Erik Borgersen (pictured to the left center), Justine Compton (pictured in the middle), and Shannon Pritchard (pictured on the right center) are our three recipients. At the end of each side, standing alongside our three recipients are Board Chairperson Joan Cretella (to the right of Shannon), daughter of Stella Cretella, and Jessica Simone (to the left of Erik), a board member and chair of the scholarship committee.
The Barry Kasdan and The Stella Cretella 2024 Scholarship Recipients:
At the heart of our organization’s mission lies the commitment to promote individual and community health, wellness, and recovery through integrated behavioral services; to further our mission, Bridges created three scholarships of $1,500 for each recipient that are awarded annually.
The Barry Kasdan Scholarship is for the Pursuit of a Graduate or Undergraduate Degree in Human Services. The Stella Cretella Scholarship is for those pursuing higher education through graduate or undergraduate degrees focusing on advocacy and policy reform in mental health services.
These scholarships were established by the Bridges’ Board of Directors, the Board Endowment Fund Committee, and the Board Scholarship Committee in honor of Barry Kasdan’s 30+ years of leadership and service to Bridges Healthcare as President and CEO of Bridges and in memory of Stella Cretella’s 40+ years in advocating for mental illness health reform in Connecticut and her 10+ years serving on the Board of Directors at Bridges Healthcare, Inc.
Our Scholarship Committee was honored to award scholarships to remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of helping others. We are thrilled to introduce you to each of the recipients and share their inspiring stories.
Erik Borgersen
Erik is a resident of Milford and recently received his Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the College of Saint Rose in May 2024. He has experience with language sample analysis, language lessons, speech assessment and treatment planning, case studies, and working as an Extended School Year (ESY) Paraprofessional.
Erik’s passion and goal is to provide a safe space for his future clients. During his childhood, Erik received speech and language services. While originally feeling embarrassed about leaving the classroom, he gained a sense of gratitude for what he learned. Speech-Language Pathology taught him how to navigate the world and get comfortable in his own skin. His growing ability to understand the world allowed him to better understand himself. Throughout the years, he learned that each person he has met has been unique, and working through services taught him to appreciate their beauty. Erik believes that we must serve, protect, and advocate for vulnerable populations. He hopes that through his work, he can instill the values of acceptance and comfort that have been passed on to him by the field that served him in his youth.
The Scholarship Committee proudly bestows Erik the Barry Kasdan Scholarship, recognizing his dedication to making a positive impact and confident that he will excel in his future educational endeavors. Congratulations Erik.
Shannon Pritchard
Shannon is also a resident of Milford. She received her BA in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University in the fall of 2020 and is currently working toward her MSW at Sacred Heart University. This past year, she completed her MSW internship with Bridges at the Milford Prevention Council, where she collected, analyzed, and assessed community data and collaborated with staff to assist with preventive measures/events related to substance use, underage drinking, and the use of substances.
Shannon expressed that she has wanted to pursue a career in health and human services from a young age. She benefited from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which she says “changed my life for the better.” Being one of three children, she learned how to show compassion toward her younger sibling and others as she grew and continuously throughout college. Her goal is to make sure she can do anything in her power to protect innocent people, children, and anyone who does not have access to certain necessities. She believes everyone has a story to tell and that everyone’s stories should be told.
The Scholarship Committee proudly bestows Shannon the Barry Kasdan Scholarship, recognizing her commitment to helping others, and is confident that she will excel in her future educational endeavors. Congratulations, Shannon.
Justine Compton
Justine is a current employee at Bridges and has been a Peer Case Manager since May 2022. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Art Therapy from Albertus Magnus in 2016 and her Master of Science in Human Services from Albertus Magnus in May 2024.
Justine expressed that her journey into psychology was not just an academic pursuit but a calling. She knew she found her purpose once she began learning about the complexities of human behavior and counseling theories. Justine also shared that she experienced the loss of a close family friend due to an opiate addiction, which created a sense of urgency to address addiction and mental health issues. In addition to her Master’s Degree in Human Services, she is determined to obtain a license as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor in order to support individuals on their journey to recovery. She is extremely passionate, believes deeply in the power of human connection and resilience, and is dedicated to shattering the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health.
The Scholarship Committee proudly awards Justine the Stella Cretella Scholarship, recognizing her exceptional potential to contribute to community health and aid her future educational endeavors. Congratulations, Justine.
We are honored to support these inspiring individuals as they excel in their educational endeavors.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact scholarship@bridgesmilford.org