With Sara E. Morgan stepping down as Vice President and Secretary of The Bridge Board of Directors after many wonderful years, Jessica Josell Wechsler will take on the role of Secretary of the Board. Jessica has been an active member of the Board of The Bridge since 1974 and has primarily been involved in the growth of the agency contributing her expertise in marketing and fundraising.

Since 1981 Jessica has been the President of her own PR firm Josell Communications, Inc. which counsels clients in the advertising, broadcast, film, and music industries, and has offered individualized marketing communications and consulting services to a diverse roster of client. We are honored to have such talent on the Board for so many years and are grateful to have Jessica assume this important position.

"The Bridge has a precious resource In Jessica's long tenure on the board", said Dr. Peter Beitchman, Bridge Chief Executive Officer. From the earliest days of government funding to today's complex operations, Jessica has played a major role in guiding the agency forward. Her special expertise in marketing and pubic relations has helped create our positive public image as an agency that is both responsive to the needs of our clients and to the communities in which we provide services. As an officer of the board, Jessica will continue to play a key role."

We want to take this opportunity to thank and honor long-time Board Vice President and Secretary, Sara E. Morgan, who is retiring from the Board. She has made invaluable contributions to the agency during her 27 years of service. Jessica Josell Wechsler will succeed her as Secretary.

Sara has been active on our Personnel Committee, in labor negotiations, and was a Board representative to the Client Representative Council. She has attended countless real estate closings for Bridge properties and was our go-to person for strategic political advice.

For over 50 years, as a resident of the Upper West Side, Sara has been a major force working tirelessly with elected officials, nonprofits, including Veritas, where she served as a Board officer, the Tenant's Association, the Post Office and the 24th Police Precinct Community Council to improve the community. Community improvement often includes political participation, and Sara has been a Democratic County Committee member and a former president and vice president of the Community Free Democrats, active since 1975.

Dr. Peter Beitchman, Chief Executive Officer of The Bridge said, "Sara has provided so much wisdom on the board for so many years, she'll be missed terribly. As a person with such strong roots in the community, Sara has helped us identify and understand emerging needs and helped us secure a positive place as a service provider. In working with the Client Representative Council, Sara has brought an essential client voice to both the board and staff. We so value her contributions to the agency and those we serve."

As a community activist and volunteer, Sara has contributed to making the Upper west side a better, safer and more welcoming neighborhood. As a partner with The Bridge, she has immeasurably improved the lives of hundred of Bridge clients and was awarded our Individual Partner in Caring Award in 2010. We will miss her very much and wish her the best.

Last night, despite the rain, members of The Bridge Make a Difference Committee gathered at the Chelsea Wine Vault for an exciting night of wine tasting. This was the Committee's inaugural event and was a great success. David Hunter, General Manager & Wine Buyer at Chelsea Wine Vault took us on an international tour of wines throughout the evening. We received a first-classed education in each wine we tasted, how it was made and where it came from, as well as guidance on how to think about wine pairings with food. There were also delicious cheeses and fresh shrimp from the Chelsea Market for snacking.

After we had made our way through all the wine samples, the group went on a special tour of the largest wine cellar in NYC. Set up like a huge wine-library, the wine cellar housed an impressive collection of private wine storage cages for some of the city's most elite individuals and restaurants. The chilly 55 degree and 80% humidity was a bit jarring but was no match for our collective awe at this huge cellar.

We would especially like to thank the Committee Chair and Bridge Board Member Laurie Melton, who graciously sponsored this event. And Thanks again to all who attended. To view all the pictures of the event please check out our Flickr. We can't wait for our next event.

As part of its far-reaching plans to improve the quality and reduce the cost of Medicaid in New York State, The Governor-appointed Medicaid Redesign Team recommended the creation of Health Homes, care management programs designed to integrate and coordinate mental health, substance abuse and medical care of high-need Medicaid enrollees, including people with serious mental illness. Under the initiative all Bridge clients will be assigned to a Health Home which will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring care to avoid costly emergency room and inpatient stays while improving health outcomes of the program participants.

Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC), an unprecedented consortium of more than 50 mental health and substance abuse agencies in the City, and of which The Bridge is a member, has applied to be designated as a Health Home in each of the five boroughs. To date, CBC has been designated as a Health Home provider in Brooklyn, The Bronx (in partnership with Bronx Lebanon Hospital), and Staten Island. A potential CBC partnership with North Shore LIJ is being negotiated in Queens. Manhattan announcements are expected very soon.

The Health Homes will be a major benefit to Bridge clients. Better coordination of mental health and medical services will improve the health and lives of our clients as well as reduce Medicaid costs. We're excited to participate in this important initiative.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Tilden Gardens, at 2513 Tilden Avenue in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, went off without a hitch on Friday, April 27th. Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, even presented a proclamation declaring the day "The Bridge Tilden Gardens Groundbreaking Celebration Day in Brooklyn, USA"!

In photo from left to right: Xamayla Rose, from The Office of Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz - Hon. Rhoda Jacobs, New York State Assembly - Hon. Mathieu Eugene, New York City Council - Cynthia C. Wainwright, President of the Board of Directors of The Bridge - Moira Tashjian, Director of Housing Development & Support, NYS Office of Mental Health - Dr. Peter Beitchman, CEO, The Bridge - Ruth Corn Roth, Board Member, The Bridge - Sheldon Dorsey, Facilities Planner, NYS Office of Mental Health

Tilden Gardens is The Bridge's latest new construction project - an elevator building consisting of a 6-story wing and 4-story wing connected by a common lobby and reception area. It will offer housing in 60 studio units for 45 adults recovering from serious mental illness and 15 young adults, 18 to 24 years of age, aging out of children's mental health facilities and/or foster care.