Annual

Report

2012

Assisting individuals with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency in the St. Louis region since 1977.

Message from our Board President and CEO

J.D. Luhning Board President

Brenda Mahr CEO

It has been another year full of challenges for staff, supporters, and especially for those we serve at Employment Connection. Every day we see the continuing effects of the economic downturn on those who are already burdened by barriers to self-sufficiency. While the economy has begun to slowly improve, parents returning home from prison, U.S. veterans sleeping in their cars, and youth with limited opportunities 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 Employment Connection for assistance in reaching a state of self-sufficiency. Right now the hiring economy is an employers market, which makes it more challenging to find quality employment opportunities and assist those we serve into jobs. Despite the additional challenges, Employment Connections talented and dedicated staff, volunteers, and donors give hope to those with limited opportunities in an uncertain time. Employment Connection continues to be successful through the dedication of the staff and partnerships with funders and collaborators who understand the inherent value in investing 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 opportunities for those who served our country before falling on hard times; and in helping young people work toward promising futures.

Table of Contents
Who we are 2012 Programs and Outcomes The Employment Connection Effect New Program/Volunteers Board of Directors Donors Staff Page 2 Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 Page 10 Page 12 Page 14 Client of the Year How Our Programs Work Managed Work Services 23 Years of Dedicated Service Financial Report Advisory Board and Volunteers Contact Information Page 3 Page 5 Page 7 Page 9 Page 11 Page 13 Page 15

Who We Are Employment Connection has over 36 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) revealed that employed exoffenders were 66% less likely to return to incarceration. Our agency immediately began the work of reducing recidivism through employment. In 1980, Employment Connection became a full United Way member agency and expanded 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-sufficiency. Employment Connection assists nearly 1,400 individuals who have barriers to employment every year.

Our Mission
To assist individuals with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency.

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 fulfill the needs of the Saint Louis Regional business community.

Meet our Client of the Year

Lisa 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 off unexpectedly, leaving her out of work for the first time 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. After living there only a short time, 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 options, and having suicidal The staff at thoughts. Fortunately, as a veteran she was able to find Employment Connection emergency housing at Jefferson Barracks Domiciliary taught me I can do Treatment Center, and while there she was referred to Employment Connection for employment assistance. anything I want to do. Working with the staff at Employment Connection, Lisa My life is not over. was connected to the services she needed, and she soon I can reach for the stars. 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 positive work ethnics, and she was offered and accepted a full-time position as a housekeeper. The hospital staff on the floor she was assigned requested her specifically 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 Connection, and with the assistance of her housing specialist she moved into her own fully-furnished apartment. Since then, Lisas life has continued to change for the better. Im grateful for everything and everyone that has helped me, she said. I sometimes begin to cry when I talk about how things were, compared with how much better things are today. Lisa is truly a success story. She has since resigned her position at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, in order to pursue a degree in Deaf Communications at the St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley campus. In December 2012, Lisa joined the Board of Directors at Employment Connection, bringing valuable insights as a client advocate, and using her time and talents to give back to the organization which helped her reach self-sufficiency.

2012 Programs and Outcomes

444 clients secured employment.
71% retained their employment for a minimum 90 days.
Managed Work Services Social enterprise program that provides oversight to job candidates for 90 days, giving employers the ability to assess aptitude and make informed hiring decisions. New Americans and Employment Project Mentoring program that assists legal immigrants overcome barriers, including life skills training, job skills training, and cultural adjustment. Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program Transitional reintegration to help homeless U.S. Veterans leave the streets, secure employment and reach a state of stability and self-sufficiency.

East St. Louis TANF and SNAP Program Serving families on public assistance by ensuring they receive benefits and job placement services in Illinois.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families Provides supportive services to promote housing stability for low-income U.S. Veterans and their families.

WIA Youth Services Program Training, and job placement program for out-of-school youth ages 19-21 assisting with literacy, education, life skills and employment.

Supportive Housing Programs Permanent supportive 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 Fatherhood Assisting low-income fathers transition from non-custodial parents into active fathers through parenting classes, education , and relationships.

