For the past decade, the Bridge Program at Antioch University Los Angeles (AULA) has been doing something simply revolutionary: providing college classes to low-income adults in Los Angeles, at no cost to students. The Bridge Program was founded by AULA alumna Shari Foos in 1999 with the assistance of B.A. Program faculty member David Tripp, who served as the founding director of the program. Bridge is funded by the generous support of individuals, foundations, and volunteers, as well as Antioch University Los Angeles.

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This week, one Bridge student introduced the class to this video, which features musicians from around the globe singing the same song. The video was put together by Playing for Change, a group that travels the world to record music in its natural habitat — in rural and urban neighborhoods, in fields, in woods, and on the streets.

Tags: bridge experience

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Tags: event

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Thank you to everyone who helped make All-in ‘10 a success. Together, All-In players, volunteers, donors, and supporters raised $16,500 for the Bridge Program — and donations keep coming through the website every day.

All-In ‘10 Champion: Michael Modecki (Congratulations, Michael!). Other players at the final table were Peter Albers, Chris Bautista, Nick Preston, Brenna Youngblood, Wendy Ortiz, Caroline Phelps, Melanie McNair, and Daisy Eagan. It was an intense game, right up the end. Take a look at Michael’s winning hand, above.

This year’s top fundraisers: Kirsten Grimstad, Cindy Short, Caroline Phelps, Melanie McNair, and Jennifer Benson. Thank you (and all fundraisers) for your dedicated work.

All-in ‘10 Volunteers: Nina Frick, Liz Janssen, Tim Malone, Patrick Malone, Flint, Burcu Harbert, Henry Campagna, Jim Gatewood, Caroline Phelps, Debi Klein, Joanna Gerber, Karen Black, Angie O’Neal, China Brezner, Cindy Short, Daisy Eagan, Jennifer Benson, Chris Bautista, Jeanell Suggs, Jan Abrams, Myron Davis, Stacy Hess, Lisa Lepore, David Tripp, and Milli Abiera (with her fancy costume).

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. From the beginning, we had tremendous support from staff, faculty, students, alums, Bridge students, Bridge alums, Texas Hold ‘Em enthusiasts, and Bridge supporters. We also had amazing dealers from West LA Poker, quality pizza from Two Boots, and space from the Echoplex, along with many donated prizes from companies and organizations around the city. Together, we’re helping carry on the legacy that Shari Foos established when she founded Bridge eleven years ago.

Any thanks I can give will feel like an understatement, but still — thank you, everyone!

-Kathryn Pope

Tags: all-in, fundraiser, poker

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Bridge enthusiasts are gearing up for the All-In ‘10 poker tournament, which is a short ten days away. As the prizes come in and poker players practice, we want to share a few updates on prizes, planning, and players:

This year’s top prize: the Apple iPad. One lucky All-In ‘10 poker player will win an Apple iPad in the tournament this year. Even if you’re not the All-In champion, though, the list of prizes is long, and many players will walk away with something exciting. Check out the full list of prizes here.

Final poker teach-in: Learn to play poker — or brush up on your skills on April 15th, at 5:30pm (AULA, Room A1011). If you’re new to poker, would like to get some tips on how to out-play the competition, or can’t quite remember the difference between a flop and a flush, come to our final poker teach-in before the All-In ‘10 poker tournament. David Tripp has some valuable tips that just might help you win the All-In ‘10 championship, an Apple iPad, and the admiration of all your friends. If you haven’t signed up for the tournament yet, now is the time – http://tinyurl.com/all-in10

Sponsor a player:  Many of our All-In players are still looking for sponsors — and the competition for the top fundraiser is fierce! If you’d like to help your favorite player, support Bridge, or be part of the action, please visit our list of players to see who’s in the game.

It looks to be an exciting Sunday. We hope to see you there!

Tags: all-in, fundraiser, poker

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Tags: bridge experience, student experience

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Shannon Pollard completed the Bridge Program in 2008, and this year, he’s raising funds to support future Bridge students.  He was one of the first All-In ‘10 players to register, and he’s been working hard to raise his $200 buy-in. If you’d like to support Shannon in the tournament, please visit his fundraising page.

Tags: all-in

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In preparation for All-In ‘10, the 3rd annual Bridge Program Poker Tournament fundraiser, Bridge is hosting a poker teach-in on campus.  If you’ve always wanted to register for the Bridge’s All-In poker tournament but don’t know how to play poker, come to A1000 on Wednesday, March 10th for lunch and some quality Texas Hold ‘Em education.

Please RSVP so we can be sure to have enough materials and food on hand for everyone.  RSVP online or via email to kpope[at]antioch.edu.

Tags: all-in, poker

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On February 20th, the Bridge class visited the California African American Museum, where students viewed art exhibits that focused on personal narratives, the realities of bondage in history, the complexity of family lineage, varieties in cultures, and a special exhibit exploring the history of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, celebrating the past 40 years of dance and theater work by African American artists in New York. “Visiting this museum changed my perspective entirely,” one Bridge student commented. “It changed my life, really.”

Tags: student experience

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Bridge’s third annual Texas Hold ‘Em style fundraiser happens on Sunday, April 25th, and you won’t want you to miss it. We’ll enjoy an afternoon of Texas hold ‘em style poker, prizes, and suspense. There are lots of ways to be part of the event:

Register to Play in the Game: The poker tournament works kind of like a walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon, or bowl-a-thon. It’s a poker-a-thon. People who’d like to play donate $25 – then raise at least $175 more for Bridge by getting sponsors from friends and family.  If you’re new to poker but would like to join us, don’t hesitate to register. You can come to one of our Texas hold ‘em teach-ins held in March and April (details are coming soon). Register to play at our event site.

Recruit New Players: If you’d like to play with a few friends, you can register everyone at once, and we’ll waive your registration fees. Interested? Email Kathryn to get the waiver:  kpope[at]antioch.edu

Sponsor a Player: If poker isn’t your thing, you can sponsor a player. To see who’s playing, take a look at our list of registered poker players here. Then, visit our event site and click the “Sponsor Player” link. When game day comes, you can come to the tournament to watch your player in action.

Spread the Word: Help us get news of the tournament to others by sharing our event link – http://tinyurl.com/all-in10. You can also spread the word about the tournament on Facebook, through Twitter, at work, among friends, and on campus at AULA.

More: The tournament is possible each year because of generous sponsors who donate prizes. If you can help us connect with potential sponsors, send a quick note to Kathryn:  kpope[at]antioch.edu

Tags: all-in, fundraiser, poker

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