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My name is Dakota Salazar. Presently, I’m on my way to completing my third year of teaching theatre in Title I middle schools in San Antonio and Houston. I have participated in committees, town hall meetings, and curriculum building workshops advocating for minorities in Fine Arts in college at the University of

Texas at Austin. I’ve been awarded the opportunity to live my dream every day; to make a personal, tangible change in a young person’s life as an educator, due to the support and connections that Annie and Robbie Bridges have placed in my life. They provided me a foundation that I could build my dreams on and gave me guidance in transitioning to young adulthood that I wasn’t sure where else to find. 

As a Title I and first generation college graduate myself, the world of college acceptance essays and applications were far too overwhelming for me and my family who hadn’t experienced that journey yet. Once I was accepted into the top school on my application list, I knew the journey had just begun and the hard work wasn’t done quite yet. Leaning on my support system that had never failed in the past, my family away from my family, I was able to see beyond the negativity realize how big my world really

was. Without the assistance of the Bridges and Singleton family, I wouldn’t be able to speak for those like my past self who didn’t know quite what words to say. I am eternally grateful for them often catching myself recognizing the same hope I had in my eyes reflected in the students that I teach.

-Dakota Salazar, Theater Middle School Teacher

After going to Las Palapas (youth group) and talking about faith and being a leader nearly every week, with Mrs. Bridges and Robbie leading discussions, I discovered that I too had a purpose to fulfill in the world, that I too could be all God has created me to be. I remember there was a point where I needed to fly to a college audition, but my family simply couldn’t afford it. I didn’t know how it was going to happen, and that’s when Mrs. Bridges set up a GoFundMe in order for me to be able to go, and some of the amazing people who support Hacer210 helped me come up with the money to do so. Besides tangible aspects, they’ve empowered me to be a leader and have shaped a huge part of my life. Truly, they’ve allowed me to know that God has a plan for my life and your life. It was no accident that I was invited to be a part of their youth group, it was God working behind the scenes. I’m much more of a faith person, not a fear person, because of all they instilled in me. They’ve taught me that no matter what our economic status is or challenge we face, I can do anything. There’s no reason why I can’t fulfill my ambitions. They’re a huge reason why I have broken negative chains in my family cycle. I had found something that empowered me and gave value to my aspirations. After being a part of youth group during high school, I consider myself to be a leader, or at least I try to be. Now I’m empowering people and “speaking life” as I approach my senior year at Pace University, which just happens to be in the Greatest City in the World! Even crazier, I just moved into my first apartment in Brooklyn. Had I not been involved in youth group, my life would have a life-changing influence missing from it. I’ve broken barriers and have learned how to empower others. Thanks to Robbie and Mrs. Bridges, they’ve helped propel me where I am today. They’re like family!

-Jared Pereida, Undergraduate Pace University, NYC

Robbie and Annie Bridges were not only mentors to me, they were my second family. There were many times when the world turned its back on me, but Robbie and Annie taught me that the world is not only a cruel place, it's a place that has no power over me or the great things I can accomplish . Robbie preached to me that not only is God in my corner, but also that he and Annie where standing right beside me and cheering just as loud. There were many times when I didn't have the luxury of sleeping in my own bed and being scared and casted away from home, Annie and Robbie made sure I was okay and had everything I needed to make the night. However, these are just little examples of the high impacts that Annie and Robbie have caused in my life. Together they pushed me in the right direction and guided me down paths of greatness and excellency. For example Robbie mentored me about college and constantly pushed me to believe that a 4 year university was in my future. After a short 6 months of looking, applying, and typing essays I was accepted not only into one, but two of my dream university with a $22,000 scholarship. Thanks to Robbie for his words of encouragement and constant check ups and referrals I would have never considered a future as great as the one I see now. Annie on the other hand taught me compassion and gratitude, two things missing from my childhood, but found in the greatness of a teacher who loves her job. Annie taught me that with patience and kindness the world is a beautiful place, especially the people you meet and experience it with. Annie constantly pushed for me to be involved, in school and outside of school, constantly keeping me busy and showing me that there's more to life than sadness and being put down all the time. Annie saw the great potential I had and guided me down a path of self love and self care, all things I needed in order to believe in myself and do the things I wanted to do. Robbie and Annie are not only people with their own struggles, they are people of true and pure hearts who inspire and change lives for the better.

-Current Student at Holmes High School