Housing Development For At-Risk Youth Breaks Ground In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A 10-unit affordable housing facility for temporarily displaced, at-risk youth has broken ground in Bridgewater.

Visions & Pathways, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, held a groundbreaking ceremony for The Bridge House on Wednesday at the property at 8 Third Ave.

The housing development will consist of 10 studio apartments and accommodate very-low-income individuals.

Most Bridge House tenants will be young adults, ages 18 to 24, who have aged out of foster care. The project will not serve any minors or anyone under the age of 18.

Bridgewater Council President Joan Geiger asked attendees at the ceremony to raise their hands if they were capable of independent living at the age of 18.

Not one raised their hand. The same with ages 19, 20, or 21.

"That alone tells you how important this project is. This is truly consistent with the name of Visions & Pathways. Thank you to the visionaries who came up with this idea, and to those who followed to see it through," said Geiger on Wednesday.

Councilman Michael Kirsh acknowledged the critical importance of the housing development "as a critical part of the social safety net. We all have a responsibility, whether it's in our personal lives, our professional lives, or our government lives, to give a helping hand. And I'm so proud that this is the start of something so special right here in Bridgewater Township."

In 2022, Somerset County awarded Visions & Pathways $1.165 million to support Bridge House.

Somerset County Commissioner Sara Soory noted that each year, approximately 800 youth in New Jersey age out and are often without access to safe and affordable housing.

She thanked Visions & Pathways for "decades of commitment to helping youth put their lives back together, whether they have nowhere else to turn. Now with Bridge House, the work continues to help young adults transition to a new life base."

Zonie LeSane, a Bridge House Capital Campaign Chair, noted that "we put the shovels into the ground today, let's remember exactly who we're digging for: the young person who needs somewhere to begin, somewhere to grow, and somewhere they can finally call home."

Each of the residents at Bridge House will be screened through their Prosperity Independent Living Skills program and through their Department for Children and Families.

To go through the program, the young adults must meet certain criteria, such as they can not have committed a felony or arson, and no violent crimes.

David Walker, CEO for Visions & Pathways noted that while the project is to build 1o units for youth, it means more than that.

"It means that they will have a stable place to live, where they can continue their education, learn about the world and work, and just grow in their own self-esteem and their communities," said Walker.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.