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BRIDGEWELL CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH POSSIBILITIES
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"For 55 years, Bridgewell has met the changing needs of individuals living with disabilities and other challenges with compassion and dignity," President/CEO Bob Stearns writes on their website. "Our top-notch staff is diverse, highly trained, and fiercely dedicated... Ultimately, our purpose is to connect people with possibilities."
A Lynnfield-based private, non-profit human services organization, Bridgewell provides assistance to folks with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and mental health issues. The numbers are impressive:
* Over 100 programs
*Serving 23 communities in Eastern Massachusetts including Greater Lynn
as well as Lowell and Chelmsford.
*$65 million annual operating budget
*1,300 employees
*53,000 meals served at Lowell's homeless drop-in center Pathfinder
*More than 90 healthcare professionals on staff
*6,000 people served each year
*5,600 individuals assisted at four mental health clinics in Lowell, Chelmsford,
Lynn and Danvers
*A $500,000 annual budget for staff training and certification
Bridgewell Clients are People,
Not Numbers
How do those numbers translate into human services? Cari Palmer Lord, Interim Director of Development and Advancement, quickly lists a myriad of programs available to Bridgewell's clients. "With grants, foundation support, state and federal funding, we provide housing, behavioral health and clinical programs, homeless programs, transitional and assisted services for various needs, including adults living with physical and mental disabilities," says Cari. Clients may have further challenges such as visual or hearing impairments, medical conditions or behavioral issues. Bridgewell provides training in life skills like finances, household skills, and personal hygiene; career training and placement in real, paying jobs; autism services to those adults who "age out" of schools at 22. And more: substance abuse and addiction recovery programs, day programs, rehabilitation services. The list is impressively diverse.
Bridgewell Employment Supports
All of the services provided are important to their clients, but none is more so than career training and support that leads to paid jobs. Vicky Jasper is the Day Services Supervisor at the Boston Street Center in Lynn. "Individuals are integrated in vocational programs. Staffing and resources provide tools toward meaningful employment," Vicky says. "We use professional assessment, access to career specialists, and training in job skills like interviewing...one-on-one job coaching, and let them try out different jobs to see what they like. They can try out different things and still have access to coaches should they need it when they get a job.
"There is no risk for employers with the support system in place," Vicky adds. "We also work with business partners to get the most success from the job."
"They are paid for their work, minimum wage or higher; many make more than that and have access to benefits like health insurance and paid time off," she notes. "They have a sense of pride and responsibility, they talk about their jobs, make friends outside their community, participate in life like everybody else. They are no longer isolated. They have access to people committed to making them successful in their jobs."
The clients are not the only ones who benefit. Developmentally and intellectually
disabled workers "add a lot to the working environment, they are more friendly, they stay with their jobs longer. They look forward to going to work and they keep others' spirits up," adds Vicky.
Bridgewell seeks a diversity of positions for their diverse clients. "We have really tried over the past three years and longer to get a wider variety of jobs." Vicky explains. Restaurants, colleges, retail stores, cleaning services: all are well-served by Bridgewell's clients.
"Outside the Box" Opportunities
Derek is a young man with a common passion for video games. He got a great entry level job at Dave & Buster's in Woburn, an adult arcade and gaming facility. Derek is training to repair video games.
Rachelle has just been recognized for six years' service at Petco, a job record to date. She received a certificate and the cheers of her store colleagues.
Greater Lynn Senior Services employs Bridgewell workers who clean vehicles for The Ride, the MBTA's service to disabled passengers. Supervisor John Lewis was honored recently with the 2nd Annual Champion Award; his team has grown to six workers in the past year.
Others work in recycling centers, restaurants, and janitorial services. Bridgewell workers partner with Meals on Wheels in Salem, Beverly and Ipswich, where they discuss the folks they will visit, organize the delivery, and make sure that dietary restrictions have been followed.
Bridgewell is always open to new business partners who want dedicated and dependable employees. Bridgewell's Mission "Inspired by the values of caring and respect, together we guide individuals with disabilities and other challenges to achieve and enjoy their highest quality of life and personal growth," is the Bridgewell Mission Statement. The employment program is only the tip of a very large iceberg that serves thousands of eager clients every year.
