partner in inspiring programs like these .” “ I would like to thank Civic Progress for their historic donation of $ 245,000 toward the construction of the Community Empowerment Center of Ferguson . This building , like a phoenix rising out of the ashes , will serve as a beacon of hope to Ferguson residents in the aftermath of the crisis ,” said Linda Harris , senior vice president of administration and compliance , Urban League of Metropolitan St . Louis . “ We are proud to say that this building will house Save Our Sons , an employment program that has already helped over 200 men find jobs . In addition , the Community Empowerment Center will also offer services from the Salvation Army , Provident , Better Family Life , the University of Missouri Extension and the Lutheran Church of Missouri-Synod .”
“ This contribution from Civic Progress is an investment in a model that embodies the paradigm shift in social service resource delivery . This model will bring immediate and long-term stability in our more challenged neighborhoods ,” said James Clark , vice president of community outreach , Better Family Life . “ The Better Family Life Neighborhood Alliance , when brought to scale , will place 50 Outreach Workers and 25 Case Managers in position to serve individuals and families residing in neighborhoods under social direst . It will address the most pressing need for resolve in the St . Louis metropolitan area , which is the escalating culture of crime and violence .”
“ Over the past few years , UMSL faculty have worked with community members and a number of school administrators to develop a new leadership program . With a consortium of school districts , including Riverview Gardens and Ferguson-Florissant , we envisioned a program that would offer authentic learning opportunities for school leaders ,” said Dr . James Shuls , assistant professor educational leadership and policy studies , University of Missouri – St . Louis . “ The goal has always been to help build a bench of school leaders who will be change-agents in their schools and the community . We thank Civic Progress for joining us in this mission .”
“ As youth unemployment is higher than any other working-age group , this lack of connectedness to employment has dire consequences for our region ’ s young people and our economy . It is critical that the business community play a leading role in the investment of our future workforce ,” said Hillary Frey , executive director , STL Youth Jobs . “ The generosity of Civic Progress and its member corporations will not only provide immediate summer employment to our city ’ s at-risk youth , but it also will enable these young people to learn the skills that are needed to fill critical workforce gaps . This investment signifies a strong commitment from the business community to improving opportunities for our at-risk youth while also increasing economic growth for our region .”
Civic Progress will be investing in organizations that are working on recommendations from the Ferguson Commission ’ s Forward Through Ferguson report as part of its mission to create a stronger region . The organization ’ s four-year , $ 2 million commitment is in addition to the volunteer efforts and employee support that its respective companies have already provided to help revive and strengthen the St . Louis community .
The Urban League thanks the Boeing Company for its sponsorship of the St . Clair County Employment Program ! The Urban League Employment Services program provides free job skills training , resume building , mock interviews , employment referral and career fairs to local residents . # ULSTL hosts job fairs that reaches over 5,000 . The fair promotes jobs from over 90 employers in the St . Louis and St . Clair County region .
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