About Us
Bridge House/ Grace House was founded on the principle that recovery from addiction could not be maintained without an individual’s basic needs being met.
Bridge House/ Grace House was founded on the principle that recovery from addiction could not be maintained without an individual’s basic needs being met.
For over 65 years, it has been our mission to provide no-cost substance-use disorder treatment services to those who have lost everything. Individuals come to us hopeless, helpless, and many who are without the will to live. They are provided a safe place to recover and provided with the tools necessary to build a new life. The only organization offering long-term residential treatment in the Greater New Orleans Area; our clinical and vocation-based programs validate each individual as an important member of our community while promoting personal responsibility in a life of recovery. With two housing facilities (Bridge House for males and Grace House for females), we treat over 750 homeless, indigent, uninsured, underinsured, and/or unemployed men and women each year. Our services are offered regardless of one’s ability to pay.
Bridge House / Grace House is a 24-hour, 7 day a week, residential treatment facility that provides no-cost substance-use disorder treatment to men and women in two separate locations. Bridge House, the residential facility for males is located at 4150 Earhart Boulevard; and Grace House, the only substance-use disorder treatment facility exclusively for women in the Greater New Orleans area, is located at 6321 Stratford Place. Bridge House / Grace House Residential Substance-Use Disorder Treatment Programs provide a continuum of care that ensures all clients referred are evaluated and provided services to meet their individual needs.
The overall goal of Bridge House / Grace House Residential Substance-Use Disorder Treatment Program is to increase the quality of life through the provision of specialized addictive disorder treatment services.
CARF International is an independent, nonprofit organization that surveys and accredits health and human services providers worldwide. A service or program that is CARF accredited has passed an in-depth on-site review and has demonstrated substantial conformance to internationally recognized standards for quality.
CARF International accreditation demonstrates a program’s quality, transparency, and commitment to the satisfaction of the persons served. CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Toll free (888) 281-6531. www.carf.orgBridge House / Grace House has been accredited by CARF since 2013 and is currently accredited in our residential treatment programs. Our accreditation is a public commitment that we strive to:
Else Pedersen, Chief Executive Officerepedersen@bridgehouse.org Chief Executive Officer, Else Pedersen has worked for Bridge House / Grace House since 1992. Else is a Licensed Addiction Counselor and holds a Masters of Business Administration. Else became the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge House / Grace House on September 15, 2011. Prior to that date, she was the Executive Director of Bridge House since 2004. Else has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of Bridge House in that she has worked in many departments before becoming the Executive Director, in particular the Clinical Department as a direct provider of services. Else is responsible for the overall management of the organization. Her responsibilities include the development and implementation of all clinical programs and supporting businesses; ensuring clinical program and business objectives are met; and directing and supervising staff. As a person in recovery, Else has a unique perspective in meeting the needs of our consumers.
Kevin Gardere, Executive Director of Developmentkgardere@bridgehouse.org (504) 821-7133 Kevin Gardere has been an employee of Bridge House Corporation since 2002. He has been responsible for Major Gifts since 2004. In December 2013, he became the Executive Director of Development. Kevin is a graduate of the Bridge House Substance Abuse Treatment Program (2002).
wwright@bridgehouse.org (504) 821-7142 Walter Wright, CPA holds an Accounting Degree from the University of New Orleans. He has been with Bridge House / Grace House since 2014.
Kelly Commander, President
Walton Goldring, Vice President
Michael Pou, Treasurer
H. Elder Gwin, Secretary
D. Scott Crabtree
Jeffrey Haigler
Rachael D. Johnson
Ryan Kruse
Daniel Lagrone
Iggie Perrin
Anne E. Raymond
Steven F. Rueb
Suzanne Rusovich
Cherrell Simms Taplin
Susan Tyler
Chip Verges
Sharonda R. Williams
Elly Zakris
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