Orphan’s Bridge is an international organization working to enrich the lives of orphaned children. We seek to give the children more opportunities in life and expand their world. This is accomplished through a variety of programs and projects. The programs and projects fall under the following categories: Food Supplies Social Interaction Life Skills Training Enrichment Field Trips Facility Improvements Equipment Improvements Every orphanage has a different set of needs. Those run from the basic necessities to facility or educational needs. Most orphanages cannot go beyond providing the basic needs for the children. Orphan’s Bridge gains connections to orphanages and develops a relationship with their directors. Then we assess the needs of the orphanage and determine how best we can assist in enriching and improving the lives of the children. Orphan’s Bridge programs are carried out through direct contact. We travel to an orphanage with a team of volunteers and work directly with the children. On some of the trips we work on facility projects. The projects vary depending on needs, budget, and manpower. Examples of facility improvements are water systems, bathroom facilities, food preparation areas, and improving sleeping quarters. These projects are designed to improve the living conditions and quality of life for the orphans. Other trips may focus on equipment improvements. In some orphanages the children rarely leave the compounds they live in. Our goal is to update and add equipment useful in everyday life. This will include furniture for the facility, educational equipment, playground equipment, or air cooling systems. As stated above, we seek to expand the children’s world. One way we do this is by taking the children on field trips. The field trips are designed with historical, societal, or experiential importance in mind. The trips are educational and designed to develop social, physical, mental, and emotional growth. The trips may be one day or up to a week long. We may visit the ocean, historic sites, museums, zoos, or tour businesses to show a variety of career choices. During all these activities children are taught valuable life skills and trade skills. As an organization, we seek to expose children to multiple skills and career choices. We seek to support the children in expanding their aspirations. We seek to provide opportunity and personal growth. Join us as we touch children’s lives and move them beyond their limitations.

Our Mission is to love and nurture underprivileged orphans through projects designed to enrich their lives, brighten their futures, and help them achieve their highest potential.

We work in Denver Colorado, Mante Mexico, Victoria Mexico, Monterrey Mexico, and Costa Rica

Life Skills Training, Education, Social interaction, Facility Improvements, Equipment Improvements, Enrichment Field Trips, and Food Supplies

Fundraiser Art Show, Denver Colorado, Valentines Day 2009

The idea for the organization came while several of the founders were working on projects in Ciudad Mante, Mexico. The group had traveled to Mante in July of 2007, loosly in connection with the Sister Cities organization. Mante is a sister city to Boulder, Colorado. While in Mante, the group assisted with a housing project for a group of indigenous mountain girls who would be attending nursing school. The group also worked at the local orphanage, Casa Hogar. “We just fell in love with the kids” said Katie Peterson, the originator of the Orphan’s Bridge idea. Katie is a first grade school teacher at Louisville Elementary School. By the end of the week we had the basic frame work of the organization. As soon as the group arrived home they began developing the plans. Katie, her husband Jeff , their two sons Andrew and Brandon and a niece Brittney Anderson took a few classes on starting a non-profit corporation. Jeff is a fire fighter with the Longmont Fire Department. Andrew, Brandon and Brittney are college students. By February 25thof 2008, Orphan’s Bridge was a corporation and had filed for non-profit status with the IRS. In May, Orphan’s Bridge had been approved for 501 (c) (3) non-profit status. Pitching in on the project and co-founders of the organization are Jackie Hockney, a school teacher in Broomfield and Craig Paull a fire fighter/paramedic with the Longmont Fire Department.

Orphan's Bridge is an all volunteer organization. No one receives compensation or wages for their work in the organization. We feel this is important so that we minimize the administrative costs and maximize the money that goes to supporting the orphans.

Katie sits as the Executive Director of Orphan's Bridge.

Jeff Peterson - Chair
Jackie Hockney - Co Chair
Brittney Anderson -Sec/Treasurer
Craig Paull