Cleveland native Miriam Bridget feels like a natural social worker.
After working as a case manager at Step Forward in Cuyahoga County, Bridget was promoted this summer to coordinator of the agency’s south Neighborhood Opportunity Center (NOC).
The NOC in Maple Heights is one of four operated by Step Forward where county residents can access all agency programs.
Bridget has four staff members in the NOC who help customers access a range of program from Head Start to workforce development. An energy services advocate is also stationed at the NOC along with a volunteer from AARP who helps handle phone calls and a security guard.
“I love my staff,” Bridget said, noting that the agency’s NOCs are strategically placed in the county.
Bridget’s next step is to pursue her master’s degree in social work at Cleveland State next year. Her long-term plan is to pursue her LISW certification so she can provide private counseling. She also intends to remain active in her church and encourages people of faith to not be afraid to seek assistance.
“If you need counseling, everybody should be open to it and you should never be looked down on,” Bridget said.
