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.
Fall Fest Employment & Resource Fair
Over 100 clients and over a dozen employers joined us for our annual Fall Fest Employment and Resource Fair! In addition to completing job applications and participating in on-the-spot interviews, our guests were able to select free business attire from our clothing closet and free household goods from our client market. Thank you to ARCHS and United Way of Greater St. Louis for their ongoing support!
Dutchtown Beautification Team
Employment Connection is excited to have launched a new social enterprise as part of our strong commitment to creating additional green employment opportunities for our clients. Due to the efforts of Dutchtown Main Streets in cooperation with the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration, we have hired new staff to assist with the green maintenance and debris removal needs at Marquette Park, parts of Louisiana Street, and the VAL Community Garden in the Dutchtown neighborhood. This new endeavor has also been made possible by our Green Jobs funders and supporters, including the Missouri Department of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Crew Leader Ronald met up with Joshua, our technical assistance provider from Missouri Botanical Garden, at the VAL Community Garden to learn more about mulching, pruning, and weed control ahead of preparing the garden for winter.
United Way/LiUNA Volunteer Day
Volunteers from LiUNA Laborers' Local 110 and United Way of Greater St. Louis volunteered with us in November to help tackle some big projects at our headquarters! They replaced damaged ceiling tiles, moved old electronics and worn-out furniture from our basement, and organized shelving in our newly dedicated David L. Kessel Clothing Closet. We greatly appreciate the help from these skilled volunteers!
DOCY Update
Carlette and LaCorsha of the Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth Team are making the rounds across the South Side this holiday season! They attended the annual Cherokee Street Thanksgiving Potluck, sharing homemade desserts with neighbors. They also visited the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Association's Share the Holidays event highlighting neighbors, business owners, and elected officials who make a difference in the community.
World of Work Update
Through November of 2024, 811 clients have completed our World of Work job readiness training program. That's an increase of nearly 40% from 2023! We're exceptionally proud of our clients' dedication to pursuing a path to self-sufficiency, and we're thankful for our wonderful staff who help them to take this important first step on their journeys!
In-Service Training
Team EC recently hosted our annual 2-day in-service training this month. Our staff heard from professionals who shared their expertise, and we also had an opportunity to share information with each other about the various programs we are all assigned to. We are now planning to host our annual all-staff Winter Festival as we celebrate each other and our accomplishments this year!
Thinksgiving
We were delighted to partner with Filament and UNCOMN for Thinksgiving, an annual event that pairs St. Louis nonprofits with forward-thinking area businesses for a day of creative problem-solving focused on the future!
EC Out and About
CEO Sal Martinez attended a ribbon-cutting event for Doorways with their President/CEO Opal Jones, Alderman Rasheen Aldridge and Affordable Housing Commission Executive Director April Ford-Griffin.
Staff from the City of St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Diversion Unit recently visited us to discuss new partnerships!
Our WIOA Team recently stopped for a group photo outside of their satellite offices at the Missouri Job Center!
Giving Tuesday
2024's Giving Tuesday was a smashing success! This year, we raised funds for programs directed at young people, including our Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth, our WIOA In-School and Out-of-School Youth Programs, and the Isis Mahr Fund Against Gun Violence.
Starting with an initial goal of $8,000, our donors and sponsors came through and helped us raise an amazing $19,300! These funds will truly make a difference in the lives of young people in the community who want to break down barriers to success and pursue a bright future for themselves and others.
Special thanks to Giving Tuesday sponsors American Direct Marketing Resources, Commerce Bank, Cutter & Company, Great Southern Bank, and the Joseph M. Arndt Foundation!
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.
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