Subject: The Bridge Fall Newsletter

Newsletter

In this edition of The Bridge's Newsletter:

New Logo and Branding Announcement
The Bridge's 5th Annual Golf Outing
What's New in The Bridge's Residential Department? Linden II and III
Employee Spotlight: Aida Jusino
An Innovative New Program Connecting Clients with Housing Specialists
The Bridge Arts Institute Gallery Show: Sound and Vision
Horticulture at The Bridge
Housing Development Updates
Upcoming Events

New Logo and Branding

The Bridge is proud to reveal its new logo and branding strategy. We have developed new marketing concepts, messaging, and a new logo and color palette. Our goal is to create a look and feel through our graphics and messaging that highlights our mission and values.

The Bridge's 5th Annual Golf Outing

The Bridge staff and Vertigo Media Group staff pose with Former Met, Doc Gooden, and Former Yankee, Jim Leyritz

Golfers from Metro Erectors enjoying the course

Damien Antonoff and Michael Antonoff of Dynamic AC pose with Gooden and Leyritz

The Bridge hosted our 5^th Annual Golf Outing on July 24^th at The Engineers Club. Our sponsor, Dynamic AC, contributed their time and resources to make the outing a huge success. Over 100 golfers came out to show their support and enjoy the 18-hole state-of-the-art golf course. It was a gorgeous day to raise money for a great cause.

After a day out on the course, golfers filled the ballroom to learn more about The Bridge. Board member and President of Dynamic AC, Damien Antonoff, spoke about his commitment to advancing the mission and work of The Bridge. Guests watched a video of clients and staff talking about how The Bridge transformed their lives. In addition to Damien, the audience heard from Susan Wiviott, the Chief Executive Office, and Carol Buckler, the Board President.

The Bridge was also proud to honor three special guests at the event: former New York Knick, John Starks; former New York Met, Doc Gooden; and former New York Yankee, Jim Leyritz. These athletes helped us raise awareness about the needs of the people we serve – those with serious mental illness.

Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, we surpassed our fundraising goal. The proceeds from this event will support The Bridge in providing life-changing services to New Yorkers in need.

What's New in The Bridge's Residential Department? Linden II and III

A kitchen in a Linden II apartment

If you’re walking along Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn, you’ll come across three eye-catching buildings owned by Radson Development: Linden Terrace I, II, and III, which together have 548 units of affordable housing.

In Linden Terrace II and III, The Bridge will operate 60 studio apartments that are set aside for supportive housing clients. Clients will have access to case management services and after-hours support, as well as 24-hour building security. Program director Aida Jusino will oversee the program. Full occupancy is expected early next year.

The 60 clients that will be housed in the Linden buildings have experienced chronic homelessness in addition to serious mental illness. Many clients also come to Linden with severe trauma and substance use. These clients often find it difficult to adjust to living independently. They will be supported by Aida and her staff, which includes two case managers and a nurse. The case managers offer engagement and support as clients navigate their daily activities and ensure that they are connected to necessary services, such as mental health treatment and healthcare. Aida and her staff strongly believe in meeting clients where they are, promoting clients’ independence and autonomy, and offering support when needed.

Employee Spotlight: Aida Jusino

Meet Aida Jusino, the program director of Linden II and III, a new residential program housing 60 formerly homeless adults. Aida’s job is multifaceted, ranging from onboarding new clients to supervising the case managers and other staff providing direct services to the residents. Aida enjoys managing every aspect of the program and takes pride in representing The Bridge in her interactions with clients and with external agencies. Aida is focused on creating a supportive environment for her staff and clients, and she strives to build a welcoming community.

This October, Aida is celebrating 6 months at The Bridge. She has twelve and a half years of experience in a range of settings, including with people experiencing homelessness, people living with HIV, and people with active substance use. Aida is driven to work with vulnerable populations because she enjoys seeing people grow and make positive changes in their lives. The Bridge’s mission statement is originally what drew Aida to work at the agency. When she first read the mission statement, her first thought was, “I belong there.”

