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2024 in Review: World of Work
2024 was a banner year for our Client Services and Career Services Teams as they saw almost 900 clients graduate our World of Work job readiness training program—an astonishing 53% increase over 2023's figures! World of Work is the first step towards employment that many of our clients take. Through the program, clients learn many of the soft skills needed to prepare them to seek quality employment and succeed in new roles. After World of Work, the Client Services and Career Services Teams continue to stand behind these clients to help them advance toward their goal of self-sufficiency by offering coaching, counseling, and other supportive services. We're delighted by the outcomes in 2024!
2024 in Review: Housing Services
Our Housing Services Team (pictured above) also did tremendous work in 2024! Their efforts to prevent evictions and homelessness and to provide rapid re-housing in emergency situations resulted in over 600 instances of client support. Although government funding for such services has been reduced post-pandemic, the Housing Services Team still sourced and allocated over $700,000 in support funds to keep the rent paid and the lights on to help clients in need avoid catastrophic disruptions to their lives. Great job, team!
2024 in Review: Volunteers
Our friends and partners were immensely generous with their time and skills in 2024! Volunteers from St. Louis-area organizations joined us for work days throughout the year. Participating partners included Anheuser-Busch, Big Shark Bicycle Co., Black Anthology at WashU, Boeing, Building Union Diversity (B.U.D. STL), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Edward Jones Co., LiUNA Laborers' Local 110, Maryville University, Missouri Women in Trades, Schnucks, and of course the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Thank you all for your helping hands!
Toy Drives and Giveaways
Once again, the Blattel family and their friends and colleagues came through big for our clients' families this holiday season! For many years running, the Blattels have collected countless toys to bring joy to the children of Employment Connection clients. The toys were then distributed during events like our Winter Wonderland Celebration at our Market Street Headquarters and in Dutchtown through our DOCY youth program.
We were also graced with a visit from the Sock Angels! Past EC CEO Brenda Mahr has been a member of the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of Saint Peter Claver since 2020. Their Sock Angels Campaign collects over 10,000 pairs of socks for the unhoused and people in need every year. We're grateful to be a beneficiary of their kindness and hard work and to be able to provide some extra warmth to our clients in need!
Staff Winter Festival
Our Cheer Team hosted a wonderful all-staff Winter Festival! Food, soulful holiday tunes, dancing, jokes, and a special ugly sweater contest were part of the festivities, as the ugly sweater winner received a $50 gift card! The event was made even more special by the presence of our Board President, Richard Buckley, and our long-time former CEO, Brenda Mahr, who shared inspirational words with our staff. We were delighted to celebrate a challenging but successful year with each other!
Meet New Client Services Manager Sarah
Meet Sarah Robberson! After over a year serving clients as a Career Specialist, Sarah has stepped up as the new Manager of Client Services at EC!
Sarah is driven by a deep passion for helping others and committed to making a lasting impact on the St. Louis community. With a strong focus on fostering meaningful relationships and providing exceptional support, she's excited to continue advancing Employment Connection's mission to create positive change.
Outside of her professional life, Sarah enjoys traveling and trying new things, solving puzzles, and cheering on the Blues and St. Louis City SC. Whether at work or at play, Sarah is always looking for ways to engage, inspire, and contribute to the well-being of those around her.
Staffing Needs? Call MWS!
If your company has entry-level staffing needs, check out Managed Work Services, Employment Connection's social enterprise staffing agency! Let us take care of the day-to-day challenges of hiring, unemployment insurance, and other HR headaches while you welcome eager new teammates ready to start their next chapter!
MWS clients complete Employment Connection's World of Work job readiness training and continue to work with EC staff during their employment to ensure successful transitions into employment and successful, self-sufficient futures. We're invested in the success of our clients and your company!
To learn more about MWS, call us at (314) 333-5601.
MWS Is Hiring!
If you're looking for work, MWS can help too! MWS is now hiring full-time hospital housekeeping workers with pay starting at $14 per hour! Apply now at MWSstl.com or call us at (314) 333-5601 for more info.
EC Out and About
Our CEO Sal and his little brother Jamar, who is a long-time client of our DOCY Team, met up with several Dutchtown dignitaries, including 3rd Ward Ald. Shane Cohn, LaTasha Smith and Adina O'Neal of Dutchtown Main Streets, and South Side Santa himself!
Carlette (left) and LaCorsha (right) from our DOCY Team attended the Neighborhood Innovation Center's Winter Gala in Downtown Dutchtown, celebrating the holidays with neighbors and local business owners at an event featuring food, live music, carriage rides, and more!
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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