The grant is designated for ‘Behavioral Health Initiatives.’

Submitted by Nancy Hunt, Community Services and Communications Associate

Martha Rennie, Director of Development for the Bridge, and Jeffrey A. Asher, CHEFA’s Executive Director. Submitted photo.

The Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority (CHEFA), a quasi-public agency, recently announced the recipients of their 2014 Nonprofit Grants which included a $75,000 grant to the Bridge Family Center in West Hartford.

The grant will allow the Bridge to hire an additional full-time licensed therapist to increase the number of behavioral health clients seen and increase the number of therapy sessions to address more intensive service needs. Jeffrey A. Asher, CHEFA’s Executive Director, presented the check to Martha Rennie, Bridge Director of Development, who graciously accepted it on behalf of the Bridge Family Center.

“CHEFA is pleased to assist the Bridge by funding an increase in the number of families served and the number of counseling sessions provided to their clients,” said Asher. “CHEFA’s grant helps the Bridge to ensure that clients seeking access to mental health services are able to obtain them, regardless of ability to pay.  This grant funding will help the Bridge fulfill their mission with programs designed to support youth and families during some of their most challenging times.”

Hartford-area grant recipients. Submitted photo.

CHEFA has awarded more than $26 million in grants to Connecticut nonprofits since 2003. The grant programs are not funded through state appropriations, but through Authority reserves and surplus funds. This year’s grants were awarded to 56 nonprofits from a highly-competitive pool of 123 submissions totaling more than $5.2 million in requests.  Originally budgeted for only $1 million, the CHEFA Board instead awarded more than double that amount—$2.5 million— to support 56 nonprofits across the state.  The focus area of this year’s grant program was on the support of basic human needs programs in the areas of Food and Food Insecurity, Shelter Services and Homelessness Prevention, and Health and Behavioral/Mental Health Programs.

The Bridge Family Center was founded in 1969 to meet the needs of West Hartford community youth.  Over the years, the Bridge expanded its outreach efforts to develop programs in partnership with local schools. Today it is a comprehensive, regional nonprofit agency offering a broad range of services to children, youth, and families in the Greater Hartford area.