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Assisting individuals with limited opportunities
to self-sufficiency through employment.
2009 Annual Report
A message from Bill and Brenda:
It has been a year full of challenges for staff, supporters, and above all for those we serve at Employment
Connection. Every day we see the effects of the economic downturn on those who can ill afford an extra
burden: the father returning home from prison, the veteran sleeping on the street, the mother on welfare.
The job search can be daunting for these individuals and they often run into one wall after another on
their journey to become self-sufficient. Employment Connection is here to break down those walls, one at a
time, and to connect people to the training, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.
For 32 years, people with barriers to self-sufficiency have turned to Employment Connection. Despite the
current economic challenges, our agency continues to assist people into jobs. With unemployment hovering
at 11%, many of the most underserved populations are forgotten. The talented and dedicated staff,
volunteers, and donors give hope to those with limited opportunities in an uncertain time.
Much of the revitalization of St. Louis is centered on safe and productive communities. Employment Con-
nection works to break the cycle of poverty and the revolving prison door for residents in the St. Louis
Region. Nearly 90% of donated dollars go toward programs that directly assist our clients. We invite you
to share our vision to empower, employ, and inspire St. Louis.
Bill B. Dorothy Bill Dorothy
Board President
Brenda Mahr
CEO
1
Table of Contents
Mission and Vision Page 2
Program Outcomes Page 3
Treecia Bryant Story Page 4
Staging Old Masters Page 5
Other Programs Page 6
2nd Chance Art Studio Page 7
Board of Directors Page 8
Finances Page 9
Donors Page 10
Advisory Council Page 11
Volunteers Page 11
Staff Page 12
Vision To be the premier placement, retention, career development and advancement pro-
gram for persons with barriers to employment, empowering them to take charge of
their lives and fulfill the needs of the Saint Louis region business community.
WHO ARE WE?
Employment Connection has over thirty years of experience of fulfilling its mission of “ assisting
individuals with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency through employment .” Founded in 1977 after a
study by the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association of Metropolitan Saint Louis
determined that employed ex-offenders were 66% less likely to return to incarceration,
Employment Connection began to work on lessening recidivism through employment of those
leaving prison. In 1980, Employment Connection became a full United Way member agency and
expanded its service beyond ex-offenders, assisting recovering substance abusers, the homeless,
high school dropouts, and non-custodial fathers. In 2009, Employment Connection assisted
more than 1,600 individuals with training, supportive services, and job placement.
Employment Connection’s nationally recognized services include:
Employment readiness training Case management Individual job placement
Financial literacy courses Job retention and career advancement services
On-site adult basic education or GED services Behavioral Health Screening/Counseling
Small Business Loans/Counseling Project Re-Connect St. Louis County Offender Housing
Building Blocks – Youth Development Services Career Assistance Program (TANF) (SLATE)
Managed Work Services (Staffing Service) Safer – Illinois Ex-offender Employment Services
Alton, IL Weed & Seed IL (TANF) & Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
2
989 Job Placements 2008-2009
Work for
6 months
Average wage:
$9.00/hour
Earnings:
$8,544,960
Cycle of Self-
Sufficiency
Competitive Employment Program
The Competitive Employment Program is Employment
Connection’s oldest program and has been a community
asset to those individuals with barriers seeking employment
from ex-offenders to the homeless. The program focuses on
intense case management to ensure clients have all the tools,
preparations, and education necessary to obtain and main-
tain employment. The following numbers demonstrate the
demand for services by the community.
Average Wage: $9.00 an hour
65 % of all persons served by Employment Connection's Competitive
Employment Program were ex-offenders and/or recovering substance abusers
45 % of all persons (non-CAP) completing work readiness training secured
employment!
Nationally, less than 30% of parolees become employed.
