“We each wrote about one thing we would begin to sow moving forward in our personal and professional lives. My response was to put my effort into listening, learning, and following, so that I may one day lead empathetically and effectively. Since the final day of our retreat, I have sought to sow seeds of determination and intentionality, learning from my peers, coworkers, and superiors, so that one day I can lead as a Bridger and serve as an example for those who follow me.”

“It was a packed discussion day, but it proved fruitful. We left the sessions more knowledgeable about intervening and self regulating during stressful discussions, and engaging in the digital world responsibly. The day energized us to do meaningful work at our Hosts!”

“I learned a lot of tangible, daily steps we can take to rebuild our own democracy. The sessions gave me tools to address problems I see in my own community, and strategies that I can use to work with others to fix them.”

“A long day of celebration, learning, and building networks. Those people whom I called strangers just twelve hours ago had now become my colleagues on a year-long journey and my confidants for hard times. I understood that I was being prepared for a vigorous year of service, and to my surprise, I felt ready. As I returned to my lodging and finally tucked myself in for the night, only one thought prevailed in my mind: 

Let’s do this.”

In these dark moments, I have faith we will remember our shared humanity and walk in the footsteps of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman, dedicated public servants who have genuinely sought ways to work across differences.

On May 15, 2025, Civic Bridgers sold out its annual Bridging Breakfast event!

“I feel empowered within myself to tackle my own polarization practices and feel ready to take the extra step on issues I care about within my community with the skills I’ve learned from today.”

“Sitting with fellow students, reflecting on the day, and bonding over our experiences felt special—a reminder that Civic Bridging thrives on openness and connection.”

“I'm thinking about the future and want to use all of the experience I got from CBI to connect more with others–not just students from rural and urban areas, but also people from my community, people from other cultures, and even other nations.”

“…we visited the Minnesota Institute of Art to see who was there and what the space offers to the community, and it made me reflect on how it can be seen as a civic place, not just a museum.”

“Leaving Minnesota, I know one thing for sure: my voice belongs in these spaces. And I’m just getting started.”

“This opportunity to dissect what it really means to co-create our communities not just in this session, but throughout the whole week was reassuring in my hope for the future and allowed me to assess my own understanding of community power.”

“The part that stood out to me most was how the members of city council took time to thoroughly listen to every single resident’s claims and statements they wanted to make.”

“The day was a reminder of how place and people intertwine to create something truly special.”

“All the organizers and facilitators knew all our names since the first day of the event, which made the experience special and personal.”

The Fellowship offers a challenging, uncommon opportunity for young professionals to expand their perspective and launch into a life of impact by bridging cultural and ideological differences.

Today marks a transformative moment. Move for America is becoming Civic Bridgers—a name that reflects our deepened commitment to strengthening American democracy through the power of leaders who dare to bridge divides. At a time when many question whether bridging is possible or even desirable, we affirm that bringing Americans together is not just aspirational—it is essential for the survival of our democracy.

Bridgers advance pluralism by modeling and teaching three pluralistic norms: humanity, humility, and accountability.

Civic Bridgers launches teens as Bridgers: community leaders who engage and solve problems across lines of difference. Bridgers navigate differences with a centered-set mentality where people organize around a central purpose. For bridgers, the center is pluralism: a worldview that embraces the multiplicities of identities, viewpoints, experiences, and values.

The Building Blocks of our Fellowship Experience.