Meet Saratoga Bridges Foundation’s New Board Members

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Over the past year, Saratoga Bridges Foundation has elected 4 new board members who all reside in Saratoga Springs. Christianne Smith, Erik Whittle, Erin Callahan and Kate Jarosh join a group of distinguished and dedicated individuals who ensure that the agency is able to raise necessary operating funds for programs, capital and special projects which are not sufficiently supported by state or federal dollars, and establish an endowment to ensure the availability of future services; and exercise fiduciary responsibility of Foundation assets. Erik Whittle is a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual. Having served on the Saratoga Bridges White Party Committee since 2007, Whittle was recently elected to be the Treasurer of the Foundation Board. He is a Quality Award winning member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and was a Million Dollar Round Table qualifying member in 2013 and 2015. According to Whittle, “What impresses me most about Saratoga Bridges is its multi-tiered and integrated approach to addressing the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families. Providing meaningful employment opportunities, independent living options, and cultural and artistic enrichment are all important on their own; however, when made available in concert they not only benefit the individuals who are supported, but our entire community as well. I see real world impact on people’s lives and the need for advocates to continue the mission. The ability to give individuals dignity, meaning and purpose is one of life’s greatest endeavors.” Christianne Smith owns Designsmith Studio. She has been on the White Party Committee since 2011 and designed the event’s marketing pieces. Smith is a Leadership Saratoga graduate and Board Member for Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Arts Fest and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. She was the 2013-2015 Chair of the American Cancer Society’s Gala of Hope, on the Steering Committee for Capital Region Creative Economy and Stakeholders Civic Engagement Council. In addition, she is on the Mardi Gras, SPAC Wine and Food and Yaddo event committees and a past Wellspring Board Member and in the Schenectady and Saratoga County Junior Leagues. Smith said, “I have always held in the highest regard the work being done at Saratoga Bridges. The programs and opportunities they provide help to nurture confidence and emotional strength. I have witnessed true compassion from their tremendous staff and respect their commitment. Working with the people they support has always been something I wanted to do. I believe that I will directly or indirectly be fulfilling a goal I have had since I was a child. This is extremely rewarding to me and a mission I want to put my energies into!” Erin Callahan is an Associate for Whiteman Osterman and Hanna, LLP in Albany. She has served on their White Party Committee since 2015 and is a member of Saratoga Central Catholic’s Board of Education and a Saratoga Hospital’s Summer Gala Committee. Callahan stated, “I highly respect Saratoga Bridges’ mission and the work and dedication of its staff and volunteers in providing a depth and magnitude of services to people with developmental disabilities and their families -- which is unrivaled in the Capital Region. In practicing the Special Education laws, I have participated in meetings on behalf of school districts with parents of a child with a disability during the transition period from school district-provided services to a community-based service provider. Parents are always troubled and stressed during this process. Many are not fortunate to have an organization like Saratoga Bridges to rely on in providing critical, continuing residential services, day programs, community involvement opportunities, employment and transportation. As a Foundation Board Member, I feel it is instrumental to raise funds and increase the community’s knowledge and awareness about the people they support. My goal is to ensure they have the resources necessary to continue maintaining the highest level of services while making major impacts on individuals and their families.” Kate Jarosh is the Business Development Manager/Assistant Controller for Bonacio Construction. She served on our White Party Committee since 2012. Jarosh is a Leadership Saratoga graduate, President and Co-Founder of Saratoga’s All-American Celebration and a Saratoga History Museum, Wellspring and Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga Springs Board Member. She is a member of SPAC’s Junior Committee, St. Clements Church and the Karen and Gary Dake Foundation for Children as well as being a part of the political campaigns of Supervisor Matthew Veitch and Steve Stallmer. Jarosh said, “When I agreed to be Matt Veitch’s campaign chair in 2007, I thought I would gain political experience. I did not know that that decision would lead me down a path of learning more about this great organization. At that point in my life, I had never met a person on the Autism Spectrum. During those 8 months, I got to know Matt’s sons who have Autism and saw how hard it can be on a family. However, Saratoga Bridges offers hope. In all my interactions, I witnessed their impressive staff providing compassionate care. This experience encouraged me to apply for a job. Although I was not selected, I became a fundraising volunteer to promote the positive attributes the agency offers and to raise crucial donations. Because legislators do not recognize the need to fully support said services, I am very interested in advocating to them to do so while encouraging individuals and businesses in our community to give generously.” Saratoga Bridges has been providing the highest level of programs to people with developmental disabilities and their families for more than 55 years by promoting their abilities and achievements in every aspect of community life. As one of the largest private non-profit organizations in Saratoga County, they have been committed to ensuring that the individuals they serve are able to realize their goals, hopes and dreams as they work, shop, play, and volunteer while leading full, productive and contributing lives. For more information, visit www.saratogabridges.org.