From left to right: Mandy Adams (Hardwick Farms Branch Manager), Crystal Bell, Diana Jackson (Life Bridges’ CEO), Thomas Bland, and Blythe Ledford (King St Branch Manager)
Bowater Credit Union Member Kelsey Nickels has won the $1,000 Pay it Forward prize for her favorite non-profit doing good in our area, Life Bridges Inc.
Bowater Credit Union asks its members to nominate their favorite non-profit helping people in the counties eligible for credit union membership: Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk. Up to five $1,000 prizes are awarded yearly, and Life Bridges Inc. is the second winner in 2025.
Since 1973, Life Bridges Inc. has been empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, they provide services to 175 people in our community. Most of whom live in one of the thirty-six homes that Life Bridges Inc. owns. They also staff the homes around the clock with three daily shifts. Job placement, job coaching, and follow-up are services provided by Life Bridges to help these individuals find employment. They are also encouraged to volunteer within the community.
Life Bridge’s main center has a medical clinic that provides services to those they support. All medical staff have specialized training and experience in working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some of their medical staff include physicians, psychiatrists, speech language pathologists, dietitians, and behavior analysts. Life Bridges’ actions perfectly align with their mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing comprehensive services that support independence and inclusion.
Mrs. Nickels states, “One of the biggest challenges facing the people we support is being able to find affordable and accessible housing. We own several homes which meet the needs of many people, yet others are in need of housing that meets their needs that is affordable. When we own the home, we are able to set the rent at a rate that the people we support can afford.” Life Bridges Inc. has already purchased land and is working with a contractor to construct two duplexes for them to continue helping those they support. This award, with many other donations, will be used towards the construction of these two new duplexes.
To learn more about Life Bridges Inc. or make a donation, visit their website at https://lifebridgesonline.com/.
The Pay it Forward program will continue through 2025 and will award up to three more prizes. Any member of Bowater Credit Union can nominate their favorite non-profit for a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize. The deadline for consideration for the next award is August 31, 2025.
Bowater Credit Union began the Pay It Forward program in 2010 to give back to the community it serves. Since the program’s inception, Bowater CU has donated $61,000 to various charities, making a positive impact in our community. For more information, visit BowaterECU.org.
Bowater Employees Credit Union is a federally insured credit union offering savings, checking, loans, and financial education to those who live, work, or attend school in the counties of Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk. They have five branches, over 20,000 members, and $300 million in assets. To learn more about Bowater Employees Credit Union and its services, call 423-336-7268 or visit BowaterECU.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Nicole Andrino at 423-303-5618 or email her at [email protected].