Building Bridges of Peace & Hope through the Arts & Food (CH East & West Alum)

CHILDHOOD FRIENDS UNITE OVER THE ARTS & FOOD IN THE NAME OF SERVICE & COMMUNITY

Elias Bitar (CHW '98) and Ami Yares (CHE '98) have been childhood friends since 1985. Separated by time, space, and parenthood, they have come together to do what they do best -- serving the community through the arts & food. 

CHERRY HILL, NJ - NOVEMBER 16 from 4:00-8:00 pm: Elias and Ami met at Kilmer School in the 80s. Elias sat in front of Ami as the teacher relegated Ami to the back of the classroom to quell his exuberance (quite possibly a missed hyper-activity diagnosis). The two lost touch over time, and eventually, Elias took the reins of his family's restaurant, Norma's -- a South Jersey Staple and relative to the South Philly Fav, Bitar's, in the 'aughts. Ami pursued a short-lived career in the kitchen while performing as a musician and eventually focusing on the arts' role in conflict transformation. The two reunited about 12 years ago and do their best to stay in touch. Elias continues to elevate Middle Eastern cuisine, and Ami works in the non-profit sector, elevating the power of art-making as a tool for healing and hope-raising with BuildaBridge, a Philadelphia-based arts and education non-profit.

Trauma runs rampant in the United States. Over 67% of all adults have endured some kind of psychological trauma. The past few years have only highlighted the need for greater access to mental health support. Unfortunately, wealth, status and proximity can be barriers to proper support.  To address this, BuildaBridge's FREE art-making programming offers youth who have experienced or are experiencing adverse living conditions access to healing and hope-building. If you can hope, you can heal. 

For nearly 30 years, BuildaBridge has provided art-making to help trauma-affected children and communities thrive. BuildaBridge leverages multidisciplinary art-making to provide a trauma-informed, person-centered, strength-based, and hope-infused experience that heightens resilience, self-efficacy, and hopefulness. The organization operates in recreation centers and shelters around Philadelphia. Reaching around 500 youth per year, BuildaBridge brings youth into safe spaces away from the trials of their neighborhood streets to imagine and create transformative art-making. Every child needs opportunities to explore and discover their world through art-making. Ami has been at the helm of BuildaBridge for nearly 10 years, helping drive the organization to its 30th anniversary next year. 

On November 16, Norma's will host BuildaBridge and share 10% of the evening's sales to support the organization. Community members are encouraged to dine-in, order take-out, and order delivery directly from the restaurant. Eastern Mediterranean food will satisfy your appetite AND guide you to the imaginative, creative power of transformative art-making., 

We hope to see you on Monday, November 16th at Norma's: 145 Barclay Shopping Ctr, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08034

For more information, email info@buildabridge.org or call 215.842.0428