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ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES
TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT.
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Message from Brenda Mahr and JD Luhning
This year has been challenging for the sta, clients and supporters of Employment Connecon. The economic environ-
ment has aected the majority of cizens in the St. Louis region and many of those hardest hit were the individuals
who walked through the doors of Employment Connecon in need of assistance. They came to the agency every day
determined to make a dierence in their lives. It was their determinaon that reminded the agencys sta, board and
volunteers of the importance of the services weve been providing the St. Louis metropolitan region for 33 years.
Employment Connecon viewed the challenges of 2010 as opportunies to evaluate our services and make moves to
strengthen our future. The agency sought out new partnerships and made strategic programming decisions. New pro-
grams and funding streams aligning with the agencys mission and vision were idened, sought aer and secured.
The Board of Directors provided guidance while establishing the agencys development and long term goals. This new
focus and strategic vision will result in the self-suciency of our clients and solidify the agencys future.
The needs of our clients and their successes are at the core of Employment Connecon mission, but without the gener-
ous support of individuals like you, the agency would not be able to have the impact it does. Individuals enter our
building with barriers and needs that are interfering with second chances and self-suciency. Your support is what
gives us the opportunity to empower, employ and inspire St. Louis. Visitors are always welcome at Employment Con-
necon to see rst-hand the eect we have on our clients lives.
Brenda Mahr
CEO
JD LuhningJ.D. Luhning
Board President
Introduction Who we are Page 2
The Employment Connection Effect Page 3
Competitive Employment Program Page 4
The Big Picture Page 5
Cooks Who Care Page 6
Technical Developments Page 7
Board of Directors Page 8
Finances Page 9
Donors Page 10
Advisory Board Page 11
Volunteers Page 11
Staff
Page 121
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Employment Connecon Who We Are
Employment Connection has over thirty years experience inspiring St. Louis residents
and reducing crime through job placements and supportive services. The agency was
founded in 1977 after a study by the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association of
Metropolitan Saint Louis (BAMSL) discovered that employed ex-offenders were 66%
less likely to return to incarceration. Our agency immediately began the work of reduc-
ing recidivism through employment.
In 1980, Employment Connection became a full United Way member agency and ex-
panded its service beyond ex-offenders by assisting recovering substance abusers, the
homeless, high school dropouts, women on welfare, U.S. Veterans, and non-custodial
fathers. The agency continues to add additional services that address the holistic needs
of our clients working toward self-suficiency. Employment Connection assists nearly
2,000 individuals who have barriers to employment every year.
Mission
To assist individuals with limited
opportunies to self-suciency
through employment.
Vision
To be the premier placement, retention, career development and ad-
vancement program for persons with barriers to employment, empow-
ering them to take charge of their lives and fulill the needs of the Saint
Louis Regional business community.
2
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The Employment Connection Effect
Employment Connecon Clients of the Year
Bertha Russell and Kimberly Neal
Kimberly Neal moved into a two bedroom apartment
in January 2009 as a client of the Veterans Supporve
Housing Program Project Homecoming-Veterans.
Before enrolling in the program Kimberly struggled
with several barriers and health problems. In her me
as a client she has done everything that the Sup-
porve Housing Program was designed for and more.
She has enrolled at Lindenwood University and is pur-
suing a degree in Health Care Management. Kimberly
was hired by the VA hospital were she has been pro-
moted and put into posions of leadership. Kimberly
has remained an exemplary and inspiraonal client of
Project Homecoming-Veterans.
Bertha Russell came to Employment Connecon and enrolled in the
Managed Work Services (MWSstl) program. MWSstl provided
entry level training for employment in the healthcare eld. Aer
compleng her training, Bertha was placed into employment at a
local hospital and began working diligently. Due to her outstanding
performance she was hired on as a regular housekeeper within 90
days. She enjoyed her dues and became very comfortable with
her new surroundings. Aer 10 months of successful employment
Bertha decided to apply for the vacant housekeeper lead posion.
She completed several interviews and was promoted to the lead
posion. Bertha Russell would like to thank Employment Connec-
on and the sta for giving her the support and the opportunity to
achieve her employment successes.
