Mission & History
Our Mission
The Bridge Inc. is a nonprofit community-based organization that provides behavioral healthcare services designed to strengthen and support the family and promote the personal growth of children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.
We at The Bridge believe in equitable, stigma-free, culturally sensitive, holistic, and integrated healthcare. Our clinicians and staff are trained to meet their clients where they are and to advocate for them within and beyond the counseling relationship. Through mental health and substance use disorder counseling, in-home crisis intervention and family education services, and school-based services, we actively strive to break down barriers between our community and accessible care.
Our History
The late 1960s and early 1970s were a time of social unrest, political divisions, increasing mental health and substance use disorder problems, and troubling global events. John Clancy, a local entrepreneur and businessman, realized that young people needed care, guidance, and support in making sense of the days’ happenings as they transitioned from adolescence to adulthood. Along with his friends, Bill West and Jon Thompson, John turned this concern into action and founded The Bridge in 1971 in West Caldwell, NJ.
Throughout the past five decades, The Bridge has evolved, innovated, and expanded to meet the changing needs of our community. What has not changed is an unwavering commitment to our clients – the children, adolescents, adults, and families we serve. As people have struggled to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic, troubling global events, disrupted routines, and pressures from social media, the need for The Bridge’s services has grown tremendously in recent years. Our team works hard every day to help clients overcome these challenges and improve the lives of individuals in our community. You talk, we listen, and together we find a solution.
