ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Bridges ends homelessness through street outreach and intensive case management focusing on health, housing, and independence. Bridges forms relationships with those experiencing homelessness while meeting their most urgent needs.
OUR HISTORY
On a Friday evening in 1988, Geoff and Ginger Worden of Summit, NJ, set off to New York City in the vicinity of the Brooklyn Bridge with soup, sandwiches, and coffee hoping to provide connection and support to persons experiencing homelessness. As Geoff Worden recalls, “When we got ready to leave, they thanked us profusely and showered us with ‘God Bless You’. And we responded ‘And God Bless You, we’ll see you next Friday!’ When we did in fact return the next Friday, they were amazed.” That connection under the Brooklyn Bridge was the catalyst for Bridges.
35 years later, Bridges continues to provide weekly street support and has also expanded its outreach with case management to help people experiencing homelessness obtain identity documents, enroll in benefits, obtain housing vouchers and diversion support to prevent imminent homelessness through a growing number of programs.
OUR TEAM
Richard J. Uniacke
President, Bridges Outreach
We are not here just to feed and clothe our most vulnerable neighbors so that their experience of homelessness may be less severe. Rather, we believe that even one person sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation tonight represents an urgent crisis – and we are here to help solve that crisis.
Bridges Staff – meet the team who make it all happen!
Leadership:
Alexa Grueiro, Director of Finance
Brittany McClean, Director of Veteran Services
Brenda Myrick, Director of Programs & Impact
Patti Stenzel, Director of Development & Communications
Desiree Tindell, Vice President of Programs
Program Managers:
Kirsy Deleon, Housing Sustainment Program Manager (Path Home Housing)
Blossom Hercules, Housing Navigation Program Manager
​Christina Zamor, Operations Manager
Development & Communications:
Mary Kate Cahiwat, Development Manager
Ruby Batista, Volunteer Coordinator
Patti Stenzel, Director of Development & Communications
Bringing Veterans Home:
Brittany McLean, Director of Veteran Services
Blossom Hercules, Housing Navigation Program Manager
BRIDGES BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Bridges Emeritus Trustees
Janice Beckmen, Community Leader
Amanda Parrish Block, Founder, GRACE
Laura Fromm, Author, Editor and Writing Professor
Pam Gumport, Grand Teton National Park Volunteer
Ranger
Coleen McCaffery, Attorney
Kathryn Radutzky, R.N.
Sarah Rosen, Managing Director,
Women’s Association, NJ Performing Arts Center
Susan Tully, Designer
Prez Tyus, Songwriter
Geoff Worden, Bridges co-Founder
Ginger Worden, Bridges co-Founder
Bridges Advisory Council
Stephen Bonsignore, Brand Communications
Consultant - SDB Communications
Lois Bhatt, Former Executive Director, Bridges
Outreach
Adam Franklin, Technical Producer - Hill Holiday Health
Jon Maslin, Senior Vice President, Allied Beverage
Group
Coleen McCaffery, Attorney
Marie Santos, Director of Portfolio Administration,
Select Equity
Brynne Thompson, Founder, Respire Enterprises
Jennifer Velez, SVP and General Counsel, Horizon Blue
Cross Blue Shield