Bridges to Success (BtS)
Last Revised: September 30, 2025
- Issue Areas
- Financial security
Program overview
Addressing multiple underlying factors of poverty: Bridges to Success (BtS) is a comprehensive case management (CCM) welfare program run by Rochester-area non-profit organizations. The program tailors assistance to the goals of individual beneficiaries with the aim of alleviating poverty.
Developed for individuals with low-to-moderate income: U.S. citizens of working age (18+) and ability whose household incomes fall under 200% of the federal poverty line are eligible for BtS. The program pairs participants with mentors. They collaborate to establish long and short term goals aimed at improvement in specific domains identified by participants. Mentors connect individuals with local non-profits and social service programs based on their unique needs.
Providing Intensive services: Professional mentors meet with beneficiaries at least once a month over a two-year period, reevaluating progress in outcome areas every three months. Progress is tracked across nine areas: housing, family, health, networks, debt, saving, educational attainment, wage, and job type. When enrollees take steps towards reaching a goal mentors will provide financial incentives. For example, an individual seeking employment may be rewarded for completing job applications.
- Strategies
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Job placement services and supports
- Cost per Participant
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$10,386 on average per client
- Location
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Rochester (NY)
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
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$0.41-$3.56 net benefit per dollar spent (depending on how long benefits from the program persist). “employment effects would need to persist for about 7 years for the present discounted value of after-tax earnings gains to exceed the net cost of providing the program."
A single rigorously-designed study provides some evidence for Bridges to Success as a strategy to increase employment among low income individuals.
A 2024 randomized control trial found that individuals enrolled in BtS were 10 percentage points more likely to be employed than a control group. The driving mechanism behind these results was identified as increased hope stemming from program participants’ increased motivation and agency.
Provide financial incentives: As Bridges to Success participants meet milestones they are provided financial rewards. Individuals generally have more difficulty making progress towards lofty, longer-term goals than shorter-term ones. Incentives create interim milestones that feel more attainable, and thus motivate participants, and help contribute to their longer-term success.
Leverage local resources and non-profits: Bridges to Success mentors regularly connect participants with local social services and other community-based organizations. Creating partnerships with these organizations is vital for mentors to be able to provide clients with the guidance and direct assistance that they need to meet their goals.
Provide ongoing assistance: Mentors and mentees meet at least once a month over the course of several years. This facilitates a close relationship and enables personalized assistance and the creation of impactful, long-term goals. Consistent meetings enable regular progress tracking and thus ensure participants are accessing the resources they need to move forward.