THE BRIDGE INC

The Bridge, founded in 1954, changes lives by providing help, hope and opportunity to the most vulnerable in New York City -- those struggling with serious mental illness. In 2016, Weston United became an affiliate of The Bridge: together, we offer a comprehensive range of services to ensure that the 2,700 men and women who come to us for help each year receive the assistance they need to lead stable, healthy, and productive lives. Services include an array of treatment programs, including behavioral health and primary health care, vocational training, care coordination, and creative arts therapies. Special programs have been developed to better meet the needs of seniors and veterans.

The Bridge understands the importance of safe, stable housing for people struggling with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. One-third of current Bridge residents came from hospitals or shelters, and one-half have had histories of homelessness. The Bridge provides supportive housing to 1,400 individuals in 27 buildings and 500 scatter site apartments in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Residents include individuals with serious mental illness, the formerly homeless, young adults aging out of foster care or coming out of hospitals, and veterans. Case management, advocacy, entitlement assistance, and social activities are provided to all tenants; five residences include urban farm programs. A Safe Haven shelter for street-homeless men opened in the fall of 2017, and two new residential buildings are under slated for completion in early-2018. over 500 new housing units are in development.

The Bridge’s long experience with clients with dual diagnoses informs our work and sets us apart from other agencies. We understand the close interplay between mental health and substance abuse and we are dedicated to working with those who have a dual diagnosis, both in our treatment and housing programs. The Bridge’s 108th Street program hub provides both mental health and substance abuse treatment in four discrete programs: as a day program (PROS) and an outpatient clinic to treat mental illness, and a rehabilitation program and clinic program for people struggling with substance use. Together these four programs serve over 500 people, many of whom have a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse.