STL Youth Jobs

3 Employees | 4 Years

Bridging the divide between our region’s youth and the growing skills gap in our workforce. STL Youth Jobs envisions a city where St. Louis youth have the opportunity they need to succeed and St. Louis businesses have the workforce they require to compete.

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

FAQs

Q

What if I miss the deadline to submit my assigned progress report?

A

NEW Dana Brown Charitable Trust grant guidelines adopted in 2024 will enforce this deadline. If the form is not submitted by the deadline (without written approval or communication from the Executive Director or Trust Chair), the organization will not be allowed to apply for a grant for three (3) full years.

It is IMPERATIVE that your organization be updated if there is a transition in the grant writer/applicant role to correctly assign the form and meet the required deadline after a grant award.

Contact the DBCT Executive Director for assistance with this process. The organization must update the grant interface’s online information and contacts, including all grant writers.

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