OUR VISION:

Building a better community-one organization, one career at a time.

OUR MISSION:

We elevate communities by empowering jobseekers, employers and community partners.

OUR APPROACH:

Provide outreach programs offering career connections, hiring companies, education workshops, networking, resources and job leads in targeted networking groups.  Offer a web portal of career resources, job leads and social media connections.

OUR CORE VALUES:

• Inspiration

• Innovation

• Perseverance

• Impact

• Integrity

OUR HISTORY:

The 2008 economic crisis was a turning point for many Americans, including Jessica Pierce, the Founder and CEO of Career Connectors. Jessica and her family were deeply affected as her husband, a recruiter, faced three layoffs, and she made the difficult decision to close her staffing company in May 2009. Witnessing friends, family, and countless professionals facing similar struggles, Jessica felt a calling to make a difference. She reached out to her local church to start a program aimed at helping people improve their resumes. What began as a small initiative with just 25 people at each event quickly grew bringing in hundreds of people to events. This overwhelming response revealed a profound community need, sparking the birth of Career Connectors. Here are some of the key milestones in our journey to serve thousands across the Phoenix area:

– July 2009: First resume review meeting – initial kick-off off JobSeekersAZ

– Oct 2009: Over 300 people showed up for support – media including tv and radio station on site.

– July 2010: Launched the Leadership Team to guide program direction and support.

– September 2010: Rebranded as Career Connectors and launched a new website.

– January 2011: Partnered with Employment Network to open a North Phoenix location.

– August 2011: Applied for 501(c)3 nonprofit status and elected the first Board of Directors.

– July 2012: Expanded the Board of Directors and served over 6,000 individuals.

– August 2012: Received official 501(c)3 nonprofit status.

– October 2012: Represented at The White House Forum on Job Clubs.

– September 2013: Partnered with Highlands Church in Scottsdale to host events.

– April 2015: Reached 20,000 people served.

– Oct 2017: Partnered with Calvary Church in Glendale, AZ to launch west valley location.

– April 2018: Partnered with Grand Canyon University to host events for students and professionals.

– December 2019: Achieved 40,000 total individuals served in the Phoenix metro area.

Recent Milestones:

– 2020: Pivoted to virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding reach and accessibility to job seekers across Arizona.

– 2021: Launched AZCareersNOW to host virtual and in-person hiring events throughout Arizona, including specialized events specifically for high school students.

– 2022: Expanded partnerships with local workforce organizations and community colleges to connect job seekers with training and educational resources.

– 2023: Launched specialized industry events for high-growth industries, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology.

– 2024: Surpassed 70,000 individuals served, continuing to empower professionals and collaborate with community partners to strengthen Arizona’s workforce.

Career Connectors has come a long way from its grassroots beginnings, evolving into a leading nonprofit dedicated to supporting career transitions. We remain steadfast in our commitment to connecting job seekers with valuable resources, quality employers, and a supportive community.