The Bridge 2023 Annual Report

For over six decades, THE BRIDGE has been a community pillar, providing a variety of services and addressing a spectrum of needs when they were most crucial.

Our unique program framework empowers us to remain flexible, bridging service gaps as they emerge to address root causes. The Bridge maintains a diverse and multidisciplinary staff that enhances our service delivery model with collaboration and cross-training to promote excellence when interacting with our clients.

THE BRIDGE

Mission Statement

The Bridge provides services to support youth and families in creating emotional wellness, strong relationships, and successful futures.

Vision Statement

The Bridge envisions a world where healthy relationships and emotional wellness are priorities for all, and every individual has been given the tools to thrive.

Summary

The Bridge seeks to be the primary referral source for youth/adolescents [and family] looking for emotional and behavioral support. Our expertise lies in working with kids and families, and our staff consists of educated, experienced, and licensed professionals proficient in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral, play therapy, and family systems therapies.

Family Stabilization

This program is unique to our regional footprint and has been a [state] grant-based program held by our agency since its inception. As one of several state-wide teams, The Bridge continues to work with municipalities and schools to address issues such as truancy, substance use in teens, police involvement, and issues contributing to family conflict and breakdown.

Counseling

Our program works to break barriers to access, create opportunities for learning about mental health, and provide support to achieve the goals that the clients identify for themselves. We have a fully bilingual team of clinicians who work diligently on engagement, building trust in the communities we serve, and establishing relationships with partners who have direct communication with those in need.

Mentoring

Our mentoring program is highly individualized as we pair mentors 1:1 with young people who need an extra caring adult in their lives for additional support or guidance. Drop-in Mentoring Services are available at the YMCA, and Bridge Buddies are paired with students during lunch hour to help provide an extra caring adult in the child’s school day.

Therapy has helped me reflect on my relationship with my mother and my origins, while also reducing conflicts at home.

~ Confidential

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The Bridge has delivered cornerstone services to the Palatine community since 1965; our teams have offered mental health services, family stabilization support, and prevention services for nearly 60 years. This past year we witnessed the struggles of our community and our clients first-hand and deliberated about how we could become a greater presence for those who needed us.

As we worked to develop a stronger care system for our youth and families, we learned many lessons along the way. The greatest is that many families could not or would not receive services due to the number of barriers they faced. We accepted the challenge and tackled language, financial, and location-based barriers to encourage all who need support to receive it.

When you read the annual report, we hope that you are inspired by the change that you helped create with your contributions of time, talent, and treasure. Your support of our mission is what drives our passion for action. Your gifts help us realize the possibility, and your partnership connects us all.

We invite you to get involved with us by following us on social, signing up for our monthly newsletter, visiting our newly updated website, attending an upcoming event (bridgeyouth.org), or volunteering with our Beyond the Bridge mentoring program. We hope to see you soon!

Wishing you health and happiness this year!

Yours in Service,

Kris Salyards Executive Director

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE

THANK YOU!

GOAL: Transformation

ACCOMPLISHMENT: Newly Revamped and Re-Imagined

In response to evolving social and community demands, we embarked on a transformative journey to hone our services and sharpen our image. Following extensive discussions and planning, we underwent a strategic and comprehensive re-branding process. Our initial step involved a vibrant redesign of our logo, reflecting a more youth-focused aesthetic while preserving our core identity and agency history.

Secondly, we enhanced accessibility by revamping our online presence with a new, user-friendly website, facilitating online referrals, and streamlining processes for both agency and prospective families and clients.

Finally, we energized our social media channels to allow for greater exposure to youth who may need services. The result was an expanded reach to a broader audience.

Our transformation has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients and our community affirming the impact of these efforts.

Brian Kahle for generously providing pro bono design services for our new identity!

