Bridge House CT - Website by Userking

On March 8th, area legislators and Bridge House staff and members came together to discuss Bridge House; its role in the community and its importance to its members. Pat Bryson, the Master of Ceremonies, spoke first about her position on the ICCD. Pat a clubhouse member, also explained that she had lived in many shelters before she had discovered Bridge House. "... All of us here at Bridge House are not called clients or patients....We are members of this clubhouse and we come together as family and decide things together." Pat went on to decscribe her journey, how the clubhouse works and what members do.

Several other Bridge House member spoke as well. Josh Seavy  talked and listed the educational and vocational opportunities he had received through Bridge House. Barbara Johnson spoke about a a Bridge House Circle Line Cruise that made her feel like living again. She talked about how hard it was to leave her house before becoming a member. Barbara went on to say that she didn't feel discriminated against and that  she felt that at Bridge House she was treated like a human being. Maureen Kearns gave a compelling speech about Bridge House helping her to get her citizenship and consequently being able to see her family in Jamaica again.

At the breakfast meeting an impressive video, filled with heartfelt member testimonies and produced by Josh Brellis and Sebastian Prusik was also shown.

Legislators who attended: Shante Hanks, Director of Consituent Services from the office of US Representative Jim Himes; State Representatives, Tony Hwang (134th District), Ezequiel Santiage (130th District), and Auden Grogins (129th District; and Bridgeport city council members, Denese Taylor-Moye and Richard M. Paoletto, Jr.

The legislative breakfast was a very welcoming and eye-opening event for the legislators who were impressed with the members' pride,  their accomplishments, and the amount of services Bridge House provides. The legislators were equally encouraged to vote and keep Bridge House in Bridgeport when Governor Malloy considers making cuts to non-profits.