Wells Fargo & Co., parent company of St. Louis-based Wells Fargo Advisors, donated $250,000 to the Urban League’s “Save Our Sons” workforce training program for African-American men residing in Ferguson and surrounding North St. Louis County communities.
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ four-week training program will serve up to 500 men, ages 17 and over, in St. Louis County over the next two years.
“We are very grateful to Wells Fargo for joining the Urban League in partnership to help young African-American men and others find viable jobs in the St. Louis area,” said Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.
Save Our Sons is an extension of the Urban League’s Workforce Investment Act program (WIA), a federally-funded initiative that has reached 6,000 St. Louis high school students. Training sessions will include everything from public speaking and team building to emergency financial preparation and health care and will be held across North St. Louis County.
“Wells Fargo is committed to the communities in which our customers and team members live and work,” said Mary T. Mack, President of Wells Fargo Advisors. “By providing resources and support to the Urban League and the ‘Save our Sons’ program, we can help the North County community begin to create long-term economic growth and quality of life for the families who live there.”
McMillan said the organization has already received “tremendous outpouring” of individuals who want to participate. So far, the Urban League has hired two staff members for the program, who are currently sifting through applications for the first classes.
The four-week-long sessions are expected to begin on January 12. Two classes of about 20 people each will run simultaneously Monday through Friday. One class will meet at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the other will convene at 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Aside from Wells Fargo, the Urban League has many partners in the program, who have contributed dollars, resources and expertise. Monsanto and Emerson each donated $200,000 to support the program’s launch and implementation.
The St. Louis County Division of Workforce Development will work with Urban League staffers to lead seminars and offer mentorship opportunities. The St. Louis Community Credit Union has volunteered space and will help with the financial empowerment aspect of the training. To aid job transportation, the credit union will also work with participants to purchase vehicles – regardless of their credit history.
The St. Louis County NAACP has contributed to the program’s funding and has been recruiting young men.
Urban League vice president Herta Shikapwashya, who is heading up the program, said they are looking for African-American men who are interested in volunteering and mentoring the participants.
They are also asking for donations on any new or used suits, shirts, ties, etc. that would be appropriate to wear on interviews and jobs.
To enroll in Save Our Sons, please contact Shikapwashya at 679-3500.
