Who We Are
We build, convene, and innovate in partnership with communities East of the Anacostia River.
Who We Are
Our work bridges communities and creates intentional and sustainable pathways to equitable opportunities.
We build, convene, and innovate in partnership with communities East of the Anacostia River.
Building opportunities.
Bridging communities.
OUR Mission
Building Bridges Across the River provides residents East of the Anacostia River access to the best-in-class facilities, programs and partnerships in arts and culture, economic opportunity, education, recreation, health and well-being.
At Building Bridges, we think of ourselves as a family, working together, and in support of each other.
Our Vision
We’re creating metaphorical and physical bridges to allow our communities to have pathways for success, confidence, and empowerment.
We envision a future in which the residents East of the Anacostia River experience vital, thriving communities characterized by social, cultural, economic and racial equity.
Our Story
In the early 1990s, WC Smith acquired a large apartment complex known as the Villages of Parklands, between Alabama Avenue and Mississippi Avenue SE. The company had been a part of the Ward 8 community since 1968, first as a property management organization and then expanding into housing renovation, construction and neighborhood revitalization.
The firm recognized early on that revitalizing a community requires more than renovating the housing.
Parklands, which had been a safe home for families in the 1950s and 1960s, had fallen into disrepair. The neighborhood was in decline and residents were leaving.
Chris Smith, WC Smith’s chairman and CEO, also noticed that many of the children and teens from families that remained had nowhere to go after school or on weekends. He and fellow WC Smith executive Skip McMahon realized that there were no community centers, cultural or health resources, entertainment options or organized recreation opportunities.
Several services providers, including Covenant House and the Boys and Girls Club, needed space.
After the Parklands acquisition, WC Smith sought to change the trajectory of the neighborhood and develop a community center that would provide the services and programs the residents needed and wanted.
In 1997 Smith founded the nonprofit organization Building Bridges Across the River to fundraise for, design and build what would become THEARC.
The Early Years
The early years were lean ones for THEARC, requiring considerable resourcefulness to figure out how to get the work done.
C Smith employees played a critical role in supporting THEARC and Building Bridges in those days. Some WC Smith employees at the time decided to go work at THEARC. In fact, close to half of the THEARC’s early staff came from WC Smith.
Skip McMahon was on the WC Smith payroll for the first three years he worked at THEARC, and later served as its executive director.
McMahon was succeeded by Edmund Fleet, who had worked with Smith to create partnerships with nonprofit organizations to provide services to the company’s apartment communities. Fleet had also managed Smith’s Summer Youth Employment Program.
Beverly Carrol and Susan Salviejo transferred to THEARC.
Keith Cook, who had worked for WC Smith Property Services, took a job at THEARC, where he continues to work as part of the maintenance team.
Emery Goldston was on the WCS Construction team that built THEARC. He transferred to Building Bridges, where he worked as the chief building engineer.
A Dedicated Board
Realizing this vision required the backing and support of a strong board of directors. Building Bridges was very fortunate to start its journey with these dedicated and talented individuals who served as our founding board:
- Sandra Allen, Ward 8 DC council member
- Bob Moore, executive director of the Columbia Heights Community Development Corporation
- David Mason, principal of Green Elementary School (now Malcom X Elementary School @ Green)
- Dr. James Peale, principal of Garfield Elementary School
- Gloria Whitfield, president of the Parklands Tenant Association
- Winston Robinson, commander of DC Metropolitan Police Department’s 7th District
- John Hall, National Park Service
- Chris Smith
- Skip McMahon
Lynn Horning and Vince Gray joined the board soon thereafter.
Foundation Support
Launching THEARC would not have been possible without the support of several stalwart foundations. The Cafritz Foundation, Fannie Mae Foundation, Freddie Mac Foundation, Fowler Foundation, England Family Foundation, among others, believed in Ward 8 and WC Smith, and committed their funding early, even before there was a set of building plans.
Ongoing Involvement
WC Smith’ has been involved with Building Bridges and THEARC since 1997 when Chris Smith and Skip McMahon conceived of the concept in 1997. The company’s commitment has remained strong ever since. Chris Smith continues to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors.
To date, the company and its employees have contributed more than $10 million to Building Bridges.
Staff from WC Smith’s Development Department have donated their time to manage the development of Phases III (The West Building) and IV (Washington School for Girls) of THEARC.
Employees, families and friends have dedicated more than 50,000 hours of volunteer time to community service days, events and programs at THEARC.
OUR JOURNEY
THEARC LOCATION
THEARC IS LOCATED IN WARD 8 AT 1901 MISSISSIPPI Avenue SE, Washington, DC, 20020.
Scroll – or Swipe – over timeline to view more dates.
