Pathways to Success
Paving the way to economic independence through confidence and career-building.
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.
Reduction in annual incarceration costs of $4,950,000 over a two-year evaluation of our work
The average cost of all annual program services is $2,025,000 over a two-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.
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.
Pathways to Success graduates contribute to an increase in annual tax revenue of $1,434,430 over a two-year evaluation of our work.
74% of participants secure employment shortly after completing the program.
84% of participants report reduced conflict in co-parenting relationships after going through the Pathways to Success program.
A Path to a Brighter Future.
Pathways to Success is more than just job training. It’s a journey of self-discovery and personal transformation. Our evidence-based program empowers participants to break free of their past – whether it’s a cycle of generational poverty, incarceration, or violence – providing them with the support, resources, and connections they need to build a new life path.
Participants in the program start out with an intensive, two-week training that focuses on personal and professional development. They quickly form bonds with our staff and other participants through gratitude circles and our come-as-you-are, no judgment approach. Personalized life and career skills will push them to become more confident in who they are and what they can achieve. Next, they practice job interviews, polish their résumés, and work with our job developers to connect with interested employers. And the journey doesn’t end after finding employment. At Connections to Success, we never close a file – we continue to walk alongside participants as they deepen their professional growth and strengthen their personal support systems.
Pathways to Success has three phases: Prepare, Pursue, and Persevere. These stages reflect the real-life process of transformation and ensure that participants receive ongoing encouragement, support, and resources. Whether you or someone you love is just starting out on their journey or rebuilding after a setback, we meet people where they are and stay with them for the long haul.
Connections to Change,
Community, and a Future.
Empowering the whole individual to flourish by supporting a personalized path forward to achieve economic independence.
The Pathways to Success program was created with the holistic needs of our participants in mind. Our wrap-around approach combines practical career training and skills with the emotional, relational, and practical support needed for participants to grow and thrive. Participants move through three key phases: prepare, pursue, and persevere. Within this journey, we provide services such as personal and professional development, job training, career coaching, connections to employers, parenting and relationship support, and access to resources for needs like transportation and housing. Each phase is designed to provide structure, stability, and support, and we do this in an environment where individuals feel welcomed, supported, and treated like family. Through our programs, participants gain restored relationships, economic independence, and a sense of belonging.
Prepare
The first phase of Pathways to Success is creating a strong foundation to build on. Participants take part in a high-energy, two-week personal and professional development training that helps them reflect, refocus, and regain the confidence to move forward.
Personal & Professional Development Training info
In this two-week training, we challenge participants to “jump higher” – a signature activity that encourages them to recognize the strengths they already have and then nudging them to take the next step. We challenge them in ways that feel achievable, celebrate progress, and walk alongside them as they build momentum.
Mock Interviews info
Whether it’s during our personal and professional development training or a visit to one of our weekly Career Connect days, participants get personalized coaching and practice through mock interviews, building their confidence and sharpening their skills. Individuals learn how to present their strengths and navigate tough interview questions with professionalism, arming them with the polish and poise needed for the real thing.
Professional Clothing info
Before their Next Steps Ceremony, graduates get a professional makeover – including “before and after” photos of them outfitted in free professional attire for interviews and beyond. We provide clothing for men and women, with our women’s clothing through our boutiques: Dress for Success Midwest (St. Louis) and Dress for Success Kansas City. Looking professional and sharp helps our participants feel confident and ready to make a positive, lasting impression.
Linkages to Employers & Employer Events info
Connections to Success partners with local employers to link our participants to companies looking for qualified, talented workers, as well as including visits to job fairs and hiring events. These opportunities allow participants to have a clear path to employment connections, and support during and after the hiring process.
Pursue
Once participants are prepared, they’re now ready to pursue – which means focusing on putting their skills to work. This phase supports each participant’s job search, personal growth, and career goals through hands-on coaching and mentorship.
Life Transformation Coaching
Our life transformation coaches provide participants with ongoing personal and professional support, walking alongside them on their journey and pushing them to stay focused, work through challenges, and keep building positive habits. These bonds go deep – many of our participants stay in touch with their life transformation coaches long after they’ve achieved economic independence and reached their personal goals.
Weekly Career Connect
Our weekly Career Connect is an informal, open-house style workshop where participants can drop in for help updating their résumés, practicing job interviews, researching careers, or just getting advice from one of our life transformation coaches or job developers. It’s a great way to check in, touch base, stay accountable, and keep growing.
One-on-One Mentoring
Mentorship offers Pathways to Success participants more than just someone to hold them accountable. It offers them ongoing guidance, emotional support, and a lasting connection. Volunteers are paired with participants one-on-one to connect, grow, and do life together, with an emphasis on building positive habits at work and at home.
Healthy Relationship & Parenting Skills
We recognize that a positive future depends on more than just employment. Our wrap-around approach means we care about the whole person – and that includes family. Connections to Success offers workshops and other resources to help participants improve relationships with partners, co-parents, and their children.
Skills-based training
To increase our participants’ qualifications and confidence in the workplace, we also offer connections to additional training within specific industries. One example of this is in the field of logistics and transportation, where many of our participants have received their CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) training.
Persevere
We recognize that in life, it’s the journey, not the destination. That’s why our final phase of Pathways to Success is focused towards staying on track long-term. We never close a file, and we continue to walk with our participants as they grow and thrive.
Men’s & Women’s Professional Groups
Our men’s and women’s groups meet monthly to support one another, foster leadership skills, share wins, navigate workplace life, and enjoy community together. These groups truly become like a second family, where connections are built for life.
Community Nights
Our community night gatherings offer a relaxed, welcoming, and safe environment for participants, alumni, and staff to stay connected, share resources, build lasting relationships, and have fun.
Family Special Events
Connections to Success also hosts regular family-oriented dinners, celebrations, workshops that are open to participants as well as their children and families. Because transformation is for all to celebrate!
Resources & Referrals (for housing, clothing, food, transportation, and more):
We connect participants to trusted partners for basic needs such as transportation, housing, and food, ensuring they have access to essential resources while they work towards their desired future.
Ready for a Fresh Start?
You can do anything with hope, resources, and a plan.
Change is always possible when you’re ready for a new start. With Pathways to Success, we walk alongside you on each step so you can take back control of your future. Whether it’s landing a job, building a savings account, or becoming the role model you want for your family, our participants are living proof that with hope, resources, and a plan, transformation can happen for you, too.
Make an Impact on Your Own Organization
Empower participants, restore hope, and create lasting change for your organization and community.
Non-profit and organizations across the country have implemented the Pathways to Success model, bringing lasting change to their communities. Partner with us to bring this model home, and join a national movement of powerful transformation!
Be a part of someone’s success story!
Do you know someone ready for a fresh start who would benefit from our holistic, wrap-around support? Be a part of the next success story! Connect them to our proven Pathways to Success program today, and they can begin a transformational journey towards stability, growth, confidence, and lasting change.
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
Are your programs free?
Yes! All of our services are 100% free to participants thanks to the support of our donors, partners, and grant funding.
How do I apply or refer someone to the program?
You can apply or refer someone by visiting our website and completing the referral form. A member of our team will then reach out to discuss the next steps and help smoothly guide you through our process.
Do you help match participants with open roles?
Yes! We actively partner with employers and host hiring events to connect participants with job opportunities that align with their skills and goals. We have job developers on staff to help, and offer weekly Career Connect days at our locations where you can drop in and research jobs, get résumé advice, and more.