Bridges From School to Work Inc.

The Bridges from School to Work program is singularly dedicated to transforming the lives of young adults with disabilities through integrated, competitive, entry-level jobs.
Bridges works to provide early, real-world work experience; a social network with caring adults that encourage employment; a job that matches employer's needs with an individual's interests and skills; and natural workplace supports that encourage participation in the social structure of the workplace.
Numbers, while important, are often overestimated. Bridges is focused on moving from simply tracking the sheer numbers of youth served in a year to ensuring the fidelity of transition services provided.

The organization will center all efforts on five key areas:
- Invest in our People: We will provide the best possible training to our Bridges team members to ensure they provide the best possible services to youth and employers. This includes extensive e-learning modules that give team members the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed.
- Fund our Growth: We will build our financial capacity and diversify revenue streams to support our expansion. Our annual gala is our biggest fundraising effort and sets a benchmark for years to come.
- Tell our Story: Bridges will work to deliver powerful messages in ways that inspire others to support the Bridges mission. We are embracing multiple social platforms and are working to post engaging, relevant information that tells the Bridges story.
- Expand our Student Base: We will develop new and innovative ways to bring the Bridges experience to more young adults. Through grants and increased funding we are increasing the number of young adults that can be served throughout the country.
- Build New Employer Models: Bridges with continue to work with businesses to craft enhanced partnerships. As the Bridges program grows, team members are continually reaching out and creating mutually beneficial relationships with local employers. These relationships facilitate employment for Bridges youth and fulfill the needs of the employer.

A major driving force in accomplishing the goals of Bridges comes from the work of Employer Representatives (ERs). These team members visit local high schools and work with Special Education employees to recruit potential participants. Along with recruiting, they conduct intake and assessment, determine eligibility and enroll students.
After a student is enrolled, ERs then teach the student an assortment of job readiness and employability skills. These include job searching, completing job applications, preparing resumes, coping with conflict, using public transportation, time management and other soft skills.
ERs are also responsible for job developing and maintaining relationships with local employers. They work to find out what employers need and match those needs with a student's skills and employment goals.
Our employees are trained using a comprehensive e-learning curriculum that teaches the skills necessary to be an effective Bridges team member. This training is a necessary portion of the research-backed Bridges model.
Bridges has been working to transform the lives of young adults with disabilities for over 26 years. Our leadership, staff and Bridges model create a solid groundwork upon which we can work now and work to be better in the years to come.

Since its establishment in 1989, Bridges from School to Work has served over 24,000 young adults, with more than 19,800 placed in competitive, unsubsidized employment.
Each year, the Bridges from School to Work program works with more than 1,000 students. Bridges works with over 4,900 employers annually in offices around the country to provide jobs to a highly underemployed demographic.
Central to the Bridges strategic plan is to serve 1,500 youth annually and to expand into new cities around the country to bring Bridges services to those that need it most.