Over the past six months, Tony has made inspiring progress toward his personal and employment goals.

Tony began his journey through Your Job Now (YJN), our job skills program, and quickly found his stride during work experience with The Bridge Cleaning Crew and our hospitality partners at Little Lanterns Viet Kitchen.

Working closely with his Training Support Officers (TSOs) and teammates, Tony embraced every opportunity. His confidence blossomed as well as his communication skills. grew.

As Tony prepares for open employment, he has been working diligently with his employment coach, building a resume, cover letter, portfolio, and glowing references. His success in work experience is bringing him closer to his long-term goal: a role in retail or hospitality, where he can shine in customer service.

Tony’s journey hasn’t just been about employment; it’s also been about connection. With guidance from his coach, Tony has been learning to read social cues and engage in conversations with confidence. He’s made a conscious effort to speak with different peers during program sessions, step outside his comfort zone and form meaningful friendships.

One of Tony’s proudest moments was when he was invited to speak to The Bridge board members with minimal preparation about his experience. Despite feeling nervous, he shared his story with clarity and courage, demonstrating the resilience and personal growth that have defined his time with The Bridge.

“The Bridge has been an amazing support for me. I’ve gained a lot of experience which I couldn’t have gained with any other provider. I like making new friends, the staff have been amazing, and I couldn’t have been happier.”