Introduction by the

Board President and CEO

J.D. Luhning

Board President

Brenda Mahr

Chief Executive Officer

2014: Greater impact through collaboration

Since Employment Connection was founded 37 years ago in 1977, collaboration has been
the key to our success. From the very beginning, the founders of the organization understood that the barriers facing our clients were many and varied, and there was no way we
could break them down alone. Over time weve expanded our services to serve more than
just ex-offenders. Through partnerships with other service agencies and generous funders
in the St. Louis region, we now serve a wide range of individuals and families in need.
In 2014 that trend continued as we expanded our non-stigmatizing behavioral health
program, Back to Health, Back to Work, to serve people across the St. Louis Metropolitan
Area, including counties in Illinois (More details on page 12). We also welcomed several new
partners into our Market Street headquarters, who are now providing invaluable services
on-site, increasing the resources available to clients. Its collaborations like these that allow
us to more effectively impact the lives of those we serve.
We cant thank our collaborative partners enough, and are looking forward to the additional
challenges and changes 2015 will bring.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 3

Employment Connection is a nonprofit St. Louis community asset that breaks down barriers
to self-sufficiency for individuals with limited opportunities. The organization was founded
in 1977 after a study by the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association of Metropolitan
Saint Louis (BAMSL) determined employed former offenders were 66% less likely to return to
incarceration. Our agency immediately began work to reduce recidivism in the community.

Our Mission:

To assist individuals with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency.

In 1980, Employment Connection became a full United Way of Greater St. Louis member
agency. Since then, we have expanded our services beyond ex-offenders to assist individuals
recovering from substance abuse, homeless and low-income individuals and families, at-risk
youth, U.S. veterans, new Americans, and non-custodial fathers.
Today Employment Connection assists over
1,500 individuals with significant barriers to
employment every year. Offering more than
just a job, Employment Connection provides
valuable resources, training, and support to
inspire and empower clients to change their
circumstances, become employed, and attain
self-sufficiency.

4 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Missouri Client of the Year

Jami Halloul: Dreaming of a 5-Star Future

Jami Halloul was released after three years in Ex-Offenders at Forest Park Community College.
prison with a drive to find success. She found When Jami interviewed for the program, she
temporary employment working one or two hadnt completed a resume yet. What she did
days a week, but she knew she needed more have, however, was a hand-drawn floor plan
to be self-sufficient. Taking that first step, she for the dream restaurant she planned to own
enrolled in Employment Connections World someday. At the encouragement of her Career
of Work job readiness training.
Jami had always been interested in a career
as a Chef, and during job readiness training

Specialist, Tamara Williams, Jami presented the

floor plan as part of her Institute enrollment
interview and was accepted into the class.

she learned about a perfect opportunity: the During the culinary training, Jami was an
ARCHS Reentry Culinary Institute for Female active, inquisitive participant, studied hard,

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 5

ARCHS Culinary Training Institute connects female

ex-offenders with academic culinary certification and
job training provided by St. Louis Community College.
Employment Connection provides additional wrap-around
supports, including life skills and job placement. This
partnership between ARCHS and the Lutheran Foundation
of St. Louis, allows participants access to career paths as
a chef, head cook, line cook, institutional cook, and more
in the culinary field.

and learned to prepare complex dishes. She enrolled at Forest Park Community College,
working toward a major in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and attained both her
California Food Handler and ServSafe Certifications.
Two weeks after certification,
Jami accepted a position at the
Over/Under Bar and Grill, a
local St. Louis Four Star Restaurant. In honor of her fantastic
progress toward self-sufficiency
and overall excellence, Jami
was chosen as Employment
Connections 2014 Missouri
Client of the Year.

6 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Illinois Client of the Year

Employment Connection was
there when I needed them.
They helped me get a job and
get on my feet. As a Dad, Im
able to provide for my kids, and
thats just a great feeling.

Jerry Smith: Award-Winning Dedication

Jerry Smith was referred to Whittnee Jones a referral. He applied and was hired and again
through the TANF program at our East St. Louis recognized as a terrific worker. In fact, during
satellite location. As a single father, he was his first month he was named player of the
concerned with finding an appropriate work month in his department. His photo was
and training location that would balance with also taken with pitcher Joe Kelly. Joe Kelly was
family life. Jerry was assigned to work on-site traded soon after, but Jerry Smith remained.
at Employment Connection on the custodial
crew and was recognized almost immediately
as a committed worker.

Around that same time, Employment Connection needed to fill the position of Lead Custodian, and Jerry came to mind immediately.

When Delaware North (at the Ballpark) began He was offered and accepted the position. In
soliciting for seasonal workers Jerry was given addition to working Monday through Friday at

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 7

Employment Connection, he continued

to work at the ballpark. Not long after,
he was recognized as the rookie of the

Employee
of the Year

year at Delaware North.

In honor of his achievements, overall excellence, and progress toward self-sufficiency,
Employment Connection recognized Jerry
as the Illinois Client of the Year.

Pamela Wilson

One of the locations where Employment

Connection operates is at Barnes-Jewish
Hospital. The key to keeping that program
running is having a managed work site, with
site supervisors onsite in the workplace
scheduling shifts, handling time sheets,
helping address challenges, and generally
making sure the work gets done. Pamela
Pictured: (Former) Cardinals Pitcher

Wilson does a wonderful job and has gone

Joe Kelly and Illinois Client of the

above and beyond, which is why she was

Year Jerry Smith in 2014.

named the 2014 Employee of the Year.

8 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

2014 Program Outcomes

559 clients secured employment.
Their average starting wage was $8.31 per hour.
62% retained employment for 90+ days.
277 people were placed in permanent housing.

Competitive
Employment Program

Provides job readiness training,

life skills, financial literacy,
education, case management,
job placement, retention, and
other supports to assist clients.

East Saint Louis

TANF and SNAP Program

Back to Health,
Back to Work

Addressing depression,
anxiety, PTSD, and other
behavioral health disorders
in a non-stigmatizing setting
to assist clients in finding and
retaining employment.

Permanent supportive
housing, case management,
and job training for Disabled
Heads of Households in the
County and U.S. Veterans in
St. Louis City.

Youth
Employment Programs

Supportive Services
for Veterans Families

Serving families on public

assistance by ensuring they
receive benefits and job
placement services in Illinois.

Training, work experience, and

job placement for both in and
out of school youth assisting
with literacy, mentoring, education, life skills and employment.

Managed Work Services

of Saint Louis

Pathways to
Responsible Fatherhood

Social enterprise that provides

oversight for employmentready candidates for 90 days,
empowering employers to
assess aptitude and make
informed hiring decisions.

Supportive
Housing Programs

Assisting low-income fathers

transition from non-custodial
parents into active fathers
through parenting classes,
education, and employment
in collaboration with Fathers
Support Center.

Services promoting housing

stability and self-sufficiency
for low-income U.S. Veterans
and their families in collaboration with St. Patrick Center.

Pathbuilders
Initiative

Services for families to break

the cycle of child maltreatment and assist them in
attaining self-sufficiency,
provided in collaboration
with Family Resource Center.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 9

How Our Programs Work:

Changing Lives One Step at a Time

10 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Spotlight: Financial Literacy

At Employment Connection, we believe obtaining

and retaining Employment are the key to reaching
self-sufficiency. However, its equally important that
our clients know how to manage their hard-earned
dollars. For this reason, Financial Literacy has always
been a core component of our World of Work career
training curriculum.
St. Louis Community Credit Union has been an invaluable partner for many years now, providing account
services for clients interested in opening a bank account.
Experienced, qualified instructors for our Financial
Literacy classes are provided by Prosperity Connection, a
nonprofit founded by St. Louis Community Credit Union.

portation assistance funding to help participants

The classes cover a range of basic Financial Literacy

attending our Financial Literacy classes.

topics, including financial responsibility, saving, paying

bills, budgeting, credit, managing debt, and more.

These partnerships provide invaluable training for

the people we serve, helping to ensure they are

In 2014, Bank On Save Up St. Louis became our newest

able to attain and maintain self-sufficiency. Thank

Financial Literacy partner, providing needed trans-

you so much to our Financial Literacy partners!

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 11

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. Our revenues recirculate into the community through
education, literacy and training programs, transportation aid, 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.

To learn how

MWSstl can work

for you, contact:

Jesse Lane
MWSstl Site Supervisor
Phone: (314) 333-5600
Email: LaneJ@employmentstl.org

12 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Staff Retirement:
Peggy McKinney

Changing
Lives Through
Collaboration:
Expanding
Behavioral
Health Services
Employment Connections Back to
Health, Back to Work program was
created to break down the significant

Client Services Manager Peggy McKinney has

retired after working at Employment Connection
for 12 years, dedicating her career to helping
others. Peggy assisted countless people in
need during her time at the organization
through program management, providing
direct services, working with volunteers, and
making sure clients received quality services.

barrier of behavioral health experienced by many of those entering our

Competitive Employment Program.
Built on proven best practices and
research, the program provides point
of entry behavioral health intervention in conjunction with basic social
services, empowering clients to achieve
sustainable progress toward recovery

Peggy was an invaluable asset to both Employ-

and self-sufficiency.

ment Connection and the clients she helped

The unemployment rate for adults

every day, said CEO Brenda Mahr.

living with mental illness is three to five

Thank you, Peggy, for 12 years of dedicated

service, and enjoy your retirement!

times higher than for those without a

disorder, and many people go undiagnosed due to the stigma surrounding

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 13

mental illness. The St. Louis Mental Health

Board generously provided initial funding in
2007 to provide these services to residents
of St. Louis City. Thanks to their ongoing
support, the program has continuously
grown to serve over 400 clients from the
city of St. Louis each year.
The Illinois Division of the United Way of
Greater St. Louis provided funds to expand
services to 50 residents of Clinton, Monroe,
Randolph and St. Clair counties in Illinois
in January 2014. Then, understanding the
need for behavioral health services, the

Missouri Foundation for Health stepped up to the

plate and generously became our third collaborative partner on August 1, 2014.
By leveraging funds and outcomes through collective
impact, more than 530 individuals are receiving
behavioral health services each year, increasing
their odds of attaining employment, recovery, and
stability in their lives.
We are immensely grateful to the St. Louis Mental
Health Board, the United Way of Greater St. Louis,
and the Missouri Foundation for Health for their
support and partnership as we work to improve
lives in the St. Louis area.

14 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Board of Directors
Board

DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
J.D Luhning, Esq.

Richard E. Buckley

Stephen Fiamingo

Attorney-at-Law
Pitzer Snodgrass P.C.

Grants Development
Specialist
Saint Louis University

VICE PRESIDENT

Trent B. Chambers

Rodney Gee

Prevost V. Foushee
Retired
Anheuser-Busch Inc.

Retired
PWC

Karen A. Davis

Principal
Community Frameworks, LLC

Ryan Rakestraw

Managing Director, Strategy and Principal

Business Development
Cultivation Capital
Ascension Health
Principal, Human Resources
Edward Jones

Jana Gregorek

Walter Robinson

Human Resource Consultant

Sharon Rosenberg
Partner
Thompson Coburn

Senior Client Solutions Specialist

Edward Jones
Lisa Shelley
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
TREASURER
Bill B. Dorothy II, Esq.
Kem Mosley
Client Advocate
Professor
of
Practice
Director
Al Sears
Director, Fixed Income Services Washington University School Minority Contractor Initiative Frank A. Simmons
Retired
Buckingham Asset Management of Law
Michael Novack
Mainline Information
Vanessa Howard Ellis, Esq. Chairman, President, and
Systems
Assistant
Attorney
General
Chief
Executive
Officer
SECRETARY
Kiosite
William Watkins
Elicia
Eskew
President
Roy Anderson, Jr.
Accountant/Internal
Auditor
Melva
Pete
Watkins Building Group, LLC
Local Sales Manager
MITEK
USA,
Inc.
Vice
President,
Human
Resources
Clear Channel
Bi-State Development
Communications

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 15

Audited 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 continuously to ensure that every dollar donated
goes to those who need it most. Below is the summary of our
financial year ending 2014 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

Al Sears

copy of our financial statements.

