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
Latest News
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Testimonials
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
From a
Community Partner
So glad we can keep working together. We LOVE having DrawBridge here!
– Jane
Site Staff
From a
DrawBridge Facilitator
The work I do with DrawBridge is really important to me. Although sometimes challenging, all the kids are wonderful and I feel they truly benefit from the creative expression and consistency DrawBridge programs provide. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it.
– Emily
DrawBridge facilitator
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
It takes my mind off things, off my stress.
Mari
DrawBridge participant’
From
Youth Artists and Caregivers
With DrawBridge, kids are free to be children and are treated with respect.
DrawBridge participant’s parent
