The Barry Kasdan and Stella Cretella Scholarships Application

Mr. Kasdan was appointed President and CEO of Bridges, then known as Milford Mental Health, in 1984. Under his leadership, the organization grew from a small mental health agency with 22 employees and a $700,000 budget, to an integrated healthcare system with 160 employees and an annual budget of $13 million. Bridges Healthcare, Inc. continues to grow in size and scope serving over 5,000 area residents in Ansonia, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, West Haven, and Woodbridge.

Ms. Cretella was a firm believer in higher education, especially for women. She was a pioneer in mental health advocacy, awareness and treatment through her volunteerism on the board of directors for both Region II in Connecticut of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and Bridges Healthcare, Inc.

The Scholarship Committee anticipates awarding three $1,500 scholarships in 2024 in honor of Barry Kasdan and in memory of Stella Cretella.

The successful candidate must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be a Bridges employee, or spouse, child or grandchild of a Bridges employee, or a resident of Ansonia, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Seymour, Shelton, West Haven, or Woodbridge, Connecticut
   
   
2. Must be pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in Human Services

Completed applications are due no later than: April 12, 2024
  

Before You Proceed:

This application needs to be completed in its entirety to be be submitted.  

There are several required pieces of information you should gather ahead of time, including:

• Bridges Affiliation or Residence (in selected cities/towns)
• A valid Email Address and Mailing Address
  
• Several Attachments (please scroll down to view accepted formats)
  
  1. An Essay explaining why you decided to pursue a degree in Human Services (500 words or less)
  2. College Acceptance Letter (High School seniors only)
  3. Two semesters Grades or Transcripts
     
  4. Academic Letter of Recommendation
  5. Business or Character Letter of Recommendation
• Community Involvement (service activities, hobbies, outside interests, extracurricular activities)
• Work Experience (current and/or past)

If you have any questions on the application process and the requirements, please email us at scholarship@bridgesmilford.org.

 

If you are ready to proceed, let's get started ...

Affiliation or Residence
A requirement of this scholarship is that you must be a Bridges employee, or spouse, child, grandchild, extended family or friend of a Bridges employee
OR
a resident of Ansonia, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, West Haven, or Woodbridge, Connecticut.

About You

Essay
Please submit a typed essay below explaining what inspired you to pursue a degree in Human Services and include your career goals. (500 words or less).

Academic Record

If you're a senior in High School, please submit an acceptance letter to the college or university you'll be attending.

Please submit your grades from your last two semesters (e.g.  grade transmittals, report card, screenshot, email or transcript).

Please submit one academic letter of recommendation and one business or character letter of recommendation 

Community Involvement

Work Experience