The 8th Annual Girl Legacy took place on Wednesday, December 4, at The Fillmore Silver Spring. We celebrated 27 years of creating opportunities, nurturing potential, and helping dreams take flight. This year, Girl Legacy raised an inspiring total of over $100,000 thanks to all of our supporters and sponsors.

Host and emcee Eun Yang, News4 Anchor led the night with grace. The evening was a celebration of resilience, talent, and leadership. Our CB girls shined on stage, captivating the audience with heartfelt dances and incredible music.

Host Eun Yang shared that in the last 27 years Community Bridges has helped to shape the lives of over 6,500 girls in grades 4-12 and they are on track to serve over 550 girls this year, 50 mentors and over 3,000 family members through the Community Bridges programs.

Since the CB College Access and Success Program began in 2015, 100% of CB girls have graduated from high school and 100% have been accepted to attend a college and/or university. In addition, last year CB seniors received $2,147,621 in institutional aid and scholarships and 80% of our graduates are attending a 4 year institution and 20% are attending Montgomery College. 

Host & Emcee Eun Yang
CB Girls and Staff

CB Executive Director shared the guiding principles that propel Community Bridges forward as we continue to transform lives and create opportunities for the girls we serve. The new mission is clear and unwavering: Community Bridges empowers girls from under-resourced communities to become resilient young women who thrive as students, engaged community members, and confident leaders.

The vision looks to the future we’re building together: A future where girls are celebrated for their strengths, empowered through equal access to quality education, and equipped to lead with compassion in their communities.

At Community Bridges, we are committed to:

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Creating a culture where every girl, staff member, and family feels valued and seen.
  • Empowerment: Providing the tools and opportunities for girls to pursue their dreams.
  • Resilience and Resourcefulness: Equipping girls to overcome barriers and reach their goals.
  • Respect and Compassion: Fostering a supportive environment where girls and families thrive.
  • Building Relationships and Trust: Establishing safe spaces through authentic connections.

CB awarded the CB Alumna Award to Alexa Amaya, a senior at Trinity Washington University. Alexa joined the program during her senior year of high school and credits the College Access and Success Program and then Program Director, Charlain Bailey for encouraging her to apply to the Nursing Program. Since then Alexa has stayed deeply connected to Community Bridges, meeting with our students during their visits to Trinity Washington University. This year, Alexa has been a mentor to three of our current junior students, who adore her like younger sisters.

The 2024 Girl Legacy Award was given to The Donohoe Companies who go above and beyond to give girls opportunities, support and guidance to be the best leaders that they can possibly be.

Alexa Amaya, recipient of the 2024 CB Alumna Award
2024 Girl Legacy Award Recipients

Robin Salomon received the 2024 Empowerment Champion Award. Robin is an extraordinary individual whose leadership, vision, and dedication have made a profound and lasting impact on Community Bridges. He served on our board for six years, including as board chair, and also had the visionary idea to create our Learning Access Program.

The Learning Access Program was born out of the belief that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of the barriers they face. This program provides individualized support for students struggling to access essential educational resources, focusing on advocacy, guidance, and direct interventions. Through his philanthropy and unwavering support, this program became a reality, transforming the lives of over 20 students by helping them secure Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and access critical accommodations such as specialized tutoring, assistive technology, and tailored learning strategies.

County Executive Marc Elrich, recipient of the 2024 Building Bridges Award

The 2024 Building Bridges Awardee was Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich who has made an extraordinary impact in bridging the gap between diverse communities, fostering inclusivity, and creating opportunities for all in Montgomery County and beyond. Marc’s commitment to service and leadership has been unwavering, and his efforts to build a more inclusive and compassionate community resonate throughout the county.

What makes this honor even more meaningful is Marc’s long history with Community Bridges. Early in his career, as a teacher at Rolling Terrace Elementary School, one of the very first schools we partnered with, Marc had a direct impact on the lives of the students we still serve today. His early dedication to education and community has laid the foundation for the work we continue to do in that same school and in the many others that follow.