# Bridges from School to Work

> Bridges from School to Work is a national nonprofit that connects young adults with disabilities to meaningful, competitive employment. Established by the Marriott family in 1989, Bridges operates in 14 U.S. cities and has placed more than 24,100 young adults in jobs with over 6,600 employers. Its Job Placement program serves ages 17-26; Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) start at age 14. All services are free to participants and employers, including a full year of post-hire retention support.

Bridges is the program of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities (EIN 52-1655740), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. The model is independently studied: Bridges is the subject of a multi-year randomized controlled trial conducted by Mathematica as part of the federal NextGen evaluation. Services are free to participants and their families, and free to employers. The Job Placement program serves young adults ages 17 to 26; Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) begin at age 14. The program model is Prepare (job-readiness coaching), Place (strength-based employer matching), and Support (a dedicated Youth Employment Specialist who stays involved for a full year after hire).

## Key figures
These are the figures Bridges publishes, with the basis each is measured on. Please cite the basis alongside the number.
- Young adults placed into jobs since 1989: more than 24,100 (unique participants placed, lifetime).
- Young adults served since 1989: more than 32,000 (total enrollments, lifetime).
- Employer partners: more than 6,600 (distinct employers, lifetime).
- 90-day job retention: 76% (2015-2024 decade window, share of placed participants still employed at 90 days).
- One-year job retention: 44% (lifetime aggregate, measured on a different basis than the 90-day rate above; the two are not directly comparable).
- Employer satisfaction: 98%.
- Cities served: 14.
- Year-by-year placement and retention data back to 1990 is published at https://bridgestowork.org/outcomes, including years in which retention fell.

## Core pages
- [About Bridges](https://bridgestowork.org/about): Organization identity, mission, values, and the 1989 Marriott family founding.
- [Our History](https://bridgestowork.org/about/history): Founding story and program growth since 1989.
- [Leadership](https://bridgestowork.org/about/leadership): Executive team, headquarters staff and Board of Trustees.
- [Program Directors](https://bridgestowork.org/about/leadership/program-directors): The directors who lead each city program.
- [How It Works](https://bridgestowork.org/our-work): The Prepare / Place / Support program model in depth.
- [Outcomes & Impact](https://bridgestowork.org/outcomes): Placement, retention, and employer-satisfaction data, plus the independent Mathematica evaluation.
- [Locations](https://bridgestowork.org/programs): The 14 U.S. cities Bridges serves, with a program finder.
- [Stories](https://bridgestowork.org/stories): Participant, employer, and press stories.

## For specific audiences
- [Get Support](https://bridgestowork.org/get-support): For young adults with disabilities and their families seeking job support.
- [For Employers](https://bridgestowork.org/employers): For companies looking to hire prepared young talent, including published retention data and Work Opportunity Tax Credit guidance.
- [For Partners](https://bridgestowork.org/partners): For schools, vocational rehabilitation agencies, and community organizations, including Pre-ETS component coverage.
- [For Donors](https://bridgestowork.org/donors): How philanthropic support funds job placements.
- [Refer a Young Adult](https://bridgestowork.org/refer): For case managers and school staff making a referral.

## Take action
- [Donate](https://bridgestowork.org/donate): Fund job placements for young adults with disabilities.
- [Get Involved](https://bridgestowork.org/get-involved): Ways to hire, fund, or volunteer.
- [Start an Application](https://bridgestowork.org/start): Interest form for prospective participants.
- [Contact](https://bridgestowork.org/contact): Reach the Bridges team.

## Guides & resources
- [Beyond Employment: Disability, Mental Health, and the Importance of Trauma-Informed Support](https://bridgestowork.org/resources/beyond-employment-disability-mental-health-and-the-importance-of-trauma-informed): Disability, mental health, and employment are interconnected. Bridges' trauma-informed approach helps ensure young adults are seen, heard, and supported as whole people.
- [Celebrating Value and Talent: Why National Disability Employment Awareness Month Matters](https://bridgestowork.org/employers/celebrating-value-and-talent-why-national-disability-employment-awareness-month): Learn why National Disability Employment Awareness Month matters and how employers, educators, and communities can advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
- [The Business Case for Hiring Young Adults with Disabilities](https://bridgestowork.org/employers/business-case-hiring-young-adults): Inclusive hiring is a workforce strategy, not a side program. Here is how structured preparation, job matching, and follow-up support address the turnover problem that costs entry-level employers the most.
- [Learning, Serving, and Growing Together: Bridges Staff Gather in Nashville](https://bridgestowork.org/resources/all-staff-retreat): Bridges staff from across the country gathered in Nashville for a week of learning, service, team building, and renewed connection to our shared mission.
- [From Student to Employee: Ricardo's Successful Transition From School to Work](https://bridgestowork.org/employers/student-to-employee-success-story): Ricardo joined Bridges as a junior at North Atlanta High School and went on to work more than 270 days with SodexoMagic at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport while finishing his senior year.
- [Why Inclusive Hiring Improves Employee Retention and Reduces Turnover](https://bridgestowork.org/employers/inclusive-hiring-employee-retention): Employee turnover is costly and often preventable. Inclusive hiring, especially through structured workforce development programs, is a proven way to improve retention and build a more stable, productive team.
- [What Happens After High School for Students with Disabilities](https://bridgestowork.org/resources/life-after-high-school-students-with-disabilities): A plain-language guide for families and educators on what comes after graduation: the pathways available, when transition planning should start, and what real support looks like.

## Optional
- [News & Updates](https://bridgestowork.org/news): Organization news.
- [Careers](https://bridgestowork.org/careers): Jobs on the Bridges team.
- [Resources](https://bridgestowork.org/resources): Vetted national resources for careers, disability services and benefits, mental and behavioral health, and finding local support.
- [Glossary](https://bridgestowork.org/glossary): Workforce and disability-employment terms, including Pre-ETS, WIOA, and WOTC.