Who We Are Version 1

OUR HISTORY

In 2004, several families came together to form an organization that would be devoted to providing opportunities for youth with disabilities as they transitioned into adulthood. Our volunteer effort resulted in the formation of BRIDGE for Hudson Youth, Inc., also known as BRIDGE For Community Life, Inc. We are served by a robust volunteer base of community members, high school and university students. Our BRIDGE clients live in St. Croix, Pierce and Polk counties in Wisconsin and Washington County in Minnesota. We offer programs and services year round and have recruited and developed a first rate staff to work with our clients. Our focus remains creating opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities in lifelong learning, leisure and work opportunities.

Peg Gagnon

Executive Director

Peg is the managing director of BRIDGE for Community Life. She is responsible for the overall operation and performance of the non-profit and, along with ten other parents and friends of youth with disabilities, co-founded BRIDGE in 2004. Outside of BRIDGE, Peg enjoys spending time with family and friends, boating, traveling, and reading.

Jesse Beckstrom

Program Director

Since 2008, Jesse has been responsible for the operational systems, processes, and policies for BRIDGE adult programs. Jesse brings extensive work experience in supporting individuals with disabilities in their homes and the community both in western Wisconsin and the metro area. Jesse enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Ginny Ballantine

Administrative and Marketing Director

Ginny is the Administrative and Marketing Director and has the overall responsibility for the administrative operations and all marketing and communications within the agency and is charged with raising awareness of BRIDGE the St Croix Valley area. Ginny was a founding board member in 2004. She enjoys all outdoor recreation and spending time with family and friends.

Linda Redding

Program and Transportation Supervisor

Kristin Wick

Program Specialist

Kristin joined BRIDGE as a program assistant in 2012 and soon after became a Program Specialist. Kristin serves as BRIDGE’s staffing coordinator and CPR/First Aid Instructor, and she provides assistance in all things technical around the office. Kristin played piano for 8 years and enjoys taking her Lab-Australian Cattle Dog mix, Lacy, on hikes.

Tom Hackworthy

Building and Fleet Maintenance Coordinator

Tom served as Special Ed. Assistant at Hudson High School and as a BRIDGE Board Member for five years before taking his current position. When he’s not job coaching, training new staff on driving requirements, or managing BRIDGE’s eleven vehicles and three of BRIDGE’s four facilities, he enjoys family time, snowmobiling, and fishing.

Maggie Mark

Volunteer Coordinator

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Tom Hofmeister

Title TBD

Tracy Szypura

Employment Supervisor

Tracy volunteered as Adaptive Floor Hockey Coach before becoming a BRIDGE Program Assistant in 2011. Since year she has assisted job candidates with disabilities in finding employment in their community and helped employers find qualified employees. Tracy likes spending time with family and friends in the great outdoors, enjoying the simple things in life.

Jackie Schwartz

Job Developer

For the past two and a half years Jackie has served many roles at BRIDGE, including program assistant, route driver, and job developer. With a degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Jackie establishes and maintains employer relationships along with helping job candidates obtain their goals. Jackie enjoys time with family and friends, reading, and riding motorcycles.