What's Happening at Employment Connection: May 2024

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.

Board Strategic Planning

Employment Connection's Board of Directors met in May to identify a new 5-year strategic plan to guide the organization's future goals and objectives. The meeting was held at the historic Benton Park Cafe, which is owned by EC board member Elicia Eskew, and was led by Board President Richard Buckley and our CEO Sal Martinez. 

Second Cohort of Green Jobs Program Graduates

Our second cohort of 14 Green Jobs clients graduated in May! We are so proud to have presented each of them with the Roots of Success certificates they earned along with their First Aid/CPR and OSHA-10 certifications. Each graduate was also presented with new work clothing, including work boots, safety glasses, and green performance gloves.

This 7-week program was made possible through the generous support of our funders, including the Missouri Department of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri, the Mysun Foundation, and the St. Louis Community Development Administration.

We also appreciate the hands-on opportunities provided by the City of St. Louis Forestry Department, Beyond Housing, A Red Circle Nonprofit Organization, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Americorps, Rosie Willis and Fresh Starts Garden in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood, Dallas Adams and the VAL Garden in Dutchtown, the New Roots Urban Farm in St. Louis Place, and the Missouri Botanical Garden and Shaw Nature Reserve. Special thanks also goes to Richard Reilly and Jean Ponzi of the Missouri Botanical Garden for lending their expertise and passion in support of the training program.

Following the graduation ceremony, the clients participated in a Career Fair with actual green job employers. They're prepared for success, and we can't wait to see their next steps!

World of Work Update

Through the end of May, 381 clients have graduated from our World of Work job readiness training—an increase of 61% compared to this time last year! We're extremely proud of our graduates and delighted to help more and more people break down barriers to self-sufficiency and get on the path to success!

DOCY Archery Class

Our Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth “DOCY” team partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Thomas Dunn Learning Center, and Gene Slay's Girls & Boys Club of Saint Louis to teach young people archery! We had a great time learning the basics and taking target practice on a beautiful evening in Marquette Park!

For more information on DOCY’s services, please contact us at (314) 333-5622 or email us at smartinez@employmentstl.org.

EC Out and About

Thanks to the generosity of World Wide Technology and the United Way of Greater St. Louis, several EC staffers were able to enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series this pas weekend.

Our CEO Sal Martinez emceed the recent 12th annual Community Development Family Reunion hosted by the Community Builders Network of St. Louis. Sal is pictured here CBN executive director Linda Nguyen (left) and long-time Clinton Peabody resident and community leader Pamela Emrick (right). 

Shantel and Latisha ran into former EC staffer Tavon Brooks at the Office of Violence Prevention Kickback at Laclede Park in Dutchtown.

Sal, Zay, Shantel, Latisha, and Sarah attended the Give STL Day Nonprofit Night at the Armory.  

EC board member Brian Davies and 3rd Ward Alderman Shane Cohn attended the annual Park Central Development Gala. 

Umi and Sarah attended SLATE's trades career fair.

MWS Is Hiring!

Managed Work Services, Employment Connection's social enterprise staffing agency, is now hiring for housekeeping and environmental services positions in area hospitals. These opportunities can lead to permanent positions with full benefits. Learn more at MWSSTL.com or by calling (314) 333-5600.

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.