The Bridges Center Inc Elana Winfrey, Payroll Wages not paid Atlanta, Georgia

Rip Off Report Guidelines --"Rumors, speculation, or innuendo unless you have personal knowledge that your statements are true.

Very few of the statements in this report are true (as is with most reports on the site. Surprised it still exists). But I will address the report. The Bridges Center was closed, by me, in January 2012, voluntarily, due to financial difficulties in bringing in revenue to pay staff and operating expenses. People make assumptions that if your doors are open, you are 'making money.'  Any business owner knows this is not necessarily true. My family lost almost everything in the process of trying to keep the doors open.

Additionally, not sure how this rumor was developed, but my license was never taken, nor any sanctions brought against me in any way. No State agency ever contacted me about closing our doors, nor conducted an official investigation for any reason. Although this was reported to media by employees, this, I have confirmed, was never reported to media by an official State entity, because it did not happen. I chose to close the agency for the sake of all effected by the financial stress: employees, consumers, and self. it was a great decision, as I can now focus my time and energy on what I do best. Helping people to get better and be better. 

Knowing that the financial difficulties effected so many, in so many ways, is a stressor that I will always carry with me. How can I not. As the leader of such a large entity, I was ultimately responsible to ensuring that all aspects of the business were executed, but trying to do so as an individual left at the helm, was beyond overwhelming, and thus adequate process execution, did not occur. For that I do humbly apologize. 

Because of my marketing "know how" we grew very fast , in a very short period of time, and thus did not adjust to State changes well, as they occurred. Being big is not always a 'good' thing. I hope that my past experience, of building a great entity, will be of useful benefit to those who consistently inquire about 'what went well.' I am happy to share all of the lessons learned.  -Elana Winfrey, MEd, LPC  **************

I received a call from the Department of Wage and Hour division this

morning and they are saying that The Bridges Center- Elana Winfrey is now in

collections with the Department of Labor. They scheduled to pay a large amount of people and failed to hold on to their signed agreement so the Department of Labor
has now put their account into collection .. The contact is Elisa Black
case manager case number 1580430 and her contact number is 678-237-0493
or you can reach Regina at 678-237-0545. Please contact Elisa to verify
that you are on the case with the Department of Labor Wage and Hour division. It has been a hard road
but justice will be made. I wish that we had more help with pursuing
The Bridges Center and this may be a short ride than it should be but
giving up is not in my dictionary!!!