Author: The BridgeLine

We are currently accepting applications for our program. Individuals who

1. have sustained traumatic brain injuries,
2. are between the age of 21 and 55 years, and
3. are able to function in and benefit from a supported living environment in a small community of similarly disabled individuals under the guidance of experienced counselors,

or their representative(s) may apply for admission to Building a Bridge by requesting an appointment with the Executive Director. Referrals may be made from any source, including, but not limited to self, family members, trustees, guardians, and agencies supporting such disabled individuals.

Upon receipt of such request, the Executive Director will schedule a meeting at a day and time convenient to the applicant to initiate the application process. The Executive Director will assist the applicant or the applicant’s representative in completing the application material.

Please contact Dr. Daniela Ghaida at (434) 989-1274 or for further information.

Last weekend the “Belmonters” went to Carter Mountain Orchard to pick pumpkins. The weather was beautiful and the group enjoyed the warm temperatures at the outing. See for yourself!

Thanks for checking into our website to read the fall news of Building a Bridge.
Our event “Lovin’ the Arts at 10-10-10” last Sunday at Random Row Bookstore was a great success, a lot of fun and a good opportunity to introduce our organization to people who did not know much about us. It was also great to see old friends and the families of our residents. We have amazing supporters.
Our residents showed some of their art work, and they played two of their newly composed songs. Local artist Robin Hoffman drew caricatures of anyone who was not afraid to be portrait with a big head, and two musicians, Blue O’Connell and Michael Jones, played the guitar jammed to entertain.
Towards the end, Todd introduced our fun “Wednesday-after-dinner” dance routine.
Thanks so much to all our guests and friends for coming that afternoon and for your contributions. Residents and staff equally enjoyed the day greatly. Here are some shots of the afternoon.

Organized by Health South from the University of Virginia, Heinz received an award in recognition for his dedication and support of the brain injured persons in our community.
A barbecue and music was arranged on a warm sunny afternoon, and most of us could be there for the ceremony. Enjoy the photos.

Congratulation Heinz!

…to everyone who made the “Siips event” possible, fun and intersting, in other words a success:
to George Benford, owner of Siips, who is a wonderful supporter of non-profit organizations in Charlottesville; to our celebrity bartenders Mayor Dave Norris, Peter Kleeman, Tom McCrystal and Charles Weber, who dedicated their time and talents behind and in front of the bar; and to everyone who came and joined us that evening and helped us raise money and awareness for Building a Bridge.
Thanks!

Please join us for an evening of fun and fundraising. August 12, 2020, 5:30pm -7:30pm at SIIPS on the downtown mall.

As you might know, not too long ago we purchased a house in the Belmont area of Charlottesville. One of our residents, John, had lived in that house, who sadly passed away over two years ago. His wife has continued to be a wonderful and committed supporter of our organization that had helped her family over so many years.
We are very grateful to have her still as a friend.
A few weeks ago, we had a lovely and very moving celebration, when the new house received a plaque with its new name in memory of John. It is now called “The John Gordon Hopper House”. It also says “Never quit…”, words that were guiding John through his often difficult but also joyful life.
We all still miss him.
Enjoy photos of the celebration.

Recently, we had a couple of extremely heavy storms in the Charlottesville area. They were just short lasting, but yet stopped the traffic, cut power and dropped trees on cars and homes throughout the area. Here is a photo of a tree that fell down close to our Park Street house. We were glad that none of our properties suffered from the winds and rain.

Two of our Board members, both Michie Hamlett attorneys, were recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers magazine as top attorneys in Virginia for 2010.

Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are recognized by Super Lawyers.
Greg Webb has joined Building a Bridge board in 2009 and Gary Kendall joined us in May 2010.

The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

Super Lawyers was first published in 1991 by Law & Politics and was acquired by Thomson Reuters, Legal in February 2010. Super Lawyers can be found online at superlawyers.com where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.

Great to have them on Board!

Today, we officially received the new van that is donated by State Farm Insurance and Master’s Auto Body. We are all thrilled to get such a great gift and send many thanks to Chris Grimm (State Farm Insurance) and Jeff Cotton (Master’s Auto Body) for their wonderful support and work.