Download - Employment Connection 2011 Annual Report
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Assisting individuals with limited opportunities
oself-sufficiency in the St. Louis area since 197
2011Annual Report
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Brenda MahrCEO
J.D. LuhningBoard President
Table of ContentsWho we are Page 2 Clients of the Year Page 32011 Programs, Goals, and Outcomes Page 4 How Our Programs Work Page 5The Employment Connection Effect Page 6 New Programs for 2011 Page 7Program Spotlight Page 8 Managed Work Services Page 9Board of Directors Page 10 Financial Report Page 11Donors Page 12 Advisory Board and Volunteers Page 13Staff Page 14 Contact Information Page 15
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Message from ourBoard President and the CEO
At Employment Connecon, our clients face challenges that most of us will never experience.Not having a place to call home, post-traumac stress disorder, and the ongoing consequences of
past convicons are just a few of the barriers our clients deal with on a daily basis. Working togeth-
er, we share with them the tools and training they need to face those challenges and change their
lives.
Looking back at 2011, it would be easy to simply say it was a challenging year, but the reality for
nonprot agencies like Employment Connecon is that everyyear is a challenge. Sll, that doesnt
deter our dedicated sta and Board of Directors. As always, we remain opmisc in the face of
ghtening budgets and the slow economic recovery, because we know that the services and sup-
ports we provide help clients face the ongoing challenges that stand between them and the safetyand security that self-suciency brings.
With that in mind, Employment Connecon constantly works to improve and expand services to
meet the needs of our clients. As needs and gaps in services are idened, we connue to rene
and improve our programs, and are only able to do so through the generous support of both our
local partners and the St. Louis community as a whole. Our mission, assisng individuals with lim-
ited opportunies to self-suciency, connues, and its through your ongoing support that were
able to connue fullling that mission, facing the challenges with our clients one day at a me.
JD Luhn i n g
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Who We AreEmployment Connecon has over 35 years experienceinspiring St. Louis resi-dents and reducing crime through job placements and supporve services. The
agency was founded in 1977 aer a study by the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar
Associaon of Metropolitan Saint Louis (BAMSL) discovered that employed ex-
oenders were 66% less likely to return to incarceraon. Our agency immediately
began the work of reducing recidivism through employment.
In 1980, Employment Connecon became a full United Way member agency and
expanded its service beyond ex-oenders by assisng recovering substance abus-
ers, the homeless, high school dropouts, women on welfare, U.S. Veterans, and
non-custodial fathers. The agency connues to add addional services that ad-
dress the holisc needs of our clients working toward self-suciency. Employ-
ment Connecon assists nearly 1,400 individuals who have barriers to employ-
ment every year.
Our Mission
Assisng individuals with limited
opportunies to self-suciency.
Our Vision
To be the premier placement, retention, career development and
advancement program for persons with barriers to employment,
empowering them to take charge of their lives and fulill the needs
of the Saint Louis Regional business community.
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My name is Demarko Moody, and I w
referred to the Building Blocks program
Employment Connecon through my Depu
Juvenile Ocer, Ms. Frieson. I went throug
the six day training course with Mr. Covingto
and learned the appropriate way to dress an
speak on an interview. In the training course
also learned about seng long term and sho
term goals. Short term goals were helpful t
me because they helped me achieve my lon
term goals.
We also talked about school and what I wante
to do aer school. They helped me set sho
term goals for applying for scholarships an
colleges. Aer I nished the classes, it too
about 4 months for me to get a job. Now
work at Burger King as a crew member and Iv
been there for three months. I also received
scholarship from my high school and now I a
majoring in Electrical Engineering at Fore
Park Community College.
If I hadnt goen into the Building Bloc
Program I would probably not have a job rig
now because of the dicules I had geng
job before I came here.
When Laraine Seabrook enrolled in Employment
Connecons employment readiness training program
she was homeless, unemployed and struggling with
addicon. A licensed Cered Nurses Assistant with
several years of experience and a United States
veteran, Larine had diculty with securing employment
on her own because of past legal issues. Laraine began
the training program ready to redirect her life and
eager to use the training she received. While preparing
for employment, she received addional services that
addressed the barriers to her gainful employment,including clothing and transportaon assistance,
housing, and counseling services from SLU Doctoral stu-
dents.
