Press Release – 3-1-2018

Published: August 15, 2018

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Bridgewell Celebrates 60th Anniversary as Community Leader
Massachusetts-based nonprofit sets the standard for social and human services in New England

 

Peabody, Mass. – Bridgewell, a nonprofit that provides social and human services that empower people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed and productive lives, kicked off an important milestone in January: its 60th anniversary. For the past 60 years, Bridgewell has been committed to helping people in need become engaged members of their communities by delivering support through community housing, day programs, outpatient treatment, recovery services, education and employment training.

To coincide with this milestone, Bridgewell recently named a new president and CEO, Kelly J. Martin. With more than 30 years of experience at Bridgewell, Martin has advanced and reshaped programming to expand necessary services in autism support and substance use disorder treatments.

“For 60 years, we have served thousands of people in local communities across eastern Massachusetts,” said Kelly J. Martin, president and CEO of Bridgewell. “We want to sincerely thank the people we serve, their families and our partners for the trust they have placed in us and the work we have been able to accomplish together. This continued collaboration has allowed us to best serve those who need it most, and we remain committed to providing core community support for decades to come.”

Bridgewell was founded as Greater Lynn Mental Health in 1958, which was a child guidance center in downtown Lynn, helping children and families struggling with emotional difficulties. During the deinstitutionalization movement of the 1970s, the organization began opening residential programs and later developed day services and other support programs. In January 2005, the organization changed its name to Bridgewell, recognizing the diverse population the social and human services organization serves throughout Massachusetts. Today, Bridgewell provides people with disabilities and other life challenges the things that many in society take for granted – a home, food, transportation, an opportunity to work and develop life-skills, healthcare, recreation and friendships.

“Everything Bridgewell does centers around enriching the lives of the people it serves and giving their families and loved ones peace of mind,” said Robin Sutherland, chair of Bridgewell’s board of directors. “Bridgewell is proud to have established itself as a leader in developing innovative offerings for those with unmet or emerging needs.”

On Monday, Jan. 8, the Bridgewell community kicked off its 60th anniversary celebration with a cake at its headquarters in Peabody and in various programs across the organization. The nonprofit will celebrate this milestone throughout the year, including at its 10th annual Imagine the Possibilities Gala, taking place March 16, 2018, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, Back Bay, Boston. The Gala is an opportunity to celebrate and advance Bridgewell’s mission to meet the needs of those who need it most across Massachusetts. WCVB-5 is the media sponsor for Bridgewell’s 60th Anniversary.

ABOUT BRIDGEWELL

Bridgewell is a nonprofit social and human services organization dedicated to strengthening communities. Headquartered in Peabody, Mass., Bridgewell empowers people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed and productive lives. Bridgewell delivers support through community housing, day programs, outpatient treatment, recovery services, education and employment training. Its staff of more than 1,400 professionals serves approximately 6,300 people and their families. Bridgewell is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and fully licensed by the state. For more information, visit bridgewell.org.

Contact:
Karen Laverty
Greenough, on behalf of Bridgewell
klaverty@greenough.biz
617-275-6516

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