After Bridges

Years later, here’s where graduates are.

First jobs that became careers. Promotions, industry changes, degrees pursued, and four Stephen G. Marriott Youth Achievement Award honorees.

“With my job at Accenture, I feel I've already proven them wrong.”
Proving them wrong, one shift at a time·Atlanta, GA
Tasha Lewis at Accenture
Stephen G. Marriott Youth Achievement Award

Four honorees. Four arcs.

Each year, Bridges names a Youth Achievement Award honoree whose path stands out. Three minutes each. Press play.

Read Kyla’s story
Read Marco’s story
Read William’s story
Read Ash’s story
Long tenure

Five, ten, more years at one company.

Some Bridges graduates settle in. The first job becomes the second promotion, then the supervisor seat.

Ten years at Sheraton Dallas, promoted to Engineer II at Sheraton Dallas Hotel
Participant StorySheraton Dallas Hotel

Ten years at Sheraton Dallas, promoted to Engineer II

Jonathan Hernandez celebrated ten years at Sheraton Dallas, the largest hotel in Texas, after earning his promotion to Engineer II.

Dallas, TXMay 5, 2026
Traveon Benjamin in a gray pinstripe suit at a Bridges Dallas-Fort Worth honoree event, wearing a Bridges medal on a teal ribbon, smiling at the camera
Participant StoryAramark Uniform Services

Eight years at Aramark, and managers who have to force him to take PTO

Traveon has worked at Aramark Uniform Services for eight years. He started part-time, is now full-time with benefits, trains new co-workers, and his managers have to force him to use his PTO, he never misses work.

Dallas/Fort Worth, TXApril 15, 2026

6 years

Accenture tenure

Associate degree, IT · credential earned

Participant StoryAccenture

From Regal Cinema to six years at Accenture

A West Philadelphia HS grad, Greg started at Regal Cinema, worked two years at the Philly Marriott, and is now six years into Accenture as an IT help desk specialist.

Philadelphia, PAMay 5, 2026
Five years at Accenture at CBRE
Participant StoryCBRE

Five years at Accenture, now CBRE concierge

An Overbrook HS '16 grad, Velaye spent five years at Accenture before moving to CBRE as concierge for a global pharmaceutical account.

Philadelphia, PAMay 5, 2026
Five years of employment at Hyatt Dallas at Hyatt
Participant StoryHyatt

Five years of employment at Hyatt Dallas

Kevin Cartier marked his five-year anniversary at the Hyatt in Dallas in November 2022, recognized by his manager with a certificate and gift.

Dallas, TXMay 5, 2026
Paul Cox in a red Michaels apron at the Artistree manufacturing facility in Grapevine, TX, glasses on, smiling at the camera
Participant StoryArtistree (Michaels)

Every day is a miracle

Paul's mom feared her son, who has an intellectual disability, would never find work. Three years later, he's full-time with benefits.

Grapevine, TXFebruary 1, 2024
Career change

Different industry. New ladder.

From hospitality to public service, retail to federal claims, stewarding to risk. The first placement is rarely the last role.

Kiana smiling on the National Mall in Washington DC, from her My Bridges Story video
Participant StoryPhiladelphia Police Department

Bridges to Marriott to Philadelphia police officer

Kiana joined Bridges as a struggling young adult, was placed at the Marriott, became a Philadelphia police officer, returned to Bridges as a volunteer mentor in 2018, and is now a Department of Justice fellow in Washington, DC.

Philadelphia, PAMay 5, 2026
From sales associate to federal claims assistant at U.S. Railroad Retirement Board
Participant StoryU.S. Railroad Retirement Board

From sales associate to federal claims assistant

Aisha Buford-Morrison moved from Dylan's Candy Bar to Accenture to a unionized claims assistant role with the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.

Chicago, ILMay 5, 2026

Current role

Office aide, MA State House

Career path

Zoo → nonprofit → state senate

Participant StoryMassachusetts State House (Senator Eldridge's office)

From the zoo to the State House

Ewidji wanted a job where he could talk to people and help them, no retail, no restaurants. Three years and three roles later, he's an office aide at the Massachusetts State House.

