Chef Daniel Brule

DOC “Budget Cuts” Cost You More
In a letter dated February 24, 2012, The Department of Corrections notified Bridges of America that as a result of difficult budgetary restraints and ongoing budget reductions, the contracts for The Broward County Bridge and the Bradenton Bridge will be terminated effective March 31, 2012.
The reality is these facilities provide better treatment services at a cost savings compared to what the DOC would provide.
This move does not make financial sense
 Closing these facilities would actually cost the State of Florida an additional $500,000 or more each year if the inmates are moved to DOC facilities.

As Culinary Instructor and Chef for Bridges of America at the Bradenton Bridge, I have seen firsthand what positive impact our programs have on people. For example, what our Culinary Apprenticeship Training has provided for these men and women is a life changing experience, provided in no other facilities or programs in Florida. Some of our clients never had a job other than illegal activity to get by. While coaching them through a program where they learn actual job and life skills they have a chance to contribute back to society. Eliminating these programs will have a terminal impact on the lives of the participants and their families who count on getting therapeutic help for their loved ones. Countless graduates of the Culinary Apprenticeship Program have moved on and obtained an honest job due the education they received while in transition at Bridges of America and to this day have held managerial positions at several local and national hospitality chain establishments. People can change, turn their lives around and make a positive impact in our future.
One of our culinary graduations took place on the first day of spring2010. BTC with the help of all the community was transformed into Paris for the afternoon. We had nine graduates and the event was enjoyed by all. Here are some of the reviews


The graduation ceremony was one of the best I have had the pleasure to attend. The students were perfect, the menu was well planned, the food was great and the decorations and art work set it apart. Everything fit the theme from start to finish. Congratulations to you Chef for giving your students a high set of ideals to work for.
I was honored to be a part of it.

Thank you,

Thomas Cascone
Manager of Business Resources
Sysco West Coast Florida

“It (the food), exceeded my expectations, and I was thoroughly impressed so much, that I can't wait to do it again. I can't wait to have more staff from there to be on board here and to continue to be a part of the program!"


Dana Victoria-Nuss
Manager, LeeRoy Selmon's University Parkway


The new culinary class has started. We have 15 students and they will be starting out with their Servsafe studies and they are all doing very well in the kitchen.


Respectfully

Chef Daniel Brule CCC, CDM, CFPP
TBB Culinary Supervisor
The Bradenton Bridge
(941) 932-9030



 For less money, Bridges provides industry-leading, evidence-based drug treatment, vocational, and educational programs that are proven to successfully re-enter inmates into society upon release. Currently, 110 inmates are employed. If pulled from our facilities, these inmates will lose their jobs, which will adversely affect their re-entry.
 Bridges employs 72 people at these facilities.
Bridges of America is proven more effective
 Studies show that:
o 3 in 10 DOC inmates return to prison within three years
o Only about 1 out of 10 graduates of the Bridge repeat offend within three years
 DOC does not offer the types of treatment programs provided by Bridges. It also lacks sufficient work release beds.
Our leaders need to hear your voice. YOU can make a difference today.
Call and/or email the Governor’s office, the Department of Corrections and other elected officials. Tell them:
 Your experience with Bridges and how closing the facilities will affect you personally
 Keeping Bridges programs open is cost-effective for the state
 These programs change lives
 Closing these facilities is the wrong decision
Please reference the following pages for whom to contact. Share this with your friends, family, and support system through email, Facebook, and Twitter - anyone who cares about the lives that are