What’s New
at Bridges Homeward
Join Us for MAPP Training this Spring!
We are offering MAPP training this Spring! This training is required for anyone planning on adopting or fostering youth. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays starting April 25, from 6PM to 9PM. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and are due by April 14th!
Bob Gittens to Step Down from Bridges Homeward Executive Director after Seven Years
Bob joined our agency in 2016 and led us with pride and esteem. He has made an indelible impression on our organization, and he will be sorely missed.
Lisa Tejeda Hired as Harbor Area Healthy Families Supervisor
One of Lisa’s top priorities is making our Healthy Families program a staple in the communities we serve. We are happy to have you, Lisa!
How Do We Care for Youth of Color in Foster Care?
Children and teens of color are overrepresented in the child welfare and foster care systems. Acknowledging that we all see each other’s skin color, and that race matters, is a difficult and sensitive process. But it’s so important for foster parents to affirm and celebrate youth’s racial identities, along with every other part of who that youth is.
We Need BIPOC Foster Parents!
Keeping youth attached to their culture and identity is crucial in their upbringing, especially for those in foster care. While achieving this may be easier said than done, a healthy first step is making sure there are plenty of foster families who share their identities!
Six Youth Adopted On National Adoption Day
Read about the five wonderful families whose adoptions we celebrated on National Adoption Day 2022!
Our 2022 Impact Report is Here!
This year’s Impact Report is full of stories about the amazing growth and resilience of our youth and families over the past year.
An Adoptive Family’s Unique Path to Permanency
For the first months of their relationship, Amy and Josh only knew their future adopted daughter Laura over Zoom. Read more to find out how (as Amy and Josh like to say) Laura ended up adopting them in October 2021!
Fall Fun with Developmental Disabilities!
Our Developmental Disabilities program is never short of fun! Following a successful Halloween movie night last month, the program will host a Fall Menu Cooking Class in December with our chefs, Assistant Program Director Sheila and Case Manager Danielle.
Want to Foster or Adopt? Start Your Journey with Us in January 2023!
MAPP training is a required 30-hour course for anyone in Massachusetts who is interested in adopting or fostering a youth in foster care. Our upcoming MAPP training begins January 2023!
Maddie Summers Promoted to Residential Clinical Coordinator
Maddie came to Bridges Homeward in 2019 as an intern at Teens Learning Choices. Her favorite part of her job is getting to know our group home residents! Congratulations, Maddie!
David Aptaker Wins the 2022 Ted Rose Award for Outstanding Service
David has volunteered for our agency for 12 years, supporting our Residential and Developmental Disabilities programs and Human Rights Committee. Congratulations, David!
Lisnalda Beriguete Promoted to Healthy Families Manager
“A goal I want to achieve is to be able to service and provide for as many families as possible.” Lisnalda steps into this role after two years working as a Family Support Specialist. Congratulations, Lis!
Reuniting Youth With Their Families
We are pleased to announce that, thanks to the work of our Intensive Foster Care and Family Stabilization staff and our amazing foster parents, six youth are reunifying with their parents!
Karlah Paul Promoted to Residential Services Program Director
Karlah’s promotion comes with the recent restructuring of our Residential Services Program. Karlah steps into this role after serving as Program Director of Teens Learning Choices. Congratulations, Karlah!
Bridges Homeward Restructures Residential Services Program
Our Residential Program Director Karlah Paul and her management team are working to streamline our group homes with new trainings and systems of communication that will build relationships and improve the trauma-informed care we offer.
Want to Foster or Adopt? Join Our Massachusetts Approaches to Partnership in Parenting Training Beginning October 2022!
MAPP training is a required 30-hour course for anyone in Massachusetts who is interested in adopting, fostering, or mentoring through our Weekend Family Connections Program. Our Fall MAPP training begins this October!
A Season of Fun with Our Developmental Disabilities Program
It is so important that persons with disabilities and their families have opportunities for safe, accessible fun! Our Developmental Disabilities staff work hard for our families to have enjoyable, fulfilled lives.