Media Coverage
NJAMHA News
June, 2007
NewBridge: Helping People Move Forward
Founded in 1963, NewBridge Services, Inc., headquartered in Pompton Plains, responds to the needs of local communities through its five focus areas: counseling, housing, youth programs, senior services and addictions services. Last year alone, NewBridge served nearly 10,000 people across Northern New Jersey.Success-Bound: Youth Services
Each year, thousands of children in grades K-12 attend NewBridge programs on bullying, substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, conflict resolution, self esteem, respect, tolerance, and more. NewBridge hosts after-school programs, teacher development programs and dialogue nights. And for teens who drop out of school, there's NewBridge 70001 Jobs Plus.NewBridge 70001 Jobs Plus is a free program that serves individuals age 16 to 21 years in Morris, Sussex and Warren counties with alternative education options, including job and GED preparation and personal and career counseling. The program also provides transportation within Morris County to ensure the students have as few barriers to success as possible.
On June 27, 2007, NewBridge will celebrate its largest class ever of graduating students who overcame difficulty in the traditional high school setting to achieve their state-issued high school diplomas and jobs through this program.
"Despite enormous personal challenges, these students proved they could succeed academically," said Robert L. Parker, MPA, Executive Director, NewBridge. "We have much to learn from these graduates about determination. One day they're dropouts and the next, they are high school graduates, bound for success in college, careers or the military."
You're Not Alone: Senior Services
Helping seniors live independently in their own homes has always been a prime focus of NewBridge SAIL (Senior Assistance for Independent Living). Morris and Passaic county residents over the age of 60 can call SAIL for links to services including assistance with paperwork, home repairs, counseling, medical care and more. With a newly expanded staff, NewBridge's programs for seniors now also include a geriatric day treatment program, caregiver respite and in-home health assessments to seniors in need.An Expert Ear: Counseling and Day Treatment
Many know NewBridge for its counseling programs, which range from individual and group counseling to crisis counseling in the schools and communities. Counseling is also offered through NewBridge's day treatment program, which offers unique therapy options such as NewBridge Enrich, the agency's one-of-a-kind tropical horticultural therapy garden.Since Brown began working with NewBridge's family housing workgroup in 1998, he has educated agency leaders and family members of those with mental illness about housing funding opportunities. With this knowledge, many individuals were able to find homes and begin enjoying a higher standard of living.
"A major reason for agreeing to accept this award is the fact that NewBridge and Monarch have a common vision and a shared dream of how housing and services for persons with disabilities and the homeless should be provided," Brown was quoted in a press release issued by NewBridge (May 17, 2007).
Breaking the Cycle: Addictions Services
NewBridge's addiction services start with prevention efforts that focus on children, parents and educators. Its full range of addictions services includes evaluation, educational groups, counseling and referrals. In addition, NewBridge works with UMDNJ in a research-based program for dually diagnosed consumers.Responding to the Need: Housing
Recognizing the need for affordable housing in New Jersey, NewBridge has responded with an ambitious affordable housing initiative to create 100 new units of affordable housing by 2010. With the help of NewBridge's new Director of Housing Development, NewBridge has 17 units completed, with plans for 30 units completed by year's end-well ahead of projections.Partnerships continue to assist NewBridge in the housing arena, including recent grants from Washington Mutual and United Way of Morris County. Most recently, NewBridge received a $10,000 grant from North Fork Foundation to support its affordable housing development initiative. "We are grateful to North Fork for recognizing the value and taking a leadership role in assisting the mission of affordable housing in New Jersey," Parker said.