Priscilla Steinmetz
Guest Faculty, Summer Intensive | Founder & Executive Director, The Bridge Teen Center
Priscilla Steinmetz has had a passion for serving young people since she was a teen herself. A graduate of Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, her background in the for-profit and non-profit sectors can best be described as a blend of youth work, business development, and organizational advancement. Over the last three decades, the call on her life has impacted thousands of teens and families in both the Chicago and St. Louis areas.
Priscilla conceptualized and founded The Bridge Teen Center after seeing a growing need in the suburbs for a safe and positive environment where students in the community can be accepted, supported, and encouraged. Since opening the doors in June of 2010, thousands of local teens and families have benefited from The Bridge’s FREE holistic afterschool programming. Today, the organization stands as a national trend-setter and is contacted regularly by entities all over the country seeking counsel and inspiration.
Priscilla is also the Founder of The Bridge Thrift Store, a charitable retail store that is redefining its category and building futures through an innovative “Thriftastic” job readiness program for teens. Having won 3 different awards in the last 2 years, the store will soon be expanding to the Frankfort area to expand the job readiness program and build more sustainable revenue for The Bridge Teen Center.
Priscilla's reach goes far beyond the walls of The Bridge. In addition to being a sought-after speaker with adult groups, she is also known for her energetic and passionate messages in junior highs, high schools, and colleges on social entrepreneurship, breaking down barriers, and student’s futures. Priscilla also has served as a Life Coach for several seasons for the highly successful Carl Sandburg High School Varsity Cheerleading team.
Her extensive experience in youth work has also been featured in print, as the only female contributor to a book entitled If I Knew Then What I Know Now - a guide for new youth workers and was published by Youth Specialties and Zondervan in 2009. Committed to doing all she can to inspire others, Priscilla intentionally makes time on an ongoing basis for graduating students, active youth workers, and aspiring teen center operators who might benefit from her experience.
In recognition of the innovative programs provided by The Bridge, Priscilla was named an Ambassador for the Afterschool Alliance in 2011. She was the sole representative from the State of Illinois, and one of just 20 selected from across the country. In that role, Priscilla spoke to representatives on Capitol Hill about the importance of afterschool programs in the United States. Priscilla remains an Ambassador Emeritus for the organization. Some of her other awards and achievements include:
Development & Training Business Champion, Moraine Valley Community College (2013)
3-Time John Maxwell Leadership Award “Top 100” Finalist (2014, 2015, 2019)
Outstanding Achievement for Anti-Bullying Campaign, US Conference of Mayors (2015)
Richard Scofield Leadership Award, Illinois Afterschool Network (2015)
Women's History Month 2020 Visionary, ABC-7 Chicago (2020)