While working with Employment Connecon, Laraine
was sll experiencing homelessness, sleeping in parks,
alleys, shelters, churches and anywhere else she be-
lieved was safe. The stress of homelessness and the job
search challenged Laraines sobriety. She credits her
desire to nd employment for not relapsing. Employ-
ment Connecon worked with Laraine to secure a refer-
ral to an inpaent treatment center. Aer compleng
treatment and geng a hold on her addicon, she was
able to secure employment. Laraine has since been
back to Employment Connecon to share all the great
things that are happening in her life with the sta which
supported and encouraged her.
Meet our Clients of the YearLaraine Seabrook and Demarko Moody
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53%of clients completing work readiness training secured employment
2011 Programs, Goals and Outcomes
Outcome Achieved Goal Percent of Goal
Admied to Work
Readiness Training
1,156 1,285 90%Completed Work
Readiness Training988 1,105 90%
Secured Employment 529 420 126%
Homeless Veteran
Reintegraon Program
Transional reintegraon to
help homeless U.S. Veterans
leave the streets, secure
employment and reach a state
of stability and self-suciency.
Managed Work ServicesSocial enterprise program thatprovides oversight to job
candidates for 90 days, giving
employers the ability to assess
aptude and make informed
hiring decisions.
WIA Youth Services ProgramTraining, and job placement
program for out-of-school
youth ages 19-21 assisng with
literacy, educaon, life skills
and employment.
Back to Health, Back to WorkCognive behavioral therapy
program addressing depres-
sion, anxiety, PTSD, and other
mental health disorders to as-
sist clients in obtaining and
retaining employment.
Supporve Services
for Veteran FamiliesProvides supporve services to
promote housing stability for
low-income U.S. Veterans and
their families.
East St. Louis
TANF and SNAP ProgramServing families on public
assistance by ensuring they
receive benets and job
placement services in Illinois.
New Americans and
Employment Project
Mentoring program that as-
sists legal immigrants over-
come barriers, including life
skills training, job skills train-
ing, and cultural adjustment.
Supporve Housing ProgramsPermanent supporve housing,
case management, and job
training for Disabled Heads of
Households in the County and
U.S. Veterans in St. Louis City.
Pathways to
Responsible FatherhoodAssisng low-income fathers
transion from non-custodial
parents into acve fathers
through parenng classes,
educaon , and relaonships.
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1,364 total individuals attended orientation, with the following results:
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Follow-Up, Retention and Contin-
ued Case Management
Client Maintains
Employment and Achieves
Self-Suficiency
Referral Network Corrections and Probation Ofices, Advisory Council Agencies, One Stop Career
Center, Shelters, United Way 211, Continuum of Care and Word of Mouth
Assessment and
Enrollment
Competitive Employment Program
Work Readiness Training
How our programs workChanging lives one step at a time
Employment Connecon clients begin the process with a referral from our
community partners or by word of mouth. Clients are assessed to idenfy
employment needs and enrolled in Compeve Employment Program.
This program introduces clients to the working world and begins to alter the
way they think about gaining and maintaining employment.
Aer compleon, clients collaborate with their Career Specialist to create an
Individual Employment Plan. This process idenes their employment needs
and goals, and fosters partnership between the client and Career Specialist.
When needed, clients are referred to supporve services housed at
Employment Connecon or partnering agencies. Clients begin their job
search guided by their Career Specialist, who provides job referrals, resume
and applicaon assistance and general support. Aer clients have been
successfully placed, Career Specialists maintain the relaonship to ensureemployment retenon and self-suciency.
