Bridges From School to Work

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Bridges From School to Work Bridges From School to Work helps young people with disabilities find lasting employment. www.bridgestowork.org

Bridges provides the support necessary to stabilize the employment relationship—the program’s focus is on long-term employment success, not simply job placement. We have programs in several markets in the United States: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

10/22/2026

What makes someone choose Bridges? đź’ś

For our team, it’s more than a job. It’s about believing in what young adults with disabilities can achieve when they have the right opportunities, support, and people in their corner.

We asked members of our Bridges team to share their personal “why”—why they chose this work, what Bridges means to them, and what inspires them to support young adults with disabilities every day.

From building confidence and work readiness skills to helping participants find meaningful jobs and lasting employment, our team gets to see the impact of employment support firsthand.

And when we asked why they believe in supporting Bridges, their answers came back to something simple: they believe every young person deserves the opportunity to grow, contribute, and build a future through meaningful work.

Meet the people behind Bridges and hear why this mission is personal to them. đź’ś

Exciting news for Bridges From School to Work! We’re honored to be selected as a 2026 People-First AI Fund grantee by th...
10/19/2026

Exciting news for Bridges From School to Work! We’re honored to be selected as a 2026 People-First AI Fund grantee by the OpenAI Foundation.

This support will help us advance our mission of helping young adults with disabilities find lasting employment. As we explore the possibilities of AI, we remain focused on what matters most: supporting young people as they build skills, access opportunities, and pursue their career goals.

Learn more through the link https://openaifoundation.org/news/2026-people-first-ai-fund-grantees

PeopleFirstAIFund

10/16/2026

🎉 37 years of opening doors and changing lives!

Today, Bridges From School to Work celebrates 37 years of helping young adults with disabilities find meaningful employment, alongside National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Last year, nearly 800 young adults found employment through Bridges, earning $13.4 million in wages. Behind every number is a story of growing confidence, independence, and opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible! ❤️

Discover how Bridges is creating opportunities: https://www.bridgestowork.org

Talent deserves an opportunity to be seen. 💜During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re celebrating the...
10/13/2026

Talent deserves an opportunity to be seen. đź’ś

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re celebrating the value and talent that people with disabilities bring to workplaces across the country.

But recognizing talent is only part of the work. Creating meaningful opportunities matters, too.

For young adults with disabilities, employment support can help build confidence, develop workplace skills, gain real-world experience, and connect with employers who see their potential.

At Bridges From School to Work, we believe employment can be a powerful step toward greater independence, growth, and a future filled with possibilities.

This NDEAM, we’re celebrating the young adults who are building their careers, the employers who open their doors, and the communities that help make inclusive employment possible.

Because when talent is given an opportunity, it can make an impact.

Learn more about how Bridges creates pathways from school to lasting employment:
https://www.bridgestowork.org

10/12/2026

Meet Joseph Naves, Director of Bridges Los Angeles. đź’ś

What does Bridges mean to Joseph?

It’s about independence, personal growth, and seeing young adults succeed.

In this staff interview, Joseph shares why Bridges exists: to help young adults with disabilities develop job skills, prepare for employment, and find opportunities to build their future.

He also talks about why this work matters to participants and their families—and why community support is so important.

Donations help Bridges provide services such as interview workshops and employment support, allowing us to reach and support more young adults as they prepare for the workforce.

For Joseph, the impact goes beyond getting a job. It’s about helping young adults grow, gain independence, and reach their goals.

Hear from Joseph and learn more about the work happening at Bridges Los Angeles.

Visit https://bridgestowork.org/ to learn more.

From the training room to the streets of New York City. đź—˝Last month, Bridges staff from across the country came together...
10/08/2026

From the training room to the streets of New York City. đź—˝

Last month, Bridges staff from across the country came together for Bridges Basics Training—a three-day immersive experience preparing new team members for their roles as Youth Employment Specialists.

Staff went beyond learning the Bridges model. They explored practical strategies for supporting young adults with disabilities, professional and ethical standards, retention and post-placement support, employer engagement, and job development.

They practiced how to build relationships with businesses, communicate the value of Bridges, conduct employer outreach, and develop employment opportunities for participants.

And on Day 3, they put those skills into action.

Staff were split into teams and sent across New York City for a hands-on job development field assignment. They approached businesses, started conversations, practiced employer outreach, and identified potential employment opportunities.

