Celebrating girls leadership in Montgomery County

November 4, 11:25 AMDC Charity ExaminerFelicia Montgomery

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1, 2, 3 Chispazo! Don’t know what a Chispazo is? Ana Lopez, executive director of Community Bridges, created the play on the Spanish word ‘chispa’, or spark in English, to name the organization’s fall celebration. Those who came out to the event comprised an extended family and caring community in support of Community Bridges.

Daman Toth (left) and Obay Kahala (right) come as invitees of their friend Anna Jeong (middle) who is a new board member of Community Bridges.

Lauren Wetherell (left) and Gboyinde Onijala (right) of Community Bridges welcome guests to the celebration.

Community Bridges is an after-school leadership program that works with girls ages 8 – 18 that aims to empower them to be positive actors in their community. Despite the economic recession, the organization continues to serve about 200 girls a week in the areas of academia, leadership and health education. Lopez notes that she has lost some funding, but other donors have increased their funding. After adjustments and restructuring they are weathering the storm well.

Ana Lopez (left) and Schroeder Stribling (right) are proud of the accomplishments of Community Bridges and its supporters.

“At a time when many nonprofits are cutting back on services or closing their doors… Ana’s leadership has once again given Community Bridges the opportunity to meet the growing needs of low-income girls and their families in Montgomery County,” according to organization’s board chair, E. Schroeder Stribling. Lopez just won the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation’s 2009 Exponent Award, a prize that honors strong and effective nonprofit leaders with a track record of accomplishment. The continued progress of the organization and Lopez’s recent awards are good reason to celebrate ‘chispazo’ style, but also Lopez wanted to increase the visibility of the organization and help the Silverspring area understand that Community Bridges “is not a typical girls organization focused solely on self-esteem". She believes that "girls are the point of intervention for community change”.

Community Bridges presented Sally Rudney (above), executive director of the Montgomery County Community Foundation with a ‘Phenomenal Woman Award’, for her and the Foundation’s steadfast support since 2000. Illustrating the impact on the participants Community Bridges debuted an inspiring video of girls’ testimonials, which will be available their website soon.

Raices de Borinquen preforming

Don’t miss the next Chispazo or your chance to get involved with Community Bridges.

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