What's Happening at Employment Connection: September 2025

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.

Connect with Employment Connection Networking Event

Team EC recently hosted a special networking event at 4 Hands Brewing Company, co-hosted by Employment Connection Board President Richard Buckley, EC board member Justin King, 8th Ward Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi, and Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly. A great time was had by all, as everyone enjoyed complimentary appetizers, a photo booth, a live DJ, dancing, and of course, networking! 

We plan to host additional events like this one in the coming months. Special thanks to Parkwoods Wealth Partners, LLC, for making these engagements possible through their sponsorship support!

Annual Awards Luncheon

Team EC recently hosted our first awards celebration since 2019, where we recognized a number of community partners, employers, and staff members!

• Employers of the Year: Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute, BJC HealthCare Environmental Services, and Gamers Island LLC

• Landlord of the Year: Karen Whitehorn, Whitehorn Management

• Corporate Citizenship: U.S. Bank and Ameren Missouri

• AARP Volunteer: Sheila Cunningham

• Community Partnership: Paula Gaertner of Thomas Dunn Learning Center and Robert Puricelli of Gene Slay's Girls & Boys Club of Saint Louis, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, and The Nature Conservancy

• EC Employees of the Year: Nora Davis and Sara McCray

Staff voted on award recipients for their coworkers, including:

• Leadership Award: Karla

• Most Valuable Team Player: Dennis

• Best Customer Service: Latisha

• Character: Tammy W.

• Most Dependable: Dennis

Special thanks to Ameren Missouri for sponsoring this wonderful celebration!

University Crossing Groundbreaking 

Employment Connection and Bywater Development Group invite you to the groundbreaking ceremony for University Crossing, a transit-oriented mixed-use development at the North Hanley Transit Center. The $20 million development includes 60 new mixed-income residential units along with commercial space for a new Employment Connection satellite office to better serve North County residents.

The ceremony is on Friday, October 24th, at 10am at the North Hanley MetroLink Station. RSVP at bit.ly/ucgroundbreaking.

Housing Update

From January through August 2025, we invested over $300,000 in direct rent, deposit, and utility assistance, helping more than 50 households remain stable. During this time, we delivered over 300 instances of assistance, averaging nearly 40 instances each month.

Our combined program budgets provided consistent support each month, with the highest volume of rental assistance distributed in May. This trend reflects the seasonal realities our community faces: after the holiday season and before tax refunds are issued, many households experience increased financial strain. When income tax refunds are delayed, the need for rental assistance grows even greater.

This work underscores our mission: every dollar spent translates into housing stability, prevention of homelessness, and support for families on their path to self-sufficiency.

When Ms. Carter (pictured above with EC Housing Specialist Tyrone) first connected with our program, she was living in a shelter and working tirelessly to find a safe, stable place for herself and her adult son, who is developmentally disabled. Despite the obstacles, she never lost sight of her goal: creating a home where her family could be together again.

Through our Permanent Supportive Housing program, we were able to walk alongside Ms. Carter on her journey. With determination on her part and the right support, she secured a new home and was joyfully reunited with her son. Today, her son is thriving in a stable environment, and Ms. Carter has found part-time employment. Having the opportunity to earn her own income has given her a renewed sense of independence and freedom, something she longed for while facing the uncertainty of homelessness.

Ms. Carter’s story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the impact of housing stability. With the right resources and support, families can overcome challenges, rebuild their lives, and look toward a brighter future.

Healthy Blue

Healthy Blue staff stopped by for a visit to apprise staff of their multitude of services that can assist our clients. We also thank them for their financial support, which serves as gap funding for many of our critical programs.

DOCY Update

Employment Connection and the Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth have been proud to sponsor Dutchtown Main Streets' community Movie Nights for the past five years running!

Dutchtown wrapped up another season of free, family-friendly entertainment with a showing of A Minecraft Movie in Downtown Dutchtown, and DOCY Program Manager Carlette was on site to share snacks and program info with young attendees.

Fall Employment & Resource Fair

Our annual Fall Employment & Resource Fair returns on Thursday, October 9th! The fair offers on-site interviews and on-the-spot hiring and hosts employers who will work with justice-involved individuals and re-entry program participants seeking second-chance opportunities. Visitors can also learn about our programs and access our Client Marketplace, which features free household items, food, and professional attire.

The Fall Employment & Resource Fair will take place on Thursday, October 9th, from 10:00am to 1:00pm at our headquarters, located at 2838 Market Street. Thank you to ARCHS for their ongoing support of this event and our employment programs!

Green Jobs Update

Our latest cohort of Green Jobs clients joined Dutchtown Main Streets and SLACO for the annual Keeping It Clean neighborhood cleanup. The team focused on the native garden at Marquette Park, weeding the garden and planting new native plants in preparation for fall.

Young Adult Services Update

Manager of Young Adult Services Tammy is shown with a client that she and Team EC are working with as part of a new partnership with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office. This young client recently graduated from our World of Work job readiness training and is now developing an Individual Employment Plan with Tammy. We're confident he will succeed! This new program is made possible through funding support from the City of St. Louis’s Office of Violence Prevention.

EC Out and About 

Sal represented Team EC at a utility assistance fair hosted by State Representative Marty J. Murray, Jr. Hundreds of people attended the event that also included other organizations such as Spire, MSD, the Missouri Department of Social Services, and the Consumers Council of Missouri.

Team EC members Henry, Karla, Shantel, and Carlette won tickets to last weekend's Evolution Festival at today's all-staff meeting. Special thanks to the United Way of Greater St. Louis for giving our lucky teammates the opportunity to win these awesome prizes!

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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