Carla Bridal to retire from Newark Senior Center in September after nearly 20 years as executive director

Carla Bridal, executive director of the Newark Senior Center since 2006, told council Monday that she will retire in September and that Katie Rivera — the center’s program director for more than 25 years — will take over as the center’s next executive director.

Bridal outlined the senior center’s programs and partnerships to council, noting the center is the state’s only nationally accredited senior center and serves people 50 and older as a community hub. She highlighted the center’s administration of more than $700,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for home repairs and weatherization and the Meals on Wheels program, which delivered more than 220,000 meals to homebound residents since 2006. Bridal also noted the Meeting of Minds program, a guided group experience supporting people in early-stage memory loss and their caregivers; Bridal said that program has served more than 350 families.

Council members thanked Bridal for her service and congratulated her on her retirement. Bridal said she will remain available to support staff during the leadership transition.