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OUR HISTORY
What began in 1988 as a simple act of outreach has grown into a comprehensive effort to end homelessness across New Jersey. As our community's needs have evolved, so has our work. Explore the milestones, achievements, and moments that have shaped Bridges Outreach and the thousands of lives impacted along the way.
1988
Ginger & Geoff Worden make 20 sandwiches, thermoses of soup & coffee to deliver to homeless living under the Brooklyn Bridge. A promise to come back next week is made.
1989
Dino, Doc, Rick, Al, Rags, Jose, Phil, Shorty, Coffee & Jerry look forward to the Wordens’ visits. Friendships ensue.
Friday night outreach visits become known as “Runs.”
Dosha & Bruce Nosborough, Squire Knox, Chris Jordan, Susan Tully & other members of Christ Church in Summit were among the 1st volunteers & organizers.
1990
Isabelle Devaney solicits lunches for weekly runs.
1992
Bridges incorporates as “Bridges Outreach, Inc.”, aptly named for the place where it began.
Chris Jordan becomes first Chair of the Bridges Board of Trustees.
1993
First of several yellow trucks are generously donated by Roger & Kathy Penske of Penske Automotive Group.
Christ Church donates office & storage space to Bridges.
Yellow truck is outfitted with shelving by three street friends: Doc, Heavy & Arkansas.
1994
Bridges reaches milestone of 10,000 lunches delivered.
Susan Tully becomes Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Kent Place School & Delbarton join as Bridges’ first high school volunteer group.
1996
Bridges begins outreach to Newark including Newark Penn Station & various shelters & churches.
1997
Street friend Phil DeMaria joins the Board.
Street friend Francis Moses coordinates outreach with groups of volunteers.
1998
Bridges particpates in the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, opening its doors to over 100 people inspired to make MLK Day a day on, not a day off.
1999
The first Brown Bag Bash commemorates 10th year anniversary. Dino, Doc, Rick, Al, Rags, Jose, Phil, Shorty, Coffee & Jerry all attend.
2000
Volunteers make soup for runs.
2001
Annual School Supply Drive initated for children in Newark.
Street friends Leonard Prentice & Prez Tyus join the Board.
2002
First outreach to Irvington.
Street friend Jimmy joins the board.
2003
Sarah Rosen becomes Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Street friends Jimmy Hankins, Jimmy Henckles & Michael Lund join the board.
2004
Mayor Cory Booker joins Bridges run in Newark.
Volunteer Award named in honor of past Executive Director Ellen Maher to recognize high school students who have supported the work of Bridges and have been a friend to the homeless.
2005
Monthly birthday parties & activity days are established at the Emergency Residency Program in Newark.
2006
New pajamas are delivered to children in Newark shelters in time for Christmas.
Ginger & Geoff Worden with Capitola Dickerson recieve the “Keeper of the Dream” award on MLK Day.
2007
Pam Gumport becomes Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Prez Tyus, street friend & doo-wop composer of “I’m So Young” and hits like “Devil Dogs” that were recorded by the Rondettes & the Beach Boys, recevies award at the 2007 Brown Bag Bash.
2008
Bridges commemorates 20th Anniversary at a concert by formerly homeless musician Howard Tate.
2009
First Teens Tackle Homelessness Conference for high school students.
Bridges develops summer programs to bring suburban teens and inner city teens from shelters together.
Bridges moves to the Oakes Center and opens its doors to neighbors in need.
2010
Founders’ Award established to recognize high school students who have supported the work of Bridges and have been a friend to the homeless.
Bridges partners with Christ Child Society of Summit to provide new backpacks & school supplies to over 350 Summit children in need.
Janice Beckmen & Kathryn Radutzky become Co-Chairs of the Bridges Board of Trustees.
2011
Bridges Coalition of Services launched, bringing a new caravan of service providers on monthly outreach in Newark.
Haircuts are popular at Coalition of Services.
2012
Core Volunteers introduced - dedicated volunteers join the runs weekly to establish a friendly connection with those we meet at our runs.
Beth Tulloch becomes Chair of the Board of Trustees.
2013
Laura Fromm becomes Board Chair.
First Summit Health Fair - Free eye exams, prescription glasses, blood pressure & glucose screenings are offered to Summit neighbors in need.
Sustainable Lunches introduced - These meals can be given & saved for another meal without risk of spoiling. 13,000 delivered in the first year.
2014
Project Connect opens in Newark - Professional Case Managers assist those experiencing homelessness to create a multistep plan to achieve individual goals that lead to better health, housing and ultimately independence.
Project Connect develops first ID program in Newark and provides 908 IDs to homeless residents in this first year.
Amanda Parrish Block becomes Chair.
New run to Penn Station in NYC.
2015
New Mission: Bridges connects the housed and homeless to establish relationships that lead to greater acceptance and understanding, social and economic growth, and wellbeing.
New truck purchased through a grant from the Ludwick Family Foundation.
2016
Newark ArtStart Photography: Homeless photographers work with a professional photographer to capture images as seen through the eyes of the homeless. The project culminates in an exhibit of 20 curated photographs.
Pam Gumport returns as Board Chair.
Wise Women Program - Project Connect. Job readiness program resulting in jobs for women in security, home health aides and retail.
2017
89 people find permanent housing through Project Connect.
Bridges partners with Reeves Reed Arboretum for first internship program to lead to permanent jobs.
Project Connect moves to 35 Halsey Street in Newark.
Coleen McCaffery joins Pam Gumport as Co-chair.
Cold Weather Packs Introduced - Winter necessities were welcomed on the street.
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