Board Treasurer
2014 Operating Revenues*

2014 Operating Expenses*

Building and Rental

Income

45,300

1%

Competitive Employment Program

2,171,600

61%

Contributions

152,200

4%

Managed Work Services

1,101,800

31%

Grants and Contracts

$ 3,117,900

81%

Building Rental Expense

46,900

1%

United Way of Greater

St. Louis

506,800

13%

Management and
General

186,400

5%

Interest and Unrealized

Loss on Investments

29,100

1%

Fundraising

65,900

2%

2014 Total Revenue

$ 3,851,300

100%

2014 Total Expenses

3,572,600

100%

Grants
and
Contracts

United Way
of Greater
St. Louis

Building and
Rental Income

Fundraising

Competitive
Employment
Program

Management
and General
Contributions
Building Rental
Expenses

2014 Unrestricted Net Assets: $4,177,363

Managed
Work
Services

* Rounded 00

16 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Generous Donors

CEO Brenda Mahr with Kelli Dunn and Ben Jones from the Union Pacfic Foundation, May 2014
Employment Connection Club <$100

Capacity Development Associates, LLC

Leo Ming

Jessica Aldag
Sondra Brooks
Dan Brown
Pat Brown
Jesceener Curry
Karen Davis
Nora Davis
Karen Evans
Tracy Fortenberry
Dollaree Glasper
Carla Harris
Nina Harris
Juliette Johnson
Victor Little
John Robertson
Sarah Robinson
Lisa Shelley
Ye Shuang
Halbert Sullivan
Nila Tuckson
Terry Weatherby
Steve Wilkins
Emily Wooddruff

Shirley Carpenter

Suzanne Poggio

Tim Cronin

Brenda Mahr

Steven Fiamingo

Sharon Rosenberg

Prevost Foushee

Chip Shields

Eliisa Frazier

Jay Shields

Jana Gregorek

Frank Simmons

Wiley Smith Club $100+

Matthew Basley
Richard Buckley

Michael Karasick
Janet Luhning

Founders Club $500+

Montford Point Marine Association

Joseph Arndt Foundation

Mattie Moore
Kimberly Norwood
David Rayl
Donna Rosenberg
John Shields
Burnell Simmons
St. Louis Paralegal Association
Cynthia Walton
Watkins Building Group LLC
Directors Club $250+
Amvets Post 67
Elicia Eskew
Rodney Gee
David Kessel

J.D. Luhning and Aisling A. Murphy

Opportunity Fund $1,000+
Boeing Employees Community Fund
St. Louis Unbanked Regional Taskforce
Trent Chambers
Emerson Charitable Trust
Fox Family Foundation
Michael Lockette
Charles Newman
Scottrade
Al and Joy Sears
Dick Shea
Simon Foundation

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 17

Skeleton Key
St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission
Union Pacific Foundation

Dedicated Volunteers

Art Weiss
Community Builders $25,000+
Daughters of Charity Foundation
Illinois Department of Human Services
Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis
Missouri Department of Corrections
Missouri Foundation for Health
Missouri Housing Development
Commission
Missouri Veterans Commission
St. Louis Agency on Training and
Employment (SLATE)
St. Louis City Department of Human
Services
St. Louis County Department of
Human Services
St. Louis County Housing Resources
Commission
St. Louis Mental Health Board
U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
United Way of Greater St. Louis

