Employment Connection 2012 Annual Report

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Assisng individuals with limited opportunies

to self-suciency in the St. Louis region since 1977.

2012

Annual Report


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Brenda MahrCEO

J.D. LuhningBoard President

Table of Contents

Who we are Page 2 Client of the Year Page 3

2012 Programs and Outcomes Page 4 How Our Programs Work Page 5

The Employment Connecon Eect Page 6 Managed Work Services Page 7

New Program/Volunteers Page 8 23 Years of Dedicated Service Page 9

Board of Directors Page 10 Financial Report Page 11

Donors Page 12 Advisory Board and Volunteers Page 13

Sta Page 14 Contact Informaon Page 15

Message from ourBoard President and CEO

It has been another year full of challenges for sta, supporters, and especially for those we serve atEmployment Connecon. Every day we see the connuing eects of the economic downturn on

those who are already burdened by barriers to self-suciency. While the economy has begun to

slowly improve, parents returning home from prison, U.S. veterans sleeping in their cars, and youth

with limited opportunies all share one thing in common: a need for stable employment.

Since 1977, people with barriers to employment from the St. Louis area have turned to Employ-

ment Connecon for assistance in reaching a state of self-suciency. Right now the hiring econo-

my is an employers market, which makes it more challenging to nd quality employment opportu-

nies and assist those we serve into jobs. Despite the addional challenges, Employment Connec-

ons talented and dedicated sta, volunteers, and donors give hope to those with limited oppor-

tunies in an uncertain me.

Employment Connecon connues to be successful through the dedicaon of the sta and partner-

ships with funders and collaborators who understand the inherent value in invesng in persons

who are working for a second chance. It is our hope that you will join us in helping parents remain

out of jail and at home and involved in their childrens lives; provide opportunies for those who

served our country before falling on hard mes; and in helping young people work toward promis-

ing futures.


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Who We AreEmployment Connecon has over 36 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) revealed 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

To assist 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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Meet our Client of the YearLisa Shelley, Board Member and Client Advocate

Just a few years ago, Lisa Shelley had a good job and felt she was living the American

dream. Unfortunately, that all changed when she was laid o unexpectedly, leaving her out of work

for the rst me in her life. She had problems obtaining other employment, and became more and

more depressed as the weeks passed with no prospects. In the end, she lost her home, and decided

to move in with her daughter in Georgia. Aer living there only a short me, though, she became sick

and had no choice but to move back to St. Louis.

Lisa found herself sleeping in her car dealing with

depression, with limited opons, and having suicidal

thoughts. Fortunately, as a veteran she was able to nd

emergency housing at Jeerson Barracks DomiciliaryTreatment Center, and while there she was referred to

Employment Connecon for employment assistance.

Working with the sta at Employment Connecon, Lisa

was connected to the services she needed, and she soon

found employment through Managed Work Services as a

housekeeper at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Proving herself to

be a hard worker, Lisas co-workers at the hospital praised her posive work ethnics, and she was

oered and accepted a full-me posion as a housekeeper. The hospital sta on the oor she was

assigned requested her specically when they moved to their new site, because, in their words, No

one cleans as well as Lisa.

Lisa moved out of the Domiciliary and entered the housing program at Employment Connecon, and

with the assistance of her housing specialist she moved into her own fully-furnished apartment. Since

then, Lisas life has connued to change for the beer. Im grateful for everything and everyone that

has helped me, she said. I somemes begin to cry when I talk about how things were, compared

with how much beer things are today.

Lisa is truly a success story. She has since resigned her posion at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, in order to

pursue a degree in Deaf Communicaons at the St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley cam-

pus. In December 2012, Lisa joined the Board of Directors at Employment Connecon, bringing valu-

able insights as a client advocate, and using her me and talents to give back to the organizaon

which helped her reach self-

suciency.

The sta at

Employment Connecon

taught me I can doanything I want to do.

My life is not over.

I can reach for the stars.


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444 clients secured employment. 71% retained their employment for a minimum 90 days.

2012 Programs and Outcomes

Homeless Veteran

Reintegraon ProgramTransional 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 that

provides 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 andretaining 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 ProjectMentoring 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.

1,237 individuals came to Employment Connecon this year seeking services. 833aended orientaon,

with 730aending our World of Work employment training progra m. 650clients completed the training,

and 444 were successfully assisted into employment. Those placed into empl oyment earned an average

hourly wage of$8.76 per hour, with 71%maintaining their employment for a minimum of 90 days.


