The Bridge Youth and Family Services Highlights Leader's 25 Years of Service
For more than a half a century, The Bridge Youth and Family Services has stood the test of time - and survived through a number of challenges, including the 'Great Recession' between 2007 and 2009, and the more recent State of Illinois budget impasse.
The battles in Springfield over the last several years have not only affected vital funding for programs and services provided by the nonprofit, but also have jeopardized the employment of counselors and staff who serve youth and families in six area townships on behalf of The Bridge, including Palatine Township, where the nonprofit is based.
Yearly fundraisers, including the annual gala, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2018, at the Sanfilippo Estate, are part of the reason the organization has not only survived, but has been able to grow over the years.
Another reason has been the strong leadership provided by Executive Director Gregg Stockey, who recently celebrated 25 years at The Bridge. Stockey, along with a vested and involved board of directors, have been creative, resourceful and laser-focused on ensuring the organization remains intact, and thriving. Identifying areas for savings and reducing costs wherever possible have played key roles in avoiding employee layoffs, and ensuring services remain available for those who need them.
"I hope and believe that the worst economic days are behind us, both as a country, and as an agency serving the needs of our area youth," Stockey said. "Our capacity is significantly greater than it was even three years ago; we still have waiting lists for counseling, because need surpasses our capacity, and a change in rules at the state level requires we provide our mentoring program entirely with private funds."
Stockey's tenure at The Bridge began in 1992 when he was hired as a half-time associate director through a job share. When the individual with whom Stockey shared the job with resigned, he was hired full-time by then Executive Director Peter Cunneen.
In February of 2008, Cunneen passed away suddenly, and after a search process, Stockey was chosen to be the executive director for the 52-year-old nonprofit.
The Bridge's mission is, 'to help children and families overcome challenges and trauma to lead happier, more successful lives.' Circumstances that individuals served by The Bridge encounter can include having an incarcerated parent, the death of a parent, domestic violence, sexual abuse, substance abuse and other challenges that affect the social, emotional and psychological well-being of youth and their families.
Services provided by The Bridge include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, mentoring, early childhood intervention and social skills groups.
The organization is what some describe as a 'final safety net' that can and does prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system and becoming incarcerated - or experience other serious situations that can have negative impacts for a lifetime, affecting their future livelihood and ability to be productive citizens.
Despite the organization's survival, challenges still remain, according to Stockey.
"The need for support from caring individuals, and our business and philanthropic community remains a need for The Bridge, due in part to having to fund our entire mentoring program and needing to employ enough counselors and support staff to meet the needs of clients."
The upcoming gala is the biggest fundraiser of the year for The Bridge. Area residents are invited to attend and support the mission of The Bridge Youth and Family Services.
The gala, Place de la Musique, will be held at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills on Saturday, April 14, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Visit bridgeyouth.org/events/gala/ to purchase tickets, and for more information about the Sanfilippo Estate, visit sanfilippofoundation.org.