to complete an online application and participate in a job interview and orientation. Students then have the opportunity to learn hard and soft skills in a fast-paced retail setting. “At a very young age, students are learning invaluable skills that they will carry with them throughout life,” added Steinmetz. “Most importantly, they are learning to work as part of a team, be part of something bigger than themselves, and to be contributors – not just consumers.”

All programs and events at The Bridge Teen Center are offered to families at no cost. Every year over $850,000+ must be raised through the thrift stores as well as donations from businesses, foundations, and individuals to keep programs and events FREE for teens in the community. The Bridge is also proud of the fact that 93% of all donations directly supports the mission, making the organization one of the most efficient nonprofits in existence.

Membership to The Bridge Teen Center is open to teens in 7th-12th grade, and is offered completely free of charge. A student membership application can be completed online at thebridgeteencener.org/join. Once approved, students will have access to the 350+ free programs and events held annually. The Bridge also hosts “May Membership Month” every year, where incoming 7th graders (and other new students) can schedule tours of the facility with their families. For more information, visit www.thebridgeteencenter.org.

The Bridge Teen Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been recognized at the local, state, and national level by well known entities such as the Illinois Afterschool Network, Afterschool Alliance, US Conference of Mayors, and many more. Over 14,500+ different students from 128 different communities have been served by The Bridge since 2010. For more information about The Bridge Teen Center’s free programs and events, visit thebridgeteencenter.org or call 708.532.0500.