Volunteer Group from Deloitte for Impact Day, June 2014

Denise M. Anderson
Donitta Bond
Morris Boothe
Gregory Boston
Christina Brewington
Demarco Brown
Ebony Burnett
Angela Cannady
Steven Carter
Danielle Carter-Little
Doreen Colenburg
Kiara Crip
Fred Crues
Jesceener Curry
NyJaee Dale
KeAnna Daniels
Toni Davenport
Keena Davis
Lional Davis
Regina Davis
Ken Dolan
Bobby DeBerry
Jared Dunn
Darrick Easan
Micheal Evans
Harold Fields
Andrew Giles
Greta Goosby
Isaiah Harper
Jordan Haynes
Lydell Jackson

Wanda Jackson
Carl James
Vincent Jones
Hershall Kemp
D. Kennebrew
Lacey Kindells
Catherine N. Kong
Connie Lamka
Kim Le
Darrin Linear
Cynthia Liner
Alfonz Luster
Robert Mason
Robert Massey
Terrell Mays
Dayona McCall
Shamaraus McCullough
Dwaynette Mcguire
Peggy McKinney
Andrew Medina
Terrence Melvin
Steven Minner
Eric Moore
Terrell Moore
Levi Nelligan
Pam Pasley
Mike Paul
Nancy Percy
Brian Phillips
William Porter
James Redmond

Dana Richardson
DAndre Robinson
Hosea Robinson
Patrick Robinson
Ronnie Robinson
Rayenell Rushing
Juan Sanchez
Jya Scaife
Hugh Scott
Charles Shaw
Mary Sims
Taliaferro Slaughter
Brandy Smith
Jerry Smith
Lemond Smith
Steven Smith
Barbara Spates
Mary Stephan
Donnell Sullivan
Charles Sutherland
Georgia Thanskill
Alexander Tigner
Louis Townsend
Louise Washington
Kiara Webb
Antwon Williams
Carl Williams
Edward Wills
Paul Wilson
William Wingo

18 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Experienced Staff

Administration
Brenda Mahr
Chief Executive Officer
37 years
David Kessel
Chief Operating Officer
19 years
Nathaniel Dempsey
Executive Assistant
9 years
John Robertson
Development Associate
2 years
Accounting Services
Sarah Robinson
Sr. Manger, Accounting
Services
12 years

Nora Davis
Accountant
12 years
Managed Work Services

Housing Services
Yusef Scoggin
Manager, Housing Services
4 years

Jessie Lane
Site Supervisor I
12 years

Christina Brewington
Housing Specialist
1st year

Meredith McDuffie
Site Supervisor
2 years

Dominique Ellis
Housing Specialist
1st year

Client & Training Services

Jim Fohey
Housing Specialist
1st year

Carla Harris
Manager, Client Services
1st year
Dollaree Glasper
Client Services Specialist
11 years

Catherine Hawkins
Housing Specialist
1 year

Emily Woodruff
Housing Specialist
1 year
Competitive Employment
Program
Minnie McRoberts
Career Specialist
37 years
Tamara Williams
Career Specialist
15 years
Jessica Aldag
Career Specialist
1 year
Darron Collins-Bey
Online Career Specialist
1 year

2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 19

Youth Services
Michael McCoy
Manager, Career Services
7 years
Tracy Parks
Youth Career Specialist
1st year
Ron Tedder
Youth Career Specialist
1 year
Pathbuilders
Veronica Travis
Career Specialist
7 years
Back to Health/Back to Work
Steven Hoven
Manager, Career Services
11 years
Stephen Zegel
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
7 years

2014 CEO
Staff Appreciation Day
Every year the Employment Connection staff take
the day on Columbus Day to participate in team
building activities and celebrate their good work. For
2014, the team spent the morning racing go-carts
and playing games as thanks for all they do during
the year to help those we serve!

Illinois TANF & SNAP

Whitnee Jones
Career Specialist
1 year
Custodial Staff
Oscar Selfe
Custodian
8 years
Jerry Smith
Custodian
1st year

Main Service Location

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