Back together afterward, the teams shared what worked, what challenged them, and what they learned. The experience transformed classroom learning into real-world practice while building confidence, teamwork, communication, and the persistence needed for successful job development.

Because Bridges Basics Training is about more than learning the role.

It is about giving our staff the tools, relationships, and hands-on experience they need to make an impact from day one—and help more young adults with disabilities prepare for, secure, and succeed in meaningful, lasting employment. 💜

Want to learn more about Bridges? Visit our website here: https://bridgestowork.org/

EmploymentSupport JobDevelopment EmployerEngagement YoungAdultsWithDisabilities WorkReadiness LastingEmployment

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). 💜This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” i...
10/06/2026

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). đź’ś

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” is a reminder that disability does not define what someone can contribute at work.

Across the country, people with disabilities bring skills, talent, determination, and unique perspectives to workplaces and communities every day. But opportunity matters. Access to employment support, work readiness training, inclusive hiring, and the right workplace connections can help turn potential into lasting employment.

At Bridges From School to Work, we see that potential every day in the young adults we support.

For more than 35 years, Bridges has helped young people with disabilities build skills, gain meaningful work experience, connect with employers, and pursue competitive integrated employment.

This NDEAM, we’re celebrating the value and talent of people with disabilities—and the employers who recognize what they can bring to the workplace.

Because when people have the opportunity to work, everyone benefits. đź’ś

Learn more about Bridges and our work to create pathways to employment:
https://www.bridgestowork.org

10/03/2026

What happens after high school for students with disabilities?

Graduation can be exciting—but it can also come with a lot of questions.

What comes next? College? Job training? Employment? Community programs? Or a combination of different paths?

There is no single path for every young adult. But starting transition planning early can make the move from high school to adult life more manageable, purposeful, and connected to each person’s goals.

Our guide, “What Happens After High School for Students with Disabilities?” explores:

• What changes after high school
• Different pathways young adults can take
• Why employment should be part of transition planning
• When transition planning can begin
• What meaningful employment support looks like
• How Bridges helps young adults move from school to work

The goal isn’t simply to figure out what comes next. It’s to build a path that can continue beyond graduation.

Visit the Bridges website to read the full guide and explore resources for students, families, and educators: https://bridgestowork.org/resources/life-after-high-school-students-with-disabilities

10/01/2026

Sometimes, a few words can say so much. đź’ś

Young people from across the country have taken the time to write letters to Bridges, sharing their thoughts, hopes, encouragement, and what opportunity means to them.

There are too many meaningful messages to fit into one video, so we’re sharing them with you one letter at a time. 💌

These messages remind us why creating pathways to meaningful employment matters. For young adults with disabilities, access to employment support, work readiness opportunities, supported employment, and inclusive workplaces can help open doors and turn goals into real possibilities.

And this is only the beginning.

More letters are coming, and we’re excited to share more of their words and the stories behind the mission of Bridges From School to Work.

Want to help create more employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities? Learn more about Bridges and our work in disability employment through the link below.

From looking for an opportunity to helping create one for someone else. đź’śWhen Yulissa joined Bridges From School to Work...
09/28/2026

From looking for an opportunity to helping create one for someone else. đź’ś

When Yulissa joined Bridges From School to Work in 2025, she was looking for guidance, support, and a chance to build a better future.

Originally from Mexico, Yulissa worked hard to navigate a new environment, language barriers, and learning challenges while staying focused on her goals. She started her employment journey as a cashier at Target, where she built valuable customer service and workplace skills. Her determination helped her grow into a leadership role at Marshalls, and today, she is a Store Manager at Ross in El Cerrito Plaza.

But Yulissa didn’t stop there.

She is also pursuing Medical Assisting at Merritt College as she continues building toward her long-term career goals.

Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of her journey is what she is doing now. A former Bridges participant, Yulissa recently helped one of our current participants by opening the door to a potential employment opportunity at her store.

That’s the lasting impact of employment support: a young person receives guidance, builds confidence and workplace skills, finds meaningful employment, and eventually becomes someone who can help another person take that same next step.

Yulissa’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when determination meets opportunity. 💜

Help us continue creating pathways to employment for young adults with disabilities. Learn more about the work of Bridges From School to Work and how you can support our mission through this link: https://bridgestowork.org/donate

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