The Bridge

We are so grateful to our staff!

Rebecca Heller, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), serves as the Assistant Vice President of Critical Care Services at The Bridge. In this role she supports clinical programs across the residential department. Rebecca is passionate about ensuring individuals receive appropriate clinical care to thrive in the community.

Before The Bridge, Rebecca was a social worker at an assisted living residence, as part of the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing.

Rebecca received her MSW at Columbia University. She resides in New York City.

We are so grateful to our staff!

Liz Steinberg serves as the Senior Development Consultant at The Bridge. In this role she supports the Senior Vice Presidents in Housing Development and Fundraising for The Bridge. Liz has a strong-held passion for writing, research, and data and enjoys working with her colleagues to improve access to healthcare and housing for vulnerable populations.

Before The Bridge, Liz utilized her administrative skills and experience in direct practice to support leadership in the nonprofit, industry.

Liz received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from American University. She also has a Master's in Social Work from Columbia University. She resides in Mill Valley, CA.

The Bridge was excited to be able to gather at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on June 8th for The Bridge Gala 2022. The gala was an enormous success and raised over $800,000 to support our innovative programs. We were thrilled to honor Dominick Cama, Investors Bank; Thomas Canty, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield; Tony DiPietrantonio and Michael Pilla, D.P. Group General Contractors/Developers Inc.; and David Karnovsky and Penny King, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.

Two of our clients received standing ovations for their heartfelt discussion of how The Bridge transformed their lives.

SAMHSA awards The Bridge 4-Year Grant to Develop and Implement a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Manhattan and the Bronx — The Bridge Inc.

SAMHSA awards The Bridge 4-Year Grant to Develop and Implement a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Manhattan and the Bronx.

SAMHSA awards The Bridge 4-Year Grant to Develop and Implement a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Manhattan and the Bronx — The Bridge Inc. The Bridge is pleased to announce an award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to plan, develop, and implement a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Our CCBHC will operate out of our Manhattan clinic, co-located with Ryan Health, a federally

To help our clients lead safe and healthy lives, we have created several initiatives to address substance use in our residential buildings. Staff is being trained on effective methods to help clients struggling with drug use, including education about drug toxicology, and identifying triggers that may lead to drug use. The Bridge also has a Narcan training program to teach staff how to provide Narcan treatment to save lives when a client overdoses. Narcan, or naloxone, is a prescription medicine that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose.

Staff has been working with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to coordinate getting the Narcan kits to our buildings and making them accessible in the community.

In addition to the Narcan kits, the community boxes also have a QR code that can be scanned by a smart phone to access a training video for support in administering Narcan.

Our goal is harm reduction and building trust, so clients feel they can confide in staff about substance use related issues

The Bridge is excited to add an additional Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, bringing our total number of ACT teams in Manhattan and the Bronx to eight, including 3 shelter teams and 1 forensic team. ACT teams deliver comprehensive services to individuals who are diagnosed with serious mental illness and whose needs have not been well met by more traditional service delivery approaches.

Office settings can be a barrier to care for clients with complex behavioral healthcare needs. Therefore, The Bridge offers community-based services in a client’s home, in a shelter, at the hospital or at a public location where the client feels comfortable. ACT teams are clinics on wheels providing a variety of medical, psychiatric, and vocational services in the community. Consolidating service delivery helps clients build trusting relationships with their care team and stay in their homes and out of hospitals and jails.

The Bridge is one of the first agencies in New York City to receive funding to operate 4 Safe Option Support (SOS) teams to engage people living on the street and assist them in accessing mental health and substance use services. The SOS teams work primarily in the subways and on the street providing supportive services to individuals at high risk for recurring shelter, hospital, and prison admissions. Staff provide intensive support over a 12-month period to help persons transition from the streets to a more stable setting with the goal of acquiring permanent housing. Our multi-disciplinary teams will enroll over 95 clients per team where they can receive treatment and support services. Since April, 89 people have been enrolled in the program.

