Bridgewell honored with $25,000 grant from van Otterloo Family Foundation

Bridgewell Inc., a leading provider of services individuals with developmental and psychiatric disabilities, has been honored  with a grant of $25,000 by the van Otterloo Foundation. 

The grant will support a very exciting new initiative that combines innovation and the capacity to improve the lives of individuals with autism on a large scale.

Bridgewell is partnering with a leading health technology developer to tailor their virtual reality-based therapy systems to meet the unique needs of young adults with autism served at Bridgewell and beyond.

In making the grant, van Otterloo Family Foundation administrator Erin van Otterloo explained, ““We are very impressed by Bridgewell’s leadership in designing programs for the growing population of young people with autism who are aging out of school.  Our family is pleased to support this innovative and compassionate organization’s strategy for developing and using technology to improve their lives. We look forward to Bridgewell’s implementing new and creative initiatives to maximize the potential of individuals with autism.”

“We believe this innovative approach to traditional therapy will help young people with autism build important life skills and meet personal goals in truly engaging and enduring ways,” said Bob Stearns, Bridgewell president and CEO. “We thank the Foundation wholeheartedly for its leadership and generosity in supporting Bridgewell and the wider nonprofit community,” he continued.

Bridgewell is partnering with GestureTek, a leading motion-controlled technology developer, to bring cutting edge, immersive virtual therapy to its Rosewood Drive Day Habilitation Center in Danvers, MA, serving young adults with autism.

The new virtual therapy system is targeted specifically to young adults with autism. After an initial launch at Rosewood Drive, the product will be marketed to other providers serving young adults with autism, thereby extending benefits to well beyond Bridgewell.