Employment Connection

The competitive Employment program (cep) works to reduce crime and homelessness by assisting individuals with significant barriers into Employment, leading to a career. Individuals in cep participate in the world of work job readiness training, and are then connected with a career specialist, with which they create a personalized plan which addresses each of their barriers to self-sufficiency. Additional services available to eligible cep participants inlcude behavioral and physical health services, housing and transportation assistance, work-related clothing, educational assistance, and more. During 2022, Employment Connection continued piloting solar panel installation training and also piloting a partnership a roofing academy. Employment Connection continued to serve individuals continously during the covid-19 pandemic while following cdc social distancing and mask requirements. These requirements resulted in a reduction in capacity and total number of individuals served. 891 individuals completed an application .for services in 2022. 408 were successfully placed into Employment at an average hourly wage of $14.73, and 41% maintained their Employment for a minimum of 90 days. In addition, Employment Connection provided 1,350 instances of direct financial assistance totaling $912,000 in 2022. Housing services included rental and utility assistance for individuals and their families who were homeless, and/or at-risk of homelessness in st. louis city and county. Many of these individuals were disabled and/or financially impacted by covid-19.employment Connection also expanded violence prevention services in 2022. Dedicated staff worked with a total of 145 high risk individuals during the year. Staff conducted 174 interventions and conflict mediation sessions. These services helped reduce gun violence and change behaviors that lead to violence.

Managed work services of st. louis (mwsstl) is designed to meet the needs of area employers in response to high turn-over in entry level positions, as well as clients in need of establishing a work history or in need of a job while working with their career specialist toward permanent Employment and a career path. Mwsstl works with area employers to overcome their stigmatic perceptions of Employment Connection's target client population (e.g. Ex-offenders, recovering addicts, etc.) And encourages them to give our clients a chance to prove themselves on the job. The program is available to all ec clients regardless of the nature of their barriers to Employment, based on the availability of current contracts and employer need/criteria. Mwsstl is a social enterprise designed to meet the needs of clients in most need of post-placement retention and on-the-job training services.