"Working with friends, peers, animals- these are the type of jobs where they really thrive," says Ashley Smallwood, Career Specialist. To thank their business partners during October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Ashley put together surprise awards for all of the work sites, swooping in with certificates and balloons. "It was like Ed McMahon arriving from Publisher's Clearing House, but without the check," she jokes.
"People are ultimately happy with their jobs. In my career working with the developmentally disabled, I am passionate," Vicky says. "I have bad days but never because of the individuals we support."
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SAVE the Dates for These Bridgewell Events
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Living Longer: Aging with Intellectual Disability Conference
Friday- September 23, 2016, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center.
The all-day conference is for professionals and family members alike. http://livinglongerconference. bridgewell.org
Imagine the Possibilities Gala
Auction/Fundraiser/Volunteer Recognition- Friday, November 4, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM Seaport Hotel, Seaport Boulevard, Boston http://www.bridgewell.org/news-and-events/upcoming-events
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Staff profile: Mike Phelps
Funeral Director Michael W. "Mike" Phelps has been around the Solimine Funeral Homes for almost 30 years, first as a wake attendant and then, when his supervisory position at GE Lynn was eliminated in 1992, as a full time employee.
"When I got laid off I had to think what I was going to do. Manufacturing was not good in this area at the time, so I made a career change. I think it has been a good one." After training as a funeral director, he regularly pursues continuing education to maintain his certifications.
At Solimine Funeral Homes, Mike is the funeral director in charge of the firm's pre-arrangement program. His commitment to serving individuals according to their wishes assures that their requests are carried out when the need arises.
Mike Phelps is more than a funeral director-a lot more. Mike has lived in Lynn for his entire life and graduated from Lynn Classical High School. He and his wife Peggy have four children, six grandsons, and two granddaughters, ranging in age from 7 . to 7 weeks at this writing. His wife, also a life-long Lynn resident, is Director of Planning and Development for the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development, the agency that has helped low-and moderate-income families and
individuals find safe and affordable housing since 1948.
"Mike Phelps is a fine gentleman, a great family man, a great community leader, and a credit to our profession," said Dave Solimine Sr. "I have known his family very well for five generations. He is a true leader in every way. What an asset he is to our firm: a fine grandson, son, brother, husband, father and grandfather!" Certainly Mike's passion for his family shines through his actions. A stalwart volunteer to Lynn organizations, he was for years a supporter and leader of several Little League organizations. He is a member and officer of the Knights of Columbus and serves on the City of Lynn Licensing Board. He has also been a leader of the Lynn Classical High School Alumni and Friends Association and is President of the Community Minority Cultural Center. Whew! Besides that, he loves to travel with his family, enjoying trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Las Vegas; and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Their longest trip took them to Greece for a grandson's christening. "The west coast of Canada is beautiful; we like to go out on the water at Victoria and see the bald eagles, the whales, just everything!" Mike says. He and Peggy visited San Francisco
and the Napa wine area of C a l i f o r n i a for their 25th anniversary. Mike would like to visit Italy someday.
He also has a passion for flower gardening; on the lot where he and his family have lived for 31 years, he raises any kind of perennial, mixing them up and seeing how they come up every year: rhododendrons, hydrangeas, shrubs. "We have flowers all season long with quite a bit of color." He also loves hanging out by the pool with his family. He has no plans to move; sorting the accumulation of 31 years' "stuff" is too daunting.
"The Solimine Funeral Homes are great places to work. The Solimines are very compassionate," Mike says. "I've known them my whole life. They are a generous family as employers and members of the community, which you can tell by how long the staff members have worked here. Fifteen years is the shortest term of service for the full time employees." Mike is in charge of the Solimine pre-arrangement program and will facilitate the two upcoming Estate Planning Seminars. See Events above.
