Fostering a sense of belonging in a safe and inclusive community where newly-arrived refugee and immigrant families can thrive.

ourBRIDGE is a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) organization that fosters the Education, acculturation, and well-being of refugee and immigrant families through out-of-school programs and comprehensive, culturally-responsive wraparound support to hundreds of families from all over the world.

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Love

Education

Respect

Diversity

Charlotte’s Community of Newcomers is Growing!

Did you know that in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students represent 175 countries and speak more than 200 languages? In fact, 1 in 3 kids speak another language at home, and nearly 26,000 of them are learning to speak English!

Refugee and immigrant families arrive in Charlotte with differing levels of English language proficiency, many backgrounds, and life experiences. ourBRIDGE was created to address the existing gaps in culturally-responsive services, access, and support, in an effort to help newly arrived immigrant and refugee children and families in Charlotte thrive.

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Since 2014, we have worked tirelessly to cultivate genuine relationships and partnerships with Charlotte’s newcomer neighbors and everyone who honors our experiences and believes in the power of diversity and inclusion.

You can help us create opportunities for many more newly arrived families to adjust to a new community and develop a sense of belonging.

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Together, We Can Create a Welcoming Community

Afterschool and Summer Programs

ourBRIDGE for KIDS offers culturally-responsive hands-on afterschool and summer programs that are intentionally designed for newly-arrived children from all over the world and include full meals, transportation, and our own curriculum. Our focus is to help accelerate their English acquisition and literacy, ensure their socio-emotional well-being, and foster each other’s cultural pride and appreciation as they adjust to their new home in the United States.

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Wraparound Support In Thirteen Languages

ourBRIDGE for KIDS offers culturally-responsive hands-on afterschool and summer programs that are intentionally designed for newly-arrived children from all over the world and include full meals, transportation, and our own curriculum. Our focus is to help accelerate their English acquisition and literacy, ensure their socio-emotional well-being, and foster each other’s cultural pride and appreciation as they adjust to their new home in the United States.

Learn More →

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Partner with Us

1. Get to Know Us

ourBRIDGE is a one-of-a-kind place where staff, kids, and families from all over the world work together to create a strong community in which they can thrive. Schedule a time to visit us so you see it for yourself!

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2. Make a Contribution

We need your financial support to continue the work. Use our online form to make a tax-deductible monthly, annual, or one-time donation.

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At ourBRIDGE, we know the importance of living in a community where we can feel proud of who we are, and where we come from.

Equity, Justice, Inclusivity

Through our active community presence and advocacy, we promote equity, justice, and inclusivity to make Charlotte a city that values cultural diversity and treats immigrant and refugee neighbors with dignity and respect.

Representation

ourBRIDGE is committed to building a team that fully represents the experiences, languages, and countries of the families we work with.

Community

​​We host many community events that are excellent opportunities to meet new friends and experience the many cultures present in our beautiful city. See our calendar of events!

Diversity

80% of our staff is BIPOC, Immigrant, refugee, or 1st generation American and we are able to work with families in 13 languages.

Celebration

We are non-faith based and we uplift our students religious holidays and celebrations to build a more diverse, accepting community.

Sensitivity

We adopt an equity-centered, trauma-informed approach with a cultural lens.

We are proudly immigrant-led!

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A trusted voice in the community

YWCA Community Champion Award

2021

MICA Global Leadership Award

2020

Dr. Nish Jamgotch Jr. Humanitarian Award

2020

NC Child Hunger Hero Award

2020

Charlottean of the Year

2014/2018

ourBRIDGE in the News

Sil Ganzo featured on the cover of HOLA News Magazine

Originating from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sil Ganzo is the founder and director of ourBRIDGE for Kids, an organization that helps families.

ourBRIDGE for KIDS at CreativeMornings

CreativeMornings is a breakfast lecture series for the creative community. ourBRIDGE kicked off the 2023 season with the first morning.

WCNC: Charlotte After-School Program ourBRIDGE Helps Refugees Adapt

ourBRIDGE was featured in WCNC on December 10, 2021.