Employment Connecons Investment to the Community
It cost tax payers $16,500 to incarcerate an individual forone year in the state of Missouri. For a fracon of that
cost, Employment Connecon can train, support and place
ex-oenders into employment opportunies that lead to
self-suciency and reduce recidivism. Employment Con-
necon clients add to the community and have invested up
to $7,335,360 in earnings over the last two years.
849 Job Placements
2009-2010
Work for
6 months
Average wage:
$9.00/hour
Earnings:
$7,335,360
3
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2010 Program Goals and Outcomes
43% of all persons completing work readiness training secured employment!
2010 Outcomes and Agency Programs
Orientations 1900 1452
Admissions to Work
Readiness Training
1186 987
Compete Work Readi-
ness Training
1030 889
Secure Employment 441 484
Homeless Veteran
Reintegraon Program
Transional reintegraon pro-
gram to help homeless U.S.
Veterans leave the streets for
vocaonal training that will
lead to employment and self-
suciency.
Managed Work Services
A social entrepreneurship thatprovides oversight to job candi-
dates for 90 days so that em-
ployers can assess aptude and
make an informed hiring deci-
sion.
Building Blocks
A life skills, training and job
placement program for at risk
youth ages 15-17 who are under
the supervision of the Juvenile
Jusce Courts.
Back to Health Back to Work
Cognive behavioral therapy
program that addresses depres-
sion, anxiety, PTSD and other
mental health disorders to as-
sist clients in obtaining and re-
taining employment.
Bridging Barriers
A mul-collaborave program
designed to reduce recidivism of
ex-oenders by focusing prima-
ry eorts on employment, men-
tal health, housing and sup-
porve services.
East St. Louis TANF and SNAP
Program
Serving families on public assis-
tance by ensuring they receive
benets and job placement ser-
vices.
New Americans and
Employment Project
A mentoring program that as-
sists legal immigrants overcome
barriers including life skills train-
ing, job skills training and cultur-
al adjustment.
Supporve Housing Programs
Providing permanent sup-
porve housing case manage-
ment and job training for Disa-
bled Heads of Households in
the County and U.S. Veterans
in St. Louis City.
Sustainable Reentry Project
Employment program created
to reduce recidivism, address
increase in release rates and the
diculty of locang jobs for ex-
oenders returning to high
crime and poverty areas.
4
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Follow-Up, Retention and Contin-
ued Case Management
Client Maintains
Employment and
Achieve
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
Employment Connection Services-The Big Picture
In 2010, nearly 2000 individuals
came to Employment Connecon
for assistance. Employment Connecon clients begin the process with a refer-
ral 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 and createan Individual Employment Plan. This process idenes the clients em-
ployment goals and needs and fosters the partnership between client and Ca-
reer Specialist. When needed, clients are referred to supporve services
housed at Employment Connecon or partnering agencies. Clients begin their
job search with the guidance of the Career Specialist who provided job refer-
rals, resume and applicaon assistance and general support. Aer clients
have been successfully placed, Career Specialists maintain the relaonship
to ensure employment 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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is a volunteer program established in 2010 to engagemembers of the St. Louis Community through providing a nutritious mealfor ex-offenders, homeless Veterans and other residents looking to becomeself-sufficient. Employment Connection staff began to address the fact thatvery few clients would eat lunch despite being at the agency all day fortraining. The agency began to provide meals to individu-
als who are committed to changing themselves and their communities. Vol-unteers prepare a simple sack-lunch for 25-30 students and address an im-portant client need. For more information on volunteering for this pro-gram, please visit the Volunteer section of our website atwww.employmentstl.org/volunteers or call 314-333-5645.
Cooks Who Care
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Project e3
Employment Connection was in need of an update to the agencys technologyresources. Sta and clients were using dated programs and equipment. In someinstances the sta was unable to electronically communicate because of the dis-parity between individual computers. The agency was given the opportunity topartner with the St. Louis Empowerment Zone and address this need. The sup-port provided by the St. Louis Empowerment Zone assisted with the addition of43 new computers, updated hardware, four new laptops and servers to be usedby Employment Connection sta and clients at the main service location and
our satellite oce in East St. Louis. This update to the agencys technology al-lowed for an expansion to workforce development services, training and place-ment services and the increase in client employability.
