Mission Statement

The Dana Brown Charitable Trust supports STL Youth Jobs’ 8-week summer employment program for youth, ages 16-24, who live in St. Louis’ most vulnerable areas. Youth from these targeted high risk areas — high rates of youth unemployment, juvenile crime, and poverty — are connected to a combination of place-based and corporate employment opportunities within the region. In addition to paid employment experience, every participating youth receives an individualized career assessment, financial literacy and job readiness training, access to a free and safe bank account and continuing career support.

Impact

Dana Brown Charitable Trust helped ensure that more of St. Louis’ disadvantaged youth were connected to a meaningful summer employment experience. As a result of generous supporters like the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, STL Youth Jobs is able to have many positive outcomes on youth. Including:

Connecting Youth to First Time Work Experience & Increasing Employment Access

• In 2015, STL Youth Jobs provided first time work experience for 49% of the youth participants
• 77% of youth reported they would not have had summer employment without STL Youth Jobs

Skill Development & Improved Work Performance

• Youth showed statistically significant increases from “pre” to “post” in critical jobs skills such as decision-making, critical thinking and communication, when employers rated their work performance at the beginning and end of the 2015 program
• 90% of youth reported learning critical skills they can use on other jobs or to get future jobs
• 96% of youth felt they would be better workers in future jobs after this program
• 92% of youth felt better prepared to look for a job after participation in STL Youth Jobs
• 78% of STL Youth Jobs employers would recommend youth and provide a positive reference for employment.

Better Money Habits & Financially Empowering Youth

• 95% of youth were “banked” (increased from 47% before the program to 95% after participation)
• 99% of youth enrolled in direct deposit avoiding check cashing fees and helping youth keep more of their money
• 76% of youth reporting they had saved some of the money they earned during the summer; of these, 64% saved up to $300; 30% saved from $301 to $700, 6% saved more than $700
• 62% reported staying within their budgets/spending plans during the summer