David Weaver, currently Vice President of Programs, became director of programs for BRIDGES for a Just Community in May, 2006. In this capacity, he serves to strengthen BRIDGES' core youth development programs, extending the organization's continuum of leadership development opportunities through the acquisition of Public Allies Cincinnati. David began his relationship with NCCJ as a volunteer and partner in 1995 and currently supports the efforts of Equality Cincinnati, GLSEN and Joy Outdoor Education, LLC. A Cincinnati native, David is a graduate of both Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati. He obtained a bachelors' degree in International Studies (with a Political Science focus) from the Monterey Institute of International Studies while serving in the United States Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps stationed at Fort Ord, California After one year of law school, David began using his legal background in the area of child and juvenile justice advocacy with the Children's Defense Fund in 1993. Under the tutelage and mentorship of Eileen Cooper Reed, David used CDF's national resources and networks to replicate the Freedom School Collaborative Project, a reading based initiative for K-8th graders designed to instill children with a love for reading, in 6 different communities over the course of 3 years. In 1998, he became the founding executive director of Public Allies Cincinnati, a national Americorps Leadership Development program for young adults 18-30. David left Cincinnati for California in September of 2000 to become the Western Regional Director for Public Allies National Organization and left the organization in 2005 after serving 3 years as its vice president of leadership development. He also worked as a consultant under the name "Changed For Good: Coaching and Consulting" with community-based organizations and foundations in the San Diego and Oakland, CA areas.