Individual Employment Plan
The Job Search
Job Placements
Supportive Services
GED Classes
Business Clothing
Transportation
Job Development
Substance Abuse
Housing
Financial Literacy
Back to Health/
Back to Work
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It costs tax payers and average $21,000 to incarcerate an individual for one year in the state of Missouri, and
$38,000 in Illinois. For a fracon of that cost, Employment Connecon can train, assist, and place ex-
oenders into employment opportunies that lead to self-suciency and reduce recidivism. Employment
Connecon clients add to the community, and have invested up to an esmated $7,335,360 in earnings over
the last two years.
The Employment Connection EffectInvesting in Individuals and the Community
The Cycleof Self-Sufficiency
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Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood assists low-income fathers in the process of
transioning from noncustodial parents into acve fathers through training programs,
which include workshops on healthy marriage and relaonships, responsible parenng,
economic stability educaon and legal services.
Implementaon of the program was made possible through partnership with the Fathers
Support Center, St. Louis, in order to provide young parents with valuable instrucon in
personal development, communicaon, and relaonship building skills that will allow
fathers to work eecvely with their children.
Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood
Supporve Services for Veteran Families provides supporve services through a
partnership with St. Patrick Center, promong housing stability for low-income U.S. Veter-
ans and their families residing in or transioning to permanent housing.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Employment Connecon is constantly seeking new partnerships to ll gaps and expand services
where a gap is recognized. Through collaboraon with other area service providers, we were ableto implement two new programs in 2011 to help individuals reach a state of self-suciency.
New Programs for 2011Expanding to Meet Community Needs
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Program SpotlightBack to Health, Back to Work
Back to Health, Back to Work serves unemployed individuals including homeless vet-
erans, ex-oenders, and other clients from St. Louis City who are parcipang in Em-
ployment Connecons World of Work job preparaon training, who are idened as
having undiagnosed or untreated behavioral health disorders. There is a strong link
between unemployment and health disorders, with some studies reporng that nearly
40% of all unemployed people suer from psychological distress.
Many people come to Employment Connecon to apply for free employment services
without realizing they have disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumac
stress disorder, which are barriers to their reaching a state of self-suciency. The pro-
gram provides idencaon and treatment of those behavioral health issue in a non-
sgmazing seng, helping clients of Back to Health, Back to Work resolve those is-
sues and move on with their lives.
Back to Health, Back to Work is made possible through partnership with the St. Louis
Mental Health Board, St. Louis University, and the Peoples Clinic, all working togeth-
er to bring down barriers to self-suciency.
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Managed Work ServicesSocial Enterprise at Work in the Community
The mission ofManaged Work Services of St. Louis
(MWSstl) is to enhance the St. Louis Metropolitan
community through the creaon of employment op-
portunies for individuals that lead to self-suciency
and assisng area businesses in becoming more eec-
ve with recruing and retaining employees.
Managed Work Services is a St. Louis area social enter-
prise stang agency, which does much more than just
help people nd jobs and connect companies with em-ployment ready entry-level workers. Our prots recir-
culate into the community through educaon, literacy
and training programs, transportaon aid, counseling
MWSstlBusiness Opons include:Temporary Stang/Short term on
-site support
Temporary to Direct Hire/Long term on-site support
Managed Work Sites/Full me on-site supervision
The MWSstlConnecon:Between employers and skilled workers
Between prots and producon
Between stability and performance
Between your boom line and success
For more informaon on how your business can benetfrom partnering with MWSstl, contact:
Jesse Lane
MWSstl Site Supervisor
(314) 333-5600
programs, career assistance , and addional supporve services that posively aect the
lives of area residents. Using Managed Work Services for your hiring needs is both a prudent
business and community investment.
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PRESIDENT
J.D Luhning, Esq.
Aorney-at-Law
Pitzer Snodgrass P.C.
VICE PRESIDENT
Prevost V. Foushee
Rered
Anheuser-Busch Inc.
TREASURERArthur E. Weiss
Financial Advisor
Lisart LLC
SECRETARYRoy Anderson, Jr.
Local Sales Manager
Clear Channel
Communicaons
DIRECTORSJ. Sco Clark
Senior Labor Counsel
Ralcorp Holdings Inc.