GOAL:

Lower Barriers for Access to Treatment and Intervention

ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Greater Reach, Greater Impact

Our comprehensive mental health programs have a primary objective: to destigmatize treatment for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) populations. Notably, our success rate has been remarkable, with an impressive 60% of our client families identifying as Hispanic.

A pivotal moment in our history was when we began billing Medicaid, leading to a substantial increase in referrals. To meet the growing demand, we expanded our team with a fully bilingual group of clinicians and dedicated intake/outreach staff.

Addressing barriers like location and transportation, we provided gas cards to families and strategically opened satellite offices at key locations, such as the Higgins Education Center and the Buehler YMCA.

Our commitment to mental health extends beyond our current clients. We’ve partnered with schools, libraries, and hospitals to provide informative sessions and support groups, addressing the growing demand for mental health services in the community.

Reduce Stigma Lower Barriers Expand Insurance

This past year, The Bridge partnered with a local behavioral health hospital to offer coordinated access to child psychiatric services. What sets this collaboration apart is that our clinicians may attend the first appointment with the family. This approach strengthens the coordination of treatment mental health services and promotes family commitment to follow through with recommendations with the support of the child’s clinician.

The Bridge has also taken an active role in the community through the successful peer jury model in partnership with the Palatine Police Department. This partnership has existed for many years and has proven effective in deflecting youth from more invasive

systems like detention. We are now actively working with other community precincts to replicate the model. Furthermore, efforts are underway to build relationships with juvenile probation officers to offer counseling in conjunction with sentencing.

As the demand for mental health services continues to increase, The Bridge remains steadfast in our commitment to providing low-barrier access to children and families in need. Through strategic expansion and purposeful partnerships, we are making significant strides in our mission to make mental health services accessible to all children and families in our community.

ONE COMMUNITY. ONE BRIDGE.

Access to mental health professionals is paramount for fostering a healthy and resilient community. Mental health plays a pivotal role in an individual’s overall well-being, influencing their ability to navigate life’s challenges, maintain relationships, and contribute productively to society.

Unfortunately, barriers to accessing mental health services can exacerbate mental health disparities, leading to untreated conditions and a diminished quality of life. By ensuring widespread access to mental health professionals, we empower individuals to seek timely and appropriate support, breaking down the stigma associated with mental health and fostering a community where well-being is prioritized.

In our community, the significance of access to mental health professionals is underscored by the diverse needs of its members. People from various backgrounds and experiences may encounter unique stressors and mental health challenges, necessitating specialized care and support. Mental health professionals play a crucial role in providing tailored interventions, offering culturally competent care, and addressing the specific concerns of different populations. This inclusivity in mental health services contributes to a more equitable and compassionate community, where individuals feel understood, supported, and equipped to overcome the complexities of their mental health journeys.

At The Bridge, we aim to remain responsive to our community with programs that our partners and families find therapeutic, to repair family breakdowns, to preserve the family unit whenever possible, and to pursue alternative routes to more invasive and interruptive interventions with a creative and family-focused approach.

Jakub Amrogowicz

Greg Davis

Tom

Donohue

Jim Eckberg

Nataly

Kaiser

Mary Pat Krones

Raymond Mau

Andrew Merz Joe Murphy

Joanie Perez

Lisa Pollock

John Sullivan

Stephen Whited

BEYOND THE BRIDGE

Empowering Futures: The Critical Impact of Youth Mentoring for Lifelong Success

Mentoring is a crucial aspect of life that provides essential guidance and support to individuals. The “Beyond the Bridge” mentoring program is dedicated to promoting the overall well-being of adolescents. It’s important to understand that mentors cannot replace therapy or family structures, but they can offer additional support to mentees. Once a mentee is paired with a mentor, they engage in various activities every week, such as playing board games, getting ice-

cream, participating in sports, attending community events, or studying together. In addition to these weekly activities, monthly outings are organized to encourage mentees to socialize with other program members and participate in fun activities that cater to everyone’s interests.

