News

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Bridgewell residents Cochise, Anthony and Peter were all awarded the DDS Northeast Region Self Determination awards. The awards recognize individuals who have made significant gains and accomplishments in their lives.   [ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”133″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”83″ thumbnail_height=”83″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”0″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”0″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show as slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]  

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

In November, Rachel, who lives in a Bridgewell residence, participated in the 2017 “WIN” Beauty, Wellness & Fashion Expo for the Lynn Chamber of Commerce. She was very honored and excited to be able to participate in this event. She was able to model an ensemble from Swampscott’s Infinity Boutique. With the support of her family, friends, and Program Director, Rachel...

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Visionary Leadership Award Mark S. Kennard For over 35 years and as the former Executive Director of Project COPE, Mark has been an innovative leader, creating and providing the highest level of recovery services and prevention programs for substance use disorders in our community. Since Mark joined Bridgewell after the Project COPE merger four years ago, he has continued to...

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Bridgewell programs all have special ways of celebrating the holidays! This week, Rosewood II Autism Day Services in Danvers enjoyed an entire Thanksgiving dinner prepared by staff.   The feast included 40 lbs of potatoes, 3 turkeys and a ham. Over 100 people joined the celebration including 52 day program attendees and 22 Bridgewell staff, and over 30 family members...

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Because of your support, Bridgewell helps over 6,250 people live safe, self-directed and productive lives. This time of year is filled with gratitude and we are so thankful that you are part of the Bridgewell community.  Thank you.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

With the Boston Street Day Habilitation Center temporarily located at Bridgewell’s Headquarters in Peabody, staff decided to have some Halloween fun including a pumpkin and office decorating contest and a dance party! Departments across the organization participated and Bridgewell’s Finance Department took first place by converting a conference room into a haunted house. All entries were judges by a panel...

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Thank you Topsfield Fair! Bridgewell had a record number of day program individuals and staff, totaling 267, very happy visitors to this year’s Topsfield Fair from September 29 to October 9. Mother Nature provided 5 days of sunshine and warm weather for our folks. We are indeed grateful to the Fair for their continuous support of Bridgewell by providing free...

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Looking for a day program for a young adult with autism? Join us to learn more about this new Rosewood Day Services program. What: Bridgewell has opened a new Rosewood Day Services Program in Billerica for people living in Central Middlesex, Merrimack Valley and Lowell regions. Learn more about the high-quality programming including technology, physical fitness, functional academics and community...

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Last month, the Special Olympics Fall Classic was hosted by the Hogan Regional Center and Special Olympics Massachusetts.  This year’s event was attended by approximately 250 individuals from Hogan, Bridgewell, and Class, Inc. The Special Olympics Fall Classic provides an opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities to engage in a day of interactive fun activities in an...

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Join us for coffee and questions with Lisa Morrow, Esq. and Ashley Jones-Pierce, Esq. of HealthLawAdvocates. Wednesday,  11/1/17 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 66 Silsbee Street, Lynn, MA 01901  HealthLawAdvocates will present 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and  Bridgewell’s Family Support Center will host an open house after the presentation from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Please RSVP to Judith...

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

A Free Training for Parents & Professionals Wondering how to talk to your child, teen or young adult about relationships and sexuality? Nicole Murphy, LICSW and Paula Thompson, LICSW of EMARC are here to guide you! Thursday, October 26th 6:00 to 8:00 pm Burlington Council on Aging 61 Center St,  First Floor, Burlington, MA (right side of the building) Click here to...

Thursday, September 28, 2017

In September, Bridgewell invited the funders to tour one of our three Sober Houses to show the impact their funding had with providing women who leave treatment with a sober, supportive and safe transitional housing environment to continue their road of recovery. Funding from Mass Housing (CCRI), the Gerondelis Foundation and the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development made it...

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

On Friday, September 22, Bridgewell hosted the Building Bridges: Autism Journey into Adulthood conference in Framingham, Massachusetts. As a leading organization supporting families of young autistic adults, this is the second conference hosted by Bridgewell focusing on the transition at age 22 from the educational system to adult autism services. The conference brought together over 400 human services leaders, professionals and...

