Our story

I grew up in a low-income home with little adult guidance. Luckily, my life was paved by a few chance encounters. The one teacher who said college was possible. The few friends I met senior year who introduced me to on-campus recruiting when I was desperate for a job. The one co-worker who took the extra time to develop my knowledge, skills, and confidence when I felt I was failing.

I was quite sheltered otherwise. I could have easily stayed working at a donut shop if I didn’t meet the few right people. I majored in architecture because my father was a janitor at an architect’s office.  It was pretty much the only career I had heard of.

I ended up with a degree from UC Berkeley and a finance career at a large tech, which gave me opportunities I never thought possible. For that, I am always grateful. But I landed there by limited happenstance. I didn’t have the broad exposure, family support, or network to know of other options.

Now, in this next phase of life, I have a much wider perspective. I am surrounded by people with great accomplishments in not just their career, but in life, family, and other endeavors. They are passing on limitless possibilities to their next generation.

At the same time, I continuously meet people who don’t have those opportunities, and they are the ones I relate to more. Young adults without family support, entry-level service workers, immigrants. After leaving a corporate career, I spent a few years doing 1:1 volunteering through homeless shelters, a low-income financial coaching program, and a literacy organization. I also met some wonderful people unofficially who just haven’t been afforded the same blessings in life as others.

Prior to this, I was a volunteer CASA for a child in the foster care system during the many years she was shuffled from home to home. I thought it would be great if adults had a similar opportunity to find that type of individualized 1:1 guidance. After all, it was the people I met at all various stages of my adult life who made the biggest difference for me. Who hasn’t needed advice, but had no one in their immediate circle to turn to?

I am thankful to live in a neighborhood where I’ve seen countless acts of kindness. It makes me believe if there is a place dedicated for people to reach out for help and guidance, others would be more than happy to offer what they can.

Thank you for visiting ConnectOne and I hope that together, we can make a difference, one person at a time.

– Karen