Bridgewell history

1970In 1970, as de-institutionalization began, Bridgewell opened its first residential program serving adults with developmental disabilities on Laurel Street in Lynn.

1989In 1989, Bridgewell’s START Clinical Services and Respite began to provide assessment, medication management and behavioral health services to adults with a dual diagnosis of developmental and psychiatric disability.

1993In 1993, Bridgewell receives its first United States Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to begin serving homeless individuals in Lynn and Lowell.

Bridgewell now operates 70 residential programs supporting 326 people.Project COPE (now Bridgewell’s Recovery Services) was founded and began providing community-based prevention, education and treatment for people with drug and alcohol disorders. It would be renamed The Sovner Center after founding doctor, Robert Sovner, in 1997.

In 1998, Bridgewell earned its first accreditation from CARF, an international organization that aims to push service providers to offer the highest quality service.

In 2012, Bridgewell opened its first of now three Rosewood Day Habilitation programs, specialized day programs to meet the unique needs of younger adults with autism who are transitioning from the educational system to adult service.

In 2014, Project COPE merged with Bridgewell.

2016Opened in 2016, Bridgewell’s Autism Family Support Center provides services to families from diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds including those who are supporting a person with autism.

2018In 2018, Bridgewell’s newest program, the Recuperative Care Center opened.