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

On Tuesday, September 26, District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and Bridgewell celebrated their 10 year partnership in offering drug treatment to non-violent offenders in Essex County.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Accessing MassHealth Services UPDATE: We are very sorry that due to a family emergency, our presenter needs to postpone this presentation. The FSC will contact all who have registered and will also let you know the new date for the presentation. Friday, September 29, 2017 11:30 am – 1 pm Bridgewell Headquarters 10 Dearborn Rd. Training Room B Peabody, MA 01960...

Thursday, August 3, 2017

On Friday night, June 16th, the Rosewood Parents Group sponsored a fun event at Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers, and held a “Danceapalooza” for our Rosewood Drive program participants. A deluge of rain didn’t stop our folks from dressing up in their finest and putting on their dancing shoes to groove to everything from Michael Jackson to Daddy Yankee!...

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Boston’s Mayor Martin J. Walsh & the Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities hosted its annual ADA Celebration Day at Boston City Hall. The ADA Celebration Day is a yearly celebration of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is an event for people of all ages and all abilities to come together and celebrate a milestone in the disability...

Friday, June 16, 2017

Yesterday, the Lynn Continuum of Care (COC) held its Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast. Over 25 local organizations are part of the Lynn COC including Bridgewell and all work in collaboration to end homelessness. Bridgewell’s Elaine White, Director of Housing, serves as President of the Executive Board. During the meeting, scholarships were presented to Gilley Kabamba who will be attending Bridgewater State...

Thursday, June 15, 2017

In May 2017, Bridgewell’s board of directors and staff gathered for a special dedication of Bridgewell’s Training Center in honor of past President & CEO Bob Stearns. Throughout his 13 years, Bob’s thoughtful and caring leadership was not limited to the people Bridgewell serves but also its employees. He demonstrated his commitment to Bridgewell staff in both big and small...

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Thank you for supporting Bridgewell’s 2016 Imagine the Possibilities Gala! More than 335 people attended this year’s gala, helping to raise just over $300,000 for Bridgewell and its mission. To date, the gala has raised just over $2 million in generous donations since the first one was held in 2008. Congratulations to our honorees: Marylou Sudders and Tom Gould, pictured...

Thursday, June 8, 2017

It was a great afternoon celebrating with Bridgewell staff and Board of Directors, the Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. and other distinguished guests celebrating the opening of Bridgewell’s new headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house.   Click through the photo gallery below and check out this great video of the program!   A special thank you to:...

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM 10 Dearborn Road, Peabody, MA 01960 Please join Bridgewell’s staff and Board of Directors, the Mayor of Peabody Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. and other distinguished guests as we celebrate the opening of Bridgewell’s new headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP by June 2...

Thursday, May 4, 2017

On May 4, two members of the Bridgewell community were honored at the ADDP Lead! Conference and Expo at the DCU Center in Worcester: Robert Neal and Dan Nadeau. Robert won the Self Determination Award and Dan has won the Direct Support Professional Award for the Northeast region from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers. More about Robert: Robert has received...

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Bridgewell’s Employment Supports Team has awarded Tyler Blake of Gordon College the third annual Champion Award. Congratulations, Tyler!  Pictured Left: Left to right: Julie, Carol, Champion Award Recipient Tyler Blake and Annette. The award recognizes outstanding business partners of Bridgewell who help individuals with disabilities feel valued and appreciated as members of the workforce. The Gordon College partnership hosts up to five...

Thursday, February 16, 2017

On Friday, February 10, Bridgewell participated in the Night to Shine event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.  Hosted at the North Shore Community Baptist Church in Beverly, over 500 guests and volunteers attended the event featuring karaoke, dinner and dancing, limo rides, photo booth and more. Over 40 prom-goers from Bridgewell attended this year.  The invitation list also included Bridgewell...

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

For many of the individuals in our recovery programs, this holiday marks the first in a long time of being sober. The holiday season is an opportunity to reflect and re-connect with loved ones. On Christmas morning, each client in our six-month inpatient residential program for women in recovery received a present from staff to kick off the holiday. On...

