Building BRIDGES to independence and pride

 By Caitlin Cormier, WSDOT Office of Equity & Civil Rights

We celebrate Disability Pride Month every July. This month we want to bring attention to a new partnership that includes personal, professional and disability pride.

In June, we joined with Seattle Public Schools for a pilot program that brought the BRIDGES program to Colman Dock. (Colman Dock is our Seattle ferry terminal.)

A busy Colman Dock on Seattle's Pier 52 was the site of the pilot BRIDGES program where students, in green WSDOT work vests, helped ferry passengers.

BRIDGES stands for Building Real-life Independent Daily Living and Gainful Employment Skills. It is a program designed for young adults with disabilities. People 18-21 years old who have completed grade 12 can take part. The program helps them meet their individual goals after high school.

Students go to various community volunteer sites with school staff. There, they can develop and hone job, life and independent living skills. The vision of the BRIDGES program is a world where young adults with disabilities gain new skills and feel empowered to be engaged community members. Participants get help to launch their successful and meaningful futures.

So, on two separate bright, warm June days, we, along with SPS staff, accompanied several students to Colman Dock. The terminal’s location and accessibility make it easy to visit the area. It’s a great place to see opportunities for those interested in working within the state Ferries system.

Students from Seattle Public Schools, in green vests, who volunteered as part of a work-experience program at Colman Dock, with SPS job coach Tim Bauer.

“The pilot was a success. We look forward to expanding to more opportunities like this in the future,” said Travis Mahlum, External Workforce Development manager in WSDOT’s Office of Equity & Civil Rights. “Staff members at the terminal were wonderful at explaining jobs. They gave these young adults the opportunity to assist guests who were scanning their tickets, boarding the ferry and looking for items at the Lost and Found booth.”

Justin Ellenson, BRIDGES Transition teacher with SPS, said, “We’re all very excited about bringing BRIDGES here! A large part of my job as a transition teacher is finding various opportunities for students to learn job-readiness skills. I’m thrilled about this partnership, because it can show these young adults new career paths that they hadn’t even considered. Getting to volunteer time with our local ferry system is a fun way to connect with our community in a meaningful way.”

Mahlum also shared that, “Programs like BRIDGES are crucial to bridging the equality gap for people in our most underserved communities who may otherwise be unaware of such chances to gain life and job experience.”

Ellenson expressed that his goal for students in the BRIDGES program is to learn skills that will help them become as independent as possible in their adult lives. He wants students to be able to advocate for themselves as they grow. He’s found that Seattle business owners have welcomed the students as meaningful members of the working world. They understand that everyone brings value in their own ways.

Importantly, BRIDGES is successful according to the students:

“While I’m at Colman Dock, I guide people through the turnstiles and help them with their tickets,” said student James Roderick. “I like the views, looking at the boats, and the smell of the salt water. It’s a calm environment and I’m looking forward to learning more next year.”

“I’ve been helping do the fire checks around the terminal and helping customers with their tickets. I like that it’s a different work experience,” said student Lily Meyer. “The people that work in the terminal have been helpful. Next school year, I hope to continue volunteering there.”

Working with SPS on this opportunity for these young adults reminded us that pride comes in all forms.

BRIDGES at Colman Dock in Seattle will restart in the fall, when the school year begins again.