Bring safe, consistent
expression to Bay Area
children who need it most.
Free expressive arts programs for children and youth experiencing housing instability across the Bay Area.
See our Impact
Bring safe, consistent expression to Bay Area children who need it most.
Free expressive arts programs for children and youth experiencing housing instability across the Bay Area.
See our Impact
Our Mission
DrawBridge offers free expressive arts programs for children and youth in under-resourced communities, many of whom are experiencing housing instability. Grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, our programs foster creativity, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
DrawBridge's Impact
We go to where children are, shelters, transitional housing, community centers, and we bring free expressive arts programming that creates the conditions for trust, creative expression, and belonging.
Here's what that commitment looks like in numbers:
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Sites awaiting funding
14 Neighborhoods Funded
15 more Waiting
Red pins need your support
Red pins need your support
Red pins need your support
We don’t just run a program - we nurture the creative ecosystem with every community we serve. Take a look through some of our active sites, and see those on our waiting list - waiting for your support
Consistency Changes Everything.
In a world of uncertainty, creativity shows up—every week, at the same time, guided by a trusted, familiar face.
Trusted Adult Facilitator
Process Over Product
Grassroots & Community-Rooted
Consistency Changes Everything.
In a world of uncertainty, creativity shows up—every week, at the same time, guided by a trusted, familiar face.
Trusted Adult Facilitator
Process Over Product
Grassroots & Community-Rooted
Winnie
Former DrawBridge Kid
"I grew up in the Tenderloin and began participating with DrawBridge. What I enjoyed most is that it allowed kids the opportunity to experience creative happiness and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that I wanted to work with kids as a career."
Building DrawBridge's Next Chapter
New partnerships. Deeper roots. More children served. In 2026, we're expanding our circle of creative care through collaborations with Dominican University, UC Berkeley Public Health, BXP, and many more — while staying true to what's always worked: showing up, every week, for the kids who need it most.
Hover over each circle to learn about us.
2026 Initiatives
Give Today
Give Today
When you give to DrawBridge, you're giving more than art supplies. You're giving a child:
When you give to DrawBridge, you're giving more than art supplies. You're giving a child:
Safety, self-expression, and a trusted adult who shows up every week.
Safety, self-expression, and a trusted adult who shows up every week.
You're providing employment for a local community artist.
You're providing employment for a local community artist.
You're helping kids access creative mentors and a quality support system that cares.
You're helping kids access creative mentors and a quality support system that cares.
Get Involved
There are many ways to be part of a child's circle of creative care. Whether you give monthly, sponsor a neighborhood site, or bring your company into our story — your involvement creates the consistency that changes everything.
Building DrawBridge's next chapter
New partnerships. Deeper roots. More children served. In 2026, we're expanding our circle of creative care through collaborations with Dominican University, UC Berkeley Public Health, BXP, and many more — while staying true to what's always worked: showing up, every week, for the kids who need it most.
Building DrawBridge's next chapter
New partnerships. Deeper roots. More children served. In 2026, we're expanding our circle of creative care through collaborations with Dominican University, UC Berkeley Public Health, BXP, and many more — while staying true to what's always worked: showing up, every week, for the kids who need it most.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Serve More Kids
We have hundreds of children and youth on our waiting list - 15 sites ready to be activated. We are committed to staying grassroots while also serving more kids through fundraising.
Dominican University
Research partnership on trauma-informed model & bridge to providing additional site support.
Berkeley Public Health
Academic collaboration on program evaluation & impact measurement.
BXP Gallery Partnership
7,000 sq ft at Embarcadero Center as a site for civic, donor, and community engagement.
The Drawbridge Way
We are busy this year with listening to our communities, program evaluation, documenting stories, and learning more about our legacy - so much that we will publish our own unique wisdom and contribute to the broader arts field and community.
Board Recruitment
Recruiting for a world-class leadership team to further awareness of our story and grassroots impact.
New Brand Launch
The story behind our new brand.
Testimonials
"DrawBridge provides many options for our children and helps them expand their artistic abilities. The facilitators and volunteers have made themselves part of our community and that has 100 percent to do with how much our children love spending time with them."
– Rickey
After-School Program Coordinator
"DrawBridge provides many options for our children and helps them expand their artistic abilities. The facilitators and volunteers have made themselves part of our community and that has 100 percent to do with how much our children love spending time with them."
– Rickey
After-School Program Coordinator
"Drawbridge was a physically safe place where we could just be kids and make a mess…my mind was at peace. During times of stress or frustration, I continue to turn towards art as an outlet. That safe space continues to be a part of me today."
– Sadaf
Former participant
"Drawbridge was a physically safe place where we could just be kids and make a mess…my mind was at peace. During times of stress or frustration, I continue to turn towards art as an outlet. That safe space continues to be a part of me today."
– Sadaf
Former participant
