2025 Donations Support BridgeYear’s Career Exploration and Training Programs

Donations made in 2025 are being directed to BridgeYear’s programs that provide Houston youth with exposure to career pathways, technical training opportunities, and access to certification and apprenticeship information.

BridgeYear Expands Career Training Thanks to Donors and Corporate Partners

Houston, TX — November 19, 2025 — As Houston’s economy continues to grow, new career opportunities are emerging every day. Yet too many young people, full of talent and ambition, are still waiting for their chance to step into them. BridgeYear, a leading education-to-workforce nonprofit, is helping close that gap by connecting Houston’s youth to hands-on training and apprenticeships that lead directly to stable, high-demand careers — no four-year degree required.

This progress is made possible by generous community donations and corporate partners who believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.

From Students to Electricians

In October 2025, 23 BridgeYear students graduated from Texas Technical Trade School, completing their electrical training and ready to step into full-time apprenticeships. These young professionals learned to read blueprints, install fixtures, and safely wire buildings — skills that power Houston’s homes, hospitals, and businesses.

“These students didn’t just learn from a textbook. They learned by doing,” said Victoria Chen, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BridgeYear. “When donors invest in our programs, they’re helping young people find confidence, direction, and stability.”

Read more about their journey on LinkedIn.

This is one of many stories made possible through donor and corporate support, proving that when the community invests in young people, Houston’s future shines brighter.

Connecting Students and Employers: BridgeYear’s Mission

BridgeYear was founded on a simple but powerful mission:
To connect youth to meaningful careers and educational pathways that provide economic stability and independence.

Many students graduate unaware of the careers available to them or how to get there. BridgeYear bridges that gap by partnering with schools, employers, and community organizations to bring career exploration to life.

Through programs like:

Career Test Drive® Fairs, where students “try on” real careers like electrician, phlebotomist, and medical technician;
Career Cohorts, short-term training that leads to industry certifications ;
MorePathways®, a digital tool that helps students find affordable local training programs, and
Apprenticeships, like the Automotive Technician program with Gulf States Toyota and Houston Community College.

BridgeYear helped over 12,100 students across 54 schools and 16 districts in 2024–2025 alone.

Powered by Donors and Partners

This year, BridgeYear received a generous grant in Houston, Texas, to support the Career Cohort Program, which connects recent high school graduates to job training and employment opportunities. As the year comes to a close, BridgeYear aims to raise $75,000 during the holiday season to expand hands-on career training and exploration across Houston.

“Their investment allows us to continue guiding young people into programs that help graduates move from uncertainty to stability,” said Avery Suber, Development Manager at BridgeYear.

Building Houston’s Future Together

At the recent Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Summit, Executive Director Victoria Chen led a breakout session titled “From Classroom to Career: How BridgeYear and Gulf States Toyota Built a Youth Apprenticeship Model That Works.”

In her remarks, Chen emphasized how collaboration between educators and employers can expand access to opportunity while addressing workforce needs across the region.

“When schools, training providers, and employers come together, we can create clear, equitable pathways into high-demand careers,” said Chen. “That’s what makes partnerships like ours with Gulf States Toyota so valuable. They show what’s possible when we align around the needs of both students and industry.”

About BridgeYear

BridgeYear connects youth to meaningful careers and educational pathways that lead to economic stability and independence. By partnering with schools, employers, and community organizations, BridgeYear ensures every student, regardless of background, can explore, train, and succeed in high-demand industries.

Learn more at www.BridgeYear.org.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeYearProgram/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeyear/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridgeyear