Dahlia: Nuggets' Nene scores for kids

Published December 1, 2005 at midnight

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Denver Nuggets power forward Nene won't be very powerful on the court for a while, because of knee surgery in early November, but he displayed his real power recently as he interacted with kids at the Bridge Project Gala.

The Bridge Project, dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for children in Denver's public housing neighborhoods, recently celebrated 14 years of success at its 2005 gala.

Nene didn't just make an appearance at the gala; he's personally involved with the kids and visits their neighborhoods every now and then to shoot hoops with them.

A Celebration of Success: One Child at a Time was the theme of the evening, which honored the achievements of every child who has thrived through the Bridge Project.

The project was founded in 1991 after Dan Ritchie, then-University of Denver chancellor and current DU Board of Trustees chairman, issued an initiative for university departments to address social issues facing the metro area.

The Graduate School of Social Work, the Denver Housing Authority and a private donor combined forces to bring education, social and career resources and other opportunities to Denver's inner-city youth. The Bridge Project was born.

It serves three public housing neighborhoods and more than 400 kids each year.

The gala at the Marriott City Center included a cocktail hour, dinner, silent and live auctions, live entertainment and testimonials by Bridge Project students, who spoke about their experiences with the program.

"Our annual gala event is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible progress Bridge students have gained through unique one-on-one tutoring in reading, science and math," said Bridge Project Executive Director Mary Krane.

Bridge Project offerings include the after-school program, where students gain skills in technology, outdoor education and social interaction. Volunteers tutor and mentor the kids and help prepare older students to graduate from high school and attend college or trade schools.

The summer program for children ages 5 to 13 provides eight weeks of intense exercises that develop literacy, technological and social skills. Middle- and high-school students can attend a one-week Technology Boot Camp at the Colorado School of Mines.

Participants in The Bridge Project's scholarship program receive financial support for tuition, books, supplies and health insurance while attending local colleges, universities and trade schools.

To date, 24 former "bridgers" have graduated from college, and 23 "bridgers" are attending local colleges and universities on scholarships.

"The dedication of more than 150 volunteer tutors has helped Denver's children nurture their dreams through education," said 2005 Bridge Project Gala chairman Troy Smith.

Among the many supporters ensuring the project's continued success are Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher; City Council members Kathleen MacKenzie, Marcia Johnson and Charlie Brown; University of Denver Provost Gregg Kvistad; former DU Board of Trustees chairwoman and 2005 Josef Korbel Humanitarian Award recipient Joy Burns; Bridge Project Advisory Board President Rhonda Knop; emeritus board members Gary Yourtz, and his wife, Teresa, Jerry Gray, and his wife, Lorna and Charlie Biederman, and his wife, Regina. The Biedermans co-hosted a kickoff party for the fete in June.

Other supporters at the gala included Advisory Board member Barry Hirschfeld and his wife, Arlene; Linda and Leo Goto; Rhonda Knopp and Tim McManus; Marlin and Ed Barad; Mike Altenberg; and members of the Pluss family: Colette, Julius, Rose, Richard, Annette, Dana and Matt Pluss. Matt serves on the Advisory Board.

For more information about the Bridge Project, call 303-871-7405 or visit www.du.edu/bridgeproject/.

Dahlia Jean Weinstein is the society writer. weinsteind@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-2882.

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