News for: Employee

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Last week, more than 100 family members, friends, former and current Bridgewell employees, and Board Members came together to celebrate the retirement of Elaine White and honor her remarkable 45-year career with Bridgewell. The celebration was filled with stories, gratitude, and plenty of memories. Employees who first worked with Elaine at Saugus Geriatrics in the 1980s reflected on the program...

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Bridgewell’s LaPierre Leadership Academy is a series of four full-day trainings, including Role of the Leader, Effective Communication, People Development, and Team Building – followed by a practice/presentation day – focused on providing managers with the tools they need to strengthen their leadership skills and business management practices. Participants learn how to develop infrastructure, build relationships, and create positive work...

Thursday, May 7, 2026

The 2026 theme for Nurse Appreciation Week, “The Power of Nurses,” highlights the resilience, compassion, expertise, and advocacy that define the profession. It’s a powerful reflection of nurses everywhere, especially those working in human services. At Bridgewell, our team includes 7 nurse practitioners, 47 nurses and 47 certified nursing assistants who support individuals across our programs, from training and day...

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

For the past few years, Bridgewell has hosted a Breakfast with Santa for employees and their families! This year’s was the largest event to date with over 240 people and over 120 children of Bridgewell employees! Santa had gifts for every child, took pictures and also gave them kudos on how nice they have been all year long. The celebration...

Monday, June 9, 2025

Congratulations to Bridgewell’s Family Support Center’s Kirsten O’Keefe and Program Manager Joyce Taylor for their nominations from the Department of Developmental Services for provider recognition! Pictured with (left to Right) Jennifer Killeen, North Shore Area Department of Developmental Services Director, Bridgewell Family Support Center Kirsten O’Keefe, President & CEO Chris Tuttle, Program Manager Joyce Taylor, CEO Elaine White and Vice...

Friday, May 16, 2025

Bridgewell’s Director of Housing and Respite Services Zoe Larsen was honored at YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts’ Tribute to Women awards luncheon for making a difference in our community. From her nomination: Zoe is passionately dedicated to supporting individuals with mental illness, addiction, and developmental challenges in the Merrimack Valley. Her personal experiences and career journey have uniquely equipped her to offer...

Monday, January 6, 2025

Bridgewell is pleased to announce that our entire team is First Aid and CPR certified, thanks to Bridgewell’s Training Department! In the past, only staff in direct care roles were required to gain this certification. In 2024 and moving forward, Bridgewell has opted to make it mandatory for every employee who works for the organization.  Bridgewell’s Training Department held 78...

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

For the past few years, Bridgewell has hosted a Breakfast with Santa for employees and their families! Do you recognize Santa? At this event, he’s the C-E-Ho, Ho, Ho! The celebration has grown so much since the first year and is definitely a family favorite! This year included face painting, balloon art, crafts and more! Over 130 people attended and...

Monday, December 4, 2023

Bridgewell’s Training Department has been offering a Leadership Skills Training to managers, supervisors, and directors for over 25 years. This fall, another group of managers completed the course. Known as “Sups Skills,” this course has been organized and facilitated by our Assistant Director of Training Gary LaPierre, Staff Developers and a panel of Senior Leaders. The participants attended informative, interactive,...

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Peg Ricardo has been a case manager with Bridgewell’s Family Support Center in Lynn since 2021, after several years in a similar position with another provider.  She had also previously worked in financial services, and is a mother of a child with disabilities.  We asked Peg a few questions about her work. Who is served by Bridgewell’s Family Support Center?...

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

During the 2023 Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, Bridgewell’s Training Department hosted its annual Direct Support Professional Sensitivity Training. The training covers the history of the direct support professional from the times of institutionalization to now. Staff take a deep look at the job and different aspects of the work and community they serve, with the whole training being an...

Thursday, December 8, 2022

For 25 years, Bridgewell’s Training Department has been offering a Leadership Skills Training to managers, supervisors and directors. Known as “Sups Skills,” this course has been organized and facilitated by our Assistant Director of Training Gary LaPierre, Staff Developers  and a panel of Senior Leaders. Congrats to this year’s class: Leticia Coronado, Residential Manager Tom Corser, Residential Manager Patrick Foley,...

Thursday, April 21, 2022

For 25 years, Bridgewell’s Training Department has been offering a Leadership Training program to Managers, Supervisors and Directors. Known as “Sups Skills,” this course has been organized and facilitated by our Assistant Director of Training Gary LaPierre, our Staff Developer Michael Cotter and a panel of Senior Leaders. For over two decades, it has been modified to meet the needs...