Karen A. Davis
Senior Vice President,
Midwest Community Aairs
Manager
Regions Financial Corporaon
Bill B. Dorothy II, Esq.
Professor of Pracce
Washington University
School of Law
Vanessa Howard Ellis, Esq.
Assistant Aorney General
Mar Bloodsaw-Foggie
HR Consultant
Strategies Group
Steve Fiamingo, CPA
MBA Candidate
Olin Business School
Rodney Gee
Principal, Human Resources
Edward Jones
Leo Ming, Jr.
Rered Vice President,
Human Resources
St. Louis Convenon and Visi-
tors Commission
Michael Novack
Chairman, President, and
Chief Execuve Ocer
Kiosite
Jennifer Price, Esq.
Aorney-at-Law
Thompson Coburn LLP
Walter Robinson
Human Resource Consultant
Al Sears
Director, Fixed Income
Services
Buckingham Asset
Management
Frank A. Simmons
Rered
Mainline Informaon
Systems
Sandra Sneed
Crew Manager
McDonalds Restaurants
William Watkins
President
Watkins Building Group, LLC
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Board of DirectorsLeading through Experience and Dedication
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Community supporters can be assured their charitable dollars are ulized
in the most eecve and ecient way. As a result of this due diligence,
Employment Connecon meets all 20 BBB Standards of Charitable
Accountability. Employment Connecon works diligently to ensure thatevery dollar donated goes to those who need it most.
Below is the summary of our nancial year ending 2011 as audited by
Conner Ash, P.C. The agency remains in a solid nancial posion by dili-
gently appropriang its duciary responsibility. Please feel free to con-
tact Employment Connecon directly if you would like a complete copy of
our nancial statements.
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Financial Report
Arthu r E . We i s s Arthur E. WeissBoard Treasurer
Cerfed Public Accountant
* Rounded 00
2011 Operang Revenues*
Building Rental Income $ 35,600 1%
Contribuons $ 216,000 7%
Grants and Contracts $ 2,151,200 77%
United Way of Greater $ 436,900 16%
St. Louis
Interest and Unrealized $ -29,300 -1%
Loss on Investments
2011 Total Revenue $ 2,810,400 100%
2011 Operang Expenses*
Compeve Employment $ 2,077,400 76%
Program
Managed Work Services $ 367,200 14%
Building Rental Expense $ 37,500 1%
Management and General $ 188,000 7%
Fundraising
$ 56,600
2%
2011 Total Expenses $ 2,726,700 100%
2011 Unrestricted Net Assets
$ 3,441,300
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Employment Connecon Club
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Advisory Board
ARCHS
Gail Dickson
Basic
Oval Miller, Sr.
Bridgeway Behavioral Health
Alecia Deutch
Catholic Charities Housing
Resource CenterJane Schoeck
Center For Life Solutions, Inc.Cheryl Gardine
Center For Women In TransitionSandy Sperino
Christian Friends for New Americans
Rev. Dr. Allen buckmanAdefris Mekasha
Criminal Justice Ministry
Society of St. Vincent DePaulSr. Carleen Reck
Division of Workforce DevelopmentDonny Carroll
Family Support NetworkSue Didier
Fathers Support CenterCheaster Deanes
Gateway Free And CleanShelly Wims/Karl Pickens
Gateway 180Toni Muhammad
Gateway Parents Support
Group HealthlineMartha Sylvester
Hope HouseVanessa McLaughlin
HumanitriEdwin Muhammad
Justine PetersenKristen Schell
Loaves and FishesDebbie Push
Moorish Science Temple Of America, Inc.Bro. Todd Irons-El
Neighborhood Outreach CenterLinda Thompson
New BeginningsCarrie Williams
Oasis International MinistriesMark Akers
Our Ladys InnJennifer Reinbold
Preferred Family HealthcareKim Feaman
Project CopeAdrienne Denson
Providence Inn
Angela Hamilton
Queen of PeaceMargo Adams
Rape And Violence End Now (RAVEN)Janeen McGee
