Who We Are

Marbridge is one of the oldest and most established intentional IDD communities in the United States.

Who We Are

In 1953, Ed and Marge Bridges founded Marbridge in an effort to create safe residential care for their son, Jim, and other adults with cognitive disabilities. From the beginning, Marbridge charted a dramatically different course compared to the institutions of the day.

Today, 275 adult residents live and work on the Marbridge campus where adults with intellectual disabilities are given unparalleled opportunities to learn, experience, and achieve a whole new life.

Our History

1953

In 1953, Marbridge was incorporated as a non-profit. Jim and five other young men moved into a farmhouse, and the rest is history.
1960

Marbridge hosts its first ever Summer Camp, which still serves individuals from age 16 and up.
1963

The Winters Dorm opened in 1963, adding 38 more beds to campus. The Winters Dorm served Ranch residents until its closure in 2019 when The Lodges opened.
1972

Marbridge builds The Dorms, a large addition to The Ranch community. The Dorm is still open today serving residents on an assisted living level.
1974

The Oak Leaves, Marbridge’s longest running volunteer group, is formed to assist residents with goals and activities.
1982

The Bridges envisioned being able to have Marbridge always be the home to Jim and his fellow residents, in order to receive a higher level of care when the time arrived. Their vision became a reality in 1982 with the completion and opening of The Villa, Marbridge’s Licensed Skilled Nursing Community.
1987

The Village is Marbridge’s semi-independent community with residents having the highest level of abilities on campus. It’s also Marbridge’s newest community as the original Mabee Village was created in 1987, just across Little Bear Creek on the campus.
1992

Marbridge competes in our first ever Special Olympics competition, led by coach Hughie Shaw.
2003

Marbridge’s six core values of Learn, Experience, Happiness, Safety, Well-Being, and Achieve are the cornerstones for success for residents. Since opening in 1953, residents have had countless opportunities to excel in the classroom. In 2003, Marbridge’s Training & Education program got a big upgrade.
2006

The upgrade and expansion of Marbridge’s Training & Education program brought great change to the lives of the residents. A key to that success was the introduction of the Equine Program at Marbridge in 2006.
2008

Marbridge’s growth continued in 2008 as Mabee Village moved across the creek to the main part of campus and became The Village we know today.
2015

Staying physically active and engaged is key to the success of residents and team members’ well-being, a core value at Marbridge. That core value received a huge boost in 2015 with the opening of Victory Hall and Mike Parsons Wellness Center.
2019

The Ranch made their first big expansion in 1963 with the opening of The Winters Dorm and again in 1972 with the opening of The ‘Senior’ Dorm. Their biggest upgrade to date came in 2019 with the opening of The Lodges, which replaced Winters Dorm.
2023

The day the campus waited so long for finally arrived on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Marbridge, the Ford family, amazing supporters, families, and residents cut the ribbon on the Creed Ford III Therapeutic Riding Ranch.

Leadership

Scott McAvoy

CEO
Marcus Mercer

Vice President of Operations
Michael Moulton

President/CFO
Megan Salyer

Vice President of Human Resources

David Bilderback

Director of Accounting
David Carlson

Director of IT
Will Hoermann

Director of Admissions
Tracy Hogan

Director of The Village
Jenna Hudson

Director of The Ranch
Duncan Murray

Administrator of The Villa
Michael O’Shieles

Director of Facilities
Carly White

Director of Training & Education
Bob Worden

Director of Communications and Development

J. Mitchell Bell

Board Chair
Dr. Liam Fry

Trustee
Stephen T. Matthews

Trustee
Scott McAvoy

Trustee
Julia Nickerson

Trustee
Tom M. O’Brien

Trustee
Kate O’Brien

Trustee
C. David Perry

Secretary
Dave Perry

Trustee
Norm Phillips

Trustee
Camille Rosales

Trustee

Our Values

Safety

Nothing comes before the safety of Marbridge residents. Marbridge staff make it their personal responsibility to know safety policies and reinforce positive, safe behaviors.
Well-being

Emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual well-being are addressed on a daily basis to promote independence, self-awareness, and looking at how all services can provide wholistic support.
Happiness

Everyone deserves to be happy. That’s why Marbridge residents are encouraged to pursue safe and appropriate interests that add happiness to their lives.
Learn

Residents at Marbridge pursue various educational opportunities to learn new skills that will enable them to reach the highest level of independence possible.
Experience

Marbridge provides a wide range of social, employment, and leisure activities where residents may practice new skills and make new discoveries about their individual capabilities and potential.
Achieve

All residents are encouraged to pursue their goals. Marbridge consciously searches for new methods, programs, training, and physical facilities that will enhance the success of adults with cognitive challenges who live at Marbridge.