Bridgeway CEO Celebrates 45 Years as Champion for Mental Health Services

UNION, N.J. - Aug. 9, 2022 - PRLog -- In 1985 when Bridgeway House became Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, now CEO Cory Storch was there. Last year, he led the transition to Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services. Through the changes, Storch has remained committed to Bridgeway's whole-person, evidence-based services. Today, Bridgeway is celebrating his 45 years with the organization, best captured by his well-known mantra, "Recovery is possible!"

"People ask me how it is that I have stayed at one organization all this time when so many of my peers have moved on to new opportunities," Storch said. "The answer is I have always been surrounded by people who made me proud to be part of the team at Bridgeway."

Since its inception, Bridgeway's mission has been to support the educational and vocational endeavors of people with mental health conditions. Under Storch's leadership, many services have been added, including long-term programs to support people living in their communities, and short-term crisis intervention services for urgent mental health care. Most recently, Storch spearheaded the inclusion of virtual and in-person out-patient services to address the growing demand for high-quality session-based therapy.

Leadership Over 45 Years

Evidence of Storch's leadership is in the numbers.

The staff has grown from a handful of positions to more than 400. During the worst of the pandemic, Bridgeway staff served more than 8,000 people, delivering more than 132,000 in-person home and community visits. Of the people served in Bridgeway's supportive housing programs, 99 percent remain stably housed. Bridgeway's Psychiatric Emergency Screen Service, using a trauma-informed approach, leads the state in diverting people in crisis away from unnecessary hospital emergency department visits.

Nancy Schneeloch, vice president for Supportive Housing Services, said Storch has been a leader in not only the field of psychiatric rehabilitation, but has helped New Jersey pave the way for supportive housing services for people with mental illness.

Storch began by providing housing support to eight homeless individuals before the year 2000. Today, Bridgeway provides supportive housing services to over 500 individuals in eight counties.

A Titan in Behavioral Health

When asked to reflect on his career, Storch said, "Ultimately when you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work. Forty-five years later, I still feel grateful to be working for Bridgeway."

Buddy Garfinkle, senior vice president and Chief Program Officer, explained that Storch has skillfully led Bridgeway in a way that earns the respect of our communities. "His commitment, integrity, and wisdom have given us a role model to emulate. Cory Storch is a titan in our field."

About Bridgeway

For more information, visit www.bridgewaybhs.org .