The Tender Bridge (TTB) provides at-risk children who live in East Baltimore with year-round 1:1 mentoring relationships to help them avoid a life of drugs and crime, and increase their probability of becoming happy productive citizens. TTB, founded in 2003 by Noel Acton – “Mr. Noel” – a well-known figure in East Baltimore, is 100% volunteer-led. Our coach-mentors meet the kids where they are, going directly to their blocks to pick them up. Their participation in sports is the hook to keep them engaged while the mentoring and support we provide will help them bridge to successful adulthood. TTB does not “assign” mentors to the children – a relationship naturally forms between a child and a volunteer through the time spent together playing a sport. We believe that the cycle of poverty in East Baltimore can be broken, one young person at a time.