Annual Meeting
The annual meeting was held June 7, 2016 at Summit’s Volunteer First Aid Squad.
Approximately 70 people, including Bridges’ board of trustees, staff, volunteers and
supporters attended to review and celebrate the year.
Honorees
This year we honored a
dedicated group of core
volunteers who regularly go
on Runs, arriving at the site
before the Bridges truck and
cultivating relationships with
the people we see on the
street. Several core volunteers
rarely miss a week.
Special core volunteers
honored:
Debbie Abbattista
Yve Cohen
Jordan Fried
Joan Oslzewski
Al Schweiker
We also recognized two
exceptional volunteers, Jean
Trees and Anna Velez, for the
many hours they spend every
week organizing donations and
supplies. Bridges is fortunate to
have so many committed and
talented volunteers.
New Chair in Fiscal Year 2017
We welcome back former board chair
Pam Gumport, who returns to Bridges
after an eight year hiatus, during which
she served on a number of local boards
and began a real estate career. Pam
is enthusiastic about the changes that
have taken place during her absence
and is eager to see growth continue so
that Bridges can provide immediate and
impactful assistance to more people.
Strategic Plan
This year, Bridges’ Board of Trustees
devoted significant time and effort to
examining Bridges’ strategic opportunities.
Three priorities emerged which will be our
focus for the next three years:
1. Create a Run Task Force to optimize
the Run experience for volunteers and
homeless people.
2. Focus Project Connect to secure jobs
and housing for clients.
3. Secure Bridges’ future by creating a
sustainable revenue stream.
Photo: (Left) A volunteer makes a friend on a Sunday morning Irvington Run.
Photo by JOANIE SCHWARZ