About Us

History

Heinz Kramp first introduced the concept of lifespan care in 1971 when he founded Innisfree, a rural village for adults with mental and physical impairments. He led the community as Executive Director for 20 years. During that time he also developed an urban model geared toward the rehabilitation and care of recently brain-injured patients. Mr. Kramp left Innisfree in 1991 and formed Building a Bridge in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Sharing life

The Bridge is a private, long-term residential community for adult survivors of traumatic brain injury. The staff believes that survivor’s lives don’t have to be static. They, like everyone else, are still in the progress of becoming.

Life experiences are shared at Building a Bridge. The members live with support staff in one of three homes in a residential neighborhood close to downtown Charlottesville. They are part of the community and enjoy the intellectual and cultural life the city and University of Virginia offer.

Each home functions as a family unit with members living communally, helping each other. The residents remain closely connected to their biological families but the bonds developed with staff, friends, and neighbors are also significant and enduring.

Despite moments of struggle, life at Building a Bridge is filled with hope, tenacity, optimism, and joy. The scale of dreams may have changed for our residents but not the wonderful feeling when achieving them.

We organize and support

  • volunteer work in the community
  • physical rehabilitation
  • cognitive retraining (speech, reading, and memory support
  • expressive therapies (Art and Movement Therapy)
  • group problem-solving sessions
  • individual and group recreational outings

Our Guideline Principles

We, members of The Bridge

  • support each other as we realize our potential and contribute to the community in which we live;
  • celebrate the human spirit and the dignity and worth of each individual;
  • encourage each other to progress from injury to wholeness and to discover and use our gifts for a second beginning;
  • assist persons with acquired brain injury and their families, as well as other programs that serve people in need;
  • serve as a model for hope and change

Equal Opportunity Policy

Building a Bridge supports equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin.