News | The Bridge

Happy Anniversary to us!

July 1, 2009 marks the 35^th anniversary of The Bridge, Inc. The Bridge was founded as the “Drug Alert Center” by Reverend Ray Crowder, a local Baptist Minister. After receiving some small grants from the Etowah Baptist Association and the Kiwanis Club of Gadsden, the program was eventually certified and funded by the Alabama Department of Mental Health in 1974. During the first year, the program helped 35 clients through outpatient counseling or assistance in getting into residential treatment in an out-of-state program.

During the past 35 years we have grown significantly in size, quality and reputation. We are now Alabama’s largest provider of adolescent substance abuse treatment services—currently operating 13 residential and outpatient programs.