EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President
J D Luhning

EC CONNECTION
V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0

Vice President
Prevost Foushee

BRENDA MAHR, CEO

Treasurer
Arthur E Weiss

Secretary
Roy Anderson JR

Agency Annual Appeal Underway:

Directors
Karen A Davis Vanessa Howard Ellis Marti Bloodsaw-Foggie Bill Dorothy II Rodney Gee Steven Graham Leo Ming JR Michael Novack Al Sears Walter Robinson Sandra Sneed Kay Tomlinson William Watkins

This is the time of year when we open our hearts and wallets to so many worthy causes. We respond to the appeals of the St. Louis non-profit community to help those in need. With so very many choices, it is sometimes difficult to decide where your charitable dollar will make the most impact. Many of you have just received our annual appeal and it is incumbent upon me to share with you why I believe your charitable dollars will be best spent with Employment Connection. For over thirty-three years we have consistently provided services in keeping with our mission: to assist persons with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency through employment. Our vision is to be the premier placement, retention and career development program for persons with barriers to employment, empowering them to take charge of their lives and to fulfill the needs of the St. Louis region business community. Each year, we have met or exceeded our job placements goals and served well over 30,000 people. This is a place for people who need a second chance, to redeem themselves, and become law-abiding citizens; tax-payers as opposed to tax users. Every dollar you give helps to fight crime with employment, making our community safer for our families and helping the families of those we serve become healthy, vibrant contributors to society. For these reasons, we hope you will consider responding favorably to our annual appeal request. The Employment Connection family extends to you and your families best wishes for a happy and bright holiday season.

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IN SERVICE 2010
Step Up To Leadership was the theme of Employment Connection 2010 In Service November 22 through November 24, 2010. During this three day period several speakers discussed with the staff ways that each of them could be leaders in their own way, and assist clients and the community. Step Up To Leadership was kicked off with a presentation by Gloria McQueen of GIA Community Development Corporation. Ms. McQueen facilitated topics on planning for your passion, working on a team and collaborations. Frank Alaniz from Missouri Career Center showed the staff ways to improve clients job search skills. Throughout the first day Employment Connection staff also heard from Rodney Gee, Chair of the agencys Development Committee, and Stephen Zegel, Employment Connection staff licensed clinical social worker who discussed Reality Therapy. The second day of Step Up To Leadership began with Workplace Harassment training from Leo Ming, an Employment Connection board member. Staff then heard from Brenda Mahr, CEO, David Kessel, COO and Dave Dietrich, Development Director. They discussed the future plans and direction of Employment Connection. After lunch three Human Resources professionals served on a panel to address staff about the hiring process. The three HR professionals included Kathy Joslin, Bethesda Dilworth, Jonathan Barth, Lumiere Place Casino and River City Casino and Melanie Linhoff, Drury Plaza Hotel. The day was ended with a presentation from Alan Erdman, CEO from Lutheran Family and Children Services on effective marketing and increasing donors. Personality Assessments were facilitated by Katee Thorton, an intern from St. Louis University. The final day of InService 2010 staff formed committees to step up to leadership and gave brief summaries of the tasks. Nathaniel Dempsey led a discussion of the revised staff Personnel Handbook. Step Up To Leadership was concluded with an address from Brenda Mahr.

Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success

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Employment Connection Shines Brightly Despite Challenges

