Bridge Builders Counseling & Mentoring, Inc.

About Us
Bridge Builders Counseling & Mentoring, Inc. is a non-profit agency that works exclusively with low-income, one-parent families. We believe that “no one should have to raise a child alone” and are dedicated to work toward that goal. We offer short-term professional counseling and life-long mentoring services. Counseling: Building Healthy Families We believe the family is God's creation for the growth and nurture of men, women, and children. Bridge Builder's Counseling & Mentoring, Inc. is committed to supporting and enriching the financially-challenged one-parent family by: providing professional short-term counseling services for one-parent families (that meet the intake criteria) overseeing mentoring relationships between Christian adults and children promoting a healthy network of community services and the faith community to reach out to one-parent families assisting in the development and nurturing of church support groups for single parents providing continued support after the initial intervention is completed providing services that focus on prevention of future problems. Connecting with One-Parent Families Bridge Builders Counseling & Mentoring, Inc. envisions that all one-parent families be given the opportunity to be healthy and receive necessary supports in the care of their children. In James 1:27 we read, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." We believe that in many instances children who experience the death or divorce of their parents are the "orphans" of today. Our goal is to administer love and compassion to those children as well as their parents, who bear the additional burden of being economically disadvantaged. The emotional and financial demands upon a single parent are overwhelming. We provide individual and family support in order to help the single parent home become an environment of encouragement, growth, and strength.

Board of Directors
James Charron, Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Emily Klein, Medical Assistant Dan Lundblad, LMSW, LMFT – Founder & Chairman of the Board John Romine, The Romine Group Kristyn Secory, Teacher Dwight Weber, Pastor Colonial Woods Missionary Church

Our Staff
Tom Cassady, Executive Director Sherry L. Young, MA, LPC, NCC, Clinical Director Anne R. Penn, MA, LPC, NCC, Counselor Susan L. Kenner, MA, LLPC, Counselor Gena M. Voit, BS, Counseling Interin Ovedia Lauzon, Office Manager & Bookkeeper Dana Kraft, Receptionist Rachel Kreidler, Receptionist Debbie Solomon, Volunteer Julie Wilton, Volunteer

Testimonials
Bridge Builders is a one of a kind ministry that needs about a thousand more just like it ministering to the often forgotten low income single parents and their families. in all our years of working with a wide variety of national and regional ministry organizations, we've never experienced anything quite like Bridge Builders. They are a model to look to; from their vision of service to the impact they make on a daily basis with those in need. Their work at partnering mentor dads with boys from single parent homes is huge in changing lives of kids who often have no role models. Their work of providing counseling to the poor and needy is invaluable for helping parents. They are the real deal; living the Gospel as they speak effectively into the lives of the "widows and orphans" of today. Dr. Jim and Carol Anderson- Shores Acts of Renewal Theatre to Delight the Soul www.actsofrenewal.com I'm impressed by Bridge Builders Counseling & Mentoring, Inc. James 1:27 commitment to lovingly care for single-parent families. Their encouraging staff and practical guidelines are making a big difference in a hurting world. Sandra P. Aldrich, author of From One Single Mother to Another Bridge Builders has been providing counseling and mentoring to single parent families for over 20 years. Hundreds of families in Eastern Michigan have been helped by putting "life, energy, and hope" back into their family unit. Children have been encouraged and reassured in their relationships with the custodial parent and, even, with the parent not in the home scene. Mentoring is a formidable, modeling key to reestablishing a responsible adult in a young person's life. I thank God for the good that Bridge Builders is contributing to the greater Blue Water community. While traveling and ministering around the nation, Carol and I see the results of the lack of love and direction that so many young boys and girls experience. We know from being part of Bridge Builders for nearly 15 years that they are making a difference. Gene Kent, Speak Up For Hope

The History of BBC&M
1992 Dan Lundblad hears James 1:27 “true religion is this, that you care for the orphan and widow in their distress...” and starts conversation about helping “today’s widow and orphan” the low-income, one-parent family. 1994 Bridge Builders Counseling, officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization. “Bread of Life” Bakery opens for business in order to raise funds for Bridge Builders. 1995 Very first grant received from Gannet Corp. 1996 Bread of Life Bakery closed its doors...but... Sherry Young offers 600 volunteer hours to BBC to complete her masters. 1997 Sherry Young is hired as first full-time employee; Board steps out in faith that God will provide her salary. St. Clair County Community Foundation provides grant for office equipment. 1999 Mentoring program designed. Pastors’ Advisory Committee formed. 2000 Lease agreement between Grace Episcopal Church and BBC -- $1 per year for two-story house! Renovations begin, 100s of individuals and organizations pitch in to create the “Miracle on 6th St.”. 2001 BBC Moves into beautiful newly renovated home. First “Christ is our Light” Event held with the help of the faith community. First of series of Christian Community Leaders Breakfasts. BBC designated National Jubilee Center. 2002 First Community Awareness Event with national speaker Sandra Aldrich. 2003 Second Community Awareness Event with Christian entertainers Jim Shore and Carol Anderson. 2004 Celebrating 1st decade and launching into the 2nd with a celebration of music at McMorran Auditorium. Mickey Blair hired as first full time Executive Director. 2005 Craig Foster is hired as Executive Director. 2007 Bridge Builders hosts the refreshment tent at the annual Robinson Tennis Tournament First Fall Fest is held in the parking lot adjacent to BBC&M. Hundreds of guests enjoy music, activities and free food thanks to the support of area businesses. 2008 A new fund raising program called “38.81” is started seeking to encourage individuals/churches/businesses to sponsor one of 365 days each year. Mentoring Moms program is organized to provide on-going encouragement and support to single moms. Stacey Camastra is hired as Bookkeeper. Second Fall Fest is held. 2009 Supporters of BBC&M are honored with Care Holder Certificates at a series of breakfasts. Tracy Willard hired as Office Manager. 2010 First annual LINK, LOCK AND LOVE conference for women held at Cornerstone Church. Proceeds of matching gifts from Women’s Life and donations are given to Bridge Builders Counseling and Mentoring, Inc. Dana Kraft hired as Receptionist. 2011 January - New and improved web site is launched. February - LINK, LOCK & LOVE second conference was held at Cornerstone Church. May - Rachel Kriedler hired as Receptionist. July - Tom Cassady hired as Executive Director October - Ovedia Lauzon hired as Office Manager October- Limited edition Bridge Builder's T-Shirts were sold at Port Huron High School & Port Huron Northern High School with over 400 shirts being sold.