How long is the Bridges program?

There's no fixed end date. Bridges prepares you for work, places you in a job, and provides a full year of on-the-job support after placement — with structured check-ins at 30, 60, 90 days and beyond.

Is the Bridges program free?

Yes. Bridges is free for participants and their families. There's no cost to enroll or to receive job placement and retention support.

Who is eligible for Bridges?

Young adults with disabilities, ages 17–26, in one of our 12 program cities. Specific eligibility criteria vary by city — take the eligibility quiz on this page for a quick read.

Do I need to graduate high school first?

No. You can start with Bridges in your last year of school or after graduation. Each city's program has its own enrollment timing.

What support do I get after I'm placed in a job?

A full year of on-the-job support from a Youth Employment Specialist. They help you navigate the first weeks, troubleshoot if anything goes wrong, and check in at key retention milestones. Support is for both you and your employer.

Take the eligibility quiz on this page, then click Apply Now to submit your information. A local Youth Employment Specialist will follow up.

For Young Adults with Disabilities & Their Families

Looking for job support? We're here to help.

If you're a young adult (17–26) or family member, Bridges helps you prepare for work, find a job, and stay successful, all with a dedicated Youth Employment Specialist by your side.

Bridges is a free supported-employment program. We work with each young adult one-on-one on job preparation, placement, and the first year on the job — at no cost to participants or families.

Established by the Marriott family in 1989. We’ve helped 23,900+ young adults find real jobs, in 12 U.S. cities.

Bridges currently serves Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, DC Metro, Dallas, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, Richmond (CA), and San Francisco. Not in one of these cities?

Apply Now Take the Eligibility Quiz

Are you a case manager or school staff? See how to refer a young adult

A young adult and his Bridges Representative working together at a classroom table — one-to-one coaching in action

What to expect

Completely free

There is no cost to participate in Bridges.

Paid jobs

You’ll bring home a real paycheck from day one.

Start in high school

You can enroll in your last year of school or after graduation.

Check local eligibility

Each city has specific requirements. Your local Youth Employment Specialist can help.

Eligibility quiz

Could Bridges be right for you?

Take a quick eligibility check to see if you or someone you know may qualify for our program.

Am I Eligible?

Answer 4 quick questions to see if Bridges might be right for you. It takes less than a minute.

This quiz gives a general indication only. Final eligibility is determined by your local Bridges program.

Stories

Real young adults, real jobs

See the paths that participants and their families have taken with Bridges.

See all stories

Yasemin K. in a gray blazer outside the Barclays Center entrance in Brooklyn, smiling at the camera. Yasemin works at Barclays Center as a Guest Associate. Photographed during the 2025 Bridges National Gala video shoot.

Participant StoryBarclays Center

Yasemin K., featured at the 2025 Bridges National Gala

Featured at the 2025 Bridges Gala: Yasemin K. moved to NYC from Turkey on her own, became a Guest Associate at Barclays Center, and finished her first NYC Marathon in 2024.

Brooklyn, NYMay 6, 2026

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

The process

How it works

Fill out the Interest Form

Complete a short Interest Form to tell us about yourself. Your local Youth Employment Specialist will follow up to learn about your interests, strengths, and goals.

Get prepared

Work with your Youth Employment Specialist on career readiness: from resume building and interview skills to workplace expectations.

Find the right fit

Your Youth Employment Specialist matches you with an employer that aligns with your strengths, and walks you through a supported onboarding process.

Stay supported

Your Youth Employment Specialist stays with you through key milestones (30, 60, 90 days and beyond) to help you succeed long-term.

Voices

Hear from young adults who've walked this path.

“When I was in high school, people told me that there would be limits to what I could accomplish because of my disability. With my job at Accenture, I feel I've already proven them wrong.”

Tasha Lewis

Employee, Accenture

Participant

12 cities nationwide

Bridges Locations

View all cities

Loading map…

Teal pins = Bridges program offices (orange when selected). Purple dots = partner school locations (zoom in to see them). Rings = approximate service radius around each office.

Billy, a Bridges graduate, at his Target job in Dallas

Ready when you are

Ready to take the next step?

Connect with a Bridges program in your area. It's free, supportive, and designed around your strengths.

Apply Now

Or jump back to the map

Frequently asked

Common questions.

How long is the Bridges program?: There's no fixed end date. Bridges prepares you for work, places you in a job, and provides a full year of on-the-job support after placement — with structured check-ins at 30, 60, 90 days and beyond.
Is the Bridges program free?: Yes. Bridges is free for participants and their families. There's no cost to enroll or to receive job placement and retention support.
Who is eligible for Bridges?: Young adults with disabilities, ages 17–26, in one of our 12 program cities. Specific eligibility criteria vary by city — take the eligibility quiz on this page for a quick read.
Do I need to graduate high school first?: No. You can start with Bridges in your last year of school or after graduation. Each city's program has its own enrollment timing.
What support do I get after I'm placed in a job?: A full year of on-the-job support from a Youth Employment Specialist. They help you navigate the first weeks, troubleshoot if anything goes wrong, and check in at key retention milestones. Support is for both you and your employer.
How do I apply?: Take the eligibility quiz on this page, then click Apply Now to submit your information. A local Youth Employment Specialist will follow up.