Helping young adults with disabilities build lasting careers.
Founded by the Marriott family in 1989. 23,900+ careers launched across 12 U.S. cities.
Our proven three-step model prepares young adults, connects them with employers, and supports them through their first year on the job.
How Bridges thinks about the work.
Start with abilities, not disabilities.
We lead with each young person’s strengths, interests, and potential, then build a plan that plays to them.
Align talent with real employer needs.
We save employers time and money in recruiting, training, onboarding, and retaining entry-level talent.
Stay involved through retention, not just placement.
Our staff travel with youth to the workplace on day one and stay involved for up to 12 months, so day 30, 90, and 180 are still supported.
Certified trauma-informed since January 2025.
After two years of training, fifteen Bridges staff, including members of our executive team, earned certification as a trauma-informed organization. They now lead our Culture of Care and Compassion Committee, embedding trauma-informed practices into our program design and day-to-day work.
Why it matters: trauma and adverse childhood experiences can shape how a young adult shows up to school, to work, and to relationships. Our Youth Employment Specialists are better equipped to recognize that history and respond to it, so a young person’s past doesn’t get in the way of the career they’re building.
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Step 1 · Prepare
Build job-ready skills and confidence.
Career readiness training.
- Career interest assessments and strength-based support
- Workplace readiness training and soft skills development
- Resume building and interview preparation
- Goal setting and individualized employment plans
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Step 2 · Place
Match with the right employer.
Match with employers based on strengths.
- Matching young adults with employers based on mutual strengths
- Pre-screening and candidate preparation for each role
- Coordinating onboarding with employer HR teams
- Staff travel with youth to the workplace on day one
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Step 3 · Support
Ensure long-term success on the job.
Structured follow-along through retention.
- Structured check-ins at 30, 60, 90 day milestones
- Ongoing Youth Employment Specialist support for both employee and employer
- Problem-solving support to prevent early turnover
- Retention follow-along for up to 12 months
“They helped me prepare for the job, for the interview, and for everything that I need. I'm glad Bridges was there for me.”
What we've built since 1989.
Ready to get started?
Whether you're an employer, funder, or community partner, Bridges has a pathway for you.