Back to Health, Back to Work Cognitive behavioral therapy program addressing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders to assist clients in obtaining and retaining employment.

1,237 individuals came to Employment Connection this year seeking services. 833 attended orientation, with 730 attending our World of Work employment training program. 650 clients completed the training, and 444 were successfully assisted into employment. Those placed into employment earned an average hourly wage of $8.76 per hour, with 71% maintaining their employment for a minimum of 90 days.

Changing lives one step at a time

How our programs work

The Employment Connection Effect

Investing in Individuals and the Community
It costs tax payers an average $21,000 to incarcerate an individual for one year in the State of Missouri, and $38,000 in Illinois. For a fraction of that cost, Employment Connection can train, assist, and place ex offenders into employment opportunities that lead to self-sufficiency and reduce recidivism. Employment Connection clients add to the community, and have invested up to an estimated $50,850,000 in earnings over the last three years.

The Cycle of Self-Sufficiency

Managed Work Services

Employment Services Enhancing the St. Louis Community
The mission of Managed Work Services of St.

Louis (MWSstl) is to enhance the St. Louis

Metropolitan community through the creation of employment opportunities for individuals that lead to self-sufficiency and assisting area businesses in becoming more effective with recruiting and retaining employees. Managed Work Services is a St. Louis area social enterprise staffing agency, which does much more than just help people find jobs and connect companies with employment ready entry-level workers. training Our profits recirculate into the programs, transportation aid, community through education, literacy and counseling programs, career assistance, and additional supportive services that positively affect the lives of area residents. Using Managed Work Services for your hiring needs is both a prudent business and community Investment.

For more information on MWSstl , contact: Jesse Lane

MWSstl Business Options include: Temporary Staffing/Short term on-site support Temporary to Direct Hire/Long term on-site support Managed Work Sites/Full time on-site supervision

MWSstl Site Supervisor

(314) 333-5600
lanej@employmentstl.org

New Program Partnership

Collaborative Program Works to End Cycle of Abuse
The
is a cooperative effort between Family Resource Center and Employment Connection that applies clinical best practices and specific community resources for a period of 18-24 months for St. Louis County families. Services are provided to help clients caught in the generational cycle of child maltreatment to reach a sustainable level of progress in parenting, family interactions, and economic and social conditions. The partnership breaks the cycle of abuse for these families and lead to self-sufficiency.

PathBuilders

Initiative

Volunteers Make a Difference

Individuals and Groups Donate Time and Talents

Express Scripts

Wells Fargo

Volunteers play an invaluable role in Employment Connections success each year, and 2012 was no exception. Thank you to all our individual and group volunteers throughout the year!

We cant do it without you!

Maritz Southeast Missouri State University

23 Years of Dedicated Service

Board Treasurer Art Weiss Retires
Arthur (Art) E. Weiss has been a member of the Board of Directors at Employment Connection since September 1989. Bringing a wealth of experience and passion for the mission of Employment Connection, Art has been a valuable part of the agencys success for the past 23 years. During that time Art has served as Board President, Treasurer, and Chair of the Portfolio Committee. Using his experience and knowledge, Art continually assured that Employment Connection complied with all fiduciary responsibilities and maintained focused on our mission. He is known for sharing his talents with staff 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 continue supporting Employment Connection and remain involved in fulfilling our mission to assist individuals with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency.

Thank you Art for your 23 years of dedicated service!

Our Board of Directors

Leading through Experience and Dedication

PRESIDENT J.D Luhning, Esq. Attorney-at-Law Pitzer Snodgrass P.C. VICE PRESIDENT Prevost V. Foushee Retired Anheuser-Busch Inc. TREASURER Arthur E. Weiss Financial Advisor Lisart LLC SECRETARY Roy Anderson, Jr. Local Sales Manager Clear Channel Communications DIRECTORS Marti Bloodsaw-Foggie President and CEO HR Performance Strategies Group

