Volunteer with Purpose
Use your time, skills, and heart to serve as a volunteer mentor, empowering participants to build a brighter future.
The average cost of all annual program services is $2,025,000 over a two-year evaluation of our work.
Studies showed a six-fold ROI of $6.85 for each dollar invested in Connections to Success services over a three-year evaluation of our work.
The recidivism rate for program graduates is just 14% – and drops to 8% among those in the mentoring program, compared to the 44% national average.
Pathways to Success graduates contribute to an increase in annual tax revenue of $1,434,430 over a two-year evaluation of our work.
84% of participants report reduced conflict in co-parenting relationships after going through the Pathways to Success program.
70% of participants are still employed nine months after getting a job.
Program alumni are improving their credit, building emergency savings, and reducing personal debt.
The Pathways to Success program reduces costs to taxpayers through lower reliance on the court system, Medicaid, foster care, and prison services.
Within six months of starting work, 82% of graduates experience an increase in earnings.
74% of participants secure employment shortly after completing the program.
Reduction in annual incarceration costs of $4,950,000 over a two-year evaluation of our work
The Heart of our Success.
At Connections to Success, we do life together – and mentoring is the heartbeat of our organization. Our volunteer mentors bridge the gap between where someone is today and where they dream to be. As a volunteer mentor, you’ll be paired up with a participant in our programs, and you’ll then have the privilege of walking alongside them on their path to achieving their goals of economic independence. From personal development to professional advice, you’ll help shape a participant’s journey, inspiring and cheering them on as you offer practical support and encouragement.
In addition to mentoring, we’re always looking for volunteers to conduct mock interviews, share your business expertise as a guest speaker, serve as a stylist in our men’s or women’s boutiques, help out behind the scenes by preparing meals for our community nights or organizing donated professional attire. Your gifts of time and service will create lasting effects for our participants and community.
We inspire families to realize their dreams and achieve economic independence by providing hope, resources and a plan.
Mission
Our mission is brought to life every day by the power of individual connection, and our volunteers make those connections possible. We meet individuals where they are and provide support on their journey toward personal and economic growth. As a volunteer, you help us offer the real-world preparation, encouragement, and supportive presence that helps our participants thrive. By walking alongside our participants, you become a part of their story.
Where Connection Creates Change
Every participant’s journey is different, but they all start with one thing: being ready for a change. At Connections to Success, we walk alongside individuals eager to rebuild and reclaim their futures. From earning a living wage to becoming leaders in the community, our alumni are proof that lasting transformation is possible. Their stories remind us why this work matters and inspire us to keep going.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of volunteer opportunities are available?
Serving as a volunteer mentor is one of the most impactful ways you can make a difference in someone’s life. Along with mentoring, there are so many ways you can give of your time! We’d love to talk with you about serving in any of these ways:
- Participate in mock interviews
- Speak at one of our training workshops or career groups
- Be a stylist at our men’s or women’s boutique
- Assist with sorting and organizing professional clothes
- Provide lunch or dinner for a class
- Hold a clothing donation drive
- Budget coaching
- Support a specific event or fundraiser
- Serve on a committee
Do I need training to become a volunteer?
For most of our volunteer opportunities, all you need is the personal and professional experience and knowledge you already have. For our volunteer mentors, we have a training program that will guide you through the process, talk about boundaries, the life cycle of a mentoring relationship, and more. We do require an application and consent to background check for all of our mentors. For everything else, we’ll equip you with all the training you need to make a difference!
Can I volunteer as a group or corporate team?
Absolutely! We welcome group volunteering and can tailor experiences for companies, schools, and organizations. Many groups enjoy coming to one of our Dress for Success boutiques to hold events or clothing drives. Mock interviews with our Pathways to Success participants are another great way for your team to get involved in a low-pressure, high-reward environment.
How do I get started?
It’s easy – just fill out our volunteer interest form online, and someone from our team will contact you with the next steps.