What's Happening at Employment Connection: July 2026

Summer is in full swing for Team EC! See what we've been up to at Employment Connection over the last month!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for all of the latest info on our programs and events. And if you're not already receiving our monthly newsletter in your inbox, click here to sign up.

United Way of Greater St. Louis Visits Employment Connection

The United Way of Greater St. Louis has again selected Employment Connection as a Safety Net funding recipient for 2027–2029! The United Way 2026 Community Campaign leadership also visited Team EC in July to be updated on our various programs made possible through their ongoing support. Pictured above are Angela, our Manager of Operations, and Michelle Tucker, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

World of Work

Through the end of July, 843 clients have completed our cornerstone World of Work job readiness training! This represents a 53% increase over the same period in 2025! Graduation rates continue to climb as well, with 92% of participants completing the training. We're extremely proud of our graduating clients and our dedicated staff who help them take this vital first step toward self-sufficiency and success.

Dutchtown Beautification Team

We are pleased to have promoted Emily to be our new Dutchtown Beautification Team Crew Leader and welcome Idara as our new Field Worker! Emily and Idara maintain green spaces in the neighborhood including Marquette Park, Dutchtown Common, the VAL Community Garden, and the rain gardens along Louisiana Avenue.

El Barrio Block Party

The St. Louis Puerto Rican Society is hosting their first El Barrio Block Party at Marquette Park in Dutchtown, and Employment Connection is proud to sponsor the party!

Marquette Park will transform into "Callejón Central"—a corridor of rhythm, history, and community. Join us as we activate South City with the sights and sounds of Puerto Rico on Saturday, August 8th, from 1pm to 7pm. Learn more and RSVP here.

Impacted Tenants Fund and Disaster Relief Program

Employment Connection, in partnership with the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services and the City’s Building Division, launched the Impacted Tenants Fund in late fall of 2025. We've also partnered with the Missouri Housing Development Commission to provide housing assistance for St. Louis City and County residents affected by the May 2025 tornado.

Between both programs, we have helped 258 clients acquire housing assistance. If you or someone you know needs disaster recovery assistance, call us at (314) 333-5627.

Green Jobs Graduation

Our Summer 2026 Green Jobs Cohort graduated in July! This graduating class is the eighth class to complete the program, which prepares them for careers in the growing green workforce. We'll continue to work with our Green Jobs clients to help them find permanent employment in the field!

Back to School Backpack Giveaway

Join Employment Connection and our North City Corridor Services team for a back-to-school giveaway on Saturday, August 8th! We'll be giving out free backpacks and school supplies, plus we'll have free refreshments and information about the services and resources we offer. We'll be at Demonstrate The Love Outreach Ministries, 4341 W. Maffitt, from 11am to 3pm.

EC Out and About

Carlette and our DOCY team have been active at Marquette Plaza this summer, teaming up with Thomas Dunn Learning Center and The Place youth drop-in center to provide activities for young people in the neighborhood every Friday evening!

Our CEO Sal served as emcee at the groundbreaking event for the $150 million revitalization of the Clinton Peabody public housing development! Sal was joined by officials including (left to right) State Rep. Marty Murray, Jr., State Treasurer Vivek Malek, Alderwoman Jami Cox-Antwi, and Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier.

Charles, Manager of our North City Corridor Services office, recently participated in a resource fair held at the Salvation Army!

There's much more going on at Employment Connection! Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay up to date with all of our programs and events in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Clair County.

If you're not already receiving our monthly newsletter in your inbox, click here to sign up.