3
2009 Program Goals and Outcomes
Outcome Achieved Goal Percent of Goal
Orientations 1619 1191 136%
Admissions to Work
Readiness Training
810 976 120%
Complete Work
Readiness Training
901 731 123%
Secure Employment 408 433 94%
Return on Investment $16,500 to incarcerate one individual for one year
90% of all who complete Work Readiness Training do not return to prison
{ 810 clients X $16,500 = $13,365,000 }
Every $1 invested in Employment Connection programs
yields $8 in contributable earnings and community savings
the Treecia Bryant story
Almost everyone who comes to Employment Connection has a unique story and life circum-
stance. In 2007, Treecia Bryant decided to move back to St. Louis to be closer to her family.
She had worked hard to obtain her Master’s Degree in Criminology from the University of
Cincinnati and had been working in Las Vegas for the State of Nevada and the Economic Op-
portunity Board for about three or four years. She had career success in Nevada, but the
draw of her daughter and the advantages of St. Louis living brought her back to Missouri.
Treecia arrived on the cusp of the economic recession and, like many, became caught in a
barren job market that was very difficult to traverse alone, especially having been gone for
several years. It was, as she says, “kind of a dark period in my life.”
After several months, Treecia had no choice but to apply for public assistance through the
State of Missouri. It’s not a decision she came to lightly, but one that was necessary to con-
tinue to at least provide basic needs for herself and her family. As part of her responsibility
for receiving TANF benefits, Treecia was told that she must continue to job search and was
referred to Employment Connection.
Treecia was not a typical candidate for job assistance. After all, she had two higher educa-
tion degrees and a good work ethic. Why couldn’t she find work? Not knowing what to ex-
pect, Treecia attended Employment Connection’s certified work readiness training and WOW
(World of Work) job skills course. She was blown away by the little things she had been
missing. Tips on resume writing, how you look in a recorded interview, what and what not
to say, carrying a professional demeanor and other applications which helped her build a
more marketable persona. “I still have my Employment Connection workbook to this day
and I use it all the time,” she says.
Soon Treecia secured a position with the Children’s Division for the State and not long after
became a full-time Probation and Parole Officer. Now Treecia handles the referrals. She sees
clients every day that need help getting into a job so that they can stay off the streets and
out of prison. She says she often references the information she learned at Employment Con-
nection and will never forget the people there who helped her. According to Treecia, help-
ing the most difficult populations – the homeless, ex-offenders, high school dropouts, - can be
“relentlessly challenging, but extremely rewarding.”
WhereWhereWhere are are are they they they nownownow
4
t S i g a
t
n
a s r s e
M g l d
O
“I can't remember anything else
like this in my life, and I really believe
I will never be the same." - Don Hake
"Staging Old Masters: Former Prisoners Perform at the Pulitzer" was an innovative program intended
to help released prisoners and former homeless veterans develop skills for their future lives through
art exploration. The actors performed short theatrical pieces in the gallery space of The Pulitzer in
front of the exhibited works of renowned artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries.
Scripts for the hour-long performances were based on the observations and reactions of the actors to
the art, the result of a six-week training and education program led by Agnes Wilcox, founder and
artistic director of Prison Performing Arts. The program featured a collaboration of The Pulitzer
Foundation for the Arts, Washington University, and Employment Connection.
Staging Old Masters Actors Michael Alexander
Robert Cruz
Travis Dean
Gregory Golliday
Ronald Gore
Don Hake
Naheem Houston
Lamonte Johnson
Daryl Kimbrough
Karen Sammons
Dawn Shaw
Reuben Stewart
Samantha Thomas
Raheem Thorpe
Steven Tyler
Scott McBride
Calvin Robinson
5
Spr ing , 2009
Cognitive behavioral therapy pro-
gram that addresses depression, anxi-
ety, PTSD, and other mental health
disorders to help clients be able to
retain their jobs. Mentoring and cultural adjustment for
legal immigrants who need help with
barriers they face in their new country:
includes life and job skills training
Social entrepreneurship that provides over-
sight to job candidates for 90 days during
which employers can assess aptitude and
make an informed hiring decision
Serving families on public assistance
with help getting benefits and job
placement services.
Reengaging welfare recipients who have been
“sanctioned” due to lack of active job search
and other requirements to keep their full bene-
fits; job training and placement provided to
help clients transition off welfare
Providing permanent supportive housing,
case management, and job training for
Disabled Heads of Household in the County
and U.S. Veterans in St. Louis City.