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How our programs workChanging lives one step at a time


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Managed Work Services

Employment Services Enhancing the St. Louis Community

The mission ofManaged Work Services of St.

Louis (MWSstl) is to enhance the St. Louis

Metropolitan community through the creaon of

employment opportunies for individuals that

lead to self-suciency and assisng area

businesses in becoming more eecve with

recruing and retaining employees.

Managed Work Services is a St. Louis area social

enterprise stang agency, which does much

more than just help people nd jobs and connect

companies with employment ready entry-level

workers. Our prots recirculate into the

community through educaon, literacy and

training programs, transportaon aid,

counseling 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.

For more informaon on MWSstl, contact:Jesse LaneMWSstl Site Supervisor

(314) 333-5600

[email protected]

MWSstlBusiness Opons include:Temporary Stafng/Short term on-site support

Temporary to Direct Hire/Long term on-site support

Managed Work Sites/Full me on-site supervision


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10/16

23 Years of Dedicated ServiceBoard Treasurer Art Weiss Retires

Arthur (Art) E. Weiss has been a member of the Board

of Directors at Employment Connecon since Septem-ber 1989. Bringing a wealth of experience and passion

for the mission of Employment Connecon, Art has

been a valuable part of the agencys success for the past

23 years. During that me Art has served as Board Pres-

ident, Treasurer, and Chair of the Porolio Commiee.

Using his experience and knowledge, Art connually as-

sured that Employment Connecon complied with all

duciary responsibilies and maintained focused on our

mission. He is known for sharing his talents with sta

and clients, and for always being available to lend a

hand. Art truly has a passion for helping those who need

it most, and is a staunch supporter of giving

people a second chance. Though he is

stepping down from the Board, Art plans

to connue supporng Employment

Connecon and remain involved in fullling

our mission to assist individuals with lim-

ited opportunies to self-suciency.

Thank you Artfor your 23 yearsof dedicated service!


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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

DIRECTORSMar Bloodsaw-Foggie

President and CEO

HR Performance

Strategies Group

J. Sco Clark

Senior Labor Counsel

Ralcorp Holdings Inc.

Karen A. Davis

Principal

Community Frameworks, LLC

Bill B. Dorothy II, Esq.

Professor of Pracce

Washington University

School of Law

Vanessa Howard Ellis, Esq.

Assistant Aorney General

Rodney GeePrincipal, Human Resources

Edward Jones

Michael Novack

Chairman, President, and

Chief Execuve Ocer

Kiosite

Jennifer Price, Esq.

Aorney-at-Law

Thompson Coburn LLP

Ryan Rakestraw

MBA Candidate

Olin Business School

United Way Board Fellow

Walter Robinson

Human Resource Consultant

Al Sears

Director, Fixed Income

Services

Buckingham Asset

Management

Lisa Shelley

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Client Advocate

Frank A. Simmons

Rered

Mainline Informaon

Systems

William Watkins

President

Watkins Building Group, LLC

Our 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 that every dollar donated goes to those who need it most.

Below is the summary of our nancial year ending 2012 as audited by

Conner Ash, P.C. The agency remains in a solid nancial posion by

diligently appropriang its duciary responsibility. Please feel free to

contact Employment Connecon directly if you would like a complete

copy of our nancial statements.

Financial Report

Al Sea r s

Al SearsBoard Treasurer

* Rounded 00

2012 Operang Revenues*

Building Rental Income $ 34,000 1%

Contribuons $ 209,400 6%

Grants and Contracts $ 2,381,700 75%

United Way of Greater $ 448,900 14%

St. Louis

Interest and Unrealized $ 115,700 4%

Loss on Investments

2012 Total Revenue $ 3,189,700 100%

2012 Operang Expenses*

Compeve Employment $ 2,124,300 72%

Program

Managed Work Services $ 537,400 18%

Building Rental Expense $ 35,800 1%

Management and General $ 192,800 7%

Fundraising

$ 61,000

2%

2012 Total Expenses $ 2,951,300 100%

2012 Unrestricted Net Assets*

$ 3,679,600

1


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Employment Connecon Club


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Advisory BoardARCHSGail Dickson

BasicOval Miller, Sr.

