the film
A Bridge to Life is a portrait of The Bridge Ministry, a Virginia organization transforming the lives of men facing life-threatening addiction. Through job training, psychological support, and spiritual mentoring, the men are given a second chance to reenter society as thriving family and community members.
At the heart of the film is the inspiring story of William Washington, Founder and Executive Director of The Bridge Ministry. After enduring severe childhood trauma and becoming a homeless teenager involved in drugs in Charlottesville, Mr. Washington was granted a life-changing opportunity by a compassionate judge, sparing him from a long-term prison sentence. Now, he is dedicated to helping others overcome the same challenges.
Through its love-first approach, The Bridge Ministry shows a successful alternative to incarceration in addressing our country’s addiction crisis.
Total runtime: 98 minutes
viewing options
Complete film and shorter versions are available for classroom, campus, at-home, and community screenings.
available resources
• Juvenile Justice & Youth Program Guide
• Community Engagement & Discussion Guide
• Watch Party Guide
for educators
Building a Legacy Through Second Chances
Created for educators and mentors working with at-risk and justice-involved youth, this trauma-sensitive curriculum uses A Bridge to Life to explore addiction, mental health, incarceration, recovery, leadership, and the power of second chances. Its short lessons, discussion prompts, and activities can be used individually or together in classrooms, juvenile justice settings, and community programs.
professional development • grades 7–adult · trauma-sensitive · standards-aligned · adaptable for classrooms, juvenile justice settings, and community programs
