Detroit Area Agency on Aging Revenue and Competitors

In addition, DAAA established the Detroit Eldernet Website to link the community to aging services and resources, in cooperation with United Way Community Services. Detroit Eldernet Online helps older adults, caregivers and agencies to communicate, share information and better access services and resources. A third component of the SIS Project is the establishment of the SeniorNet Computer Learning Centers in underserved areas of Detroit. The computer labs are designed to provide older adults with access to the Internet, specialized computer training and other educational opportunities. The SeniorNet and Youth Computer Learning Center was established at the Butzel Family Center in June 1998 in cooperation with Ameritech and other partners. It is one of the first intergenerational SeniorNet Computer labs in the country. Two additional computer labs are being planned for central and southwest Detroit. Since becoming director of the DAAA, Bridgewater has helped the agency to grow from a staff of about 15 to a staff of over 100 full and part-time employees. Bridgewater has also spearheaded the technological growth of the agency to one that has a state-of-the art local area network. The agency is also assisting its network of service providers to computerize their operations. Bridgewater is highly active in civic and professional organizations at the local, state and national levels. He is past trustee of New Detroit, past president of the Michigan Area Agencies on Aging Association, and past chairperson of the Michigan Minority Aging Network. In addition, he is past chairperson of the Southeast Michigan Older Workers Committee and past president of the Michigan Society of Gerontology. In 1997, Bridgewater was accepted to the distinguished Harvard Business School's Strategic Perspectives on Nonprofit Management. The program has drawn more than 30,000 senior executives from hundreds of leading corporations around the world. In 1998, he became treasurer of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged after being a member since 1984. He has been a Board member of the National Area Agency on Aging Association of Washington, D.C. He is a member of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Senior Advisory Council. He recently became a member of the Executive Council of AARP's Michigan Chapter. Bridgewater served as delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1995 and was invited to the White House Conference on Social Security in December 1998 by President Clinton. He has testified before the U.S. Congress, the Administration on Aging, and the Michigan Legislature about the concerns of the elderly - especially low-income and minority elderly. The director has been an instructor and lecturer at Marygrove College, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Oakland University. He has a Master's Degree in public administration from Oakland University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Saginaw Valley State College. A native of Saginaw, he resides in Detroit.