December 14, 2020

The Bridge Center for Hope hosts public open house in anticipation of grand opening

Baton Rouge, La (December 14, 2020) – The Bridge Center for Hope, the first-ever adult crisis receiving center in East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana, is pleased to host an open house on Wednesday, December 16, where the facility will be open to the public for viewing and touring.

Formed in 2016, The Bridge Center for Hope was created to fill the void of quality care for individuals in crisis and develop and implement a model for crisis services in the Baton Rouge area. The facility is designed to treat individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis.

“We are delighted to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Greater Baton Rouge to tour our beautiful, new facility and learn about the incredible services we will be offering the community,” stated Executive Director Charlotte Claiborne. “We are proud to provide this community asset that the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish voted for.”

The Bridge Center for Hope has selected RI International (RI), an international non-profit behavioral health organization, to operate the center. RI is a global organization that offers more than 50 programs throughout the United States and abroad. The company has a successful history of providing a range of mental health, substance use, and crisis services since 1990. RI’s mission is to empower people to recover and find meaning and purpose in life—to reconnect with themselves and other members of their communities.

Following its grand opening planned for later this month, The Bridge Center for Hope will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone 18 years or older regardless of income or insurance. It will employ RI’s no “wrong door” approach, which means that anyone experiencing a crisis is welcomed, whether they walk in on their own, are escorted by loved ones, referred by a provider agency or transferred by first responders, or law enforcement. Additionally, the center will utilize RI’s Crisis Now model, an evidence-based nationally endorsed approach to crisis care that prevents suicides, provides immediate help for those in distress, reduces the cost of care, and reduces the strain on emergency rooms, prisons and law enforcement.

The Bridge Center for Hope facility is located at 3455 Florida Blvd, across from the Baton Rouge

General Mid City campus. The event is open to the public and will be held on Wednesday, December 16, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Masks will be required for attendance and while touring the facility.

For upcoming news and additional information about The Bridge Center for Hope, please visit brbridge.org.

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About The Bridge Center for Hope:
The Bridge Center for Hope, an independent nonprofit, was formed to help East Baton Rouge Parish residents experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use issue and ensure they receive quality care and attention. The Bridge Center for Hope’s mission is to provide pathways to treatment for people experiencing behavioral health issues and link providers to create an integrated continuum of care from prevention to rehabilitation. For more information, visit brbridge.org.

About RI International:
RI, founders of the Living Room model in 2002, deliver no-wrong-door crisis facility-based services across the country with rapid growth targeted. RI’s Campus of Connection model includes a strong peer workforce and surrounds the individual with support on their journey towards recovery. To learn more, visit riinternational.com.

Agency contact:
Jennifer Vaccaro
225-234-0067
jennifer@think-brew.com

The Bridge Center for Hope contact:
info@brbridge.org