In addition to working at The Bridge, Aida is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work.

An Innovative New Program Connecting Clients with Housing Specialists

The Bridge is excited to participate in NYC Health and Hospitals’ Housing Location and Placement Services (H+H HLPS), an innovative new program designed to help link vulnerable New Yorkers to stable housing. In 2022, the NYC Health and Hospital system provided care for almost 50,000 people experiencing homelessness. H+H HLPS will help these patients access housing, a key social determinant of health.

Three Bridge Housing Specialists and a Peer Specialist will screen the applicants referred by H+H. The Housing Specialists will help the applicant compile the necessary documents to apply for housing, assess their life skills and help develop these skills when needed, and provide them with the resources to remain safely and stably housed. Vicki Robles, the AVP of Community Support Programs, said, “We can get them the lease and keys, but that’s not enough. We want them to be housed permanently and successfully.”

The Bridge’s goal is to house at least 300 people over the course of the three-year contract. The first client referred to The Bridge is in the process of moving to one of our supportive housing locations in Manhattan. He is dually enrolled in another Bridge Community Support Program and will have the necessary support to help him thrive.

Betances Family Apartments, one of The Bridge's residences

The Bridge Arts Institute Gallery Show: Sound and Vision

The Bridge Arts Institute, a unique program that provides our clients with the platform and resources to grow as artists, hosted its second gallery show of the year this past August. The show took place at Gallery M on 135^th Street, and the theme was Sound and Vision. Members of the Institute performed original written works paired with live music. In addition to the performances, a variety of visual artwork created by members of the Institute was displayed. One member said that this was her first art show in 25 years, and it also happened to be her birthday. She proudly came to the show in a dress she made herself.

The visual and written artwork was inspired both by some of the best moments in the artists’ lives, as well as some of the most difficult. The performer’s words and artwork brought the audience on a journey through their experiences and their feelings. By the end of the evening, one message became clear- that art is healing.

All artwork featured in the show is available for purchase. If you are interested in seeing the artwork, please contact Eric Glenn at eglenn@thebridgeny.org.

Horticulture at The Bridge

The Bridge’s 108^th street clinical hub hosts a variety of person-centered, evidence-based programs, including Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS). PROS integrates rehabilitation, treatment, and support services for people with serious mental illness in an outpatient setting. Program participants can join a variety of unique groups that align with their personal goals. According to Kizzy Massey, the program director, clients are especially drawn to hands-on groups - like the popular horticulture therapy group. The members maintain the plants and harvest the produce, which includes tomatoes, spinach, peppers, and green onions.

One participant walked to the back of the garden and stopped at a beautiful, verdant plant. He lifted its leaves to point out the new growth that had sprouted since he started taking care of it. He spoke about how therapeutic it is for him to participate in the program. In his reflections, he stated that he feels like he can connect with the plants, and in doing so, he has been able to reconnect with himself in his recovery journey.

The rooftop garden is a place of respite and relaxation for clients. It is not just a place where plants bloom, it is also where recovery can bloom.

Housing Development Updates

The West 125^th Street Safe Haven (formerly Old Broadway House) was renovated over the past year and will open in October 2023 as a new Safe Haven for 42 clients who are living on the streets and have been resistant to other shelter placements. This will be a first-step opportunity to relearn skills while working toward a supportive housing placement at The Bridge or elsewhere.

West 125th Street Safe Haven

Digital rendering of West 128th Street Apartments

West 128^th Street Apartments (formerly Bishop House) in Harlem is projected to begin construction in November 2023. When complete in Fall 2025, the building will have 91 residential units (64 supportive/27 affordable), as well as a community facility space which will be utilized by Bridge staff.

Upcoming Events

The Bridge Arts Institute will host its Fall Fest Gallery Show on October 25th, 2023 at Gallery M.
The Bridge is hosting its Annual Gala on May 1st, 2024 at The Metropolitan Club.

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