Spring Newsletter 2025 - Bridges from School to Work

Trauma-Informed Certification

In January 2025, Bridges earned certification as a trauma-informed organization. Fifteen Bridges staff members representing all Bridges cities and job titles have spent more than one year learning about the effects that trauma and adverse childhood experiences can have across the lifespan.

These 15 staff members, who now comprise our Culture of Care and Compassion Committee, will continue to champion trauma-informed practices and make them integral to our program design and organizational values.

Getting Inspired in Philadelphia

On December 5, 2024, our Philadelphia Bridges program held a “Get Inspired” event at the Philadelphia Marriott Old City. The event featured panel discussions with program alumni and employers, all who talked about their experiences with Bridges.

The alumni panel shared how Bridges provided early work experiences that were instrumental in launching their careers and helping them realize adult goals. Bridges alumni from left to right included the following:

The employer panel described the characteristics they look for when hiring and promoting staff members. Their discussion reinforced why programs like Bridges help young people achieve success in the competitive adult workforce. Panelists from left to right:

Greg S.
West Philadelphia High School, Class of 2015
First Job: Regal Movie Theatres.
Now: IT specialist at Accenture.
Velaye G.
Overbrook High School, Class of 2016
First Job: babysitter at the YMCA.
Now: concierge host at CBRE-Merck.
Miguel C.
Northeast High School, Class of 2010
First Job: Rita’s Water Ice/Walgreens.
Now: police officer, K-9 unit with SEPTA Transit.
Calvin B.
Northeast High School, Class of 2012
First Job: Sears Department Store.
Now: branch manager at FedChoice Federal Credit Union.
Demetrus T.
Murrell Dobbins High School, Class of 2010
First Job: Fresh Grocer.
Now: 14 years at the Ritz-Carlton in guest relations.

John Doyle
General Manager
CP Rankin Club at Citizens Bank Park (Aramark).
Rich Rider
Warehouse Manager
Cleanlogic (IMS Trading USA).
Nusrat Jahan
Director of Operational Excellence
W Hotels.
Brian Cappas-Navarro
Assistant Director
Event Network at Philadelphia Zoo.
Corey Beazer
Director of Security
Philadelphia Downtown Marriott.

Bridges Participant Spotlights

Faith of Chicago

Faith is a 20-year-old pet-lover who exudes enthusiasm as a team member at a PetSmart in Chicago, where she has worked since October 2024. Faith, who has ADHD and a specific learning disability, enrolled in college but eventually decided not to continue with higher education.

Faith is the adopted daughter of John Barnes, a retired Chicago public school teacher who over his career in education referred dozens of students to Bridges for help getting jobs. John asked Bridges to help Faith find a job where her empathy, humor, and kindness would bring to joy to others, especially to the animals and children she loves to be around.

Bobby of Atlanta

Bobby, an Atlanta Bridges participant, has worked at Home Depot since April 2024. In less than a year on the job, Bobby managed to get his photo on the “now hiring” posters for Home Depot stores across the U.S., like the one you see displayed here.

Bobby, whose store is located in Midtown Atlanta, has won three “Homer Awards,” which are signified by the badges he pins to his apron. Homer Awards recognize store employees who exemplify the company’s core values of excellent customer service, respect for all, and doing the right thing. We salute Bobby for serving as an exemplary ambassador for Home Depot and for Bridges from School to Work.

Learn More about Bridges

You can read and download a PDF of our 2023-2024 annual report using the button below, or you can request a copy by emailing us at [email protected].

NEXTGEN Report

In June 2024, we completed the process for enrolling 933 participants in a three-year randomized controlled trial called the NextGen Project, administered by Mathematica. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group, and the other half were assigned to a control group.

On January 15, 2025, the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a NextGen report that discusses findings from the descriptive and cost study of the Bridges program. You can download this report from the button below, or you can request a copy by emailing us at [email protected].

Our 2025 Bridges Fundraiser-Gala

On the evening of Monday, June 16th, Richard Marriott will host the 2025 Bridges Gala at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C. The event, co-chaired by PwC and featuring key-note speaker and Tony-nominated actress Lauren Ridloff, will celebrate the successes of Bridges and honor our Youth Achievement awardee.

You can learn more about the gala and making a pledge using the button below.

2025 BRIDGES GALA

Jershika Maple, a Top 5 Finalist on Season 21 of NBC’s The Voice, 2022

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Bridges Spring 2025 Update