Danvers Resident Named to Bridgewell Board

Submitted by Bridgewell:

Bridgewell, a private nonprofit based in Lynnfield that provides services throughout eastern Massachusetts, has announced the appointment of a longtime Danvers resident to its board for a three-year term. 

Catherine H. Johnson is a special ed teacher in the Riverside Elementary School in Danvers, where she provides one-on-one and small group instruction to children on the Autism spectrum. She has managed the full integration of students on the spectrum into standard classroom settings.

Johnson has lived in Danvers for 30 years. She and her husband, Steve,  have two children: Kara, who graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School, and Connor, who attended Danvers Public Schools and is now a student at Bridgewell’s Rosewood Drive Program. Johnson is a former president of the Danvers PAC for Education and Special Needs, and has also volunteered for St. Mary of the Annunciation School, Northeast ARC and Catholic Charities.

“We are very pleased that Cathy has agreed to join our board, bringing the experience of someone intimately involved in the delivery of special education services, someone who is an articulate advocate and passionate about our mission” said Bob Stearns, President and CEO of Bridgewell.

“Bridgewell shares our values of respecting those with disabilities, while giving individuals the tools and the opportunity to be productive members of society.  This is what we all strive for.  I am honored to serve on the board of such an organization, and I look forward to working to enrich the lives of those we serve,” said Johnson.

Bridgewell is dedicated to supporting and helping individuals with developmental and psychiatric disabilities to direct their own lives, achieve personal and professional success, and remain active participants in society. Bridgewell is 56 years old and serves more than 5600 individuals and their families annually through more than 95 programs, including 73 residential programs in 24 communities in eastern Massachusetts. Bridgewell provides residential and day services, affordable housing and homeless services, clinical services, recreational services, substantive abuse and addictive supports, as well as employment training and educational services.

To learn more about Bridgewell, go to http://www.bridgewell.org.