When Nayeishka Gonzalez began her freshman year at Trenton Central High School, she felt lost. “I would just go straight to class, go home and do nothing,” she says.
This changed when she joined Bridge to Employment (BTE), a college and career readiness program, during her sophomore year.
Gonzalez, the oldest of six kids, lives in Trenton, New Jersey. Over 26% of Trenton’s population lives in poverty — more than twice that of the national average — and 89% of people 25 and older do not have a bachelor’s degree. This made Trenton an ideal location for BTE.
The program has a track record of success: 100% of BTE participants who complete the program graduate from high school, and 88% of eligible BTE participants enroll in an institution of post-secondary education.
FHI 360 provides strategic planning, technical assistance and resources for program implementers, student activities, a global BTE community, and sustainability planning — the last of which has been essential for BTE Trenton, which has self-sustained for four years beyond its pilot funding.
For over 20 years, FHI 360 has done this work in partnership with the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Foundation to inspire young people to stay in school, pursue higher education and feel empowered to create their own paths forward.
Connecting students to hands-on, minds-on learning
Every week, Gonzalez and other BTE Trenton students participate in hands-on and minds-on learning that they can apply both inside and outside the classroom. These activities range from participating in mock interviews to designing and constructing a prosthetic hand.
“It’s not really about designing the most efficient hand,” says Gabrielle Smith, a student at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and a Bonner Scholar (a student volunteer who serves as a mentor in BTE classrooms). “It’s more about teaching them teamwork skills and teaching them the scientific process and about trial and error.”
The students have a say in these activities and often provide feedback.
“Gathering feedback is really important,” says Smith. “If [the students] are not engaged in the workshops, they’re not going to gain a lot from them.”
Gonzalez feels the workshops benefit her future — and her siblings’ futures, too.
“I come from a first-gen family. First [person] graduating [high school], first graduating college — so I don’t have that knowledge, and neither do my parents,” she says. “Everything I’m learning here is useful to me and will be useful to my siblings as well.”
Connecting students to role models
BTE Trenton relies on a team of role models to motivate and inspire the students. Bonner Scholars, J&J employees and academic coaches connect students to academic enrichment programs, tutoring, summer internships and job shadowing opportunities.
Smith feels she’s in a unique position as a TCNJ student and Bonner Scholar. “I’m closer in age to them. It’s easier for me to relate to them,” she says. “I could help try and provide resources to students that might not otherwise have access to them.”
One of these resources is college preparation. When it’s time for a student to apply to college, BTE Trenton role models help students navigate the application process.
Gonzalez’s BTE Trenton role models are encouraging. “Sometimes when you’re feeling down on yourself or you’re like, ‘Oh, I can’t do this,’ they’ll be there and they’ll help you out and be like, ‘Hey, you can do this,’” she says.
While BTE Trenton is a rewarding experience for the students, it’s also meaningful for the role models.
“My students have been teaching me Spanish. Sixty-seven percent of our students come from bilingual households,” says Nicole Dent, a teacher lead at Trenton Central High School. “A couple of our students will some days only speak to me in Spanish. My Spanish is getting better slowly.”
NuRocha Williams, a global and strategic insights manager at J&J and a BTE Trenton role model, enjoys “being able to engage with teenagers and see the world through their eyes. I feel like I learn a lot, and it brings me a lot of energy.”
From the classroom to the community
BTE also has a lasting impact on the students’ families and communities, and Dent has seen students go through the program and return as volunteers.
“[BTE Trenton has] been something much bigger than just what happens here at the high school. This program has had a huge ripple effect in the community with our families and our students,” she says. “What doesn’t often get told [about Trenton] is the success stories. And I think BTE is one of those success stories.”
A bright future
Because of BTE Trenton, Gonzalez is feeling hopeful about her future. After high school, she wants to pursue a degree in law or a dual degree in law and psychology.
She is in good company. Over 91% of BTE graduates are planning on education beyond secondary school; about the same percentage feel more college and career ready than they did prior to participating in the program.
“As a BTE student I’ve learned that there’s not only one career path that you have to take,” says Gonzalez. “There’s so many things that you can do and there’s so many opportunities. All you have to do is look for it and work hard.”
All photos are credited to Edwin Torres for FHI 360.