A Bridge and Beyond
Happy 4th Of July
BRIDGES, Inc., a mental health and social services agency, works with at-risk youth, adults, and their families, empowering them to reach their own maximum potential for independence, community integration, and quality of life. We offer programs and
services focusing on each person’s strengths to develop the skills and abilities which break the cycle of institutionalization and homelessness.
A message from the director
It is an exciting time for BRIDGES, Inc! We are planning big changes this year, including a fresh makeover of our newsletter, a new home for our corporate office, many site improvements for our clients and staff, and the expansion of programming. Many of our efforts towards these changes are in “full swing,” developed or developing.
We are excited to report that our TruStart Community Mental Health Center in Woodland Hills has expanded its office. We have increased staffing, clients served and have expanded the office and client space to accommodate the needs of our new FCCS (Field Capable Clinical Services). Our corporate office housing the executive team, human resources, operations and financial office, quality assurance, intake, and billing have secured a new office space and will be relocating to San Dimas, bringing us a little closer to our program sites and keeping us in engaged in the eastern part of San Gabriel Valley. El Monte has also experienced some positive changes to their site lending to more efficiency and coordination of space.
We are hopeful that all the hard work of our staff members is helping to create a new path, with many great opportunities to come. Our success brings opportunity to all of our clients; some of whom may otherwise not have accessed resources and received the help that they needed, when they most needed it. It is our goal to strive for excellence for all of our clients and to improve the community by creating and offering programs and services focusing on each person’s strengths, and by developing the skills and abilities which break the cycle of institutionalization and homelessness.
While the work of non-profit leaders and team members everywhere is ever so challenging, for a team like BRIDGES, the rewards are ever so rewarding!
Lori Pendroff
Executive Director
Get to know us better
Joseph proud
Ready for some inspiration? You won't need to go far. Meet Joseph Proud. Joseph has been part of the BRIDGES family since 2009. He first started his journey with us as an outpatient client with our Project Independence program. He was living on his own but recognized that he needed a helping hand to help him gain control of his mental health. In 2011, he hit a rough patch and felt he should join our residential program to give himself some more needed support. However, after re-evaluation, our staff had confidence in his self-sustaining efforts and his ability to maintain his apartment on his own, which I am happy to say he has. Time went by, and with that, tremendous progress for Joseph. In 2012, BRIDGES hired Joseph part-time as a janitor for our El Monte site. This gave him the opportunity to continue to work on and improve his mental health issues while being employed. By 2016, he was holding the janitor position, while also assuming the on-call mental health worker position. Today, Joseph is also working as a Peer Advocate. His experiences and first hand knowledge of the struggle it can be to get to a positive mental health is the perfect example of resilience.
Joseph has spent his life taking care of others and often neglecting himself. The moment he realized he had to take care of himself before anyone else was the moment his life began to change for the better. He went on to say, "BRIDGES saved me, not sure I'd be here today if it wasn't for BRIDGES. I want others who need help to learn about BRIDGES and more about people dealing with mental health issues to remove some of the stigma people have." We want to thank Joseph for contributing all your positiveness to our BRIDGES family. Seeing Joseph continue to strive for growth, wellness and success in life is very motivating for our staff, clients and community!
Daphne tanori
Meet Daphne Tanori. She is one of our amazing program directors. It will be nine year this August that Daphne has been with the BRIDGES family. She would be the first to tell you, "My career is not my job, it is my lifestyle." Need I say more? That way of thinking is exactly what makes her such an amazing part of our organization. Daphne is part of a unique program that allows her to work closely with clients individually to help them meet their goals and needs.
Daphne said, "I have the opportunity to share acceptance and love to those who often struggle to understand either. I get to see the difference it makes in a person's life when they understand and accept the acceptance and the love. Seeing the changes and growth that happens within the individual is life changing." she said.
It is true passion like the one that Daphne displays in her work for the clients that makes our organization shine! We feel fortunate that Daphne is a part of our organization,our clients' lives, and want to thank her for her passion and commitment.
Alanna Jeffrey
Meet Alanna Jeffrey! She has been with BRIDGES for almost nine years and has been a part of the EL Monte team for as long. Alanna has served the agency and clients in several different roles during her time with us. She started her employment with BRIDGES as a Mental Health Counselor and later transitioned into a Case Manager and a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist. She worked as a part of the residential team as well as in Project Independence, a Wellness and Recovery Center where she continues her wonderful work today. Alanna completed her clinical education during her time with BRIDGES and has become a Marriage and Family Therapist. As a therapist and experienced staff member of BRIDGES, she has held the position of Clinical Coordinator for Project Independence for the last two years, and continues in that capacity today. We look forward to a new year and new ideas for Project Independence!
When asked why she has made the choice to stay at BRIDGES for so long, she had one simple answer, "CLIENTS." She continued to say, "What keeps me here at BRIDGES are all the clients I have met along the way. Each client I have encountered has left a special mark in my life. I am reminded of the simple things in life and to be grateful for what and who I have in my life. I enjoy being the person that clients can go to if they need to talk. Sitting with them and really hearing the story of their lives. It's an amazing feeling to see a client graduate from our program and know that I was a part of it." Working closely with our clients and doing what she can do to ensure their success is what means the most to her. At BRIDGES, we know that our staffs' contributions are appreciated and crucial to the success of our organization. With this, we would like to thank Alanna for her contributions!
Resources
Project Return
What's to come
Rockin' Wednesdays
7/20 Tierra
7/27 Steel Rod
8/3 The Kelly Rae Band
8/10 Battle of the Bands
Wednesday, Jul 20, 2016, 06:00 PM
Arceo Park, El Monte, CA, United States
Every Wednesday-Summer Concerts
Raffle at every concert
Food booths open at 6:00 PM
Entertainment & play area for children
Bring your blankets & lawn chairs!
Wednesday, Jul 6, 2016, 06:00 PM
Duarte Park, 1344 Blomdale Street
Bet Tzedek Legal Clinic
Thursday, Jul 7, 2016, 12:00 PM
Jack Crippen Multipurpose Senior Center
Contact Us
Corporate Office (909) 623-6651
El Monte (626) 350-5304
TruStart (818) 657-0411
Hacienda (818) 999-0143
Email: info@bridgesrehab.org
Website: http://www.bridgesrehab.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgesrehabinstitute/
Twitter: @bridgesrehaborg