Meet Jimmy Gonzalez, Masaya Community Coordinator – And a Bridges’ Scholarship Success Story

"When I was a boy, Bridges volunteers came to Las Conchitas where I lived. I always wanted to interact with the groups and loved helping out with the projects. In the beginning it was hard to understand how this organization and its volunteers could make much of a difference for us. But now, years later, it is easy to see that Bridges has not only impacted me but all the communities where they work. So many families including mine are so much better off," states Jimmy.

A Bridges volunteer, Gloria Stein, became close to him when he was a boy working at the building site and encouraged him to seek a scholarship. Jimmy was the second student ever to receive a Bridges scholarship in 2003 and graduated four years later with a degree in Systems Engineering.

While Jimmy was a student, he volunteered with Bridges, helping with computer programs and volunteer groups. After graduation, he became the assistant community coordinator for Bridges to Community's Masaya site. In January 2010, Jimmy was promoted to community coordinator with the responsibility of working with all the Masaya community leaders.

Jimmy says, "I've had the advantage of being there before Bridges came and after. I've had the privilege of getting to know the people who worked on the projects and all of the groups that have come. Bridges is part of my life."