A Bridge and Beyond
August 2016
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
Dear BRIDGES Friends:
We are very proud to bring to you the 2nd edition of our newly designed Newsletter, A Bridge and Beyond! Some of our readers may not be aware that a former client named the newsletter a few years back, which we think makes the title of our newsletter significant! Further, I would like to thank Clayna Hahn, our Program Assistant in our El Monte location for her wonderful work in redesigning the newsletter and her diligence in reaching out to all our staff and clients to ensure agency- wide contributions. We are hoping that the newly designed newsletter will serve to be a wonderful tool to disseminate a broad range of information and increase awareness about our programs and services, clients’ achievements, events- past and present, and other BRIDGES news and allow us to connect with the community at large. If anyone is interested in learning about any one of our programs, or getting a tour of one of the facilities, please contact our lntake Coordinator, Lindsey Griffo. Lindsey will be able to help you or refer you to the appropriate person. She can be reached at 626-350-5304 ext. 523 or you can also visit our website at www.bridgesrehab.org. I am pleased that you have taken a few moments to browse our newsletter!
Lori Pendroff
Executive Director
Get to know us better
Joanna Cervantes
Joanna is a Program Director in our Canoga Park location. She started with BRIDGES-Hacienda Retirada in March of 2016. From 2004-2005, while attending Cal State Northridge and working towards her Bachelor’s in Criminology and Sociology, she began her career in human related services working at The Los Angeles County Probation Department residential treatment camp with at risk juveniles. Beginning in 2005, she began working for Behavioral Systems Community Correctional Facility in partnership with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as a Caseworker. As a caseworker, she worked with adult ex-offenders who were recently released from state prison back to the community. She assisted this population with services that addressed substance abuse treatment, mental health services, employment development, housing, and vocational training. In 2013, she was promoted to Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Therapist. As a CBIT, she focused her efforts on assisting this population in their successful transition back to the community by providing life skills, anger management, and family reunification services. When asked why she stays, she said, “Working as a Program Director, in this line of work, is truly a rewarding experience for me...” ”...I enjoy helping others”. “I believe that everyone, regardless of who they are, where they have been, or what they have done, have the fundamental right to obtain their goals and dreams.”
Jahi Thomas
Jahi is a BRIDGES client who can show you that with some determination you can accomplish any goal you strive to achieve. He is originally from Stirling, New Jersey and came to California in March of 2016 for better opportunities. Jahi came to Bridges on April 18th, 2016 and once he completed his thirty day phase, he was offered a paid internship at TJ Maxx through one of our collaborators, Worksource for Youth. Jahi shows a strong interest in wanting to pursue a career in voice over acting and will be trying out for “voice orientation” on July 23, 2016. Wish him luck! Jahi has said, “Having an animated personality will benefit me in my pursuit of voice over acting.” While at BRIDGES, he hopes to gain independent living skills, a support system and a stable environment to be successful in the future. The BRIDGES team hopes to be the support system to help Jahi achieve his goals in all aspects of his life.
Layne Smith
Layne began working at BRIDGES in August of 2015 as a Mental Health Worker at Hacienda Retirada. When asked why he loves working at Bridges, he said, ” I grew up around people who created an amazingly solid support system in my life, both family and friends.”He goes on to say, “Despite what struggles were present, I came to find that having that support makes it so much easier to realize you own potential and take steps towards self-betterment. This is my way of giving back, I want to invest what support I can into people who need and seek it." BRIDGES is fortunate to have such amazing staff like Layne to be the support systems that many of our clients need and deserve. We thank you for all that you do for our BRIDGES family!
Resources
Project Return
Fun Times at BRIDGES
What's to come
Open House
Come down and learn more about our
BRIDGES outpatient and residential programs.
Tours, Snacks, Raffles & much more!
Wednesday, Sep 14, 2016, 11:00 AM
11927 Elliott Avenue, El Monte, CA, United States
Rockin' Wednesdays
August 10 - Battle of the Bands
August 12 - Mariachi (Friday)
Wednesday, Aug 3, 2016, 06:30 PM
3125 Tyler Avenue, El Monte, CA, United States
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