J. Scott Clark Senior Labor Counsel Ralcorp Holdings Inc.

Jennifer Price, Esq. Attorney-at-Law Thompson Coburn LLP

William Watkins President Watkins Building Group, LLC

Ryan Rakestraw Karen A. Davis MBA Candidate Principal Community Frameworks, LLC Olin Business School United Way Board Fellow Bill B. Dorothy II, Esq. Walter Robinson Professor of Practice Human Resource Consultant Washington University School of Law Vanessa Howard Ellis, Esq. Assistant Attorney General Rodney Gee Principal, Human Resources Edward Jones Michael Novack Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Kiosite Al Sears Director, Fixed Income Services Buckingham Asset Management Lisa Shelley Barnes-Jewish Hospital Client Advocate Frank A. Simmons Retired Mainline Information Systems

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Financial Report
Community supporters can be assured their charitable dollars are utilized in the most effective and efficient way. As a result of this due diligence, Employment Connection meets all 20 BBB Standards of Charitable Accountability. Employment Connection works diligently to ensure that every dollar donated goes to those who need it most. Below is the summary of our financial year ending 2012 as audited by Conner Ash, P.C. The agency remains in a solid financial position by diligently appropriating its fiduciary responsibility. Please feel free to contact Employment Connection directly if you would like a complete copy of our financial statements.

Al Sears
Al Sears Board Treasurer

2012 Operating Revenues*

Building Rental Income Contributions Grants and Contracts United Way of Greater St. Louis Interest and Unrealized Loss on Investments 2012 Total Revenue $ 34,000 1% 6% 75% 14% 4% 100% $ 209,400 $ 2,381,700 $ 448,900 $ 115,700 $ 3,189,700

2012 Operating Expenses*

Competitive Employment Program Managed Work Services Building Rental Expense Management and General Fundraising 2012 Total Expenses $ 2,124,300 $ $ $ $ 537,400 35,800 192,800 61,000 72% 18% 1% 7% 2% 100%

$ 2,951,300

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2012 Unrestricted Net Assets

$ 3,679,600

* Rounded 00

Donors
Employment Connection Club <$100
Roy Anderson Roger Boyd Sondra Brooks Edith Covington Catherine Davis Nathaniel Dempsey Michael Hamlin Vicki Hoffman Michael Karasick Kem and Karen Mosley Jennifer Price Paula Rakestraw Ryan Rakestraw Sarah Robinson Lisa Shelley John Shivers Halbert Sullivan Michael Toecker Jonathan Walz Josh and Linda Walz William Watkins Tamara Williams Steve Fiamingo Prevost Foushee Dolores Glasby David Lander Clark Scott Morgan Stanley David and Nicole Patterson Christine Pesout Suzanne and Frank Poggio Walter Robinson Karen Simmons Three J Realty, LLC Preston Vanderford

Opportunity Fund $1,000

Boeing Employees Community Fund Michael Lockette Al Sears Arthur Weiss

Visionaries Club $5000+

St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission Edward Jones Fox Family Foundation Jordan Foundation Pott Foundation Simon Foundation

Community Builders $25,000+ Directors Club $250+

David Kessel Brenda Mahr Charles and Betsy Newman Michael Novack Chip and Shelda Shields Frank A. Simmons Daughters of Charity Foundation Illinois Department of Human Services Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis Missouri Department of Corrections St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) St. Louis City Department of Human Services St. Louis County Department of Human

Founders Club $500+ Wiley Smith Club $100+

Kevin Alm Brian Ashworth
Martie Bloodsaw-Foggie and Vincent Foggie

Services St. Louis Mental Health Board U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development U.S. Department of Labor/VETS United Way of Greater St. Louis

Bill Dorothy Rodney Gee Joseph Arndt Foundation JD Luhning and Aisling A. Murphy Brenda Mahr John O. Shields and Claire Shields World Wide Technology Foundation

