NewBridge Services is honoring Christian Health at the Legacy of Hope Gala on April 25. “Christian Health is a strong, successful organization that mirrors NewBridge’s principles of fostering well-being for all those they serve,” said NewBridge CEO Michelle Borden. “We salute Christian Health for their dedication to providing compassionate care to all.”
A group of deacons from the Reformed tradition founded Christian Health in 1911 to create New Jersey’s first private psychiatric hospital. Over the decades, the nonprofit greatly expanded its mental health services and added rehabilitation services, senior-living housing, and other services for older adults. Today, the organization serves thousands of residents, patients, and clients in northern New Jersey, offering an extensive continuum of communities, care, and services for people of all ages.
“Our vision is to provide an ever-widening and enriched continuum of high-quality care and services that nurture the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those we serve,” said Christian Health CEO Douglas A. Struyk.
Joining Forces
As announced in August 2022, NewBridge Services will join Christian Health, pending state approval. The collaboration will enable both nonprofits to share knowledge and resources to expand and enhance the scope of their services across a broader geographic region.
“The thoughtful integration of the two health care organizations further solidifies our position in the community and creates new opportunity,” Struyk said. Christian Health, headquartered in Wyckoff, currently has campuses in Bergen and Passaic counties, and NewBridge provides counseling, housing, and education primarily in Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties. “A commitment to providing skilled and compassionate care aligns our two organizations,” he said.
Christian Health operates five independent-living communities, a residential health care community, two assisted-living communities, and three skilled-nursing care centers, and provides home health services. In addition to Ramapo Ridge Behavioral Health, its inpatient behavioral health hospital, the organization has a partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatient program and an outpatient counseling center. The nonprofit also offers short-term inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Creating Partnerships
Creating partnerships with other nonprofits has allowed Christian Health to leverage shared resources and strongly improve access to care in the community. For example, a joint venture with Valley Health System provides patients of Valley Hospital in Paramus access to mental health services by Christian Health providers at the hospital and following discharge. The nonprofit has also expanded into home health care services through its relationship with the licensed and accredited organization Home Care Options.
“NewBridge Services and Christian Health will collaborate on best practices, maximizing each other’s impact. Building on both organizations’ experience in housing, for example, can pave the way for new affordable housing opportunities for older adults in New Jersey,” Struyk said.
“Joint efforts can also lead to better integration of behavioral health prevention and treatment services into primary health care,” Borden said. “We look forward to improvements in client care and organizational operations.”
NewBridge will maintain its brand identity and board governance and continue to fundraise independently. The Legacy of Hope Gala, NewBridge’s biggest fundraiser of the year, will be held 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at The Legacy Castle in Pequannock Township. Visit nbgala2024.givesmart.com to register.