As a leader in operating supportive housing for adults with serious mental illness in New York City, The Bridge provides supportive services so our clients can age in their homes. The Bridge created the Critical Care Services program to deliver comprehensive services to older adults. Two new services complement our signature aging service program, which is the only program in NYC that combines housing, specialized geriatric care, and mobile treatment services for this underserved population.

The high-risk program targets residents at risk of violence (to themselves or others), those with active suicidal ideation and individuals with medical risks, and provides a high level of clinical support. The HOME (Helping Organize My Environment) initiative supports residents with hoarding tendencies. The goal of the initiative is to work with residents to create and maintain safer home environments and address the stigma and shame often associated with hoarding.

Our services are designed to prevent frequent hospitalizations, incarceration, nursing home placement, violence, medical decline, unsafe living conditions and isolation. Our overarching goal is to help residents self-manage their complex conditions with minimal support and maximum independence.

The Bridge is a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive and affordable housing for adults with serious mental illness. The Bridge recently broke ground in on a first-of-its-kind project in Brownsville, Brooklyn that co-locates housing and light manufacturing in one building. Brownsville has the highest concentration of residents living in public housing and shelters in NYC, making it one of the highest need neighborhoods in the city. When completed, the building will have 87 supportive units for homeless veterans, frail seniors, and chronically homeless adults with mental illness. There will also be 87 affordable units for low-income families, and workspaces for light manufacturers.

This project serves as an innovative model for creating much-needed affordable/supportive housing on an under-utilized manufacturing site, while also preserving manufacturing space and creating new jobs.

The Bridge is excited to be able to gather again at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on June 8th to celebrate our incredible accomplishments over the past few years. Please join us for a wonderful evening.

https://thebridge22gala.givesmart.com

Construction begins at affordable housing, manufacturing ‘Bridge Rockaway’ in Brownsville • Brooklyn Paper

This week The Bridge proudly broke ground on our newest building located in Brooklyn. This will bring an additional 174 affordable apartments as well as a manufacturing space expected to bring 35 industrial jobs to the neighborhood. The groundbreaking ceremony was covered by various publications including below.

https://www.brooklynpaper.com/constructionbridge-rockaway-brownsville/

Construction begins at affordable housing, manufacturing ‘Bridge Rockaway’ in Brownsville • Brooklyn Paper Bridge Rockaway, an unusual kind of mixed-use affordable housing development is in the works in Brownsville, bringing 174 affordable apartments and nearly

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $48 Million Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx

On 11/03/2021, the Bridge announced the completion of The Park Avenue Apartments in the Bronx. This $48 million project provides 115 homes to vulnerable New Yorkers. There are 46 units designated for the elderly and veterans with disabilities as well as 46 units for low-income families and seniors from the community.

We couldn’t have done it without our amazing partners. Click the link to read more about the building.

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $48 Million Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx Governor Hochul announced the completion of a $47.9 million supportive and affordable housing complex in the Bronx that will serve individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, including those with a serious mental illness, veterans with disabilities, and the elderly.

The Bridge Artist’s Program is hosting our Fall Art Show on November 11, 2021 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Gallery M. All of the Bridge Community and its affiliates are invited to attend.

Please bring a mask to wear inside of the Gallery while viewing art. Proof of vaccination status (or a negative PCR test) is required at the door.

Much of the artist’s work will be for sale. If you would like to inquire about cost and purchasing, please contact Allison Landrum, Bridge Arts Coordinator at the event, or contact [email protected].

Join us! https://www.thebridgeny.org/fall2021

Cuomo commits nearly $11 million toward NYC supportive housing programs for homeless | amNewYork

The Bridge is excited to receive $6.9 million to redevelop one of our supportive housing properties. This will increase the number of units in the building and enable The Bridge to help more homeless New Yorkers.

https://www.amny.com/news/cuomo-providing-11-million-toward-nyc-supportive-housing-homeless/

Cuomo commits nearly $11 million toward NYC supportive housing programs for homeless | amNewYork Seeking to make a dent in the city's homelessness crisis, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that the state would provide nearly $11 million in funding

The Bridge is hiring! Please join us at our job fair on Tuesday, June 22nd. Bring your resume!

