About BridgeWorks

Building Pathways from Second Chances to Lasting Careers

BridgeWorks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization dedicated to connecting returning citizens with the skills training, mentorship, and employment opportunities they need to build stable, lasting careers. Since our founding in 2015, we have served more than 2,400 individuals across multiple training tracks and partnered with over 150 employers to create inclusive workforce pipelines that benefit workers, businesses, and communities alike.

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Our Story

BridgeWorks was born from a simple observation: people returning from incarceration face enormous barriers to employment, yet many industries struggle to fill entry-level skilled positions. That gap represents both a human tragedy and an economic missed opportunity.

In 2015, founder and Executive Director Marcus Rivera — a former workforce development officer at the state Department of Labor — launched BridgeWorks with a single 12-week welding program in a rented warehouse. The first cohort had 14 participants. Eleven completed the program. Nine found employment within 90 days.

Those early results attracted attention from local employers, philanthropists, and government workforce agencies. Within two years, BridgeWorks expanded to include technology and manufacturing tracks, moved into a dedicated training center, and established formal partnerships with regional employers. By 2020, the organization had grown to four full-time training programs serving over 300 participants per year.

Today, BridgeWorks operates from a 28,000 square-foot training facility with dedicated workshops, classrooms, computer labs, and a career services center. We employ 42 full-time staff members and engage more than 80 volunteer mentors. Our programs consistently achieve placement rates above 75% and twelve-month retention rates above 80%.

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Mission, Vision & Values

Mission

To equip returning citizens with the technical skills, professional support, and employer connections needed to secure and sustain meaningful employment.

Vision

A workforce ecosystem where every individual — regardless of background — has a fair opportunity to build a career and contribute to their community.

Values

• Dignity — We treat every participant with respect and recognize the courage it takes to start over.
• Accountability — We hold ourselves to high standards and measure our success by real outcomes, not good intentions.
• Partnership — We believe lasting change requires collaboration between individuals, employers, and communities.
• Excellence — Our programs meet or exceed industry standards because our participants deserve nothing less.
• Equity — We work to remove systemic barriers and create genuine access to economic opportunity.

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Leadership Team

Marcus Rivera — Founder & Executive Director

Marcus brings over 20 years of experience in workforce development. Before founding BridgeWorks, he served as a Regional Workforce Development Officer at the state Department of Labor, where he managed job training programs for underserved populations. Marcus holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University and serves on the National Reentry Workforce Coalition advisory board.

Dr. Linda Tran — Director of Programs

Linda oversees all training programs and curriculum development. She holds a PhD in Adult Education from the University of Georgia and previously directed vocational training at a community college. Under her leadership, BridgeWorks has expanded from one program track to four and achieved national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Angela Torres — Director of Employer Relations

Angela manages relationships with BridgeWorks' 150+ employer partners and leads the employer engagement strategy. She spent 12 years in corporate HR and recruiting before joining BridgeWorks, including roles at two Fortune 500 companies. Angela holds a SHRM-SCP certification and a BA in Business Administration from Ohio State University.

David Park — Director of Finance & Operations

David manages the organization's $4.2 million annual budget, grant compliance, and facility operations. He is a CPA with prior experience at a Big Four accounting firm and at a national human services nonprofit. David holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Keisha Williams — Director of Career Services

Keisha leads the team responsible for job placement, post-graduation support, and mentor coordination. A licensed social worker with an MSW from Howard University, Keisha previously managed reentry case management at a regional correctional facility. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate the transition from training to employment.

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Milestones & Timeline

2015 — Founded

Marcus Rivera launches BridgeWorks with a single 12-week welding program serving 14 participants in a rented warehouse.

2016 — First Employer Partnerships

BridgeWorks signs its first five employer partners and achieves a 78% placement rate for its inaugural cohort.

2017 — Program Expansion

Technology & Digital Skills and Advanced Manufacturing tracks launch. Enrollment grows to 120 participants per year.

2018 — New Training Facility

BridgeWorks moves into a dedicated 28,000 square-foot training center with purpose-built workshops, classrooms, and labs.

2019 — National Recognition

BridgeWorks receives the National Reentry Resource Center Award for Innovation in Workforce Development.

2020 — Adapting Through Crisis

Despite pandemic challenges, BridgeWorks transitions portions of its training to hybrid delivery and maintains a 71% placement rate.

2021 — 1,000th Graduate

BridgeWorks celebrates its 1,000th program graduate. Employer partnerships surpass 100 companies.

2022 — CARF Accreditation

BridgeWorks earns accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), validating our program quality and outcomes.

2023 — $3M Federal Grant

BridgeWorks is awarded a $3 million federal workforce development grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, enabling expanded capacity and new program development.

2024 — 2,000th Graduate

The organization reaches its 2,000th graduate. Retention rates climb to 85% across all tracks.

2025 — Expansion Planning

BridgeWorks begins planning for expansion into three additional cities: Atlanta, Dallas, and Denver.

2026 — Logistics Track Launch

The new Logistics & Warehousing training track opens, and BridgeWorks surpasses 150 employer partners.

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Accreditation & Affiliations

• Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
• National Reentry Workforce Coalition
• American Welding Society (AWS) Accredited Testing Facility
• CompTIA Authorized Academy
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation — Hiring Our Heroes partner
• Local Workforce Development Board — certified training provider