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Inge Peters, our Chief Human Resources Officer, is retiring from Bridgewell this week! Inge has worked in human resources for more than 38 years, including work with both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She has led our human resources function, including recruitment, compensation and benefits, payroll, employee and union relations, safety, employee training, and Bridgewell’s Center for Professional Development for more...

Monday, July 29, 2019

In June, over 100 employees and people in our care attended Bridgewell’s annual Safe Living Expo. Attendees were able to participate in hands on activities on a number of topics. At the skin safety table a representative of Cigna was present with a Dermascan machine where attendees where able to take a closer look at their skin.  Waltham Pest Control...

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Bridgewell has 20 Urban Youth Collaborative Program interns this summer working in a variety of programs from day programs to residences. UYCP places young people from diverse backgrounds in residential, vocational and administrative settings to gain experience in human services. In addition to internship coordinators, peer leaders and DDS employees, DDS Commissioner Jane Ryder joined the group and encouraged the...

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Bridgewell Residential Supervisor Stephanie Valente recently completed the Providers’ Council Nonprofit Human Services Management Certificate Program at Suffolk University. This yearlong, graduate-level certificate program has been specifically designed for mid-career professionals in nonprofit organizations. It focuses on building skills that are necessary to excel in human services management. To learn more, click here. Stephanie, who had a wonderful experience with...

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Geoff Knowlton, Clinician at Bridgewell Counseling Services was the recipient of the Rodger Hebert Quality of Care Award. The award was named after a loyal and devoted Bridgewell employee who had spent his career supporting people with disabilities. The award is presented to an employee who demonstrates the qualities that most defined Rodger’s commitment to people with disabilities. In the...

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Cheryl Southern, case manager at Bridgewell’s Recuperative Care Center, was presented with the Gailanne Reeh Excellence in Care Award. The award recognizes the compassion and quality of care an employee provides to individuals supported through Bridgewell services. Working at Bridgewell since 2018, her work involves supporting people who are in recovery – working to make them feel respected, valued and...

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Massachusetts’ Department of Developmental Services hosted its Direct Support Professional Conference on November 5th & 6th in Cape Cod. The bi-annual conference, consists of two days of high quality learning for direct care staff with numerous workshops and presentations along with ample opportunity for sharing and networking with colleagues.  There were three plenary sessions, multiple break out session to choose from...

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Bridgewell’s annual tradition continued this year with our Employee Recognition Night. This year, we celebrated employees reaching milestones ranging from 3 to 35 employment anniversaries, adding up to over 1,000 years of service. Close to 400 people attended including employees, Board of Directors and families and friends. Highest Service Award Recipients: 30 Years of Service – Wendy Kent, Director of Behavioral Health and Prevention...

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Chris Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Tuttle is responsible for the overall administration of programs and defined administrative services within Bridgewell. As part of this role, he oversees and provides strategic direction for operational activities in support of regulations, policies, goals and objectives, including maintaining the exceptional quality of Bridgewell’s services. Mr. Tuttle is actively involved in external activities that...

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

This year, Bridgewell staff created a Holiday Giving Tree for people in need in our services. Over 115 hand-made ornaments with gift requests were decorated by Bridgewell’s Boston Street Center. Thank you to all who made this possible – there were many elves involved at many levels so thank you!

Monday, October 23, 2017

On Saturday October 14 at the MA Advocates Standing Strong Annual Conference held in Marlboro, Sarah LePoer was awarded the Gunnar Dybwad Supporter Award for the Northeast Region.  The Gunnar Dybwad Supporter Award is presented to a support staff who assists self-advocates in all aspects of the self-advocacy movement.  The supporter is a mentor, an exceptional listener, assists self-advocates in...

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Program Director Robert L. Gustison, II recently completed the Provider’s Council Nonprofit Human Services Management Certificate Program. This year-long, graduate-level certificate program has been specifically designed for mid-career professionals in nonprofit organizations. It focuses on building skills that are necessary to excel in human services management. To learn more, click here. Q& A with Program Director Robert L. Gustison, II...

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Questions about Bridgewell? Certain programs? Policies? We’ve set up this form for staff to ask questions about the organization and will answer them in the CEO emails. [gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”false”]   Please note: This form is for Bridgewell employees. If you are looking for information on a program or specific client questions, please click here.