Vital Link

Our mission is to inspire students to explore and experience career pathways that secure their future.

We are the link between business and education, preparing students for the successful transition to a meaningful career and help them explore, discover, and connect to their future careers. Upon graduation, students will have the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to create an education plan that prepares them for their future career of choice.

Our organization focuses on development and implementation of Career Exploration Programs that use a unique and experiential model of delivery that connects the world of work to students to address the needs of employers for a highly trained workforce in all industry sectors with special focus in STEM. We are an intermediary between the business community and educational institutions in the county.

History of Vital Link
Roger Johnson founded Vital Link in 1995 to address student needs to successfully compete in the global economy.
In 2001, Kathy Johnson became Executive Director, broadened Vital Link offerings, and reinvigorated career technical education at the district level. Vital Link launched Career Exploration Programs, Career Exploration Exhibits, student competitions, STEAM Career Leadership Conference, and week-long academies.
In 2010, we partnered with Career Technical Education OC (CTEoc) for Advisory Boards.
In 2020, Dr. Brian Dozer became President, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Vital Link quickly pivoted to virtual and remote education, career exploration, and professional development, including the virtual platform launch and expanded services and programs to a wider audience. The rapid adoption of online tools enhanced our offerings, providing resources for participants for an entire academic year at no extra cost. Students had access to materials and mentoring, for the entire academic year, increasing value to our students and teachers.
In 2022, April Barnes became the new President, helping to cultivate and expand our mission across the region.

Our primary goals for 2024 are as follows:
1) Increase our impact to 40,0000 students served
2) Develop new partnerships with charter and private schools
3) Be an organization with broad philanthropic support, where every mission-driven priority is attainable.
4) Expand services to a wider population of at-risk and underserved students in the region
5) Focus on offering more programs to underserved youth and adults who are looking for their dream career.
6) Host parent outreach events to educate parents on the value of career exploration.
7) Provide consistent high-quality career exploration programs to students in our community

1) More and deeper relationships with local businesses for participation in programs, panels, fundraising
2) Grants and individual donations
3) Refined marketing, social media, and advertising approach
4) More partnerships with education, business and other nonprofits
5) Recruit more volunteers to assist with expanding programs and events

We serve Southern California, including Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino counties in California.

Vital Link is one of the only nonprofit organizations that works across the entirety of Orange County in K-12 districts, Regional Occupational Programs, and Community Colleges. We are uniquely positioned to help students find their dream careers and the education required in the middle skills categories, such as automotive, digital media arts, advanced manufacturing, and business and entrepreneurship. Additionally, we provide valuable professional development to our K-12 and Community College instructors to insure that their curriculum is current with industry requirements and that Orange County students are entering the workforce qualified to fill entry level positions in our businesses.

The Vital Link Board of Directors is dedicated to serving the students and educators of Orange County with our career exploration initiatives. Through the hours of dedication put in by our wonderful staff to bridge the link between education and businesses, Vital Link is the leader in career exploration for students at the middle school, high school, and college levels. Our outreach to the youth of Orange County spans across the spectrum, from hands-on workshops and competitions to providing tours and events at colleges and businesses throughout Orange County. Vital Link also supports the great teachers of Orange County through our professional development services, and through Career Technical Education (“CTEoc”, a collaborative that includes all CTE directors from the Orange County School Districts, ROPs, and community colleges). We are at the forefront of connecting educators to share resources and building the bridge from them to industry. The California Department of Education considers Vital Ink as a model for Career Technical Education programs, and as a platform for educators to stay relevant in our fast and growing world. All of this culminates in preparing the youth of Orange County to face the job market(s) of the future, and provide businesses with future employees who are better prepared to face the future. By expanding their minds through interactive programs and experiences, Vital Link provides a hands-on education like no other. It is a great honor for all of us on the Vital Link Board of Directors to continue to provide these offerings to the Orange County Educational Community. We are committed to providing the highest level of commitment, dedication, and customer service to our partners!
Dr. Cathleen Greiner, Chairman of the Board