Connections to Success, a non-profit organization with locations in St. Louis, St. Charles, Columbia, and Kansas City, has been awarded a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand workforce development services for veterans in Boone County, Missouri.
The $152,000 grant is part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), which funds organizations across the country to help veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness find meaningful employment, and assist them in overcoming barriers to transition back successfully into the workforce. The funding will allow Connections to Success to expand its services in the Columbia, Missouri area, empowering veterans in Boone County to achieve greater economic stability through job training, career readiness, and wrap-around support.
“This grant is an incredible opportunity for us to expand our services for at-risk veterans,” said Connections to Success CEO Brandi Jahnke. “These individuals face real challenges in employment reintegration, but with the right support system in place, they can overcome those challenges. We are honored to be able to give back to those who have served our country.”
Connections to Success is one of 154 organizations nationwide to receive funding through the HVRP grant. With its flagship Pathways to Success program, they are able to offer job training, career counseling, résumé assistance, mock interviews, and linkages to housing, food, and transportation, all at no cost to participants. The core personal and professional development training is rooted in dignity, accountability, and community connection, and participants gain job readiness as well as tools for building healthy relationships, stable routines, and a sense of purpose.
“This new funding will open so many doors for veterans experiencing homelessness,” said Rachael Meuser, Vice President of Community & Impact. “Every day we work with people who want to do better for themselves and their families. This grant gives us the resources to say, ‘We’re here for you, and we’re ready to help.’ It’s more than a program – it’s about restoring hope.”
About Connections to Success:
Founded in 1998, Connections to Success is a nonprofit organization based in Missouri, with locations in St. Louis, St. Charles, Columbia, and Kansas City. Connections to Success offers comprehensive support to families working toward economic stability and growth by providing practical resources, career preparation, and a strong foundation for lasting success. The organization offers a wide-ranging network of services and referrals to help people achieve economic independence after facing challenges such as generational poverty, incarceration, and violence. The Connections to Success model integrates training opportunities, life transformation coaching, support services, and job development to set participants up for long-term success. This evidence-based model delivers a measurable ROI, resulting in sustainable change that positively impacts all areas of a person’s life while also having a positive influence on the community.
Since its original start in 1998, the organization has served over 40,000 individuals throughout Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.
