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.
Housing Update
We recognize that an essential step to self-sufficiency includes stability. Maintaining employment and focusing on goals is easier when one is not worried about where they will sleep or how they will feed their families should their utilities become disconnected. Employment Connection's Supportive Housing Program is used to support individuals and their families who are currently experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless due to unpaid rent or utilities. Since October 2022, Employment Connection's Supportive Housing Program has assisted over 750 families with obtaining and/or maintaining affordable and stable housing. Our team is delighted to support our clients on the path to self-sufficiency! Congrats to Andrea and her team of housing specialists for their critical and life-changing work!
DOCY Update
Our Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth Team hosted Fright Night at The Place youth drop-in center. We shared food, decorated pumpkins, watched a movie, and had a great time! Special thanks to The Place, Thomas Dunn Learning Center, and Marquette Rec Center for hosting and to Ms. Raetenna for coming through with great snacks and festive decor!
Green Jobs Update
The first cohort in our Green Jobs Program is wrapping up training training! Last week, the team received CPR training and certification. That's one more tool in their belts after completing World of Work job readiness training and OSHA-10 safety certification. This week, they'll finish the Roots of Success curriculum and attend a Green Jobs Hiring Fair as the first graduates of our Green Jobs Program! Keep up the good work!
United Way Employee Giving Campaign
Team EC raised over $14,500 in support of the United Way of Greater St. Louis this year! This sets another fundraising record for our agency, as we support an organization that supports the entire region.
Employment Connection is proud to be a part of the regional safety net that United Way of Greater St. Louis builds in partnership with us and many other wonderful organizations around town, making a real impact on the lives of people who need a helping hand.
You can support the United Way too by contributing to their 2023 Giving Campaign at helpingpeople.org/2023-campaign/
East-West Gateway OLGA Award
Our Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth Team and Employment Connection as an entire agency were honored to receive an Outstanding Local Government Achievement award in recognition of our commitment to the betterment of the St. Louis region. Our DOCY partners at Gene Slay's Girls and Boys Club and Thomas Dunne Learning Center also received awards at the event as well. East-West Gateway Council of Governments presented the awards at America's Center on November 15th. We truly thank them for the honor!
Mission: St. Louis Staying Power Award
Employment Connection client Monique is the recipient of a Staying Power award from Mission: St. Louis!
In December 2022, Monique became a client of Employment Connection after losing her job of two years. She attended the World of Work job readiness training and worked closely with an EC Career Specialist. Monique went to job interviews every week, dedicated to finding a job to provide for her family and doing something she loves. She now works full-time with Washington University and has stability for her family.
Monique now gives back to Employment Connection by donating clothes and food for current participants. In five years, she hopes to own her own home and be in a career she will retire from. Monique was nominated by Employment Connection team members Christina and Mike, and she dedicates this award to her higher power.
Mission: St. Louis' Staying Power Awards celebrate staying on a positive path in the face of life’s challenges. Visit stayingpowerawards.org for more information.
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is just around the corner! On November 28th, Employment Connection aims to raise $15,000 to help us accomplish a number of goals:
Support our Client Market, which provides free household supplies and other day-to-day needs
Provide complimentary breakfast for our low- and moderate-income World of Work participants
Host our Winter Wonderland event and distribute gift baskets to our clients and their families
Raise funds for the Isis Mahr Memorial Fund to combat youth gun violence
Fund improvements to our Market Street headquarters, including landscaping and infrastructure updates and repairs
Holiday Activities
Our DOCY Team is collecting new and gently used coats for young people and their families in Dutchtown, Gravois Park, and Mount Pleasant this winter. Several drop-off locations are available across the South Side. You can also contact Caitlyn at (314) 766-2853 or dorionc@employmentstl.org to learn about other ways to support DOCY's clientele of at-risk 10–17-year-olds in these South St. Louis neighborhoods.
EC Out and About
Lauren from our DOCY team recently attended the Boeing Partner event. This event allows our staff to meet key Boeing staff and fellowship with other non-profit service providers.
EC staff members Christina and Sal recently met with the leadership of non-profit agency Almost Home. Based on these discussions, we will begin offering World of Work classes to Almost Home clients! This meeting was arranged by former EC staff member Ravi Rao (left), who is now assisting Almost Home with their development needs.
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.