Other Employment Connection Programs
A life skills, training, and job place-
ment program for youth ages 15-17
who are under the supervision of
Juvenile Justice Courts
Transitional reintegration program to
help homeless U.S. Veterans get off
the streets and into vocational training
that will lead to employment and self-
sufficiency
Building Blocks
Back to Health,
Back to Work
East St. Louis TANF and
SNAP Program
Career Assistance
Program
Supportive Housing
Programs
Homeless Veterans
Reintegration Program
Managed Work Services
New Americans
6
2nd Chance Art Studio2nd Chance Art Studio2nd Chance Art Studio
1,800 square feet of unique craftsmanship by unlikely artists1,800 square feet of unique craftsmanship by unlikely artists1,800 square feet of unique craftsmanship by unlikely artists
In conjunction with Robert Powell’s Portfolio Gallery, the second floor
of Employment Connection is now a converted art studio where clients
gain craftsmanship skills in painting, sculpting, pottery, woodworking,
sketching, and other techniques. Periodic “exhibits” showcase the work
of these unique artists who all have a special vision for the work they do.
A tour of the space can be arranged by calling 314-333-5645.
7
PRESIDENT
Bill B. Dorothy II, Esq.
Professor of Practice
Washington University School of Law
VICE PRESIDENT
J.D. Luhning, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law
Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass
TREASURER
Arthur E. Weiss
Financial Advisor
Lisart LLC
SECRETARY
Roy Anderson, Jr.
Local Sales Manager
Clear Channel Communications
Karen A. Davis
Senior Vice President
Midwest Community
Affairs Manager
Regions Financial Corporation
Vanessa Howard Ellis, Esq.
Assistant Attorney General
Old Post Office
Marti Bloodsaw-Foggie
HR Consultant
Prevost V. Foushee
Retired, Anheuser-Busch Inc.
Rodney Gee
Principal, Human Resources
Edward Jones
Steven D. Graham, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law
Thompson Coburn LLP
Sandra Sneed
Crew Manager
McDonalds Restaurants
Leo Ming, Jr.
Retired, Vice President, Human
Resources & Administration
St. Louis Convention and
Visitors Commission
Michael Novack
Chairman, President, and
Chief Executive Officer
Kiosite
H. Dwayne Richardson
Certified Public Accountant
Walter Robinson
Human Resource Manager
President Casino
Kay Tomlinson, Ph.D.
Community Volunteer
William Watkins
President
Watkins Building Group LLC
Employment Connection Board of Directors
8
9
Employment Connection is attentive to the needs of the community and works hard to assure
that charitable dollars are utilized with maximum efficiency. We continue to meet the Better
Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Standard of Charitable Accountability*. You can be
assured that every dollar donated goes to those who need it most.
Below is the summary of our financial year ending 2009 as audited by Randle and Associ-
ates, LLC. The agency remains in 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.
