Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services, a nonprofit providing recovery-focused mental health and substance use care in North and Central New Jersey, has launched a $2 million capital campaign to renovate and expand its outpatient behavioral health center at 567 Morris Ave. in Elizabeth, Union County’s most populous city.Â
The initiative comes at a critical time as Union County faces a growing behavioral health crisis and increasing demand for timely, integrated care. As of 2025, about one in five adults experience a mental illness annually, with anxiety and depression being the most common.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12.1% of adults report regular feelings of worry, nervousness, or anxiety and 4.8% of adults report regular feelings of depression.
The newly renovated Center for Integrated Outpatient Services will feature expanded urgent care access, individual and group therapy spaces, medication management and co-occurring substance use treatment. The building, which has served the community since 1997, will be completely reimagined to serve more youth and adults with greater efficiency.
“This project is about ensuring that no one in our community falls through the cracks when they need help the most,” said Cory Storch, president and CEO of Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services. “Timely, local, and compassionate care is not a luxury — it’s a right.”
Bridgeway has already secured more than $1 million in early support from lead donors including the Woods System of Care, The Hyde & Watson Foundation, E.J. Grassman, Columbia Bank, Rapps Pharmacy and others. The organization is now launching its public campaign to raise the remaining $1 million by the end of 2027.
“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,” said Rob Spitzer, senior vice president, commercial lending team leader at ConnectOne Bank, Bridgeway Board Member and Chair of the Capital Campaign.
Bridgeway’s Capital Campaign will directly fund the renovation of an 8,000-square-foot outpatient facility; separate youth and adult waiting areas; eight individual counseling rooms; eight group therapy spaces; expanded urgent care access, seven days a week; co-occurring mental health and substance use services; and on-site exam and medication rooms, telehealth spaces, and 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,” said Peter Pogany, owner of Rapps Pharmacy, honorary chair of the capital campaign.
