About Connections to Success

We empower individuals and families to overcome barriers, break the cycle of generational poverty, and build sustainable futures, creating lasting change for families and communities.

We inspire families to realize their dreams and achieve economic independence by providing hope, resources and a plan.

Mission

Strongly

Connected.

For Life.

At Connections to Success, we’re dedicated to helping our participants overcome obstacles to employment by providing wrap-around, holistic support. We walk alongside individuals and families as they create a new path for the future, develop new skills, and take actionable steps towards lasting success. Through our programs, we provide job readiness training, life coaching and mentoring, professional clothing, employer connections, career support, and access to essential resources. And we don’t stop after employment. We help our participants continue to grow and flourish through our professional groups, community events, and family nights – walking alongside them each step of the way.

Once trapped in an abusive relationship and struggling with despair, Jana found safety, support, and a path forward at Connections to Success. Now a self-published author, keynote speaker, and host of an internet radio show, she’s rewriting her story and empowering others to do the same.

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I felt there was no way out… but I asked for help and started a new chapter in my life.

– Jana (Connections to Success Alumni)

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Through the Connections to Success programs, David began to rebuild – not just his career path, but also his confidence. He developed improved communication skills, even stepping into public speaking, where he began to recognize his own potential in a new way.

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It’s always been a passion of mine to be a coach, to give back anything I have and to keep people connected to success.

– David (Connections to Success Alumni)

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With support from Connections to Success, Kesha went from seeking stability to earning two advanced degrees, becoming a nationally recognized speaker and author, and helping other women break cycles of poverty. Her success shows what’s possible when confidence meets connections.

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Today, I’ve completed my educational goals, achieved homeownership, and continue striving toward my career goals. I hold a master’s degree in organizational leadership, I’m a confident speaker, and recruiting guru.

– Kesha (Connections to Success Alumni)

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After spending his entire adult life in prison, Joseph used the tools and support he gained from Connections to Success to rebuild his life, step by step. Today, he’s a leader, a mentor, and a living example of how choosing the right response to any event can create a better outcome.

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I learned that I can’t control every event in my life, but I can control my response. And that lesson changed everything.

– Joseph (Connections to Success Alumni)

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After almost five years in a federal prison, Tina rebuilt her life through Connections to Success and became a successful heavy equipment operator. Today she is transforming skilled trades through innovative, accessible childcare that helps parents thrive in their careers.

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I went from feeling broken to feeling unstoppable. Sometimes all you need is someone to believe in you until you can believe in yourself.

– Tina (Connections to Success Alumni)

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Mordekay rebuilt his confidence through Connections to Success after incarceration, went on to earn his plumbing certification, and is now creating a stable future for his family. He is a model of resilience, perseverance, and the power of support.

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Once I learned how to believe in myself, everything opened up. Connections to Success helped me see that I could build a new future.

– Mordekay (Connections to Success Alumni)

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After nearly 13 years in prison, Wanekii rebuilt her life with determination, faith, and the support of Connections to Success. Today, she is living her best life with a career, a family, and a future filled with opportunity.

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I refuse to let my past define me. The personal and professional development training taught me skills, but also taught me to believe in myself. And that changed everything.

– Wanekii (Connections to Success Alumni)

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In less than a year, Haley went from returning citizen to college student, youth specialist, and now Connections to Success team member. Her journey shows just how far courage and connection can go.

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Connections to Success helped me see a future I didn’t think I deserved. Now I’m building that future and helping others build theirs.

– Haley (Connections to Success Alumni)

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Where Potential Meets Possibility.

We believe real change happens when people feel seen, welcomed, and supported. Since 1998, Connections to Success has served over 40,000 individuals – each with their own story, challenges, goals, and potential.

We uplift participants by providing the support needed to create and realize a new life plan after a setback. Whether it’s generational poverty, justice involvement, or domestic violence, we help put the future back in their hands through our long-term, wrap-around support. For example, our Pathways to Success program has a proven track record with measurable outcomes of success:

74% of participants secure employment shortly after completing the Pathways to Success program, and 70% are still employed nine months later. Recidivism after one year drops to 8% for participants who are also in our mentoring program, down from the national average of 44%.

And our impact doesn’t stop with individual outcomes. The Pathways to Success model provides quantifiable ROI for communities and taxpayers, reducing incarceration costs, increasing tax revenue, and lowering reliance on public services. When individuals succeed, families grow stronger. When families are strong, communities flourish.

Our work is about more than workforce development. It’s about restoring hope and dignity, building lifelong connections, and creating lasting, generational change.

Over a two-year evaluation of our work, our programs showed the following annual results:

Be the leader in empowering individuals to reach economic independence.

Vision

Our Values

Get Involved

You play an important role in helping families realize their dreams and achieve economic independence! Whether you’re a donor, employer, volunteer, or partner seeking to bring hope, resources, and a plan to your community or organization, your involvement is the key to helping participants build the life they strive for. Join us in creating lasting impact, one connection at a time.