Arthur E. Weiss
Arthur Weiss
Board Treasurer
Certified Public Accountant
Building Rental Income $8,500 1.00%
Contributions $224,100 8.00%
Grants and Contracts $1,799,700 69.00%
United Way of Greater
St. Louis
$436,900 17.00%
Interest and Unrealized
Loss on Investments
$131,900 5.00%
2009 Total Revenue $2,601,100 100.00%
Competitive Employment Program $2,067,100 81.00%
Managed Work Services $270,700 11.00%
Building Rental Expenses $8,400 1.00%
Management and General $116,000 4.00%
Fundraising $69,500 3.00%
2009 Total Expenses $2,531,700 100.00%
2009 Unrestricted Net Assets $3,251,400
2009 Operating Expenses 2009 Operating Revenues
Rounded 00 Rounded 00
Employment Connection Club
<$100 Albert Lee
Brian and Mignonne Ashworth
Dan Okall
Doris Cooper
Eugene Fowler
Fred Evans
Halbert & Jean Sullivan
Harry Little
James O Horn
James Rittenbaum
Jesse Lane
Johathan Walz
Judith Hogan
Justyna Bates
Kay Tomlinson
Larry and Debbie Brown
Larry and Janice Richardson
Laura Dyer
Mel Ballenger
Minnie McRoberts
Nora Davis
Patricia Brown
Peggy McKinney
Reba E. Gales
Refija Habibovic
Ronald & Dollaree Glasper
Rose Tripp
Sarah Robinson
Scott Utry
Stephen and Sandra Colbert
Stephen Zegel
Steven Hoven
Suzanne Poggio
Tamara Williams
Thomas and Suzanne Rhodenbaugh
Watkins Building Group
Wiley Smith Club
$100+
Bill Dorothy
Carl Lyss
Bradley Scott
Carol Burkholder
David and Sarah Anderson
Jay and Maria Shields
Jeffery Randle
Jessie & Joseph Day
Lawrence Thomas
Leo Ming
Levell Littleton
Martha Bloodsaw Foggie
Michael Karasick
Mulligan Graphics
Nathaniel Dempsey
Preston and Brenda Vanderford
Rodney and Karen Gee
Sal Martinez
Sandral Daniell
Three J Realty LLC
Veronica Travis
Vincent Schoemehl, Jr.
Directors Club
$250+
Brenda Mahr
David Kessel
Frank A. Simmons
Jerod D. Luhning
Leo Ming
Prevost Foushee
Steven and Ann Graham
Founders Club
$500+
Charles and Betsy Newman
Joseph M. Arndt Jr.
John Niemann
Michael Novack
Opportunity Fund
$1,000+
Arthur and Lisa Weiss
Boeing Employee's Comm. Fund
David Lander
John O. Shields
William and Sandy Herrmann
Visionaries Club $5,000+
Edward Jones
Emerson Charitable Trust
Fox Family Foundation
Jordan Charitable Foundation
Pott Foundation
Royal Vagabonds Foundation
Simon Foundation
William A. Kerr Foundation
Community Builders
$25,000+
Lutheran Foundation
Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
WISE GIVING SEAL Is awarded to
EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION
The BBB Charity Information Service evaluates more than 600 regional charities for compliance with its 20 standards for accountability. These standards include financial account-ability, governance and oversight, effectiveness measures and fund raising and informational materials.
DONORS
10
“Empower, Employ, Inspire!”
These volunteers logged more than 2,200 hours of service to
Employment Connection. Thank you so much!
Volunteers Alicia Crittenden
Andre Taylor
Bernard Johnson
Breanna Eshghi
Brittany Davis
Byron Davis
Cassandra Silas
Cedric Winthrope
Chris McKinney
Christi Griffin
Darrell Sutton
David Distelrath
Dawn Fleming
Deandre Tyson
Derrick Sykes
Dustin Day
Fredica Leonard
Helen Davis
Ikeshia Ware
Jamar Robinson
James Davis
James Elgin
Jennifer Parker
Joshua Scott
Katherine Ambrose
Kiesha Lockett
Kristin Schell
La Vell Clay
Laranis Searrools
Libby Toenjes
Marcell Phiffer
Marquis Huntley
Marsha Thompson
Marsha Thompson
Nichall Barton
Sara Fallwit
Sarah Placzek
Sean Hogan
Sean Jackson
Sondra Brooks
Stephanie Radcliff
Tincy Maroor
Yulanda Brazelton
Advisory Board
AARP
Lisa Bishop
ARCHS
JINNA’S
COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
Gail Dickson
BASIC
Oval Miller
BEYOND HOUSING
Sabrina Baldwin
Roxanne Tyler
CENTER FOR LIFE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
Cheryl Gardine
CENTER FOR
WOMEN IN
TRANSITION
Sandy Sperino
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
CENTER
Toni Muhammad
FATHERS SUPPORT
CENTER
Chester Deanes
GATEWAY FREE &
CLEAN
Shelly Wims/Karl Pickens
HUMANITRI
Edwin Muhammad
HOPE HOUSE
Vanessa McLaughlin
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
Stanley Miller
LINKS TO LIFE
Wanda Stroter
LUTHERAN
CHILD & FAMILY
SERVICES
Rev. Phoenix Barnes, Jr.
