About Us

 

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Mission Statement:

Because Bridge Disability Ministries honors the God-given dignity and giftedness of people with disabilities, we build relationships to alleviate isolation and enrich our churches and community.

Board of Directors

Daniel Coppin, Chair & Treasurer
Dan joined the Board in 2006 and has served on the Finance Committee and Resource Development Committees. His current role is the Chair and Treasurer. He has served as a Sunday Celebration volunteer at Calvin Presbyterian Church for several years. Dan recently retired from CityBank of Lynnwood, Washington as Senior Vice President of Information Technology. He has a thirty year background in banking and data processing. He is a member and current Finance Elder of Calvin Presbyterian Church. He has served on the Boards of a variety of non-profit organizations, including the Shoreline Coalition of Churches and the American Institute of Banking.

 

Erica Cohen Moore, Vice-Chair

Erica serves as Associate Director for Pastoral Care and Coordinator of Clergy Events for the Archdiocese of Seattle. Formerly, she was with Volunteers for Catholic Community Services, Volunteer Chore Services, Seattle. Erica is a parishioner of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Woodinville. She joined the Board of Directors Jan. 2013.

 

Patrick Hicks, Secretary

Patrick's career spans 20 plus years, with the last 15 years as a Service Manager with Microsoft, and prior experience in bringing software applications to market. In what proved to be a pivotal year - 2009 - for Patrick, he began his journey toward a more meaningful life with his Lord, community, and family. Realizing just how far he had strayed, he is actively growing his relationship with Christ, volunteering within the community, including Bridge Disability Ministries, and playing an active role in his two grandchildren's lives. As a volunteer at Bridge, Patrick has been instrumental in managing the PC refurbishment process and the day-to-day IT support to the staff. Patrick's motto is "I am that guy!" rather than the prior "I want to be like that guy." Patrick joined the Board of Directors in 2012.

 

Brenne Schario, Executive Director

Brenne's career is marked by answering a lifelong call for education and community building. Brenne came to Bridge Ministries January, 2014, after serving 12 years as President/Executive Director of Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Washington. Under her leadership FEAT developed innovative new programs and community partnerships, creating a significant resource for Puget Sound families impacted by autism and other related developmental disabilities. More importantly, her work with FEAT, and several other community and nonprofit organizations, cemented her commitment to help a population she deeply cares about build meaningful lives.

 

Rev. J.C. Mitchell

Rev. J.C. Mitchell is the planting pastor of Open Gathering in Bellevue Washington and minister of Bellevue Christian Church.  At OG's core we desire to make a loving and inclusive culture everywhere.  J.C. is married to Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, and they have a loving and happy son who loves trees and ketchup, and has autism.  J.C. is an advocate and writer for the rights of people with disability. J.C. is very interested in Mimetic Theory and looks forward to connecting with anyone desiring a language of peace and non-violence.  J.C. has a Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, and was awarded membership to the Jonathan Edwards Society. He is ordained in Christian Ministry by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

He joined the Bridge Board of Directors July 2013.

 

Sigrid Laegreid

Sigrid joined the Board of Directors in November 2013.  She is passionate about fashion and her community.  Sigrid  works for her favorite store Nordstrom.  Although she has worked for Nordstrom for over 25 years she still enjoys the constant change and excitement retail offers.  Winnie Clay, her first HR manager asked Sigrid at 17 to help with Nordstrom's United Way efforts, and from that moment on she realized the value, importance and fun of helping to create strong communities.  Sigrid also was a founding member of Teen Hope, a shelter for teens at risk in Shoreline.  She received a surprising honor in 2003 when Antioch University named her as one of Washington State’s most influential women. Sigrid was also Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007. Sigrid attends First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue. 

 

Natalie Higashiyama

A golden fall day in 1992 at the Pike Place Market lured Natalie Higashiyama, a new bride, and her husband, from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. With their three children, they reside in Sammamish. Natalie’s first home was a formal classroom where she taught in private, public and community college settings.  But the classroom of life has proven to be a far more life-changing opportunity as Natalie raises her adult daughter with multiple disabilities. Using her English degrees, she invokes the power of the written and spoken word to advocate in the medical, educational, housing, and legislative worlds.  She believes that people are precious, including our DD community and deserve a flourishing life. Through her parenting of an individual with disabilities, she continues to learn that the weakest among us enable the strong among us to welcome our own vulnerability. To continue to find the strength to fight for the respect, support and human dignity our most vulnerable deserve, Natalie can be found on any given Sunday worshipping and volunteering in her local church. Natalie joined the Bridge Ministries Board of Directors March 1, 2015.