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Writer's pictureEmployment Connection

What's Happening at Employment Connection: June 2023

We’ve been busy at Employment Connection! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, 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.


Here's just some of what Employment Connection has been up to since our last newsletter.

Senior Services: Mrs. M

Mrs. M. has been in Employment Connection’s Senior Services Program since 2021. Mrs. M. used to do all her yard work herself, and she still enjoys being in her yard and tending to all of her plants and flowers, but she is very pleased that she no longer has to worry about maintaining her beautiful lawn because of our program. She hopes that we continue the program and are able to expand it to offer exterior maintenance to additional seniors, and she continuously thanks us for the work we do to help low-income seniors to remain independent in their homes. Special thanks to the St. Louis City Senior Fund for making this wonderful program available.

Ticket To Work: D.J.’s Story

D.J. is a Ticket Holder in the Ticket To Work program and is currently working as a Sous Chef at an affluent retirement community. After a lifesaving transplant procedure in the winter of 2022, D.J. is now working an average of 40 hours a week. D.J. came to Employment Connection seeking assistance with managing his Social Security benefits while working and pursuing his career goal of becoming an Executive Chef at a fine dining restaurant.


For Social Security benefits recipients, there may be a misconception that you can’t simultaneously receive benefits and work. But for motivated individuals like D.J. who want to stay active and improve their career prospects, Ticket To Work can help make a rewarding career possible. To learn more about Ticket To Work, contact Lisa Cross-Shelton at sheltonl@employmentstl.org or or at (314) 333-5631.

DOCY Update

Our Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth (DOCY) team recently hosted a Game Tournament at The Place. With the help of Beta Made, we brought neighborhood kids together for some friendly competition—plus pizza and prizes!


The Place is a drop-in center in Dutchtown for young people ages 13–22 where they can hang out and relax in a comfortable environment, grab a snack, shoot pool, play video games, and talk with other young people from the neighborhood. Located on the second floor of the Marquette Rec Center (4025 Minnesota), The Place is managed by Thomas Dunn Learning Center. DOCY/Employment Connection are proud to partner with Thomas Dunn and The Place to provide a safe setting for the young folks of Dutchtown, Gravois Park, and Mount Pleasant.

Section 3 Program

Phase II of the $100+ million redevelopment of the Preservation Square housing community continues with the help of dedicated tradespeople, including our Section 3 Program participants! 121 Employment Connection clients have been certified to participate in the Section 3 Program, which helps low-income individuals acquire jobs in the construction industry.


Wunya (pictured) is a recently Section 3-certified client. With the help of Section 3 Program Manager Umi Khenissi, Wunya joined the MOKAN program, and has now graduated and started a painting apprenticeship! Employment Connection’s Career Services Team also continues to support him to ensure his ongoing success.

Violence Prevention Programs Update

Our Wells Goodfellow/Hamilton Heights Cure Violence Team joined the St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention for their Kickback event at Hickey Park in Baden. The team got a chance to meet with Mayor Tishaura Jones!

The Peabody Darst Webbe/LaSalle Park Violence Prevention Team held an old-school block party at the Al Chappelle Community Center, complete with a DJ, food, bounce houses, fire trucks, and double dutch jump rope! Over 200 hundred people enjoyed this day of fun!


Our Dutchtown Cure Violence Team joined DOCY at Gravois Park Activity Day hosted by Dutchtown South Community Corporation. The event brought young people from the South Side together for food, music, and games!


SLHA Receives Community Impact Award


Congrats to the team at the St. Louis Housing Authority, led by Executive Director Alana Green! Alana was recently honored with the Community Impact Award at the annual Park Central Development Gala. Our CEO was there to congratulate Alana on receiving this distinguished award, and Employment Connection is truly excited to be in a strategic partnership with SLHA to uplift the communities we serve!


Looking for Full-Time Work?

Managed Work Services, our social enterprise employment service, seeks hospital housekeepers and environmental services workers. These are full-time positions with the potential to earn bonus pay as well. Apply at MWSSTL.com or in person at our office at 2838 Market Street.

EC Out and About

Employment Connection staff members Latisha and Tamara recently enjoyed the NASCAR Cup Series Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway on the east side of the river. Thanks to the United Way of Greater St. Louis and World Wide Technology for making this wonderful experience possible for several of our staff members!


Employment Connection Manager of Operations Angela Pitts met with Michelle Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. Our United Way partners came to ECHQ to learn more about our programs supported by their generous funding.

Employment Connection Celebrates Juneteenth

We acknowledged the rich history of Juneteenth by hosting a week-long series of activities that culminated in a successful Employment and Resource Fair which brought over 200 guests to our agency. We also enjoyed a soulful catered lunch together during the week and celebrated the holiday by wearing Juneteenth-inspired clothing to our offices.


There's much more going on at Employment Connection! Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, 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.

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