St. Louis GiveCam
Following the upgrade to its internal technology, Employment Connectio
identied a need to update the agencys website and digital appeaEmployment Connection collaborated with St. Louis GiveCamp to address t
agencys IT needs. St. Louis GiveCamp is an annual weekend event where so
ware developers, designers, and database administrators donate their time
create custom software for non-prot organizations. Within three days the vo
unteers designed and created a modernand user friendly website. Please viour new website atwww.Employmentstl.org.
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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.
TREASURER
Arthur E. Weiss
Financial Advisor
Lisart LLC
SECRETARY
Roy Anderson, Jr.
Local Sales Manager
Clear Channel
Communicaons
J. Sco Clark
Senior Labor Counsel
Ralcorp Holdings Inc.
Karen A. Davis
Senior Vice President
Midwest Community
Aairs Manager
Regions Financial
Corporaons
Bill B. Dorothy II, Esq.
Professor of Pracce
Washington University
School of Law
Vanessa Howard Ellis, Esq.
Assistant Aorney General
Old Post Oce
Steve Fiamingo, CPA
MBA, Candidate
Oin Business School
Mar Bloodsaw-Froggie
HR Consultant
Rodney Gee
Principal,
Human Resources
Edward Jones
Leo Ming, Jr.
Rered, Vice President,
Human Resources &
Administraon
St. Louis convenon and
Visitors Commission
Michael Novack
Chairman, President and
Chief Execuve Ocer
Kiosite
Jennifer Price, Esq.
Aorney-at-Law
Thompson Coburn LLP
Walter Robinson
Human Resource Manager
President casino
Al Sears
Director, Fixed Income
Services
Buckingham Asset
Management
Frank A. Simmons
Retred, Mainline
Informaon Systems
Sandra Sneed
Crew Manager
McDonalds Restaurants
Kay Tomlinson, Ph. D.
Community Volunteer
William Watkins
President
Watkins Building Group
LLC
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Community supporters can be assured that 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 2010 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.
Arthur E. Weiss
Arthur Weiss
Board Treasurer
Cered Public Accountant
2010 Operang RevenuesRounded 00
Building Rental Income $8,000 1.00%
Contribuons $153,000 8.00%
Grants and Contracts $2,360,100 69.00%
United Way of Greater $436,800 17.00%
St. Louis
Interest and Unrealized $70,600 5.00%
Loss on Investments
2010 Total Revenue $3,029,300 100.00%
2010 Operang ExpensesRound
Compeve Employment $2,360,500 81.0
Program
Managed Work Services $314,400 11.0
Building Rental Expense $7,700
1.00Management and General $175,500 4.00
Fundraising $65,00 3.00
2010 Total Expenses- $2,923,100 100
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Employment Connecon Club
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ARCHS
Gail Dickson
BASIC
Oval Miller
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER
Jane Schoeck
CENTER FOR LIFE SOLUTIONS
Cheryl Gardine
CENTER FOR WOMEN IN
TRANSITION
Sandy Sperino
CHRISTIAN FRIENDS FOR NEW
AMERICANS
Rev. Dr. Allan Buckman
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MINISTRY
Sis. Carllen Reck
DIVISION OF WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT
Donny Carroll
FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK
Sue Didier
FATHER SUPPORT CENTER
Chester Deanes
GATEWAY FREE & CLEAN
Shelly Wims
Karl Pickens
GATEWAY HOMELESS
SERVICES
Toni Muhammad
GATEWAY PARENTS SUPPORT
GROUP HEALTHLINE
Martha Sylvester
HOPE HOUSE
Vanessa McLaughlin
HUMANITRI
Edwin Muhammad
JUSTINE PETERSON
Kristen Schell
LOAVES AND FISHES
Debbie Push
THE MOORISH SCIENCE
TEMPLE OF AMERICA, INC.
