Vital Link

Through industry partnerships and real-world experiences, Vital Link transforms the aspiring workforce by creating equitable access for all learners to explore, discover, and connect with the evolving world of work.

Vital Link serves as the connection between business and the next generation of talent. We prepare young people — whether in school or out, for a successful transition into meaningful careers. Through hands-on experiences, career exploration, and personalized support, every young person we serve gains the knowledge, resources, and confidence to build an education and career plan that works for them.
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 the value to our students and teachers.
In 2022, April Barnes became the new President, helping to cultivate and expand our mission across the region. In 2024, we started our Career Pathways program, providing Internships to youth in the region. Giving them stronger work experience and understanding of what career they want to pursue.

At Vital Link, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and step confidently into their future. We prepare youth for the working world through career exploration activities, soft skills workshops, and hands-on training — then connect them with paid work experiences that put those skills into practice.
Our paid internship and work placement programs don't just give youth a paycheck, they give them purpose, professional habits, and a competitive edge as they enter the workforce. We walk alongside each young person through every step of the journey, from preparation to placement.
As we grow, we are committed to reaching more youth in our community, building deeper partnerships with local employers, and expanding our paid work experience opportunities so that no young person has to navigate their career path alone.
Your donation to Vital Link is an investment in the next generation — and in the future of 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.

As a community, we have a responsibility to open doors for our young people — and that is exactly what Vital Link was built to do.
My name is April Barnes, and I am proud to serve as President of Vital Link. I started this work because I believe every young person deserves access to real opportunities, not just advice about their future, but actual hands-on experience that helps them discover who they are and where they want to go.
Too many youth are eager and capable, but lack the connections and experiences needed to launch their careers. At Vital Link, we change that. Through career exploration, skills training, and paid work experiences, we walk alongside young people as they find their path and prepare to walk it with confidence.
Our work is growing, and so is our commitment to the youth we serve. With the support of donors like you, we can reach more young people, create more paid work opportunities, and build a stronger, more prepared workforce for our entire community.
Thank you for believing in our mission and in the potential of every young person we serve.
April Barnes
President, Vital Link

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