When Hue stepped up to the podium at the 2025 Bridge Gala in November, he was nervous. He had never spoken in front of a crowd before. Although unsure, he was not alone, for the room was full of people who believed in him and cared deeply about his journey.

Hue spoke about finding Bridge when he had nowhere else to go and how it had been a welcoming place from the start. He described starting therapy, signing up for health insurance, securing housing in the Transitional Living Program, and attending school to become an HVAC technician. “It is a hands-on job, and I like working with my hands,” Hue said.

He finished his speech to great applause, but one person was paying special attention. As Hue made his way back to his seat, Joe Gratta, CEO of Atlantic Mechanical Contractors, stood up to shake his hand and offered him a job opportunity at his HVAC company, opening the door to a real career in the field he hopes to pursue.

After the Gala, he interviewed at Atlantic Mechanical and secured a job as a maintenance apprentice, working on HVAC systems in restaurants, pharmacies, and other businesses. Once he completes an apprenticeship and takes his exams, Hue will be a licensed technician. “This job is the best thing ever,” Hue said. “I like the work and my coworkers are great.”

Joe is also thrilled that Hue has come on board. “Hue has been a great addition to our team – eager to learn, hardworking, and always willing to take on new challenges. We’re excited to see him reach his potential in the HVAC field.”

Today, Hue is thriving. Outside of work, he has moved into Bridge’s Liberty House in Dorchester and is saving for his future. He completed Bridge’s Millionaires’ Club, which taught him how to open accounts, invest, and save. He is well on his way to building a career he loves and a life that belongs just to him.

Hue is a fantastic example of one of Bridge’s core beliefs: when you connect youth to resources and to people who care, amazing things happen.