May 10, 2022

The Bridge Center for Hope hosts the 2nd Annual Bridging the Gap Community Fair

Baton Rouge, La (May 10, 2022) — ​​THE BRIDGE CENTER FOR HOPE, in partnership with RI International, will once again host its annual Bridging the Gap Community Fair to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and addiction to the citizens and community of East Baton Rouge Parish.

The event will provide citizens and community partners with an opportunity to learn about The Bridge Center for Hope and highlight the agencies and organizations that are providing critical services addressing mental and behavioral health challenges in our community, as well as help to break down silos around mental health and other community services, open doors to new services and providers, and form new partnerships in order to heal the whole person.

The fair features 32 mental health and community service partners, including Healthy BR, Louisiana Department of Health – Office of Behavioral Health, Capital Area Human Services, Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, and many others. The event will allow people to mingle, visit the fair participants’ tables, and have one-on-one interactions to learn more about the numerous programs and services available to residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.

“The event is hosted during Mental Health Awareness Month to bring awareness to this important issue, help break down the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use, and encourage those in need to seek help,” stated Executive Director Charlotte Claiborne. “A mental health crisis or substance use issue is not defined by demographics such as economic status, gender or race. We want to let everyone in our community know that help is available.”

What:
2nd Annual Bridging the Gap Community Fair

Who:
The Bridge Center for Hope in partnership with RI International

Where:
Main Library, Goodwood

When:
Tuesday, May 17, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

List of Participants:

  • The Bridge Center for Hope
  • RI International
  • When You Are Ready
  • Healthy BR
  • CHANGE
  • Volunteers of America GBR – Reilly Counseling Center
  • The City of Baton Rouge – Ryan White Program
  • Beacon Behavioral Hospital
  • Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge
  • FOAM (Fathers On A Mission)
  • Start Corporation
  • Seaside Health System
  • The BRidge Agency, INC
  • Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Adult Probation and Parole
  • Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge
  • Capital Area Human Services District
  • Vital Resource Solutions, Inc
  • LA Department of Health – Office of Behavioral Health
  • Positive Direction Recovery Resources
  • Louisiana Spirit
  • AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana
  • Louisiana Peer Action Advocacy Coalition
  • The Baton Rouge Community Street Team
  • Pre-Trial Diversion & Recovery Program
  • Open Health Mobile Outreach
  • Volunteers of American Mobile Outreach
  • Capitol Area Reentry Program Mobile Outreach
  • Open Health
  • Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge
  • Baton Rouge General
  • NAMI Louisiana/Baton Rouge

For more information on the Bridge Center for Hope’s services, please visit https://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 challenge 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 to 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:
Ginny Engholm
For Good Content
225-329-6408
ginny@forgoodcontent.com

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