Flexibility and restructuring have enabled Employment Connection to have a significant impact on the St. Louis landscape in 2010. By the end of the year, nearly 500 residents will have achieved stable housing and employment through the efforts of dedicated staff. Success was also achieved internally. We received a major technology upgrade in all staff and client workstations, agency servers, and classroom equipment thanks to the St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zones approval of Project e3. Our partnerships with both the Saint Louis Mental Health Board and the Department of Labor were renewed to help residents with behavioral health disorders and homeless veterans. In conjunction with these cornerstone partnerships, staff members have formed five special internal committees to revamp agency structure to fit the needs of an ever-changing landscape in our community. As Saint Louis faces major problems with rising crime and unemployment, Employment Connection is laying the groundwork to become a major force for change in 2011. Jesse Payton Memorial Fund 2010 (Toys for Tots) The annual JPMF campaign was a success this year. The fund was able to accommodate our families entire toy request. Special thanks to Toys for Tots coordinators, Sgt. Gavin Lewis, SSgt. Scott Hogie, Sgt. Edward Merz and Cpl. Nicole Tannehill. They were a tremendous help with the selection and distribution of the toys Employment Connection received. The families were very appreciative of the toys and expressed their feeling with tears of joy. Jesse Payton, a deceased employee of Employment Connection initiated Employment Connection being a recipient in 2004. Jesse Lane continues as the Employment Connection coordinator. Employment Connection looks forward to Toys for Tots in 2011.

Computer Winners Employment Connection was able to donate eight Employment Connection rebuilt computers to clients due to St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone gift of computers to the agency. The clients that received computers are: Gregory Bryant, Harold Fields, Bernard Johnson, Salia Kamara, Victor Little, Bertha Russell, David Stubblefield and Steve Wilkins.

Youth Employment Summit - Empowering Our Youth

Employment Connections Building Blocks Program will host a Youth Employment Summit sponsored by GIA Corporation. The Youth Employment Summit "Empowering Our Youth will be held on March 16, 2011 from 9am to 2pm. The purpose of this summit is to provide a presentation to Employers on the benefits of hiring youth through our program, to provide information to our Service Providers such as Division of Youth Services and Family Court Juvenile Division on how to incorporate our program into the lives of the youth that they serve and to show the youth that there are options for them to succeed. If you are an Employer and would like to participate in the job fair and information session or a Motivational Speaker who would like to reach out and talk to our youth, please contact Veronica Travis at (314) 333-5614.

Client Of the Year

Employment Connection 2010 Client of the Year was Bertha Russell. She was recognized at the EC Board of Directors annual meeting Friday, September 24, 2010. Bertha Russell completed the housekeeping training through Managed Work Services, a social enterprise of Employment Connection. She worked as a housekeeper for 90 days through Managed Work Services. Due to her outstanding performance she was hired as a BJH regular housekeeper. After 10 months of her hire date, she applied for the vacant housekeeper lead position. She had several interviews and received the promotion to be a lead housekeeper on the second shift on the BJH south campus.

Staff was required to read the book Who moved My Cheese for In Service. 2011 will bring some changes in how services are provided. January 7, 2010 at 12:30 pm will be the first orientation. New clients should call (314) 333-5627 to schedule orientation.

Employers of the Year

Melanie Linhoff, HR Drury Plaza Hotel and Devette Sproaps, HR Allied Barton were selected as employers of the year. They were honored at the Employment Connection Board of Directors Annual Meeting Friday, September 24, 2010. Melanie and Devette have interviewed Employment Connection clients for several years. They are commended for being friends of Employment Connection. They have attended job fairs at the agency. Employment Connection appreciates their assistance and support.

During inclement weather, please call (314)333-5627. The message will state if the agency is closed or on a snow schedule. Employment Connection will close December 24, 2010 and will reopen on January 03, 2011 Holidays Monday, January 17, 2010 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday January 21, Presidents Day

Mission Statement To assist individuals with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency

Employment Connection
2838 Market St. St. Louis, MO 63103 Phone: 314-333-JOBS Fax: 314-652-0310 E-mail: www.employmentstl.org
Assisting individuals with limited opportunities since 1977

through employment Vision Statement 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 fulfill the needs of the St. Louis region business community

UP COMING EVENTS:
Youth Employment Summit Empowering Our Youth
Wednesday March 16, 2011 9 am2 pm

Employment Connection Advisory Council Meeting

Thursday, March 24, 2011 8:30 am

Employment Connection would like to thank all of our Staff, Friends, Family and Community Partners for helping make this day successful. Your are greatly appreciated!