1 · The Founder’s Story 🎬
“Courageous Fire” — the Inspiring Women of Iowa profile of Patricia A. Barbee: why she does this work, in her own words, with the girls of Project Bridging.
About Us
The Hive, from the inside.
Our story, our mission, and the woman who built the bridge.
About Project Bridging
Bridging gaps. Expanding opportunities.
Project Bridging is the signature youth development initiative of Bridging Youth Advancement & Resource Programs (BARYP). Our work connects culturally affirming mentorship, leadership development, education, wellness, advocacy, meaningful community engagement, and experiential learning.
Our Mission
Project Bridging empowers underserved, underrepresented, and under-resourced girls through culturally affirming mentorship, leadership development, education, wellness, advocacy, and experiential learning. We provide critical-stage developmental support, expand equitable access to opportunities, and equip young women with the confidence, skills, relationships, and resources to thrive, lead, serve, and create positive change.
Why we exist
Every young woman deserves access to opportunities, resources, relationships, and experiences that support her growth. Yet many encounter barriers to enrichment, positive mentorship, career exploration, wellness resources, and supportive networks during critical stages of life.
Project Bridging exists to help bridge those gaps. We create spaces where young women are supported, challenged, encouraged, and equipped to navigate challenges and opportunities while strengthening confidence, knowledge, relationships, and skills.
We believe in opportunity and access. We recognize young women for far more than the challenges they may face.
Who we serve
We serve young women throughout Des Moines and Central Iowa, with our primary pathway focused on grades 5–12 and Junior Project Bridging introducing kindergarten through fourth grade participants to age-appropriate development and enrichment.
BelongingMentorshipEducationWellnessLeadershipService
Our Values
Four essential commitments
👑 Empowerment
We strengthen self-worth and leadership identity in every young woman we serve.
🌉 Access
We bridge the gaps between talent and opportunity — because talent is everywhere, but access and opportunity are not.
🌍 Opportunity
We create exposure, experiences, and relationships that expand what a young woman believes is possible.
⚖️ Social Justice
We challenge the barriers that limit equitable access, and we equip young women to advocate for themselves and their communities.
Character · Leadership · Service — the pillars of the Hive.
Watch & Listen
Meet the Founder — In Her Own Words
Before the programs and the plans, meet Patricia A. Barbee — founder and Executive Director — the way her community met her: on camera.
2 · The Podcast 🎙️
The Inspiring Women of Iowa Podcast — Patricia A. Barbee on purpose, service, and the girls of Project Bridging.
3 · The News Story 📺
Local 5 News (WeAreIowa) features Project Bridging building leadership skills with young women in Des Moines.
Character • Leadership • Service
Α + Λ + Σ = IMPACT
Α
Alpha — Character
Integrity, accountability, resilience, responsibility, and the values behind our choices.
Λ
Lambda — Leadership
Confidence, initiative, communication, critical thinking, and the ability to take action.
Σ
Sigma — Service
Compassion, civic responsibility, advocacy, community engagement, and contributing to others.
Mentees not only influence change—they lead it.
Meet the Founder
Patricia A. Barbee is an educator, youth specialist, and advocate with more than 25 years of experience working with young people. As Founder and Executive Director, she brings her experience in education and youth development to Project Bridging's commitment to opportunity, access, meaningful relationships, and experiences that expand possibilities for young women.
Who we are
Welcome to the Hive.
Project Bridging is a youth development and mentorship initiative serving young women during critical stages of growth, discovery, and transition.
We work to bridge gaps and address challenges young women may face by creating space to build confidence, knowledge, skills, healthy relationships, and a strong sense of self.
Through culturally affirming mentorship, leadership development, educational enrichment, wellness, experiential learning, and meaningful community engagement, we help young women access what they need to thrive.
Explore our programs →We believe in opportunity and access. Young women should not be limited by their circumstances, ZIP code, or the resources available to them.
OUR MISSION
Project Bridging empowers underserved, underrepresented, and under-resourced young women by expanding equitable access to opportunities, resources, relationships, and transformative experiences.
Rooted in purpose
Character. Leadership. Service.
Three principles shape our culture and invite every young woman to discover how her growth can make a difference.
Α · Character
Strengthening identity, values, integrity, responsibility, and confidence.
Λ · Leadership
Helping young women find their voices, make decisions, and lead with purpose.
Σ · Service
Turning learning and leadership into meaningful contributions to our communities.