The Bridge Community Hope Center recently opened a new office for its new chaplain training program and counseling services in Birch Bay.
The Bridge celebrated a grand opening for its Grace Core Academy office, located at 4823 Alderson Road in unit 106, on October 1. Several chaplains graduated from the program during the grand opening.
The Bridge’s executive director Lee Connors started the chaplaincy program about four years ago while he was working at Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham. Lee Connors saw a need for more people to become chaplains, certified clergy members who provide emotional support for people through organizations such as nonprofits or hospitals. The Grace Core trained chaplains and counselors help people with life challenges such as addiction, marital problems, abuse and mental health issues, Lee Connors said.
The program is three semesters consisting of eight week classes. The program costs $1,000 per semester and is done mostly online, with an option for some classes to be taught at the office. The American Association of Christian Counselors certifies the counselors and chaplains.
Counseling is free to members of the community, according to the Bridge’s website. The office, which is neighboring the Bridge’s main center at 4815 Alderson Road, was made to be a private space for people to seek counseling if they wanted, said the Bridge’s Rosemary Connors.
“Not everyone wants to be walking into a big building where there is a lot of activity,” she said. “It’s quiet. It’s peaceful.”
Grace Core has had about 25 people graduate since the program started, Rosemary Connors said. The chaplains help first responders, the Community Assistance Program, the Lighthouse Mission and other organizations throughout the community.
“There’s a lot of blessing,” Rosemary Connors said. “There’s a lot of opportunity as a result of the training.”
For more information on Grace Core, visit the Grace Core website at gracecore.org.
