Bridgewell, a nonprofit social and human services organization serving northeastern Massachusetts, announced that Kirsten O’Keefe, of Lynn, has been promoted to director of the Bridgewell Family Support Center in Lynn.
“Kirsten brings valuable experience and enthusiasm to our strong team of Family Support Community Case Managers,” Vice President of Day Habilitation and Community Engagement Jessica Almeida said. “Both the families we serve and our staff will benefit from her leadership and knowledge.”
O’Keefe has been working in human services for more than a decade and has extensive knowledge of community resources and navigating health-care systems. She was most recently a direct support professional in Bridgewell’s residential programs, working with individuals with developmental disabilities including autism. O’Keefe holds an associate degree in criminal justice from North Shore Community College and a bachelor’s degree in health-care administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Bridgewell’s Family Support Center is a cultural and linguistic family support center on the North Shore that works with diverse, traditionally underserved populations. The program serves about 200 families annually.
Funded through the Department of Developmental Services, the FSC’s purpose is to support families when they need it most, providing resources for people with autism and developmental disabilities, and assisting family members caring for a loved with a disability in attaining supports to positively impact their lives.
“Having worked in the human-services field for many years now, I’ve gained extensive experience that I will apply in this new role,” said O’Keefe. “I look forward to working with the case managers to assist and support each of the families we serve.”
Working with other community partners, the FSC provides resources, information and individualized case management to people age 3 or older with developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families at all stages of the lifespan. It also offers workshops, trainings, parent networking, mentoring and support groups, among other services.
“My goal is to focus on further expanding our community outreach and collaboration efforts, and to implement more enriching activities for the local community here at the already thriving Family Support Center,” O’Keefe said.
Learn more about Bridgewell’s Family Support Center services online at https://bridgewell.org/disability-services/autism-services/family-support-center/.
