A Full-Circle Connection: From Project Success Parent to Volunteer
Cletus Maychrzak first encountered Project Success when his son was a student in Minneapolis Public Schools in the early 2000s. Through PS, he and his son had the opportunity to attend live theater performances – an experience that Cletus describes as “such a gift.” So in 2023, when Cletus saw a call for volunteer drivers with Project Success on a bulletin board, he knew he wanted to get involved. “It felt like an easy yes,” he recalls. And since then, he has turned that “yes” into meaningful connections with students and families, providing more than fifteen rides to theater performances this school year alone.
As one of thirty-six amazing volunteer drivers at PS, Cletus helps remove one of the biggest barriers to participation: transportation. He picks up students and families and brings them to theater experiences they might not otherwise have been able to attend. What starts as a simple ride, often becomes something much more. “The first ride can feel a little awkward,” he shares, “but after that, it’s kind of like you’re picking up a friend.” Cletus has driven some students multiple times and remarks how impactful it is to build genuine relationships along the way. He recalls one student he’s driven several times and how he has learned about her life, her family, and even the challenges she has faced in recent months. These repeated connections create a sense of familiarity and trust which makes these rides a meaningful experience for everyone involved.
Through providing rides, Cletus has seen firsthand how access to the arts helps students discover their own interests and preferences. “It helps them define what they like and what they don’t like. They develop a taste in theater, and it evolves after each performance,” he explains. Some of his favorite memories as a driver include hearing from students after they see a performance and discussing what they thought of the show. He recalls one student who was so moved after seeing a performance from Sounds of Blackness that he couldn’t stop dancing in his seat.
When asked what he would say to someone considering becoming a volunteer theater driver, Cletus jokes, “If more people volunteer, I might get to see less theater! But this really isn’t about me. These students truly need and appreciate access to these experiences, and you never know which one might change their life.”
And the bonus? It’s fun. “This is one of the most rewarding – and easiest ways I’ve found to volunteer,” he says. “You pick the days that work for you, you get to see amazing performances, and you become a part of something that has an immediate impact. It feels really, really good.”
For families receiving rides from volunteers, the impact is just as important.
“We are a pedestrian family, we walk or take buses almost everywhere we go. This obviously creates barriers,” says Estrella, a PS Parent. Her family of six have been recipients of twenty-one rides to theater performances this school year. “Through Project Success, my family has had the privilege to experience so many shows and events that would never be possible without this amazing program. We are so grateful for each and every opportunity and volunteers and staff as well.”
From his own family’s experience years ago to now helping create those same opportunities for others, Cletus embodies what makes this work so powerful: connection, consistency, and a simple willingness to say “yes.”
During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re grateful and honored to celebrate Cletus and all our volunteer drivers. Thank you for the care you bring to helping connect students and families to these world-opening experiences!
Feeling inspired to dedicate your time, energy, and talents toward helping students connect to their purpose at Project Success? Learn how you can volunteer and the current opportunities available!