MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners presented framed resolutions of honor on Wednesday, October 14, to Debbie Leon, the retiring executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Morris County, and Michelle Borden, who retired September 1 as president and CEO of NewBridge Services.
Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw and State Senator Anthony M. Bucco led the presentations during the board’s public meeting in Morristown, where supporters of both civic leaders packed a meeting room in the county’s Administration and Records Building.
“Tonight, we are recognizing the nearly 60 years of combined service of two wonderful civic leaders,” said Director Shaw.
“Under Debbie’s leadership, Literacy Volunteers of Morris County has helped thousands of adults and has become one of the largest and most respected volunteer-based literacy programs in New Jersey,” Shaw added. “Michelle, who joined NewBridge in 1997, rose through the leadership and was named CEO in April 2020, has led an agency providing counseling, housing and education to residents of Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties, including a program assisting seniors with independent living.”
Senator Bucco presented New Jersey Joint Senate and Assembly Resolutions of recognition to both Borden and Leon, while sharing personal stories of his past encounters with each of them and their nonprofits.
“We did this together. Everyone,” said Borden of her time with NewBridge. “No one person could ever do what we do. We have a great foundation, and there is more to come.”
“It’s been 30 years, and it’s been a privilege to work with this organization,” Leon said of her work with Literacy Volunteers. “It’s not just me alone. It’s a board, it’s our volunteers – we have hundreds of volunteers, we have thousands of students, and we can change lives by opening doors. … It’s been an honor.”
Leon has led Literacy Volunteers of Morris County for nearly 30 years. A former attorney admitted to the bar in both New York and New Jersey, she brought an extensive background in nonprofit management to the organization, where she has been responsible for program oversight, fiscal management and fundraising. She led a staff of five people along with hundreds of volunteers.
Literacy Volunteers provides free one-to-one and small-group instruction to adults throughout the area, with services ranging from English as a Second Language, reading and writing and high school equivalency preparation, to basic remedial math and citizenship preparation.
Literacy Volunteers also works with the county’s Employment and Training Services, providing basic English as a Second Language instruction to residents pursuing employment, occupational training and career advancement.
Borden, a licensed clinical social worker, joined NewBridge Services in 1997 after more than a decade overseeing psychiatric and substance use programs at East Orange General Hospital. After the September 11, 2001, attacks, Borden helped establish the Morris County Human Services Response Network, an effort that contributed to New Jersey becoming one of the first states to certify crisis counselors for disaster response.
She rose through the agency’s senior leadership, including as chief operating officer, before being named CEO in April 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the agency rapidly expanded telehealth counseling and online mental health resources. Under her leadership, NewBridge also opened a two-building headquarters and campus in Pompton Plains in 2023, as the agency marked its 60th anniversary, and joined Christian Health in 2024.
Borden received the 2025 Outstanding Leadership Award from the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies.
NewBridge was founded in December 1963 as the Pequannock Valley Mental Health Center, opening in the former Pompton Plains library to serve Pequannock and five neighboring towns. Today it provides counseling, housing and education to residents of Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties, including Senior Assistance for Independent Living (SAIL), which offers free services to Morris County residents age 60 and older.
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