Kathy Lambert, Co-Founder, opened Dress for Success Midwest in 1998 after reading an article about Dress for Success (DfS), New York. The article explained how DfS provided interview appropriate attire to women in disadvantaged situations, helping them be on the same playing field as other candidates. Understanding the need for this service locally, Kathy opened the first DfS affiliate in the St. Louis region.

In 1999, Kathy’s husband, Brad Lambert, saw his wife’s happiness and positive outcomes serving their community and decided to leave his position as a civil engineer to launch another needed program, Wheels for Success. Once women were suited through DfS Midwest and successfully interviewed for a job, many lacked reliable transportation to and from their new job. Wheels for Success was launched to help hardworking participants overcome this barrier by providing them with donated vehicles in good condition.

As months passed, Kathy and Brad began to identify other gaps in services, recognizing that suits and cars could not meet every need. Participants wanted to move forward, but many lacked the training and resources needed to excel in their place of employment. They needed childcare assistance, further education, mentors and support systems while on their journey to economic independence. Kathy, Brad and their team created comprehensive programming to address these challenges and break the cycle of poverty. In 2001, they brought their programs together under the name Connections to Success (CtS).

Since that time, CtS has grown to include sites in the Kansas City region and a site in East St. Louis. Because the CtS model produces measurable ROI and sustainable change, we have started equipping other nonprofits and agencies with the training and tools needed to replicate the CtS model in their communities. Our first replication sites started in Kansas in 2014.

Since our creation in 1998, we’ve served nearly 25,000 people through our locations in KS, MO and IL thanks to the support of our wonderful donors, partners, volunteers and staff. We are honored to journey alongside the individuals and families who come through our doors as they move toward their goals, dreams and economic independence.

We don’t always know where life will take us. In a TEDx Talk, Connections to Success (CtS) Co-Founder Kathy Lambert shares some of the personal stories and experiences that led her to start Connections to Success.