irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $623KINDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES (ILS) SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (PWD), THEIR FAMILIES, GOVERNMENT, BUSINESSES, AND THE COMMUNITY. CORE SERVICES: EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS, ADVOCACY ON DISABILITY RIGHTS, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, AND PEER COUNSELING/SUPPORT GROUPS. SPECIALIZED SERVICES: ASSISTANCE WITH SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICAID, AND OTHER PROGRAMS; LEARNING SKILLS AND HOUSING OPTIONS NECESSARY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY; TRAINING IN PROVIDING AN ARCHITECTURALLY ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT (I.E. RAMPS); AND VOTER REGISTRATION. ILS PROVIDES SERVICES TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ROCKLAND COUNTY.
- #2 $310KVETERANS BRIDGES IMPLEMENTS THE PFC JOSEPH P. DWYER VETERAN PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM WHICH SERVES VETERANS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. PEER COUNSELING IS PROVIDED BY OTHER VETERANS WHO ARE TRAINED IN MILITARY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. BRIDGES ALSO IMPLEMENTS THE VETERANS ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION FOR ROCKLAND COUNTY VETERANS TO AND FROM THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AT VA HOSPITALS IN MONTROSE AND CASTLE POINT.VETERANS DIRECTED CARE PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS WITH LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS TO REMAIN AT HOME. VETERANS HIRE, TRAIN, AND SUPERVISE THEIR OWN PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS WHILE BRIDGES PROVIDES THE CASE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
named programs · 11 · from sources
What they call their work
Abilities Festival
Annual community event celebrating abilities and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Art of Fashion Show and Classes
Creative program offering fashion design classes and an annual fashion show, promoting self-expression and skill-building.
In My Shoes School Program
Educational initiative that promotes disability awareness in schools through immersive experiences.
Independent Living Services (ILS)
Provides education, information and referrals, advocacy on disability rights, employment support, life skills training, and peer counseling/support groups. Includes assistance with Social Security, Medicaid, housing, and architectural accessibility training.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Alternative to Incarceration (IDDATI) Program
Delivers case management services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities involved in the justice system.
Reentry Program (Rockland County Reentry Task Force)
Provides case management services to individuals returning to the community after incarceration to reduce recidivism.
SAMHSA Re-Entry Program
Provides case management for individuals returning to the community with substance use and/or mental health disorders.
Veterans Accessible Transportation Program
Provides door-to-door transportation for Rockland County veterans to medical appointments at VA hospitals in Montrose and Castle Point.
Veterans Bridges – PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program
Offers peer counseling by trained veterans for those with PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
Veterans Direct Care Program
Supports veterans with long-term care needs by enabling them to hire and manage personal care attendants, with BRIDGES providing case management and administrative services.
Vision Services
Offers support groups, community events like White Cane Awareness Day, and partnerships with institutions such as Dominican University for training.
activities · 13 groups
What they do
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Boutique for Disability-Made GoodsOperates a boutique that sells gift items made by and for people with disabilities, including candles, soaps, artwork, cards, sweatshirts, and bags.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community Events and WorkshopsHosts community events and workshops such as the Abilities Festival in July 2023, the Art of Fashion Show in July 2023, and the Drone Cadets workshop in October 2023 to promote inclusion, creativity, and skill-building.
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Community Habilitation and Independent Living SupportOffers community habilitation services to support individuals in achieving independent living goals, including transportation navigation, basic living skills, shopping, time management, rent subsidies, and operation of the CHORE Program providing essential support services for individuals living independently.
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
- Entrepreneurship Incubator ProgramOperates an Entrepreneurship Incubator Program with universal design to include people with and without disabilities; hosted a Small Business Seminar and entrepreneurship kick-off event in September 2023.
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Nonprofit-Operated Cafés and Social Enterprises 1 activity
- Independence Café OperationOperates the Independence Café, which offers coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cold beverages, potato chips, and other convenience products, staffed by veterans and people with disabilities.
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Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support ProgramOffers peer counseling to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury through trained veteran counselors; includes organized social and therapeutic activities such as walking groups, luncheons, and educational trips like the Gettysburg Battle Study Trip in June 2023.
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Non-Discrimination Compliance and Access Assurance 1 activity
- Reasonable Accommodations AssistanceProvides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees for medical or religious reasons in accordance with legal requirements.
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Reentry Support Services 1 activity
- Reentry Programs for Individuals Returning from IncarcerationImplements multiple reentry programs including coordination of the Rockland County Reentry Task Force, the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Alternative to Incarceration (IDDATI) program, and the SAMHSA Re-Entry Program, all providing case management services to reduce recidivism among individuals returning to the community, particularly those with intellectual/developmental disabilities or substance use and mental health disorders.
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Sensory-Inclusive Programming and Support 1 activity
- Sensory Room ServicesOperates a sensory room designed as a calming, inclusive, and accessible space for emotional well-being, self-regulation, and relaxation; offers 30-minute sessions for $15 per guest (caregivers free), private events, and rental by professional providers, with disinfection between uses and a maximum capacity of six guests including caregivers.
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Accessible Reading Materials Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Support Services for Blind and Low-Vision IndividualsOffers services to blind and low-vision individuals through its affiliate AVI, including hosting support groups and distributing accessible materials such as Braille copies of children's books about cane use.
