Purpose of the project: to provide job-based training and living-wage employment for all veterans in support of their long-term stability and self-sufficiencyactivities to be funded by the grant:…

Connections To Success Inc. received a $152,000 Project Grant award effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, from the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) under the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP, CFDA 17.805). The organization will deliver the Veterans Pathways to Prosperity (VPP) program, providing comprehensive employment services to homeless and at-risk veterans in Missouri. Core services include client-focused case management and coaching, individualized training and employment plan development, linkages to job-based training in high-need industries, employer placements offering living-wage compensation, and referrals with follow-up to support services addressing employment barriers.

The VPP program targets veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability (including those in HUD-VA supported housing programs), transitioning veterans previously incarcerated, and women and children fleeing domestic violence. Expected outcomes include completion of industry-recognized work-based training and attainment of unsubsidized living-wage employment in positive work environments offering advancement opportunities. The program leverages partnerships with the Missouri Balance of State, Missouri Job Center-Columbia, the VA Medical Center, the Columbia Veterans Center, and local social services agencies to support veteran self-sufficiency and long-term employment sustainability.

Purpose of the project: to provide job-based training and living-wage employment for all veterans in support of their long-term stability and self-sufficiencyactivities to be funded by the grant: client-focused case management and coaching, the creation of individualized training and employment plans, linkages to job-based training, placements with employers in high-need industries, referrals (with follow-up) to needed support services to overcome barriers to work, collaborations with the columbia job center and other state- and federally-funded training and employment services, and coaching problem-solving as needed to help participants sustain meaningful employment.intended beneficiaries of the project: veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness (who meet HUD definitions) including those in HUD-VA supported housing programs (including VA rapid rehousing and or) that provide rental assistance, veterans (men and women) who are transitioning from being incarcerated, and women (and their children) who are fleeing domestic violence situations and have no other options in accessing permanent housingexpected outcomes of the project: veterans participating in the proposed program (named veterans pathways to prosperity, or VPP) will complete work-based training in high need industries and attain living wage, unsubsidized employment in positive work environments that offer opportunities for benefits and advancement. Through training in industry-recognized programs and long-term employment, veterans will be supported in their paths to self-sufficiency.key partnerships: key partnerships for this proposal include the missouri balance of state, the missouri job center-columbia, welcome home, the VA medical center, the columbia veterans center, love columbia, harry S. Truman memorial veterans hospital, all of which have strong veterans serving missions. In addition, we have strong partnerships with other local social services agencies, including the local food bank, dress for success, almost home, columbia housing authority (patriot place apartments are specific veteran housing options). We have strong partnerships with local educational institutions and training providers, including moberly area community college, the university of missouri-columbia extension program, columbia college, stephens college, the missouri works initiative, the missouri office of workforce development and missouri S dolr registered apprenticeship programs.