Bridges to a New Day, a counseling agency that has served the community since 2003 is reaching out in new ways to offer help and hope to area residents.
The agency, dedicated to serving families and children, offers a variety of counseling and domestic violence programs.
After winning the use of the Edward Hospital Athletic and Event Center in a Romeoville Chamber of Commerce raffle, staff at the agency are opting to pay it forward, hosting a free event, Summer Connections, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7 at the center at 55 Phelps Ave., Romeoville.
Morning events, from 9 a.m to noon, will include Budgeting 101, Storytelling, Mediation Exercises, Insurance 101, Dealing with Stress, and Birth to 3 Developmental Screenings. In addition, a representative from the Will County Clerk’s Office will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to register residents to vote.
Afternoon games, from 1 to 3 p.m. will include bag toss, board games, crafts and a family-friendly game of dodgeball. The afternoon events are designed for children ages 4 to 12. An adult must accompany and be present with their children.
Bridges to a New Day was the brainchild of a group of 12 concerned citizens who came together in 2003 with an idea to fill in the missing gaps in the community mental health system with a focus on preventing health issues, according to one of the founders Carolyn Kahn.
As the agency became incorporated as a non-profit it began developing parenting workshops and increasingly added services for families and children. By 2010, the agency saw a 30 percent increase in services provided to children; a 300 percent increase in services provided to families; a 7 percent increase in counseling services; a 68 percent increase in services provided to domestic violence victims and an overall 33 percent increase in the number of services provided by agency staff.
In 2013, the agency saw more than 300 clients and outgrew its Lockport office, moving to Romeoville. Last year alone the group provided 2,164 hours of service to more than 165 women and children from Romeoville, Lockport and other surrounding communities.
Kahn said the agency is always in need of volunteers and donors to help make a difference in the community.
For more information about the Summer Connections event or Bridges to a New Day, visit www.bridgestoanewday.org.