Many of the women who participate in the Stepping Stones program are quite skeptical about the program at the outset. One mother in particular was very resistant to engaging in treatment. She had many preconceived notions and misinformation about what was involved. She also did not believe she had the capacity to stop smoking marijuana and be a better parent to her child. Staff of the Stepping Stones program worked tirelessly with this woman to explain the entire program and what would happen during it. Eventually, the woman came around and participated fully in Stepping Stones, including the education groups. Now, the woman has stopped smoking marijuana, tested negative for drugs and feels better about herself. As a result, her case with the Department of Child Protection and Permanency has been closed.

As a freshmen four years ago, this young man began to avail himself of the many services of the Imani Center. His goal was to attend an Ivy League school and study pharmacy. Through connections at the Imani Center, this young man had the opportunity to shadow a local pharmacist to learn more about the profession. He also was chosen to shadow a director in the Irvington city government. He participated in the Irvington High School ROTC program and was inducted into the National Honors Society. He graduated in June, 2018 with a full scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh and an additional four year scholarship from Beth Israel Hospital. A sophomore joined the Imani Center programs and became quite active. As a junior, she participated in the Essex County Prosecutor’s summer intern program where she excelled. The instructors there offered to write letters of recommendation for her college applications! She graduated in June, 2018 with a full scholarship to Mercy College in the Bronx, NY.

A mother seeking to be reunited with her baby faced opposition to the reunification from the Resource Parent caring for the baby. The Resource Parent was refusing the mother weekend visits with the baby, an important part of the reunification process. The Bridge Family Preservation Services staff advocated for the mother with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency to ensure that the visits occurred as scheduled. Reports from the visits were positive and the mother is being reunited with her baby. A widower was at risk of losing custody of his children due to deplorable conditions in the house and lack of hygiene among the children. Through Family Preservation Services, the father learned what he needed to do to ensure the safety and cleanliness of his children, including enlisting the children in maintaining the household. The family also was referred to bereavement counseling to help them all recover from the devastation of the death of the mother.

“As I reflect on the treatment I received at The Bridge, it was a very unique approach. I was forced to look deep inside myself, initially to find the reasons that I drank in the first place, and then the reasons to stay sober. Heather, my counselor, challenged me at every session. Unlike some programs, I was not encouraged to “do it for my wife” or “do it for my family”. I was allowed to be a little bit selfish. Heather encouraged me to do it for myself if I was to be successful and be able to live a “happy” life without alcohol. I’ll never forget the session where Heather finally helped me find the reason I was special to myself. If not for the commitment of the people at The Bridge, and the donations that allow them to do the work they do, I would have already died a very lonely death. For those of you who support The Bridge, you donations are going to a group of amazing people that all make this world a better place. For all of the people with stories similar to mine, we thank you for your support and can only attempt to put our gratitude into words.”