Northeastern University Students Partner With Big Dreams Through Small Steps to Support Bridge Abilities Initiative

A collaboration between Northeastern University and the nonprofit Big Dreams Through Small Steps is giving graduate students the opportunity to work directly with a growing community initiative while helping strengthen a program that supports individuals with disabilities.

The partnership is part of Northeastern’s NPM6320 Ventures Social Entrepreneurship course within the university’s Nonprofit Management Program through the College of Professional Studies. Through the university’s Experiential Projects initiative, students are working alongside community leaders to analyze and develop strategies for Bridge Abilities, a program that expands access to essential medical equipment for families and individuals in need.

Bridge Abilities was founded by Sophia Sharypov, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, who was inspired by her twin sister Maria, who was born with cerebral palsy. Growing up alongside Maria shaped Sophia’s understanding of the challenges many families face in accessing medical and adaptive equipment.

The initiative connects community members who have gently used, high-quality medical equipment with individuals and families in need. By redistributing items such as mobility aids, communication devices, and other adaptive equipment, the program provides a sustainable and affordable way to expand access to healthcare resources while reducing waste. The effort is designed to bridge the gap between surplus medical supplies and families seeking tools that can improve daily life.

Sophia’s vision extends beyond equipment distribution. The initiative also focuses on creating a supportive environment where children of all abilities feel valued, included, and connected. Through community engagement and resource sharing, the program aims to help ensure that children with disabilities have opportunities to participate more fully in everyday life.

Recognizing the initiative's impact and potential, Big Dreams Through Small Steps partnered with Sophia to help launch and develop Bridge Abilities as part of its broader mission to empower children and families through education, skill-building, and community engagement.

As part of the Northeastern University collaboration, students began the semester by meeting directly with Misty and Robert Ritch from Big Dreams Through Small Steps, as well as with Sophia. The early conversations introduced students to the initiative's mission and provided firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities of building a social venture.

Students have since completed early coursework examining the venture’s foundation and the ecosystem in which it operates. Current assignments focus on mission architecture and impact logic, helping students analyze how the initiative can structure programs and measure outcomes.

Upcoming course modules will shift toward scaling strategy, operational planning, and long-term sustainability. Students will evaluate Bridge Abilities’ operating model, identify early-stage priorities, and explore how the initiative communicates its value to families, partners, and potential funders. The final phase of the project will integrate financial planning, impact measurement, and stakeholder communication, culminating in recommendations that can support the program’s continued growth.

Faculty involved in the project report strong student engagement, with students applying academic frameworks to a real-world initiative and contributing insights that may guide future development.

The collaboration highlights the value of experiential learning, allowing students to produce work that goes beyond academic exercises while providing nonprofit leaders with strategic analysis that can support mission-driven growth. For Bridge Abilities and Big Dreams Through Small Steps, the partnership offers an opportunity to refine operations and strengthen long-term planning as the initiative continues expanding its reach in the community.

By connecting university-level social entrepreneurship education with a locally driven initiative founded by a student advocate, the collaboration demonstrates how academic partnerships can help transform innovative ideas into sustainable community solutions.