Salvation Army Rehabilitation CenterAlan James
Soaring Spirit MinistriesJanis Frick
Timothy Evangelical Lutheran ChurchRev. Bill Wilson
St. Louis Community Release CenterJohn Young
Transiguration Lutheran ChurchDonnell Jackson
United States Probation and ParoleQuincy FountainJo Cooper
Urban LeagueJames Smith
Womens Safe HouseLaDonna Howard
Youth Empowerment Services (YES)Joseph Prophet
Eddie Stallings
YWCACrystal Small
Avi Allen
Jafra Allen
Chardrey Ausn
Bob Bell
Stephanie Benne
Nathan Bolden
Linda Bond
Giarra Boyce
Jasmine Burt
Darlene Carr
Lucille Clark
Darron Collins-Bey
Rachael Cubb
Jesceener Curry
Janice Dansberry
Anthony Deanes
Kevin Dent
Harold Fields
Chiquita Fisher
Breanna Fulton
Jackie Furlow
Leon Gardner
Shelton Green
Jerrell Hawkins
Delores Herron
Cortez Johnson
Eugenia Kilbert
Joseph King
Crystal Lancaster
Tiany Lecke
Kenneth Legrone
Dom Lupo
Keith McCrady
Maurice Murray
Caley Palmer
Natasha Porter
Uriyah Reed
Doris Rogers
Sandra Savage
Brenda Smith
Erica Tate
William Taylor
Rebekah Titswort
Brenda Smith
Joseph Stroud
Jeremy Stubbs
Charles Sutherlan
Ramone Triple
Roger Walsh
Benne Wills
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Volunteers
The following volunteersdonated a total 3,844 hoursAt Employment Connecon
this year, giving of their me
and talents to help others.You are all
very much appreciated!
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Administration
Brenda MahrChief Executive Oficer
34 years
David Kessel
Chief Operating Oficer
16 years
Nathaniel Dempsey
Executive Assistant
6 years
Jonathan Walz
Development Associate
2 years
Accounting Services
Sarah Robinson
Sr. Manger, Accounting Services
9 years
Nora Davis
Accountant
9 years
Managed Work Services
Jessie Lane
Site Supervisor
9 years
Krystal Bryant
Site Supervisor II
3 Years
Client & Training Services
Peggy McKinney
Manager, Client Services
9 years
Dollaree Glasper
Client Services Specialist
8 years
Housing Services
Yusef Scoggin
Manager, Housing Services2 years
Supportive Housing Program
Harry Little
Housing Specialist-SHP
9 years
Meredith McDufie
Housing Specialist-SHP
1st year
Erick Abernathy
Housing Specialist SHP
1st year
Supportive Services
for Veteran Families
Andre Alexander
Housing Specialist SSVF
1st year
Safiyah Muhammad
Housing Specialist SSVF
1st year
Stephanie Shaw
Housing Specialist SSVF
1st year
Custodial Staff
Oscar Selfe
Custodian
5 years
Steve WillkinsCustodian
1st year
Competitive Employment
Program
Eugene Fowler
Senior Manager, Career Services
8years
Steven Hoven
Manager, Career Services
8years
Ex-Offenders, Veterans,
Youth and Adults
Minnie McRoberts
Career Specialist
34 years
Tamara WilliamsCareer Specialist
12 years
Preston Vanderford
Career Specialist
3 years
Michael McCoy
Manager, Career Specialist
4 years
Veronica Travis
Career Specialist
4 years
New Americans
Pat Brown
Career Specialist
28 years
Back to Health/Back to Work
Steve Zegel
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
4 years
Illinois TANF & SNAP
Brian Crues
Career Specialist
8 years
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Our Dedicated Staff
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Main service location
Missouri2838 Market Street
Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
Hours of ServiceMonday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Telephone314-333-JOBS (5627)
Satellite Office
IllinoisDepartment of Human Services225 N. 9
thStreet
East Saint Louis, Illinois 62201
Hours of ServiceMonday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Telephone618.875.8665
www.employmentstl.org
@employmentstl
Employment Connecon Saint Louis