Press Releases – Bridge Street Ministries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bridge Street Ministries Hosts Second Annual STEM Engineering Showcase for Grand Rapids Middle Schoolers

Grand Rapids, MI – December 12, 2025 – Bridge Street Ministries (BSM), a Christ-centered youth development organization, hosted its second Annual STEM Engineering Showcase and Competition yesterday—the culminating event of a five-week hands-on STEM lab series designed to introduce urban middle school students to engineering, creativity, and problem-solving.

Students from the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) neighborhood middle schools of Westwood, Harrison Park, Riverside, and Burton middle schools participated through BSM’s after-school program, Resurgence.

The initiative was inspired by BSM’s founder, who previously worked as a civil engineer and first discovered his passion for engineering and design while competing in a Science Olympiad competition as a middle school student. “That experience changed the trajectory of my life,” he said. “I wanted to give our urban youth the same exposure and opportunity—because exposure equals impact.”

The event was made possible through partnership with STIIX, a STEM learning organization that provided curriculum and project supplies, and the City of Grand Rapids Neighborhood Match Fund, which contributed a $5,000 grant to support the labs and competition.

Over the course of the five-week program, students learned the fundamentals of the engineering design process — from ideation to testing, analyzing, and redesigning their creations. The final competition featured three classic engineering challenges: balsa wood bridge building, an egg drop challenge, and catapult launching.

Winners in each category earned an exciting prize: a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, one of the nation’s premier STEM discovery destinations.

This initiative reflects BSM’s core belief in the potential of every young person. “Some people call these kids ‘at-risk,’” said a BSM representative. “We call them high potential. We believe that when urban youth are exposed to inspiring leaders, provided with adequate support, and given enough time, they can thrive and become the future leaders of our neighborhoods and our city.”

BSM’s mission is to equip and empower youth, through holistic development, to become future leaders of restoration and hope in their communities. This STEM initiative is one more way the organization is helping students discover their gifts, build confidence, and envision the possibilities ahead.

Media Contact:
Alicia Waalkes, Communications Director

Bridge Street Ministries
alicia@bsmgr.org
www.bsmgr.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bridge Street Ministries Launches Public Campaign to Raise $1,100,000 for Youth Center in Burton Heights

Grand Rapids, MI – March 5, 2025 – Bridge Street Ministries, an urban youth development organization, is excited to announce the launch of the public phase of its fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $1,100,000 to purchase and enhance a property in Burton Heights. This center will serve as the third location for their successful after-school initiative, Resurgence.

The organization first began renting space in the Burton Heights neighborhood in 2024 to host their after-school program for students at Burton Middle School. This new youth center will provide a permanent home for the program, which is designed to help middle school students in the area develop healthy relationships, explore educational opportunities, and participate in meaningful extracurricular activities. Bridge Street Ministries will also be seeking entrepreneurial partners to help activate the space throughout the week.

The Resurgence program focuses on providing a safe, Christ-centered environment where students can engage in a variety of activities aimed at their personal growth. The youth center will offer diverse learning labs, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), arts, cooking, Bible engagement, and more. Through these activities, students are exposed to new experiences that foster academic improvement, creativity, and self-discovery.

“Our goal with Resurgence is to equip and empower youth with the skills, resources, and support they need to thrive—both in and out of the classroom,” said Ryan Waalkes, Executive Director of Bridge Street Ministries. “Given adequate support, exposure to inspiring leaders and opportunities, and enough time, we believe that the youth of our urban communities can be our future leaders. We want to change the narrative from ‘at-risk’ to ‘high potential.’”

Parents also benefit from the program, knowing that their children are in a safe, supportive environment after school. The program has a truly holistic model that fosters not only academic success, but social/emotional well-being and spiritual growth, as well as community engagement.

Bridge Street Ministries currently operates three Resurgence sites across the city of Grand Rapids. Their first center opened in 2020 on the city’s West Side, followed by a second location on the Northside in 2022. The Burton Heights site, which opened in 2024, is the newest addition to the network, and the campaign’s goal is to ensure the center has a permanent, sustainable space to continue serving students for years to come.

Funds raised through this campaign will go toward purchasing, enhancing, and furnishing the building, ensuring it is a safe, modern, and welcoming space for youth to grow. The community is invited to support the campaign through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about this important initiative.

About Bridge Street Ministries
Bridge Street Ministries is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth in underserved communities through Christ-centered holistic development. Through its Resurgence program, the organization provides students with a positive and supportive environment where they can build healthy relationships, explore new skills, and grow academically. Bridge Street Ministries is committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of youth in the Grand Rapids area by offering transformative opportunities for growth and leadership.

For more information about Bridge Street Ministries and how you can support the Cultivate Thriving Capital Campaign, visit bsmgr.org or contact Ryan Waalkes at ryan@bsmgr.org.

Contact:
Alicia Waalkes
Communications Coordinator
Bridge Street Ministries
alicia@bsmgr.org
www.bsmgr.org