RECENT NEWS

RECENT NEWS

Bridges Winter 2024 Update

February 1, 2024

Participant Spotlight

Young man in orange Home Deport uniform.
Paul, center, at our October 2023 Bridges celebration event in Dallas
At a Bridges event held in October 2023 at the Dallas Marriott Uptown, we recognized program alumnus Paul C. of Grapevine, TX. Paul has been employed more than three years at Michael’s, the arts and crafts store.

Paul is pictured to the left (center) with his senior youth employment specialist, Erica Jones (right), and his human resources manager from Michaels, Lauren Tarpley (left).

Paul’s mom, Heather, feared that her son, who has an intellectual disability, would never be able to get a job. Heather wrote a detailed testimonial explaining what Bridges has meant to her and Paul. Below is an excerpt.

“Paul has been at Artistree (a subsidiary of Michael’s) for over three years, where he works full-time, with good pay and full benefits. Every day that he has a job is a miracle to me. Erica Jones with the Bridges program coached Paul through the interview and job application process. She helped him through the transition from being a sheltered special education student to an adult employee, including adapting to obstacles that emerged during the pandemic.”

Heather C.

Welcome to Our New Trustee

We are delighted to welcome our newest board of trustees member, Julie Marriott, who serves as a director on both the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and the Marriott Daughters Foundation.

Julie’s other philanthropic work includes board membership with the Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin. She is a former board member for both the Wellesley’s Tenacre Country Day School and Dana Hall School. Julie is a cum laude graduate of Brigham Young University.

Julie-Marriott-color
Julie Marriott

Supporter Recognition

The Liberty Mutual Foundation has supported our Boston Bridges program for several consecutive years. The Foundation prioritizes expanding equitable access to education and workforce development opportunities, especially for underserved people and communities.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month – Advancing Access & Equity logo

We are deeply grateful to CBRE for its third consecutive Community Impact Initiative grant award. It is especially meaningful because members of the company’s Disability Resource Group identified and invited Bridges to apply.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month – Advancing Access & Equity logo

We’re honored to be selected for a second consecutive year as a Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grantee. This most recent grant will support Bridges in increasing the number of young adults with disabilities in New York City who prepare for and acquire quality jobs with local employers.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month – Advancing Access & Equity logo

We are delighted to receive our first-ever grant from The Chicago Community Trust. The Trust is a community foundation dedicated to strengthening the Chicago region by creating equity, opportunity, and prosperity for all people who call it home.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month – Advancing Access & Equity logo

2024 Bridges Gala

Bridges’ 2023 Annual Gala award winner Marco Beltran flanked by Julie Sweet and Richard Marriott
Room of Gala Attendees
Bridges’ 2023 Annual Gala award winner Marco Beltran flanked by Julie Sweet and Richard Marriott

Our annual Bridges gala fundraiser will be held the evening of Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC.

Click the button below for more information.

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