Golfers and Non-golfers!
The Bridge is excited to be gathering again for our only in-person fundraiser since 2019! Click the link for more information.

https://www.thebridgeny.org/golf2021?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=external_mailing_list&utm_content=Support%20The%20Bridge%27s%20Golf%20Outing

Cuomo's Budget Includes $250 Million for Supportive Housing

The inclusion of $250M in next year’s state budget for supportive housing is essential for Governor Cuomo’s long-term plan to reduce homelessness. "My family doesn’t worry about me anymore." a tenant in The Bridge’s 3500 Park residence, our supportive housing residence. "Supportive housing is the primary way for people living with special needs & mental illness to move out of shelters, off the street & into housing." Susan Wiviott (CEO of The Bridge). Thousands of other New Yorkers like her need permanent housing, too. Read about the new plan for supportive housing featuring our tenant.
https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/housing/2021/01/23/governor-cuomo-plans-putting-up-a-quarter-billion-taxpayer-dollars-to-supportive-housing

Cuomo's Budget Includes $250 Million for Supportive Housing Meet a veteran who was living on benches for two years.

static1.squarespace.com

As we move through the final months of 2020, we look back on our successes. We continue to provide high quality services each day to the most vulnerable New Yorkers during these difficult times. We are now in our 66th year of service and we are so proud of The Bridge community and its achievements!

The Bridge is happy to report on the highlights of 2019 in this annual report. We opened a new building and our many programs continue to flourish. With your support, The Bridge provides essential services to over 3,200 men and women in New York City!


https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5abd487cf93fd4be82566728/t/5fa59c903e1e64162744de26/1604689069334/2019+Annual+Report+with+SW+edit+%286%29.pdf

static1.squarespace.com

The Bridge received a $441,000 technology grant from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help our essential workers provide tele-health services to our clients by phone or video conferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We thank the FCC for their generosity and allowing us to continue to provide essential tele-health services to New Yorkers.

Stories from The Bridge

Check out The Bridge’s latest story! We are highlighting various staff members and how they have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. This feature is on Luis and Wilson, who have been working hard to keep clients and staff safe, healthy, and effectively working remotely.

https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&m=D7yIu&u=BwVsI&y=q&dont_redirect=1

Stories from The Bridge

Stories from The Bridge

Check out The Bridge’s latest story! We are highlighting various staff members and how they have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. This feature is on Beverly and Sakinah, who work in our Supportive Housing program.

https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&m=DpmwU&u=BwVsI&y=3&dont_redirect=1

Stories from The Bridge

Stories from The Bridge

Check out The Bridge’s latest story! We are highlighting various staff members and how they have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. This feature is on Jess, a Drama Therapist in our Personalized Recovery Oriented Services.

https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&m=DXDTu&u=BwVsI&y=q&dont_redirect=1

Stories from The Bridge

Stories from The Bridge

Check out The Bridge’s latest story! We are highlighting various staff members and how they have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. This feature is on Eric- a registered nurse working through the pandemic.

https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&m=Dlv1u&u=BwVsI&y=q&dont_redirect=1

Stories from The Bridge

The Bridge thanks the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, United Way of New York City, The New York Community Trust, Capital One, and Hyde and Watson for their generous contributions towards our COVID-19 fund.

Funding helps offset the extraordinary expenses incurred to keep our staff and clients safe and healthy during this pandemic.

