Connections To Success Inc

CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS FULFILLS ITS VISION OF BEING THE LEADER IN EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR TRANSFORMATION TO ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE THROUGH ITS MISSION OF INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS TO REALIZE THEIR DREAMS AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING HOPE, RESOURCES, AND A PLAN. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A HOLISTIC FAMILY OF PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE, JOB READINESS SKILLS, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PEER-TO-PEER MENTORING AND SUPPORT, HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, GOAL SETTING, TRAINING IN CULINARY SKILLS, HOME REMODELING AND AUTO REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, AND MENTORING. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED IN THE ST. LOUIS, ST. CHARLES, AND KANSAS CITY METROPOLITAN AREAS.

PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS: A COMPREHENSIVE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE SERVING ADULTS (MEN AND WOMEN) TRANSITIONING FROM GENERATIONAL POVERTY, INCARCERATION OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SERVICES INCLUDE WORKFORCE READINESS TRAINING, COGNITIVE SKILLS BUILDING, JOB PLACEMENT AND RETENTION, HEALTH & WELLNESS, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, SKILLS TRAINING AND TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT. OUTCOMES INCLUDE FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, STABLE HOUSING, IMPROVED HEALTH, FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND FINANCIAL STABILITY.OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE UPON COMPLETION OF THIS TRAINING INCLUDE:RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD TRAINING: THIS SERVICE WAS ADDED IN 2011 BASED ON THE NEED OF ABSENTEE DADS TO BECOME FUNCTIONING FATHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH AN EVIDENCE BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR FATHERING AND FACILITATED BY CERTIFIED TRAINERS.BREAKFAST CLUB: A UNIQUE JOB CLUB FOR PARTICIPANTS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT FACILITATED WEEKLY BY THE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST AND JOB COACH WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB SHADOWING, NETWORKING, MENTORING, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, UPDATES TO THE CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND OTHER INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. THIS WEEKLY GATHERING IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL TO THOSE HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN THE JOB SEARCH PROCESS. PARTICIPANTS ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER LAB AT THE CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS OFFICE.MENTORING: THIS SERVICE IS OFFERED THROUGH A PROGRAM CALLED 'CONNECTIONS TO LIVING'. MANY PROJECT STUDIES HAVE CNCLUDED THAT SUCCESS IS ENHANCED WHEN MENTORING IS INCORPORATED INTO A HOLISTIC REHABILITATION PROGRAM SUCH AS THE ONE OFFERED AT CONNECTIONS. VOLUNTEER MENTORS ENGAGE WITH PARTICIPANTS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.CONNECT GROUP: WEEKLY MEETINGS WHERE MENTORS AND PARTICIPANTS COME TOGETHER FOR A LIGHT MEAL, CONVERSATION, WORKSHOPS AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.TRANSPORTATION: A VAN SERVICE PROVIDED BY CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS TO PARTICIPANTS LIMITED BY LACK OF PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION. ASSISTANCE INCLUDES TRAVELING TO/FROM CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS OFFICES, JOB INTERVIEWS, JOB FAIRS, AND OTHER APPROVED RESOURCES/APPOINTMENTS.WHEELS FOR SUCCESS: A UNIQUE CAR OWNERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDING VEHICLES DONATED TO CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS, THEN AWARDED TO PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVING MILESTONES IN THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS MIDWEST AND KANSAS CITY: PROVIDES BUSINESS CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES TO LOW-INCOME WOMEN PREPARING FOR EMPLOYMENT. REFERRALS ARE RECEIVED FROM OVER 200 NONPROFITS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. EACH WOMAN RECEIVES A LIKE-NEW BUSINESS SUIT WITH ALL ACCESSORIES. THIS PROGRAM HAS SERVED OVER 25,000 WOMEN SINCE BEGINNING. CURRENTLY, BOUTIQUES IN ST. CHARLES, ST. LOUIS AND KANSAS CITY SERVE OVER 1,500 WOMEN EACH YEAR. OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE TO WOMEN COMING THROUGH DRESS FOR SUCCESS INCLUDE:PROFESSIONAL WOMENS' GROUP (PWG): PWG IS A JOB RETENTION PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR ENTRY LEVEL WOMEN ONCE THEY ARE EMPLOYED TO PROVIDE A NETWORK OF SUPPORT, PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION TO ACHIEVE SELF-DEFINED SUCCESS IN CAREER AND LIFE. PWG MEETINGS ARE HELD ONCE A MONTH IN THE EVENING TO PROVIDE ON-GOING SUPPORT.

PROGRAM REPLICATION: PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS IN REPLICATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS PROGRAM. CURRENTLY ARE ENGAGED WITH FOUR AGENCIES LOCATED IN TOPEKA, SALINA, WICHITA AND GARDEN CITY, KANSAS IN REPLICATING PATHWAYS PROGRAM.