About Us

Bridges to Community is a nonprofit community development organization that takes volunteers to developing countries to work, learn and reflect. We are made up of people from different cultures, countries, ages, professions and socio-economic backgrounds that work together to build relationships of empathy, respect and support.

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Our Mission

Bridges to Community is a nonprofit service learning and community development organization that brings people from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds together to work, learn and reflect. Through the process of working in local communities, Bridges promotes community and personal transformation, cross-cultural partnerships, sustainable community development, and a commitment to be agents of change in our communities, both locally and globally. read more

Our Vision

Bridges to Community envisions a world in which local and global communities actively organize and work together to create socio-economic systems where all people have the ability, access and power to make their own life decisions. read more

Our Values

Shared Work

We believe there is much to be gained by participating in a shared work experience with people from other cultures. As foundations are poured and blocks are laid we work together towards a common goal. Through that shared experience we learn about ourselves and learn from one another as well. read more

Our History

In 1992 Bridges to Community began its work with a series of trips to Nicaragua - the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Historically, Nicaragua has been battered by natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, and exploited by internal and external political and economic influences. read more

Our Staff


	Kevin Mestrich Executive Director
	Emil 'Rusty' Pedersen Associate Executive Director
	Mark A. Daley Director of Finance & Administration
	Kenia Ramirez Country Director, Nicaragua
	Jameela Ali-Velez Bookkeeper
	Karen McGill Development Assistant
	Diane Tukman Grant Writer
	Bonnie Gordon Site Coordinator
	Marc Valentin Site Coordinator
	Damaris Narcisso Site Coordinator