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FREE Estate Planning Seminars to be held on April 26th & May 24th
 Solimine Funeral Homes is pleased to present four estate planning seminars this spring, and you are cordially invited to attend. At each session, a local attorney will discuss common estate planning issues, and Mike Phelps, funeral director, will present information on the benefits of pre-planning funeral and cremation services. Each session will include a question and answer period, and refreshments will be served. There will be seminars at 2 pm and 6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 26th at the Solimine Funeral Home at 426 Broadway in Lynn; and at 2 pm and 6:30 pm on Tuesday, May 24th, at the Solimine Funeral Homes 67 Ocean Street location.
On Tuesday April 26th, Charles N. "Charlie" Gallo of Gallo Law in Lynn will discuss financial and legal strategies for asset protection and effective estate planning. Specializing in estate planning, elder law, and probate, Attorney Gallo will address issues you face in protecting your assets for your heirs. "If you are over the age of 18, you are not too young to begin thinking about your estate, particularly at milestones in your life, like adding family members and acquiring investments,"said Charlie.
"The many different plans include health care proxies, power of attorney, and trusts--of which there are as many types as flavors of ice cream."
For those who are retired, or those who have special-needs dependents, a plan is vital, he explained. "Even those who think they have no financial assets should plan their estate, making decisions on health care, banking, who will make those decisions for you when you are no longer able," said Charlie. A spouse doesn't even have the legal right to make these choices, so having a plan in place can save a lot of time and money. The seminar will cover health care proxy, wills, trusts, real estate, and power of attorney, giving you the information you need to take control of your future.
On Tuesday May 24, also at 2 pm or 6:30 pm, Attorney Brendan Ward of Ward Family Law in Lynn will discuss financial and legal strategies and requirements for effective estate planning and asset protection, including accessing Medicaid. "Estate planning is as simple or as complex as you want it to be. It's dictated by your assets and your family situation," said Attorney Ward. Same-sex couples have critically difficult hurdles, as do partners in second or subsequent marriages. If you don't have an estate plan, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts laws take over, which take time and resources from the estate settlement process. You can avoid a costly probate process that enriches the courts rather than your loved ones.
Please RSVP for these free seminars at (781) 595-1492 to save a spot. "Everyone who attends will receive a free planning guide, have the opportunity to ask questions, and enjoy refreshments. We hope to see you there," said Joel Solimine.
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Attorney
Charles "Charlie" Gallo.
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FAQ: "What Are the Benefits of Pre-Planning?"
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We are all busy these days-with jobs, family, community, hobbies...fill in the blank with the things that take up your time. So why would you set aside a few hours to pre-plan your funeral? There are several good reasons.
"Estate planning and pre-planning of funerals go hand in hand. These are the invaluable gifts we give our loved ones, our families, when we prepare in advance," said Dave Solimine Sr.
Family Benefits A death is of course very difficult for loved ones, but pre-planning can ease some of the challenges that inevitably arise with your passing. Choosing a funeral home, deciding on burial or cremation, picking a casket, and gathering information required for death certificates or burial permits-these steps will ease the burden on your survivors when they are beginning to grieve their loss. Collecting facts and documents in one place will prevent a scramble to locate your birth information, social security number, parents' names, education information, insurance policies, investment portfolios, and similar mundane but essential particulars needed for your estate. Financial Benefits While funeral pre-planning does not cost anything, if you choose to pre-pay some or all of the expected expenses, you can often take advantage of price guarantees that protect against inflation. Funds you pay are protected by law and are transferable to a different funeral home or even to another state. Additionally, pre-funding funeral plans may also create a non-countable asset if you need to apply for Medicaid at any point. Legacy Benefits When you pre-plan your funeral arrangements, you decide how you want to be remembered. One step may be gathering information for your obituary. Do you want to focus on your education, your employment accomplishments, your family? Whom do you wish to list among your survivors; would you include extended family and close friends, perhaps beloved pets? Would you like memorial donations to a favored charity or religious organization? Pre-planning guides your loved ones in the ways in which you want to be celebrated and honored. Peace of Mind When your family knows what needs to be done, you empower them, taking the guesswork out of funeral planning. They will know your wishes and how to honor you.
"My wife Mary Jane and I have done both estate planning and funeral pre-planning," said Dave Sr., "and we know our children and grandchildren appreciate what we have done. We also feel the peace of mind that planning ahead gives to any individual."
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