Nearly 40 years of showing up
Nearly 40 years of
showing up
Nearly 40 years of showing up
Since 1989, DrawBridge has brought free expressive arts to children across the Bay Area and has served over 15,000 children and youth.
Our Story
From its earliest days, DrawBridge has centered art as a tool to cultivate trust, curiosity, self-expression, belonging, and resilience. The organization’s first art groups launched at Hamilton Family Center and Marin Housing Center’s emergency shelters, where the transformational impact of creative practice quickly became clear.
From its earliest days, DrawBridge has centered art as a tool to cultivate trust, curiosity, self-expression, belonging, and resilience. The organization’s first art groups launched at Hamilton Family Center and Marin Housing Center’s emergency shelters, where the transformational impact of creative practice quickly became clear.
From its earliest days, DrawBridge has centered art as a tool to cultivate trust, curiosity, self-expression, belonging, and resilience. The organization’s first art groups launched at Hamilton Family Center and Marin Housing Center’s emergency shelters, where the transformational impact of creative practice quickly became clear.
Over the following years, DrawBridge refined its programs to stay true to this mission: when children experiencing housing instability have regular access to expressive arts in safe, supportive environments—guided by skilled facilitators trained in trauma-informed practices—they are more likely to experience moments of meaningful expression, connection, and self-advocacy, contributing to the broader network of care that helps them navigate adversity.
Over the following years, DrawBridge refined its programs to stay true to this mission: when children experiencing housing instability have regular access to expressive arts in safe, supportive environments—guided by skilled facilitators trained in trauma-informed practices—they are more likely to experience moments of meaningful expression, connection, and self-advocacy, contributing to the broader network of care that helps them navigate adversity.
Our Mission
DrawBridge offers free expressive arts programs that provide children and youth in under-resourced communities—many facing housing instability—with safe spaces to explore, express creativity, and build agency and resilience.
Our Vision
A world where every child—regardless of circumstance—has consistent access to spaces where their creative expression is honored, their voices matter, and their inherent strengths are recognized through the arts.
Our Values
Our Team
We are powered by a dedicated team of staff facilitators, community artists, and partners who believe every young person deserves a consistent safe space to create, be seen, and feel supported. Together with families, partner sites, and local artists, we deliver expressive arts programs that honor each child’s voice
Executive Team
Click on Photo to view bio
Click on Photo to view bio
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Executive Director
Mariah Parvizi
Program Director
Program Director
Board of Directors
Click on Photo to view bio
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Executive Director
Evelisa Genova
Executive Director
Executive Director
Mariah Parvizi
Program Director
Program Director
Our Blog
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Oct 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025
Testimonials
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
From a
Community Partner
"The children in the DrawBridge group came to my office and showed off their impressive art projects. They are so proud! They won't let me exhibit them in my office but insist on keeping everything and decorating their own walls. I was genuinely impressed!"
– Jonathan
re-entry program staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“Katie started coming to our weekly DrawBridge art group at the age of 5. Her gaze was downcast and she never smiled. After just a few art sessions… her mother told me that Katie was waking up excitedly every single morning and asking, ‘Is today art day?’ It’s been 6 years now, and Katie still jumps into my arms every week!”
– Kathleen
DrawBridge facilitator
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
“I grew up in the Tenderloin and I began participating with DrawBridge… What I enjoyed most about it is that it gave kids the opportunity to experience the happiness of creating and how it can ease daily burdens… It helped me realize that working with kids was what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Winnie
former participant
