Our Collective. Our Community.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of The ASCEND Collective. When you give your time, you give something far more powerful than advice — you offer clarity, confidence, and connection to individuals navigating some of the most pivotal transitions of their lives. Veterans, military spouses, and other underserved talent don’t need to be “fixed.” They need to be seen, supported, and reminded of their strengths. As a volunteer, you become that steady presence who helps someone recognize their potential and take the next step forward.

Through Northern Compass Academy, volunteers serve as guides — helping participants translate skills, build career readiness, and regain confidence in their voice and direction. You might review a skills profile, offer insight on workplace expectations, share your own career journey, or simply listen. Every interaction helps someone move from uncertainty to momentum. These moments may seem small, but they create lasting impact that ripples into families, workplaces, and communities.

In Vanguard Rising, our experiential applied learning lab, volunteers play a hands-on role in shaping the future workforce. By mentoring project teams, sharing industry expertise, or providing real-world perspective, you help participants transform learning into action. You’re not just supporting a program — you’re co-creating opportunity, strengthening talent pipelines, and helping capable people arrive in the workforce confident, prepared, and ready to contribute. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back and shape the future of work, there’s a place for you here.