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 since our last newsletter.
Welcome Our New DOCY Program Manager Caitlyn Dorion!
Meet Caitlyn Dorion, the new Manager of the Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth (DOCY) program! Caitlyn is a Dutchtown resident and will soon be working out of the Gene Slay’s Girls and Boys Club location in Dutchtown to support our work with South Side youth aged 10–17 years old.
Caitlyn has a Masters in Nonprofit Administration with many years of experience in Nonprofit Management and Community Engagement. As a long-time Dutchtown resident, she looks forward to using her passion for working with youth to connect kids with positive opportunities in the community.
Umi Khenissi Named Section 3 Program Manager
We’re excited to announce that Umi Khenissi has been appointed as our new Section 3 Program Manager! Umi previously served as a Career Specialist here at Employment Connection.
Section 3 is a HUD mandated program designed to assist low/moderate income individuals and small businesses that are interested in construction related employment. Umi’s initial assignment is to certify these individuals and businesses, so that they can be considered for employment opportunities as part of the over $30 Million redevelopment of the Preservation Square housing development in North St. Louis. This exciting development will bring 695 new and renovated housing units to the community, along with infrastructure and supportive services which Employment Connection is also heavily engaged in along with our partners at Urban Strategies.
Incarnate Word Foundation Grants $75,000 for New DOCY Program
The new Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth (DOCY) program is off to a strong start with the support of a $75,000 grant from Incarnate Word Foundation! DOCY aims to provide at-risk youth in the Greater Dutchtown neighborhood with opportunities for education, recreation, and employment to help keep them on the right track to a brighter future. Through partnerships with Incarnate Word Foundation as well as Gene Slay’s Girls and Boys Club and Thomas Dunn Learning Center, we’re excited to make an impact in the lives of South St. Louis kids.
Employment Connection Receives $10,000 Grant from St. Louis Community Foundation
The St. Louis Community Foundation is also providing funds to help kick off our new DOCY program. A $10,000 grant will further our efforts to implement this new program targeting at-risk youth in Dutchtown, Mount Pleasant, and Gravois Park.
US Bank Volunteers Help Get Us Organized
US Bank recently provided fifteen volunteers to help us arrange our Clothing Closet and lower level storage area. Our Clothing Closet helps our clients to look sharp as they interview and pursue new employment opportunities. We thank US Bank for their ongoing support and commitment to helping us fulfill our mission of breaking down barriers to self-sufficiency! US Bank and its affiliates have also donated over $150,000 to Employment Connection over the past two years to support our self-sufficiency programs!
New Roofing Training Program
We are excited about our new partnership with GAF Roofing Academy! Former Team EC staff member Roderick Colvin is chiefly responsible for this new collaboration. The GAF Roofing Academy, a one-week program hosted at Employment Connection HQ, will provide comprehensive commercial roofing training in which participants will receive OSHA 10 and GAF Roofing Academy certifications. For more information contact Roderick at roderick.colvinsr@gaf.com.
Employment Connection Sponsors Fresh Starts Community Garden Annual Dinner
Team EC was honored to co-sponsor the annual Candlelight Dinner celebration at the Fresh Starts Community Garden this Summer. This beautiful urban garden has served as motivation for us to work with our partners including the Missouri Department of Conservation and The Nature Conservancy to develop our new Green Jobs initiative. We look forward to adopting Fresh Starts as one of our training facilities in the very near future!
Employment Connection Is Hiring!
Join Team EC! We’re currently seeking an Executive Assistant, Grants Manager, Career Specialists, Housing Specialists, and more! Learn more about employment opportunities with us on our website.
Follow Employment Connection
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.
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