BRidging the Gap

Nicole Scott, the founder of The BRidge Agency, has a deeply personal connection to the work she does. “This is my life story,” she shared. “I am the single mom who used to drop my child off at school and then go sit in the library to learn how to start a business from the ground up.” 

Nicole’s experiences navigating systemic challenges fuel her passion for serving the families in her community.  “I understand that, and I think that’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about this work—because my own lived experiences allow me to deeply relate to the families I serve,” she explained. 

Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The BRidge Agency is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities by addressing systemic barriers such as disinvestment, limited access to education and economic opportunity, and the lack of mentoring. The organization focuses on education, mentorship, and connecting residents to resources to help break cycles of poverty and trauma leading to violent crimes.  

EJUSA is proud to partner with the BRidge Agency, offering 1:1 office hours, facilitating clinics that provide practical tools for building organization infrastructure and assisting with development plans to strengthen their youth programs and educational initiatives.

At the core of the BRidge Agency’s efforts, “We address the social-economic drivers of crime and those social disparities like poverty, lack of education, lack of quality, supportive education programs,” Nicole said. 

“If there’s a resource that exists in your community, but you have a barrier to understanding technology, then, of course, you can’t benefit from that,” Nicole pointed out. The agency works to break down these barriers, ensuring that families are equipped to thrive.

The BRidge Agency’s youth programs serve hundreds of young people each week. Nicole’s focus on mentorship and education extends beyond the classroom, offering opportunities for career exploration and community engagement. “We have our community clubs and circles where we meet in groups of 15 or 25,” she explained. These circles allow young people to discuss their experiences, build relationships, and prepare for the future.

The agency’s summer enrichment program also plays a crucial role. “It’s a free program, and we always offer paid internships for young people where they get to come in, learn advocacy skills, and connect with community leaders,” Nicole said. 

Nicole understands that working with youth alone is not enough; families must be supported as well. “I realized a long time ago, doing this work, helping and supporting the youth is phenomenal, but we’re sending them back to some of the same broken homes,” she said. 

“We’ve just brought on a social worker who is going to be instrumental in providing preventive education around physical, mental, and verbal abuse which occurs in some homes as a result of little to no positive youth development or parental skills in the home,” Nicole explained. This comprehensive approach ensures families are equipped to create a nurturing environment for their children.

Education is at the heart of the BRidge Agency’s mission. “We must be able to utilize every avenue possible to provide education, whether it’s in our faith-based communities, community centers… we have to always offer the opportunities for youth and families to expand their knowledge,” Nicole emphasized. 

From basic life skills to financial literacy, the Bridge Agency’s education programs empower individuals and families to overcome the challenges they face and achieve long-term success. As part of a broader community violence intervention and prevention ecosystem, The BRidge Agency’s work aligns with CVIPI strategies by addressing root causes of violence and building pathways to safety, healing, and opportunity.