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER MENTOR

SQUAD AND BECOME A BRIGHT SPARK FOR A YOUTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY TODAY!

volunteermatch.org/search/org78014.jsp

Mentoring youth transforms potential into purpose, shaping destinies with wisdom and compassion.

FOUNDERS $25,00 0 +

Wheaton Franciscan Sisters

Norman & Susan Abazoris

VISIONARIES $10,00 0 +

Clearwater Capital Foundation

Michael & Debra Strauss

TD Ameritrade Institutional

BMO Harris Bank

CHAMPIONS $5,00 0 +

Michael Thompson

Barrington Area Community Foundation

Wells Fargo

Carl Busse

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Streamwood Behavioral

Health Systems

Zurich North America

John O’Sullivan

James & Judy Brenner

Sherman Cundiff

Kristi & Dave Broadbent

PKF Mueller

Stryker Networks

Palatine Bank & Trust

ADVOCATES $2,500 -$4,999

Tom and Millie Frawley

Michael Bappert

Scott Ferris

Whole Foods Market

Lisa Pollock

Gerald & Linda Chapman

Stephen Griffin

John Sullivan

Scott Birnbaum

Joannie Stern

Greg & Marina Davis

Lavelle Law, Ltd.

Kris & Jeff Salyards

Peter Kain

Northwest Community Hospital

Jack Horn

Cornerstone National Bank & Trust Company

Palatine Rotary

Herman & Katherine

Peters Foundation

Bob & Emily Peinsipp

Kathy & Matthew Winter

STEWARDS $1,000-$2,499

Stephen Whited

Michael Rice

Sue Moore

Palatine Jaycees

Joseph Perillo

Joanne Perez

Helen Hartman

Newko Prototype, Inc.

Douglas Towsey

Anonymous Donations

Jakub Amrogowicz

Katie Berganske-Frank

John Straley

Bazelon-Meyerhoff Family

Charitable Foundation

Pinderski & Pinderski, Ltd.

John Jarosz

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Laura Oroni

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Jim and Mary Esposito

Bradford Allen

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Sam Haddad

John & Sally Fedus

Tom Kennedy & Lynn Ridge

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Michelle Gattuso

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Frawley Family Foundation

Brent Bauer

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Lucille Roberts

Michael Rohrwasser

Rich Dietz

Eric Wasowicz

Tom Balla

Consumer’s Credit Union

Robert Shears

Beam Suntory Inc.

DeVry University

Brandt Financial Concepts, Inc.

Sandra Chen

Kabara Household

The Northern Trust Company

SUSTAINERS $500-$999

Robert Hoopis

Roxanne Wittkamp

Robert Seitz

Kloepfer Insurance Services, Inc.

Brian & Christine Goebbert

Alice Kaufman

Frank Feraco

Ted Sigg

David Hollingbery

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Pat Kain

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Jane McCarthy & Mike Kraft

Christopher Egger

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Steven Block

Cory Haldeman

Dan Campbell

Michael Minton

Brad Saenz

Penelope Ffitch-Heyes

James Ekeberg

Mackenzie Currans

Teresa Bundscherer

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Employees of Northop

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Action Committee

The Doctors Company

Healthcare Risk Advisors

Melanie Santostefano

Thomas Sammons

Thomas Donohue

Michael Praven

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Joan Dotoli

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Scott Kravitz

Rod & Barbara Bolman

Judith Rycombel

Robert Slanicky

Rick Slawny

David McDonald

Salesforce

Commercial Specialties, Inc.