MISSOURI BOARD OF
PROBATION & PAROLE
Chris Heisel
NEW BEGINNINGS
Carrie Williams
OPERATION EXCEL:
YOUTHBUILD
Lee Brotheron
OUR LADY’S INN
Jennifer Reinbold
PREFERRED FAMILY
HEALTHCARE
Kim Feaman
PROJECT COPE
Adrienne Denson
QUEEN OF PEACE
Margo Adams
REGIONAL RESPONSE
COALITION
Ahmav Mahdi
REACH ST. LOUIS
Sandi Colquitt
PROVIDENCE INN
Angela Hamilton
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
PROBATION
AND PAROLE
Oscar C. Hughes
ST. LOUIS
COMMUNITY
RELEASE CENTER
John Young
SAINT VINCENT
DEPAUL CRIMINAL
JUSTICE MINISTRY
Sis. Carleen Reck
SALVATION ARMY
REHABILITATION
CENTER
Alan James
TRANSFIGURATION
LUTHERAN CHURCH
Donnell Jackson
SOCIETY OF ST.
VINCENT DE PAUL
Anita Cohn
UNITED STATES
PROBATION &
PAROLE
Quincy Fountain/Jo Cooper
URBAN LEAGUE
James Smith
WELLSTON
COMMUNITY
SUPPORT AGENCY
Pearl Hughes
WOMEN’S SAFE
HOUSE
Melinda Mimes
WESLEY HOUSE
Linda Jackson
YOUTH
EMPOWERMENT
SERVICES (YES)
Joseph Prophet
YWCA
Crystal Small
11
Administration
Brenda Mahr
Chief Executive Officer
32 years
David Kessel
Chief Operating Officer
14 years
Dave Dietrich
Director of Development
1st year
Nathaniel Dempsey
Executive Assistant
5 years
Accounting Services
Sarah Robinson
Sr. Manager, Accounting Services
7 years
Nora Davis
Accountant
8 years
Managed Work Services
Jesse Lane
Site Supervisor
7 years
Client & Training Services
Scott Utry
Senior Manager, Client Services
20 years
Peggy McKinney
Manager, Client Services
8 years
Dollaree Glasper
Client Services Specialist
6 years
Housing Services
Harry Little
Supportive Housing Manager
7 years
Paula Carey
Supportive Housing Manager
2 years
Yusef Scoggin
Supportive Housing Manager
1st year
Terrance Holmes
Supportive Housing Manager
3 years
Oscar Selfe
Custodian
3 years
Career Assistance Program
Michael McCoy
Senior Career Specialist
3 years
Patricia Woods
Career Specialist
7 years
Veronica Rhodes
Career Specialist
3 years
Jonathan Walz
Career Specialist
1st year
Refija Habibovic
Career Specialist
5 years
Competitive Employment Program
Eugene Fowler
Senior Manager, Career Services
6 years
Steve Hoven
Manager, Career Services
6 years
Ex-Offenders, Veterans, Youth, and
Adults:
Minnie McRoberts
Career Specialist
33 years
Tamara Williams
Career Specialist
11 years
Veronica Travis
Career Specialist
3 years
Preston Vanderford
Career Specialist
3 years
Fred Evans
Career Specialist
1st year
New Americans:
Pat Brown
Career Specialist
26 years
Back to Health/Back to Work:
Steve Zegel
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
3 years
Illinois TANF & SNAP:
Brian Crues
Career Specialist
6 years
Brandi Searcy
Career Specialist
1st year
12
BACK COVER
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 Il, 62201
Hours of Service
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Telephone
618.875.8665
Employment Connection is a
community asset that assists
individuals by preparing them to
meet and exceed employer
expectations. Free services are
available to employers and job
seekers by calling or visiting our
service locations.
EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION
2838 Market Street
Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
314.333.JOBS (5627)
www.employmentstl.org