Bridgeway Behavioral HealthAlecia Deutch

Catholic Charities HousingResource CenterJane Schoeck

Center For Life Solutions, Inc.Cheryl Gardine

Center For Women In TransitionSandy Sperino

Christian Friends for New AmericansRev. Dr. Allen buckmanAdefris Mekasha

Criminal Justice MinistrySociety 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 SupportGroup 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 InnAngela 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 YoungTransiguration Lutheran ChurchDonnell Jackson

United States Probation and ParoleQuincy Fountain

Jo Cooper

Urban LeagueJames Smith

Womens Safe HouseLaDonna Howard

Youth Empowerment Services (YES)Joseph ProphetEddie Stallings

YWCACrystal Small

Arnold Adams

Nathan Bell

Jacob Bye

Darlene Carr

Paul Carr

Trent Chambers

Jesse Charleston

Michael Chropswilt

Rachael Cubb

Darron Collins-

Bey

Colleen Clark

Lucille Clark

Jesceener Curry

Maurice Custer

Jarrod Douglas

Lovea Farrar

Harold Fields

Willie Ford

Emily Freund

Darryl Gates

Alexander Hall

Eric Hall

Janay Holmes

Debra Horvath

DeMario Houston

Kathy Howell

Frank Hunter

Bill Jackson

Jerry Jackson

Octavia Jackson

Karina Jeerson

Robert Jerden

Lili Jiang

Edward Johnson

John Kuelper

Tim Kunkel

Dion Landis

Darwin Lane

Paul M. Ley

Kenneth Lindsey

Eddie Logwood

Cindy Luna

Dom Lupo

Joshua Meyer

Michael Mills

James Moore

Morty Murray

Art OBrien

Samir Patel

Kelly Porter

Diane Ramsey

Yuning Ren

Virgil Rowell

Herbert Russell

Craig Sco

William Sexton

Alonzo Simmons

Febe Strickland

Jerome Taylor

Michael Telthors

Rebekah Titswor

David Triple

Nashay Turner

Russell Turner

Eddie Walker

Morris Wareld

Bruce Webster

Frank Weems

Avis Wilder

James Winger

Jo Wright

Dairion Wysinge

VolunteersThe following volunteers

donated a total 3,097 hoursat Employment Connecon

this year, giving of their meand talents to help others.

You are allvery much appreciated!

3

Express Scripts


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AdministrationBrenda MahrChief Executive Oficer35 years

David KesselChief Operating Oficer

17 years

Nathaniel DempseyExecutive Assistant

7 years

Jonathan WalzDevelopment Associate

3 years

John RobertsonDevelopment Associate

1st year

Accounting ServicesSarah RobinsonSr. Manger, Accounting Services

10 years

Nora DavisAccountant

10 years

Managed Work ServicesJessie LaneSite Supervisor I

10 years

Meredith McDufieSite Supervisor1 year

Client & Training Services

Peggy McKinneyManager, Client Services

10 years

Dollaree GlasperClient Services Specialist

9 years

Housing ServicesYusef Scoggin

Manager, Housing Services

2 years

Supportive Housing Program

Harry LittleHousing Specialist-SHP

10 years

Erick AbernathyHousing Specialist SHP

2 years

Catherine HawkinsHousing Specialist SHP

1st year

Joe JamesHousing Specialist SHP

1st year

Supportive Services

for Veteran Families

Andre AlexanderHousing Specialist SSVF

1st year

Stephanie ShawHousing Specialist SSVF

1st year

Competitive EmploymentProgramEugene FowlerSenior Manager, Career Services

8 years

Steven HovenManager, Career Services

9 years

Ex-Offenders, Veterans,

Youth, and Adults

Minnie McRobertsCareer Specialist

35 years

Tamara WilliamsCareer Specialist

13 years

Preston VanderfordCareer Specialist

4 years

Michael McCoyManager, Career Specialist

5 years

Veronica TravisCareer Specialist

5 years

Ron TedderCareer Specialist

1st year

Jessica AldagCareer Specialist

1st year

Pathbuilders and New Americans

Pat BrownCareer Specialist

29 years

Back to Health/Back to Work

Steve ZegelLicensed Clinical Social Worker

5 years

Illinois TANF & SNAP

Brian CruesCareer Specialist

9 years

Whitnee JonesCareer Specialist

1st year

Custodial StaffOscar SelfeCustodian

6 years

Steve WillkinsCustodian

1 year

Our Dedicated Sta


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Main service locaonMissouri

2838 Market Street

Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

Hours of ServiceMonday-Friday

8:00am-5:00pm

Telephone314-333-JOBS (5627)

Satellite OceIllinois

Department of Human Services

225 N. 9th

Street

East Saint Louis, Illinois 62201

Hours of ServiceMonday-Friday

8:00am-5:00pm

Telephone618.875.8665

www.employmentstl.org@employmentstl

Employment Connecon Saint Louis

Documents

Employment Connection 2012 Annual Report