Belonging Beyond the Office: How Volunteering Builds Connection at Dexian

Do you ever miss your elementary classroom days, when you were able to unabashedly scribble with crayons, cut paper snowflakes, and paint with watercolors to your heart’s content? For 24 million elementary students in the U.S., these nostalgic activities remain part of daily learning, though too often paid for out-of-pocket by teachers themselves. 

In our St. Louis office, Account Manager Courtney Widmer recognized this challenge, which is especially prominent in low-income counties across the country. Seeing an opportunity to align Dexian’s values with community involvement to meet this need, Courtney connected her team with KidSmart, a program that aims to equip every child in Missouri with the tools necessary to learn. Inspired by her own mother, a teacher, Courtney recognized this organization’s critically needed ability to ensure that every child, despite their socioeconomic background, receives quality education.  

Courtney’s passion for giving back to her community soon grew into office-wide volunteering opportunities, through which the St. Louis team embraces what it means to be “in the business for good.” When asked about how these experiences reflect Dexian’s approach to community involvement, Courtney shared that “volunteering is about being part of something bigger than yourself.”  

 “For Dexian, it’s about doing the right thing, even when it doesn’t directly benefit us.”

— Courtney Widmer, Account Manager, St. Louis 

Of course, being a part of a sales-oriented team, our St. Louis Dexians had some competitive fun while volunteering, including challenging each other to see who could pack the most glue sticks into supply kits. “It was silly, but fun,” Courtney laughed, noting how it brought her colleagues closer while living out Dexian’s purpose of doing good in our communities. 

So, what does Courtney’s experience with her team and volunteering signify?  

Belonging at work doesn’t always start in the office. It can come from shared community service that sparks friendships and reinforces values. It’s a reminder that impact isn’t just measured by numbers on a spreadsheet. It is found in a child’s smile when opening a new box of crayons, in the laughter of colleagues working side by side, and in the pride of knowing you have contributed to something meaningful. When employees like Courtney bring their energy and heart into volunteer initiatives, it sparks a ripple effect that strengthens connections, fosters a culture of care, and builds a workplace where everyone feels they belong.