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Veterans Accessible Transportation ProgramProvides door-to-door transportation for Rockland County veterans to and from medical appointments at VA hospitals in Montrose and Castle Point, as well as assistance for other essential medical and non-medical appointments.
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Consumer-Directed Personal Care Administration 1 activity
- Veterans Directed Care ProgramEnables veterans with long-term care needs to remain at home by hiring and supervising personal care attendants, with Bridges providing case management and administrative support.
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Uncategorized 4 activities
- Accessibility Feedback Collection and AssessmentCollects detailed accessibility feedback from individuals about visited locations to inform accessibility assessments and promote inclusive environments.
- Disability Awareness Education ProgramDelivers the "In My Shoes" disability awareness education program to schools, including RP Connor Elementary in December 2023, Rockland BOCES in January 2023, and Suffern Middle School in October 2022.
- Independent Living Services for People with DisabilitiesProvides comprehensive independent living services including education, information and referrals, advocacy on disability rights, employment support, life skills training, peer counseling, assistance with public benefits, housing options, accessibility training, and voter registration.
- White Cane Awareness Day EventsPublicly celebrates White Cane Awareness Day annually on October 15 with events featuring guest speakers, distribution of accessible-format books, and recognition of the independence and achievements of individuals who are blind or visually impaired; hosted events in 2023.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$24.96M
Contributions & grants$1.78M7%
Program service revenue$22.90M92%
Investment income$259K1%
Other revenue$19K
expenses
Total expenses$22.54M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$21.01M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$13.28M
Cash$6.99M
Investments$1.06M
Liabilities$2.85M
Net assets$10.44M
Liquid reserves4.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARLOS MARTINEZ | CEO,EXEC DIR | 35 | $215K |
| LORRAINE GREENWELL | DEPUTY EXEC DIR | 40 | $131K |
| NICOLE SIRIGNANO | COMPLIANCE OFFICER | 40 | $124K |
| WILLIAM JELEN | CONTROLLER | 40 | $113K |
board members · 14
- AMANDA J GAUL — 2ND VICE PRES
- DAVID ARON — Treasurer
- DAVID GOLDWASSER — Director
- DR MICHAEL COCILOVO — Director
- EDWIN WHITE — Director
- HOWARD HELLMAN — 1ST VICE PRESID
- JACOB LING — Director
- MAUD DUPUY — Secretary
- MAUREEN PAUL — Director
- REJI MATHEW — Director
- RICHARD FERNANDEZ — Director
- SARAH MITCHELL-WEED — Director
- STEVEN BREEN — President
- TARYN SOTO — Director
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- AVI (Association for the Visually Impaired) Partner — Affiliate organization providing services to blind and low-vision individuals in the community.
- Accessibility.Com Partner — Recognized as an Accessibility.Com Spotlight Organization
- Dominican University Partner — Collaborates with Dominican University on the TVI (Teacher of the Visually Impaired) Program.
- Dominican University New York Partner — Collaborates on the Entrepreneurship Incubator Program to support economic development in the Lower Hudson Valley.
- M&T Bank Partner — Collaborates on the Entrepreneurship Incubator Program to support economic development in the Lower Hudson Valley.
- National Federation of the Blind Partner — Collaborates in the observance and promotion of White Cane Awareness Day.
- OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities) Government — Collaborates with OPWDD to deliver services such as independent living housing and community habilitation.
- Palisades Center Mall Partner — Hosts the Independence Café – A Unique Boutique within its premises at the Welcome Center of BRIDGES offices.
- Sensory Room Sponsors Partner — Sponsored the BRIDGES Sensory Room through financial support.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Government — Implements the SAMHSA Re-Entry Program for individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorders.
- Target Partner — Sensory Room is located adjacent to Target at the Palisades Mall.
- Valley Cottage Deli and Catering Partner — Supplies wraps and salads for sale at the Independence Café.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Experiential Empathy Educationmethodology: experiential_educationBy simulating disability experiences through structured activities, we produce greater empathy and inclusive attitudes in students because direct, embodied experience fosters deeper understanding than informational learning alone.
- Integrated Employment and Community Inclusion via Social Enterprisemethodology: social_enterprise_inclusionBy operating a café and retail boutique as social enterprises, we produce economic inclusion and social integration for veterans and people with disabilities because meaningful work in a public-facing setting builds skills, confidence, and community belonging.
- Peer-Driven, Cross-Disability Empowerment Modelmethodology: peer_driven_modelBy leveraging shared lived experience and a cross-disability peer network, we produce greater engagement and self-advocacy among people with disabilities because individuals feel validated, represented, and empowered by those with similar challenges.
- Self-Determination Through Systemic Advocacy and Supportmethodology: self_determination_modelBy combining individual empowerment with systemic advocacy, we produce lasting change in the lives of people with disabilities because addressing both personal agency and structural barriers leads to more sustainable outcomes.
- Sensory-Regulated, Universally Designed Environmentsmethodology: universal_designBy designing inclusive spaces using universal design and sensory regulation principles, we support emotional well-being and accessibility because environments tailored to diverse neurological and physical needs reduce barriers and enhance participation.