Building Bridges

The 2020 Annual Building Bridges
Awards Luncheon will be held at the
The JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa

April 6, 2021

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Direct logo highlighting the 40 years anniversary and Linkages logo

12th Annual Building Bridges Awards Luncheon & 40 Years Anniversary for DIRECT Center for Independence

April 6th, 2021 12:00pm

The Building Bridges Awards Luncheon is a one of a kind event where we celebrate employment for individuals with disabilities. Linkages and DIRECT Center for Independence joined forces. Together they have 60 years of combined experience in working to increase independence and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The collective goal is to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of life in our community, including the pursuit and attainment of competitive employment.

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Nominate for the 12th Annual
Building Bridges Awards Luncheon

Nominations for the 2020 Building Bridges Awards are now open, anyone is welcome to nominate someone for a Building Bridges Award. Nominees must live or do business in Pima County to qualify. You can make as many nominations as you want for each of our categories - Employer, Employee, and Employment Specialist of the Year.

Select to fill out 2020 Nomination Form

Congrats to our
2017 BUILDING BRIDGES AWARDS WINNERS!


  • Highlight Reel of 2017 Awards Luncheon
    Thank you to our incredible sponsors and all of our luncheon guests!

  • Individual of the Year - Grayson Stogsdill
    This award recognizes an individual with a disability who exemplifies the characteristics of a highly productive worker. The award is based on how far the employee has come in not only career achievements, but personal success as well.




  • Employer of the Year - Southern Arizona Family Services
    The Employer of the Year Award honors a local business, non-profit organization or government agency whose hiring practices demonstrate and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities into its workplace. This award is given to an employer who focuses on the ability of the individual and promotes a corporate culture which supports people with disabilities.


  • Employment Specialist of the Year - Susan Hurt
    The Employment Specialist of the Year Award will recognize a job developer who goes above and beyond. They teach their clients how to advocate for themselves and show their clients they have abilities. This individual collaborates with other agencies and works towards making our community a more inclusive place for people with disabilities.