Boston, MAApril 22, 2026

Tenure

11 months at Finish Line

Next step

U.S. Army basic training

Participant StoryFinish Line

From a heartbreak interview to Finish Line, then the Army

Veronica was a TechBoston Academy senior when an interview at Regina Pizzeria fell through. She kept applying. A month later, Finish Line hired her, and a year after that, she enlisted in the Army.

Boston, MAMay 4, 2026
From courtesy clerk to Accenture event producer at Accenture
Participant StoryAccenture

From courtesy clerk to Accenture event producer

Christian Sullivan grew from a Jewel-Osco courtesy clerk into an Accenture event express associate producing virtual town halls in Chicago.

Chicago, ILMay 5, 2026
Omar Evans in a white W Hotels chef coat washing pots at a stainless-steel kitchen sink at the W Dallas Victory Hotel, kitchen tools hanging overhead
Participant StoryW Dallas Victory Hotel & Residences

From stewarding to risk officer at W Dallas Victory

Omar Evans worked his way from Renaissance Dallas steward to risk officer at W Dallas Victory Hotel, earning the 2011 Bridges Dallas Youth Achievement Award along the way.

Dallas, TXMay 5, 2026
Nick Bell (left) and Max (right) at the Claremont Club & Spa Kids' Club in Oakland — Nick was a 2018 Bridges placement, Max joined the team in 2024
Participant StoryClaremont Club & Spa (Fairmont)

Paying it forward in the East Bay

Bridges placed Nick at a neighborhood Kids' Club in 2018. Six years later, he's the one doing the hiring.

Oakland, CANovember 1, 2024
Higher education

Degrees pursued post-placement.

A first job that paid the bills while school happened on the side. Pharmacy tech credentials, associate degrees, bachelor’s, a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Rejection can be protection.

· Healthcare

Participant StoryHealthcare

From a Special Education Diploma to a Doctor of Nursing Practice

When Nieva learned that her diploma track wouldn't let her go to college, she switched. Two decades later, she's Dr. Nieva Goines, Doctor of Nursing Practice, married to a fellow Bridges alumnus.

Atlanta, GAApril 12, 2026

It was one of the best things that's happened to me. It has taught me a whole lot!

· Walgreens

Participant StoryWalgreens

From apprentice to Licensed Pharmacy Technician, Northeastern next

Honey was hired at Walgreens as a Pharmacy Tech apprentice in February 2023. After 500+ hours and a passing exam, she earned her Licensed Pharmacy Technician credential and started Northeastern's pre-med track.

Boston, MAMay 4, 2026

18+ months

Tenure

Fordham University · studying at

Participant StoryNew York Public Library

From shelving books to a Fordham sophomore year

Cloudy enrolled with Bridges in July, started at the New York Public Library by October, and is still there a year and a half later, while attending Fordham and applying to legal-outreach internships.

New York, NYApril 10, 2026

Accepted to

San Francisco State University, Psychology

Recent offer

Management role at current job

Participant StoryMultiple — current employer offered management role

From a 504 plan to a management offer and SF State for Psychology

Bryan once navigated emotional and behavioral struggles under a 504 plan, and there were real concerns about whether he could handle work and school. He's now in his final semester of community college, accepted to SF State for Psychology, and was just offered a management role.

Bay Area (Richmond), CAApril 22, 2026

First job

Courtesy Clerk at Jewel-Osco

Currently

Part-time + college degree

Participant StoryJewel-Osco

From "I can't even get through an interview" to a job and a college degree

Jacob's anxiety made interviews feel impossible. He earned his first job as a Courtesy Clerk at Jewel-Osco. Today he's a part-time employee, and pursuing his college degree.

Chicago, ILApril 11, 2026

2.5+ years

Tenure

Teaching Assistant → Teacher · career trajectory

Participant StoryChildcare Careers / Crystal Stairs Head Start

Teaching Assistant by day. Studying education by night.

Magdalyn has worked as a Teaching Assistant since September 2023, first across multiple campuses, now permanently at Crystal Stairs Head Start. Her current job is the entry to her future career: she's studying to become a teacher.

Los Angeles, CAApril 12, 2026
Why this page exists

Outcomes years out are what your support sustains.

Bridges’ work doesn’t end at placement. It ends when a first job has turned into a career. These stories are the long-arc version of the program model.

Support BridgesRead more stories