Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services has officially initiated a $2 million capital campaign to renovate and significantly expand its outpatient behavioral health center at 567 Morris Avenue in Elizabeth.
The campaign, titled “A Legacy of Impact – A Future of Recovery,” aims to meet the escalating demand for timely and integrated mental health and substance use treatment in Union County.
The renovation will transform the facility into the Center for Integrated Outpatient Services, which will offer expanded urgent care access, dedicated individual and group therapy spaces, medication management, and co-occurring substance use treatment. The building, a community staple since 1997, is being completely reimagined to serve a greater number of youth and adults with increased efficiency, accessibility and dignity.
“This project is about more than modernizing a building; it’s about ensuring that no one in our community falls through the cracks when they need help the most,” Cory Storch, president and CEO of Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services said. “Timely, local, and compassionate care is not a luxury—it’s a right.”
Bridgeway has already secured over $1 million in early support from lead donors, including the Woods System of Care, The Hyde & Watson Foundation, E.J. Grassman, Columbia Bank and Rapps Pharmacy. The organization is now launching the public phase of the campaign to raise the remaining $1 million by the end of 2027.
Rob Spitzer, senior vice president at ConnectOne Bank, Bridgeway Board Member, and chair of the Capital Campaign, emphasized the project’s importance.
“This Center will be a lifeline for thousands of individuals and families across Union County—providing urgent mental health and substance use care, helping people return to work, school, and their communities,” Spitzer noted.
The Capital Campaign funds will be directly allocated to:
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Renovating the entire 8,000-square-foot outpatient facility.
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Creating separate youth and adult waiting areas.
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Developing 8 individual counseling rooms and 8 group therapy spaces.
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Expanding urgent care access to 7 days a week.
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Implementing on-site exam and medication rooms, telehealth spaces, and dedicated case management support.
“Everyone deserves access to care without delay. This campaign ensures we’re not only responding to that need—we’re meeting it with compassion, equity, and purpose,” Peter Pogany, owner of Rapps Pharmacy and honorary chair of the Capital Campaign said.