Todd Montgomery

John Babcock

Dynasty Financial

Intel Foundation

Law Offices of Hannah Garst

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Jeanne Filipp

Robert Small

PK Tax Services, LLC

Warehouse Direct

Office Products

Greg & Mary Baur

PATRONS $300 -$499

Gary Bazelon

Charles Fritz

Erich Schroeter

Ken Odom

Taylor Phillips

Julie Postma

Daniel Arroyo

Jim Taylor

Downtown Palatine

Business Association

Nancy Kontney

Carmella Blacet

Ben Deiser

Maggie Stephen

Rob Coursey

Paul Budin

Judith Dincher

Thomas Murphy

Wes Young

SUPPORTERS $100 -$249

Spencer Klein

Mary Beth Landerman

Diane Pfister

Tamara Byrne

Paul Clausell

Angela Kreye

Janet Gow

James Dagis

Dave Franckowiak

Alec Olson

Richard Morton

Morgan Stanley

Jean Black

Richard Lutz

CNA Foundation

Mark Nelson

Lisa Kilgas

George Thomas

Keith Knox

Malcolm Rorrie

Ed Nikowitz

William Lutz

Barbara Howard

David Kleine

Susan Filar

William Gunning Jr.

Karen Paul

Ellaine Sambo-Reyther

Neil Mathews

Ted Dodge

Donald Brandt

Jennifer Miller

Renee Pollock

Joe Hinkler

Matt Carroll

Illuminate Therapy & Wellness LLC

Linda Evans Soto

Ellen Carp

Rae Kyriazis

Chris Wojcicki

John Casey

Tristan Delay

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Kathleen St. John

Susan Bartholomae

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Officer Carl Perry

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Anna Murphy

Richard Gutierrez

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James Secora

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Kali Zanona

Eric Bachmann

Lauren Mjoen

Jack Puckett

Dan Armentrout

Patrick Egan

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Jean Berglof-Chapman

Patricia Bethel

Lawrence Centella

Laura Riley

Teresa DeJong

April Boyer

Robert Longo

Sharon Doherty

Stacey Messineo

FRIENDS $ 0 -$9 9

Lawrence Sicher

Ray Coffey

Andy Anaya

Timothy Sattley

Mary Jo Snow

Kevin Michael Harris

Debora Rosewell

Lawrence “Andy” Mitzen

Brenda Hilligoss

Catherine Vincus

Ryan Paulson

Susan Shevelenko

Debbie Losasso

Norm Murdoch

Mike Groot

Angela Morrow

Chicago Wolves Hockey Team

Lisa Hartkopf

Chuck & Kathy Chamberlain

Nancy Horton

Pauline Ross

William Neurauter

John Schreieber

Emily Dolleton

John Fuhrmann

Diane Heaphy

Jim Koehn

Mike Ruben

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Rich Wahler

Cara DeGraff

David Zimner

Jennifer Porter

Bob Svoboda

Dan Foley

Glenn Starkey

Sarah Hoban

Charlotte Mally

Bruce Pessin

Michael Skinner

Maryann Emerson

Robert Chaney

Deborah Armstrong

Mike Wells

Joyce Pugh

Maureen Durack

Mike Loring

Jennifer Bolton

Bradford Zander

Wines For Humanity

Neal Hannant

Preston Hoops

Network For Good

Deb Burns

Courtney Graham

James Sprinkle

Nancy Gazdic

Diane Marszalek

Devin Bueche

Heather Emond

Ann Lenz

Ed Snoble

Megan Smith

William Blandford

Paul & Suellyn Gates

Judy Platt

Donna Campobasso

Helen Lacher

Lori Nicoli

George Brinke

Kim Hogan

Harvey Paffenroth

Nancy Ellis

M Anderson

Jolene Wise

Janice Brenner

Steven Malambri

Lawrence Auer

Richard Fehns

Mike Schoolcraft

Judith Graham

Quentin Lindsey

Penny Shields

Anna Vroland

Josephine Hurlburt

Debbie Guggenheim

Melanie Bartels

Aaron Gabriel

Elizabeth Thomas

Jenny Nicole

Deb Rudman

Leslee Rose

Karen Pawlak

Kathie Urban

Marie Hannah

Joanna Clement

Devon Milton

Stephanie Solorzano

THANK YOU!

Sean McWard, for generously providing pro bono design services for our new website!