DETROIT, July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Detroit Branch NAACP 2nd annual B.R.I.D.G.E.S. initiative is underway. ?The Building Resources In Detroit, Giving Expanded Service initiative began as a way to develop solutions, for community, policing and youth violence prevention for Detroit area youth during the summer. ?The program will run Monday through Friday from 3:00 P.M. ? 8:00 P.M. at six Detroit Public Schools. ?The participants in the program will receive job readiness training, college preparedness, "Green" Technology and recreation opportunities. ?All services are free and open to Detroit residents and Detroit Public Schools students between the ages of 14-24. ?B.R.I.D.G.E.S. is done in partnership with Detroit Public Schools, DTE Foundation, Sodexco, Securitas and Detroit Police Reserves have also volunteered services for this program.

The six schools are:

• Cody: 18445 Cathedral Street
• Kettering: 6101 Van Dyke Avenue
• Mumford: 17525 Wyoming Avenue
• Pershing: ?18875 Ryan Road
• Southwest High School: 6921 West Fort Street
• Spain Elementary: 3700 Beaubin

"We pledged to work for real solutions to bring about change in Detroit and we have taken the first step with the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. initiative," said Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of Detroit Branch NAACP. ?Donations are still being accepted for the program.

To make a donation to B.R.I.D.G.E.S. please submit donations to: Detroit NAACP, 8220 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48202.

For more information please contact the Detroit Branch NAACP at (313) 871-2087.

The Detroit Branch NAACP is the organization's largest branch. It holds monthly meetings that are free and open to the public. For more information please call (313) 871-2087 or visit www.detroitnaacp.org.

SOURCE Detroit Branch NAACP