Building Bridges Across the River

We’re #hiring a new Vehicle Operations maintenance technician in Washington, District of Columbia. Apply today or share this post with your network.

🌿 Campus Spotlight: The 30-foot steel model of the 11th Street Bridge Park, once a centerpiece at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s display honoring THEARC Farm, has a new home! Now nestled behind the West Building in the outdoor classroom area of the woods, it continues to inspire and educate—celebrating the connection between urban agriculture, community, and green spaces. 🌱🏙️ #BuildingBridgesDC #THEARCDC #USBotanticGarden #THEARCFarm #DCBridgePark

Thank you to everyone who made the 16th Annual Wacky & Whimsical Washingtonian Tea a huge success! From cotton candy pandas to wild tea party hats and the Nationals Racing Presidents, this event was truly one for the books! A special thank you to our incredible co-chairs—Kate Azevedo, Emily Sower, and Gwendolyn Lohse—as well as Melissa Leonsis for curating an unforgettable raffle. Huge gratitude to Eun Yang for being our fantastic emcee! We can’t wait to do it all again at the 17th Annual Tea! See you next year! #BuildingBridgesDC #THEARCDC #WackyAndWhimsicalTea

If you're in the DC area and interested in a career in early childhood education, check out the upcoming hiring fair for AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School, sponsored by our friends at the Skyland Workforce Center. The event takes place on March 28 at THEARC. The Workforce Center is a project of Building Bridges Across the River, WC Smith's nonprofit partner.

🌸🐣 Spring Fling Egg-Stravaganza is back at THEARC! Join us Saturday, April 12th, from 12-3PM for a fun-filled day with food, games, live entertainment, and a large Easter egg hunt for all ages! 🎶🍭🎉 We’re bringing the community together through festive activities, resources, and meaningful connections. Want to get involved? Partners, vendors, and volunteers can sign up by emailing Facilities@thearcdc.org with: 📌 Name and/or organization's name 📌 Primary contact number and/or email 📌 Proposed activity or service Participating Organizations: Phillips Collection | Trinity University | Artreach | The Washington Ballet | DC Central Kitchen | Boys and Girls Club of Washington | Liberty House | DDOT | LexBoogie Bakery | Center for Collective Healing | Charm Madness | WAYDEN GLOSS Inc. | The Brian Westbrook Foundation | Howard University 📍 THEARC (1901 Mississippi Ave SE) | Made possible by WCSmith & Institute for Justice, in partnership with Building Bridges Across the River #SpringFlingAtTHEARC #EggStravaganza #BuildingBridgesDC #THEARCDC

Yesterday, my family and I attended the 16th Annual Wacky and Whimsical Tea Party which benefitted the incredible programs and facilities operated by Building Bridges Across the River. Through their campus called THEARC, Building Bridges provides residents East of the Anacostia River with access to best-in-class facilities and programs in the arts, education, economic opportunity, recreation, health care, and so much more.    We’re proud to support THEARC both personally and via our company Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which recently collaborated to produce THEARC’s Midnight Basketball program. My amazing wife and super mom to our two daughters, Melissa, organized the event’s raffle which raised thousands for the organization. I’m so proud of her hard work which will help this important non-profit continue to do their meaningful work for our Washington, D.C. based community. 

Gold Star Feature: Ari O’Neal 🎶 As we celebrate 20 years of THEARC, we're spotlighting alumni making waves in their fields—like Ari O’Neal, a Levine School of Music graduate who turned her passion into a powerhouse career. Growing up in Temple Hills, MD, Ari honed her skills at Levine, balancing performances, multiple jobs, and behind-the-scenes work to pursue her dreams. That dedication paid off—she went from local DMV bands to performing at Coachella with Beyoncé and collaborating with artists like Ariana Grande, Ice Cube, Normani, and SZA. “The Levine School of Music has always been a very nurturing environment. Everything they exposed me to prepared me for the stages I'm on now.” — Ari O’Neal Swipe to see Ari in action with SZA, and follow her journey: @_arioneal. #THEARC20 #BuildingBridgesDC

Fabulous time hanging out with Washington Nationals Presidents at Building Bridges Across the River Wacky & Whimsical Tea!

🌟 March Staff Spotlight: Sean Noyes! 🌟 Meet Sean, our Equitable Development Manager at the 11th Street Bridge Park! 🔹 What is your favorite part of working at Building Bridges Across the River? “I am so grateful for the team! We have a wonderful team and I am blessed to be a part of this organization!” 🙂 🔹As the Equitable Development Manager, what’s your favorite project or initiative that supports the community? "I really enjoy working with our local businesses and business owners through our small business initiatives. Witnessing these businesses grow and their excitement for their work is phenomenal." 💼💙 🔹 Fun fact? "I love playing and watching golf. I started playing golf when I was 8 years old and have been playing the vast majority of my life." 🏌️♂️ #DCBridgePark #BuildingBridgesDC #StaffSpotlight

We’re #hiring a new Director of Institutional Giving in Washington, District of Columbia. Apply today or share this post with your network.