Fresno Bridge Academy families do heavy lifting

I appreciate Michael Doyle’s reporting on my testimony before the House Agriculture Committee on the Fresno Bridge Academy. I want to give credit where it’s due. The Bridge Academy is a public-private, outcomes-based partnership between a very well run nonprofit called Reading and Beyond, the Fresno County Department of Social Services and the California Department of Social Services.

Career and family navigators are the heart of the program. They work with participating families to help them develop individualized pathways out of poverty, lead them to the on-ramps, and support them at every step as they traverse the pathway.

But let’s be clear, the hard work of traversing the pathway lies with the participating families. No one can do that for them.

It is inspiring to see them work to get their GED and vocational training, acquire or improve any number of life skills, and ultimately land jobs with upward mobility opportunity. It is immensely gratifying to see their children improve their school attendance and academic performance as the families discover new economic stability. I feel blessed to be able to tag along with them.

This story was originally published September 19, 2016 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Fresno Bridge Academy families do heavy lifting."