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

If you’ve ever met Connie, who lives in one of Bridgewell’s residences, you know she’s a big General Hospital fan. This fall, Connie went to a Soap Fantasy event in Boston and met several General Hospital stars! Check out the pictures:  

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Through Bridgewell’s Recreation and Adult Education program, over 20 individuals danced to their favorite holiday songs at the annual Jingle Bell Rock dance class hosted by LeAnne Leslie’s School of Theatrical Dance. A favorite holiday tradition! Thank you to LeAnne and her daughter Lauren for your continued lessons and support!

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

This month’s Bridgewell’s Adult Recreation and Education program events included cookie decorating, making holiday ornaments and everyone’s favorite game: Jingo Bingo. The group visited one of their favorite spots: Clay Dreaming in Beverly. They each created a ceramic popcorn box, which was then filled with everything you need for a movie night. Very festive classes to bring out the holiday spirit! Other...

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, Bridgewell decorated and distributed close to 500 pieces of winter gear to Bridgewell’s programs including our affordable housing and recovery programs as well as other local community organizations, including Lynn Economic Opportunity, Inc. Bridgewell’s Self Advocates volunteered to embellish the new items by pinning on decorated holiday tags.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

A tradition continues! Boston Street Center held its sixth annual holiday concert to kick off the season last week. It was a full house with family members, guardians, friends and staff members cheering them on and joining in on the singing. The performance was directed by Debbie Eldred. And thank you to following staff: Donna DeRosier, who handmade all the...

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Bridgewell’s Adult Recreation and Education program hosted their annual Holiday Brunch at the Salem Moose Family Center. More than 150 individuals and staff attended with several volunteers serving a delicious breakfast. Music was provided by DJ CC for dancing and a few “Bridgewell Carolers” had folks joining in for a sing-a-long.  The event was capped off with a visit from...

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Program Director Betsy Stockwell and Assistant Program Director Amanda Murray surprised staff during Direct Support Professional Week with little gifts to say thank you and raffles supported by local businesses. Staff was recognized every day of the week with little gestures – donuts, hand sanitizer, life savers, gum and the week ended with a staff lunch. Throughout the week, there...

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Northeast Regional Director of the Department of Developmental Services Mandy Chalmers will be retiring after a 44 year career with the Department of Developmental Services. Mandy started her career at the Fernald Developmental Center and then worked at the DDS Central Office as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner.  Mandy was DDS’s go-to staff person for any difficult assignments. In...

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

With more than 400 people in attendance, Bridgewell’s second Living Longer: Aging with Intellectual Disability Conference was a success. Dr. Julie Moran presented her keynote “Reflecting Back, Looking Ahead:  What’s New in Aging and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.” During her introduction, Commissioner Elin Howe praised Bridgewell’s ongoing commitment to aging adults with disabilities. Commissioner Howe discussed what the state is doing...

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Join Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael, Massachusetts State Senator Jason Lewis, Brian W. O’Connor, MD, Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, and the Greater Lowell Health Alliance Substance Use and Prevention—Marijuana Subcommittee as we present: THE IMPACTS OF MARIJUANA Strategies to Address Related Health, Social, and Legal Issues LOWELL GENERAL HOSPITAL 295 Varnum Avenue, Lowell (Valet or Parking in Garage) Wednesday,...

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Last month, Bridgewell held its first Bridgewell Day at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. We had close to 1,000 members of the Bridgewell community attend, including staff, individuals in our services, board members, family and friends. NECN’s Joy Lim Nakrin welcomed the crowd and shared remarks with President & CEO Bob Stearns and Board Chair Jeff Roy. This event was a celebration...

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Earlier this month, Tom Gould, owner of Treadwell’s Ice Cream and Peabody City Councilor, toured Bridgewell programs including a residence for young adults with autism in Peabody, Rosewood Drive Day Habilitation programs in Danvers and a women’s recovery program in Lynn. He saw many familiar faces from his work with the Challenger League as well as his community ties. Bridgewell is...