Our Growth
Building Bridges Across the River embarked on its transformative journey in 1997, laying down the foundation for a future where communities east of the Anacostia River could access opportunities that spur social and economic mobility. Chris Smith’s vision materialized through the establishment of the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC), a beacon for arts, learning, and wellness, reflecting a deep commitment to bridging communities and fostering collective uplift.
THEARC blossomed into a 203,000-square-foot sanctuary, where over 85,000 individuals annually find solace and inspiration. It’s a place where children and adults alike can explore dance, engage with music, create art, and receive mentoring, academic support, and medical care. These services, valued at $30 million annually, are often provided at no cost, ensuring they are accessible to all.
The story of Building Bridges began with a single, powerful idea: to bridge the divides—be they cultural, economic, or educational—that separated communities east of the Anacostia River from greater opportunities. With the establishment of THEARC, this vision started to take shape, laying the groundwork for what would become a multifaceted mission to connect, empower, and enrich the lives of residents. THEARC Theater emerged as the first signature project under this ambitious initiative, establishing arts and cultural bridges that brought diverse expressions and voices to the forefront. This 365-seat community theater and accompanying black box theater became hubs for artistic exploration, offering a stage for performances that reflect the community’s vibrancy and resilience.
Our story is etched in the multitude of services offered at THEARC. With a vibrant urban farm, full-size gymnasium, libraries, computer labs, and studios for dance and music, Building Bridges has created an ecosystem where education and recreation converge in harmony. The sprawling urban campus is a testament to what can be achieved when nonprofit partners work hand-in-hand with the community, offering office, rehearsal, and program spaces that empower and enable. And we’ve been building bridges ever since.
Following the success of THEARC Theater, Building Bridges expanded its horizons to address another critical need in the community: food access. Building Bridges Farms was born out of a commitment to sustainability and health, establishing food access bridges that connect residents to fresh, nutritious produce. This initiative not only provides vital resources to the community but also educates and engages residents in sustainable agricultural practices, reinforcing the connection between environmental stewardship and well-being.
The journey continued with the launch of the Skyland Workforce Center, a testament to Building Bridges’ dedication to economic empowerment and skill development. By building workforce bridges, this initiative addresses the critical need for job training and placement services, offering hope and tangible opportunities to individuals seeking to improve their livelihoods. The Skyland Workforce Center has become a cornerstone for community development, fostering a culture of ambition and progress.
In an ambitious stride towards reconnecting the urban fabric of Washington, D.C., Building Bridges introduced the 11th Street Bridge Park project. This endeavor embodies the literal and figurative building of bridges, transforming a former freeway bridge into a vibrant, elevated park that serves as a new venue for recreation, environmental education, and public art. The 11th Street Bridge Park is more than just a physical space—it is a symbol of unity, bringing together diverse communities in a shared vision for a greener, more inclusive future.
As Building Bridges continues to grow, our initiatives like THEARC Theater, Building Bridges Farms, Skyland Workforce Center, and the 11th Street Bridge Park stand as milestones of our dedication to revitalizing and enriching the community. President and CEO Rahsaan Bernard’s words echo our ethos, “THEARC is the largest social service multi-sector nonprofit collaboration in the country.”
Our narrative weaves through the tapestry of programs and partnerships that have revitalized southeast Washington, D.C., painting a picture of an organization that not only builds facilities but also nurtures the human spirit, cultivates talent, and sows the seeds for a more equitable society. Through every initiative, every program, and every life touched, we are not just building bridges—we are nurturing a vibrant, thriving community that stands as a model of social transformation.
Our work is centered around three core program areas:
Economic
Opportunity
Arts &
Culture
Health &
Well-Being
Our Five Signature Projects
11th Street Bridge Park
Washington D.C.’s first elevated park will span the Anacostia River and serve as a new venue for healthy recreation, environmental education, and the arts.
Building Bridges Farms
Providing Southeast communities with greater access to healthy, affordable food, urban agriculture education and career opportunities.
THEARC
Comprised of three buildings, farm, and playground that sits on 16.5 acres, this humanitarian mall provides world-class services to the east of the Anacostia River community in Washington, DC.
THEARC Theater
Created to provide DC residents living east of the Anacostia River entertaining and enlightening experiences that can impact their lives and brighten their futures.
Skyland Workforce Center
Provides high-quality workforce development programs in one location, leading to work-ready candidates, career-focused job placement, economic self-sufficiency, & improved quality of life.
Donate
Building Bridges Across the River relies on charitable gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies to make our work possible.
Volunteer
We welcome volunteers weekly at our participating Bridge Park Plots, spring through November. All volunteers must register in advance.
