Madison County Council on  Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.

On May 23, 1985 a group of people concerned about the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use among adolescents formed a task force to address the problem. Over the next two years this task force worked to secure funding and form a not-for-profit corporation to address the problems of those affected by the harmful use of alcohol and other drugs. With the support of the New York State Council on Alcoholism, the task force officially established the Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (MCCASA). The new organization's Articles of Incorporation were signed on April 16, 1987.

In May 1987 MCCASA hired Phyllis Jo Rushing as its first executive director. On September 1 MCCASA opened its doors to the public in the old Texgas building on Rt. 13, just north of Canastota. The first edition of MCCASA Reports, published in the fall of 1987, described the mission of the new organization.

"MCCASA's primary mission is to provide community education and information on alcoholism and substance abuse, to refer those in need of services to the appropriate treatment providers, and to advocate for services where there is a need."

Much has changed since MCCASA first opened its doors to the public. In 1989 MCCASA established an Employee Assistance Program that currently serves more than 7,000 employees. Two years later MCCASA moved to its current location in the Birchwood Office Building on Rt. 5 just west of Canastota. During the 1990's MCCASA developed a wide range of innovative programs in community education, and youth prevention. While remaining committed to providing information and referral services to those affected by the harmful use of alcohol and other drugs, MCCASA expanded its programs and services designed to reduce the risk factors and enhance the protective factors associated with addiction, the harmful use of substances and related social problems.

In the spring of 1998 MCCASA began doing business under the name BRiDGES . The new name was chosen to better express the comprehensive nature of the organization's mission and the broad range of programs and services it provides to help individuals, families and communities improve the quality of their lives.

In the fall 1998 edition of the BRiDGES Newsletter Susan Jenkins, the executive director, reflected on the changes of the previous 11 years, and the enduring commitment of the organization to its original mission.

"With all the changes much has remained the same. We are still concerned about underage use (of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) and continue to develop innovative prevention and education programs that are effective with young people. We are still available to help the individual in pain because of their own or another's abuse of alcohol or other drugs. And we continue to assist employees with personal problems that affect their job performance. Although we have let go of our name we have not let go of our mission."