Member Spotlight: Employment Connection
Employment Connection is a nonprofit St. Louis community asset that breaks down barriers to self-sufficiency for individuals with limited opportunities including the homeless, ex-offenders, U.S. veterans, high school dropouts, women on welfare, and at-risk youth. They offer help with GED/education, business clothing, transportation, mental health counseling, childcare, and vocational training.
They’ve been vital for over 40 years and currently serve over 1,800 individuals annually. The most impressive part of their program is that they don’t turn anyone away. If someone needs any sort of help, they are happy to be there for them.
WIN Warehouse + Employment Connection
WIN Warehouse and Employment Connection have a long standing relationship built on helping each other reach as many people in the community as possible. We’ve been in a partnership for over a decade and they are continuously growing into what they are best at – building people up. Each year, WIN has the pleasure of stocking their clothing closet at the Men’s Wearhouse Suit Distribution event in September.
What’s New
In our recent visit to Employment Connection, Sal Martinez (CEO) and Stephanie Weinhaus (Director of Development) gave us some insight into some of the new things they are working towards as an organization and we can’t wait to see them unfold.
Their agency recently partnered with the St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program and the City of St. Louis Department of Health to recruit residents form North City neighborhoods into a paid carpentry/soft-skills training program. They know that success will happen when clients are paired with the right programs and jobs which makes their plan to outsource more trainings outside of their building a great one. Their catalog of resources is growing each day and it will all be to the benefit of the clients.
Another program that is new is the Sewing Therapy Group for justice-involved ladies. It’s an opportunity to learn a skill, but even more to boost self-esteem and cope with life issues.
We did see some more first looks but we won’t spoil the surprise. Make sure to follow them on social media so you don’t miss rooting them on this year!
“One person can make a difference and everyone should try.” – John F. Kennedy