Bro. Todd Irons-El
NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH
CENTER
Linda Thompson
NEW BEGINNINGS
Carrie Williams
OASIS INTERNATIONAL
MINISTRIES
Mark Akers
OFFENDER WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT
Felix Mata
Charo Davis
OUR LADYS INN
Jennifer Reinbold
PREFERRED FAMILY
HEALTHCARE
Kim Feaman
PROJECT COPE
Adrienne Denson
PROVIDENCE INN
Angela Hamilton
QUEENS OF PEACE
Margo Adams
RAVEN
Janeen McGee
SALVATION ARMY
REHABILITATION CENTER
Alan James
SOARING SPIRIT MINISTRIES
Janis Frick
ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY
RELEASE CENTER
John Young
TIMOTHY EVEANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH
Rev. Bill Wilson
UNITED STATES PROBARTION
& PAROLE
Quincy Fountain
Jo Cooper
URBAN LEAGUE
James Smith
WESLEY HOUSE
Linda Jackons
WOMENS SAFE HOUSE
LaDonna Howard
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
SERVICES (YES)
Joseph Prophet
Eddie Stallings
YWCA
Crystal Small
Ali Bennet David Distelath Guerret McKinney Joel Christensen Samantha Young
Alicia Crittenden Derrick Sykes Harold Fields Jordan Covington Sandra Savage
Anthony ODaniel Dyana Jones Ikeshia Wre Joseph King Shelton Green
Bennett Willis Ed Bennet Jamar Robinson Kamina Loveless Stephanie Taylor
Betty Grifin Edward Vaughn Jammie Moss Katee Thornton Steve Wilkins
Briana Lewis Erica Burnett Janice Densberry Margery Union Tamara Anderson
Cathleen Lewis Esmond Sanford Jeffery Browley Maurice Murray Terry Brown
Chris Hughes Eugenia Kilbert Jenny Murphy Myesha Penn Tyler Vachio
Crystal Lancaster Garry Williams Jerrell Hawkins Rebekah Titsworth
Curry Mitchell III Gayla Rich Jeruisha Jackson Roosevelt Bynum
These volunteers logged more than 3,000 hours of service to Employment Connection.
You are all very much appreciated!11
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Administration
Brenda Mahr
Chief Executive Oficer
33 years
David Kessel
Chief Operating Oficer
15 years
Nathaniel Dempsey
Executive Assistant
6 years
Jonathan Walz
Development Associate
2 years
Accounting Services
Sarah Robinson
Sr. Manger, Accounting Services
8 years
Nora Davis
Accountant
9 years
Managed Work Services
Jessie Lane
Site Supervisor
8 years
Client & Training Services
Peggy McKinney
Manager, Client Services
9 years
Dollaree Glasper
Client Services Specialist8 years
Housing Services
Yusef Scoggin
Manager, Housing Services
2 years
Harry Little
Housing Specialist9 years
Custodial Staff
Oscar Selfe
Custodian
4 years
Steve Willkins
Custodian
1st year
Competitive Employment Program
Eugene Fowler
Senior Manager, Career Services
7 years
Steven Hoven
Manager, Career Services
7 years
Ex-Offenders, Veterans, Youth and
Adults
Minnie McRoberts
Career Specialist
34 years
Tamara Williams
Career Specialist
11 years
Preston Vanderford
Career Specialist
4 years
Michael McCoy
Manager, Career Specialist
4 years
Veronica Travis
Career Specialist
4 years
New Americans
Pat Brown
Career Specialist
27 years
Back to Health/Back to Work
Steve Zegel
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
4 years
Illinois TANF & SNAP
Brian Crues
Career Specialist
7 years
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Main service location
Missouri
2838 Market Street
Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
Hours of Service
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Satellite Ofice
Illinois
Department of Human Services
225 N. 9th Street
East Saint Louis, Illinois 62201
Hours of Service
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Telephone
618.875.8665
EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION
2838 Market Street
Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
314-333-JOBS (5627)
www.employmentstl.org