Karen Davis Jessie Day Vanessa Ellis

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Advisory Board
ARCHS Gail Dickson Basic Oval Miller, Sr. Bridgeway Behavioral Health Alecia Deutch Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center Jane Schoeck Center For Life Solutions, Inc. Cheryl Gardine Center For Women In Transition Sandy Sperino Christian Friends for New Americans Rev. Dr. Allen buckman Adefris Mekasha Criminal Justice Ministry Society of St. Vincent DePaul Sr. Carleen Reck Division of Workforce Development Donny Carroll Family Support Network Sue Didier Fathers Support Center Cheaster Deanes Gateway Free And Clean Shelly Wims/Karl Pickens Gateway 180 Toni Muhammad Gateway Parents Support Group Healthline Martha Sylvester Hope House Vanessa McLaughlin Humanitri Edwin Muhammad Justine Petersen Kristen Schell Loaves and Fishes Debbie Push Moorish Science Temple Of America, Inc. Bro. Todd Irons-El Neighborhood Outreach Center Linda Thompson New Beginnings Carrie Williams Oasis International Ministries Mark Akers Our Ladys Inn Jennifer Reinbold Preferred Family Healthcare Kim Feaman Project Cope Adrienne Denson Providence Inn Angela Hamilton Queen of Peace Margo Adams Rape And Violence End Now (RAVEN) Janeen McGee Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center Alan James Soaring Spirit Ministries Janis Frick Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church Rev. Bill Wilson St. Louis Community Release Center John Young Transfiguration Lutheran Church Donnell Jackson United States Probation and Parole Quincy Fountain Jo Cooper Urban League James Smith Womens Safe House LaDonna Howard Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Joseph Prophet Eddie Stallings YWCA Crystal Small

Volunteers
The following volunteers donated a total 3,097 hours at Employment Connection this year, giving of their time and talents to help others. You are all very much appreciated!
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 Lovetta 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 Jefferson 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 Scott William Sexton Alonzo Simmons Febe Strickland Jerome Taylor Michael Telthorst Rebekah Titsworth David Triplett Nashay Turner Russell Turner Eddie Walker Morris Warfield Bruce Webster Frank Weems Avis Wilder James Winger Jo Wright Dairion Wysinger

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Express Scripts

Our Dedicated Staff

Administration Brenda Mahr Chief Executive Officer
35 years

Catherine Hawkins

Michael McCoy

Housing Specialist SHP 1st year

Manager, Career Specialist 5 years

Joe James

Veronica Travis
Career Specialist 5 years

David Kessel

Chief Operating Officer 17 years

Housing Specialist SHP 1st year

Nathaniel Dempsey
Executive Assistant 7 years

Supportive Services for Veteran Families Andre Alexander

Housing Specialist SSVF 1st year

Ron Tedder

Career Specialist 1st year

Jessica Aldag

Jonathan Walz

Development Associate 3 years

Career Specialist 1st year

Stephanie Shaw

John Robertson

Housing Specialist SSVF 1st year

Pathbuilders and New Americans Pat Brown

Career Specialist 29 years

Development Associate 1st year

Accounting Services Sarah Robinson

Sr. Manger, Accounting Services 10 years

Competitive Employment Program Eugene Fowler

Senior Manager, Career Services 8 years

Back to Health/Back to Work Steve Zegel

Licensed Clinical Social Worker 5 years

Nora Davis
Accountant 10 years

Steven Hoven

Manager, Career Services 9 years

Illinois TANF & SNAP Brian Crues

Career Specialist 9 years

Managed Work Services Jessie Lane

Site Supervisor I 10 years

Ex-Offenders, Veterans, Youth, and Adults Minnie McRoberts

Career Specialist 35 years Career Specialist 13 years Career Specialist 4 years

Whitnee Jones
Career Specialist 1st year

Meredith McDuffie
Site Supervisor 1 year

Tamara Williams

Custodial Staff Oscar Selfe

Custodian 6 years Custodian 1 year

Client & Training Services Peggy McKinney

Manager, Client Services 10 years

Preston Vanderford

Steve Willkins

Dollaree Glasper

Client Services Specialist 9 years

Housing Services Yusef Scoggin

Manager, Housing Services 2 years

Supportive Housing Program Harry Little

Housing Specialist -SHP 10 years

Erick Abernathy

Housing Specialist SHP 2 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 Telephone 314-333-JOBS (5627)

Satellite Office
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

www.employmentstl.org
@employmentstl
Employment Connection Saint Louis