We create economic mobility for our program members by helping them overcome adversity and fighting generational and systemic poverty through employment and education. 

We coined this term in an effort to create a greater sense of community and inclusion throughout our programming. We feel the word membership has a stronger sense of investment, compared to participating which we believe has a looser and temporary connotation. Membership conveys a shared experience, long term group involvement and mutual mindsets. It also reinforces our goals of generating a stronger sense of community, rapport and relationship. 

We provide individualized programming based on each person’s needs. Programming typically includes a combination of work readiness classes, skilled trainings or transitional job opportunities, and life skills. We focus on time management, health and wellness, crisis management, identity and worldview, personal accountability, money management, and conflict resolution in the workplace. We also provide a variety of supportive services including legal, transportation, childcare and work clothes. 

We actively recruit through a boots on the ground approach in the local community (emphasis on North City and County). While we have an intake process for walk-in members, we receive referrals from Probation and Parole, word of mouth and partner organizations. That being said, we are very transparent with our program members and encourage them to be involved with us only if they want to be. 

The short answer is not many. We work with members from all walks of life and varying backgrounds. The longer answer is we have different programs and funding sources we can funnel members through based on their specific needs and circumstances. We do our best to meet our members’ needs. Our sweet spot is working with people who are motivated to become employed and may need some additional resources to support that goal.

Mission: St. Louis works with a wide variety of local programs and organizations to better serve our members. Saint Louis University Legal Clinic, HomeFirst, Enterprise Bank, First Financial Credit Union, Places for People, St. Louis Area Diaper Bank,  and Sneakers with Soul, all provide services through the Mission: St. Louis building. We are constantly building new partnerships to meet our members’ needs.

Partnering with Mission: St. Louis allows you to tap into a workforce that is local and ready to work. Many of our members live just minutes from the downtown area and are very familiar with the surrounding areas. When you offer employment to people within the City of St. Louis, you’re investing in the future of our city and community. This investment in turn has a ripple effect in positively impacting families, children, reducing recidivism rates, and the city’s wellbeing as a whole. Many of our members complete course programming that prepares them for the job force and equips employers with vetted individuals. 

Mission: St. Louis offers a unique approach to placing individuals in employment. We have deep-rooted relationships and build rapport on multiple levels with our members. These allow us to tap into a deeper vein which allows us to maximize success. All of our employer partners and members in our programs have access to tailored support from staff that genuinely care. When you hire our members, you get our dedicated team, relationships, and rapport associated with our programming. We also help with a wide variety of other resources in an effort to maximize member success, such as access to a clothing bank, shoes for children K-12, rental/utility/phone assistance, bus passes, gas cards, and an in-house ATM and banking resources. 

Mission: St. Louis began in 2007 in The Grove. When the area became gentrified, we decided to move to a location that was in greater need and have been on North Grand ever since. To date, we have served hundreds of members and employers alike, providing both employment opportunities and fulfilling employer needs. We are committed to improving the well-being of our city and lives of its residents. When you work with us, you’re investing in the betterment of St. Louis.