The Bridge and COVID-19

Yesterday was the date that we were supposed to have our Awards Gala dinner. Unfortunately, we cannot all gather but we are having a virtual gala challenge and we need your help! Stay safe and healthy.
https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&m=gqJdQ&u=BwVsI&y=0&dont_redirect=1

The Bridge and COVID-19

2019 Costumes and Cocktails Halloween Party

A big thank you to everyone who supported The Bridge Junior Board's Costumes and Cocktails Halloween Party! The event raised more than $85,000 in support of Bridge programs! Check out pictures from the night here --https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHZXbX8

2019 Costumes and Cocktails Halloween Party Photography by Terrel Grant

We are counting down to Friday's Costumes and Cocktails event! It's not too late to get a ticket and join us for this fantastic party and important fundraiser! Hope to see you there!

Flashing back this Friday afternoon to the 2017 Costumes and Cocktails bash. Those costumes were pretty fabulous, and it was such a terrific evening. Still time to figure out a great costume! Hope you'll join us next Friday night!

Flashback Friday! Remember the amazing costumes at last year's Costumes and Cocktails event? Time to get thinking of what you want to wear this year and to buy your tickets! It's a great party and an important fundraiser for The Bridge! Hope you can join us on the 25th!

Come get spooky with us at our Junior Board’s annual Costumes & Cocktails Halloween Party this October! Follow the link to find more info on our website! It's a great party and a terrific way to support the work of The Bridge!
https://www.thebridgeny.org/events/halloween-2019

Beyond Aging in Place: Thriving in Supportive Housing - CSH

The Corporation of Supportive Housing (CSH) visited The Bridge’s Melrose Commons to learn more about our Aging Services program, which seeks to enable older adults to age in their homes with dignity and independence.

https://www.csh.org/2019/09/beyond-aging-in-place-thriving-in-supportive-housing/

Beyond Aging in Place: Thriving in Supportive Housing - CSH “It’s a pleasure to have a roof over my head and have everybody here stick by me to make sure I keep a roof over my head. It’s an honor,” Patricia said. CSH spoke with supportive housing tenants, their case managers and other services staff to gain a better understanding of what “Healthy A...

Thank you to all who came out to the Junior Board Golf Classic, sponsored by Maspeth Mechanical on Sept. 12th. With your help we raised more than $34,000, which will help support The Bridge’s programs. Thank you to everyone who supported the event!

More photos are viewable on our Flickr page:
[email protected]/sets/72157710829004222/" rel="nofollow,noopener" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157710829004222/

Throwback Thursday -- August began with a fun Recreation Day at Tilden Gardens. A great day to kick back and have some fun making art, shooting some hoops, or playing cards or games.

Love these summer days and the visits to our Urban Farms. Today dropped in on the terrific 111th Street location as the team was working. They'd picked cucumbers, peaches, and squash before I arrived, and the flowers added a lovely touch of color to this lush garden. We thank Wells Fargo for their support for our Manhattan Urban Farms.

Flashback Friday -- was happy to visit the beautiful garden at our Tilden residence in Brooklyn last year, and looking forward to a visit later today. We have deeply appreciated the support for this beautiful urban farm from the Brooklyn community relations team at Con Edison. And always enjoy seeing the team from The Horticultural Society of New York as they teach and guide clients in the garden. Stay tuned for pictures of our upcoming garden visit.

Throwback Thursday -- thinking back to that lovely July day last year when we celebrated the Ground Breaking Ceremony at our 3500 Park Avenue construction site in the Bronx. That project is well underway, and before we know it we'll be planning our Ribbon Cutting!

Join us on September 12th for The Bridge Junior Board's Golf Classic. Tickets are available now! Get them here - https://www.thebridgeny.org/events/golf-2019 And a big thank you to our event sponsor, Maspeth Mechanical!

We were so excited to welcome 400 guests to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Tuesday evening as we celebrated the 65th anniversary of The Bridge and paid tribute to the 2019 Honorees: Hon. Ruben Diaz, Jr., Bronx Borough President; Jonathan D. Resnick; and Dynamic Air Conditioning Company. More pictures will be posted soon!

Last week volunteers from SiteCompli visited Maple Residence and spent the day painting, gardening, and playing board games with our clients. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a BBQ lunch. Thank you SiteCompli for spending the day with us!