ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Bridges ends homelessness through volunteer-driven outreach and individual case management focusing on health, housing, and independence. We form 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 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!
Program Administration:
Pamela Campbell, Director of Administration
Annel Montero-Mitchell, Director of Development
Mary Kate Cahiwat, Development Manager
Operations:
Christina Zamor, Operations Manager
Lavar Summey, Run Specialist
Curew Smith, Run Specialist
Essex County Outreach & Case Management:
Victoria Griffith, Program Manager
Veronica Lewis, Client Support Specialist
Shanoah Marshall, Intake Specialist
Stephanie Edwards, Lead Case Manager
Kayla Bragg, Case Manager
Jessenia Martinez, Case Manager
Dominique Alford, Outreach Specialist
Norma Cuffee, Outreach Specialist
Jaqueline Hayes, Outreach Specialist
Union County Outreach & Case Management:
Desiree Tindell, Program Manager
Ana Crespo, Outreach Specialist
Yazdi Bellijomji, Outreach Specialist
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
Kathleen DiChiara, Founder and Former CEO, Community Foodbank of New Jersey
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