WHAT HAPPENS IN A BRIDGES WORKSHOP?
A BRIDGES workshop is about more than the techniques and technology of photography. As part of a BRIDGES storytelling workshop you will travel to the other side of the camera lens, into the lives, hearts and minds of teens around the world.

After receiving instruction from master photographers such as BRIDGES founder Phil Borges in digital photography techniques, Photoshop, and even basic video editing using Premiere, you will help local teens create meaningful multi-media pieces using photographs, ambient sound, narration, and music. Along the way, you’ll discover the transformative potential of storytelling and become an important agent of social change and cross-cultural awareness.

Travel to some of the most picturesque areas in the world with BRIDGES, where you will foster empowerment of youth in these communities by helping them discover a voice for positive impact. We think you'll agree - the BRIDGES experience can change more than just your photographic or videographic skills – it’s a chance to change the world. MORE INFO

WELCOME TO SAN XAVIER
We’re extremely proud to introduce Bridges’ newest site: the San Xavier Indian Reservation, just south of Tucson, Arizona. San Xavier is the second largest reservation in the US, and is home to the Tohono O'odham people.

Our partners at San Xavier are the TO Education Center and VOICES, a Tuscon-based non-profit that gives voice to at-risk youth through an intensive photo-journalism program. Josh Schacter and Kimi Eisele of Voices and Ronald Felix and Gertie Lopez (photo on left) from the education center have been working with 14 teens from the reservation since November of 2005 through a program called “Looking Forward, Looking Back.” LFLB challenges the students to create digital stories that examine their lives on the reservation. continue

NOTES FROM PHIL
Spring is here and there is a lot of new activity in the Bridges domain! We are pleased to announce two new Board members: Kirk Anderson and Terry Lee. Kirk has an extensive background in management and project development and has helped refine our mission statement and generate a constituent survey. Terry served as a mentor in our workshop in Ollayantambo, Peru last summer and brings an extensive technical background and tremendous enthusiasm for the Bridges program. continue

TANIA WESTBY - FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Tania has done an extraordinary job as a classroom mentor and volunteer for Bridges for over two years. After initially volunteering at Aki Kurose, she brought her expertise to Hamilton for the last year. Tania interacts effectively with the students in the classroom, is at ease with often-faltering technological tools, and has taken a lead in developing curriculum and innovative presentations. Whenever we solicit projects ideas or suggestions for improvement, we receive well-thought out, detailed suggestions and great ideas from her. Tania recently joined the Bridges staff as our program coordinator.

Tania will be our Program Coordinator, responsible for communicating with and nurturing the Bridges sites around the world. Tania began to seriously study photography in the Rocky Mountain School of Photography’s summer intensive program in 2002 and has volunteered with Bridges since 2004. She is fascinated by the odd details and
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PHIL @ ADOBE
Phil will also be giving a talk at a gathering of Adobe’s marketing personnel on Monday, May 5. He will discuss his experiences attempting to build the global community, engaging with students from different cultures, and introducing technology to enable youth in developing countries to share their stories and broaden their horizons.  He will also discuss his ideas for how to deepen and widen the impact of such programs in the future.