Good morning, everyone.

I'm I wanted to uh welcome you to the Health and Human Development Committee for Thursday, July the 23rd at 907 a.m.

Madam Clerk, would you call the role?

Alder Woman Times.

Vice Chair Odenberg.

Present.

Alder Woman Keith.

Alder Woman Sony.

Present.

Alder Woman Cox Anthony.

Yeah.

Okay, let me see you.

Okay, I don't see you, Calderwoman.

I'm right here.

You're talking about me.

Yes.

I'm here.

Okay, I see you now.

Yes.

Chairboard.

Here.

We have four present.

We have a quorum.

Alder Woman Keys is looking for a link.

If someone could just email that to her real quick or text it.

Okay.

I'll email it to her.

Thank you, Ross.

Thank you.

And so now I ask for approval minutes from Thursday, July the 9th.

Committee hearing.

Can I get a motion?

So moved.

Sorry.

Can I get a second?

Attention.

Wake up, everybody.

Woo!

You all are sleepy today.

I know, including me.

Okay.

Thank you.

And that's the approval men is board bills for the president.

Oh, right.

Okay.

See, see Tom How you threw me out.

Madam Cardinal Call of the Roll.

Alder Woman Thayance.

Vice Chair Odenberg.

All right.

Alder Woman Keith.

Alder Woman Sonye.

Aye.

Alder Woman Cox Antwer.

Aye.

Chair Boyd.

Aye.

We have four I votes.

Thank you.

All right.

Board bills for review.

So we're discussing item number one, Board Bill 63.

And Madam Kirk, could you please read the introduction?

Item number one, Board Bill 63 introduced by Alder Woman Clark Hubbard.

An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment wherein the Board of Alderman authorizes the acceptance of the grant and the receipt and the appropriation funds awarded by the U.S.

Department of Labor relating to the youth bill grant.

Authorizes the director of St.

Louis Agency on Training and Employment to make negotiate and execute any and all contracts and documents on behalf of the city of St.

Louis needed to expend such funds and containing an emergency clause.

Thank you.

And so on that I'll uh ask the uh sponsor if she would like to speak on this.

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you, Madam Chair Woman.

Thank you, members of the committee for hearing Board Bill 63 this morning.

We are all pretty familiar with the uh impact that this work does with youth bill.

I would like to highlight that this work has been going on as consistent first and foremost, but we have a lot, a lot of people that transitioned and went and continued into this field to work through this programming, and I'm grateful for the work um that Mr.

Carlos does.

He is the champion and advocate and number one front-facing uh person that shows the love for this work if you've been to not only on their sites but to their graduation ceremonies, and you just see um again the change, the trajectory and these people's lives and these families' lives because when you help one person, especially again a child in some of these families, you continue in the shares in the whole shows and the whole family.

So with me today uh this morning, I do have uh attorney Connie Johnson, who's the director of slate, um, and she has her staff with her.

I didn't I wanted to highlight hello, of course.

Yes, other staff members here as well if you have questions.

And uh with that, I will open up the uh microphone to her as my her and her staff as my speakers for Board Bill 63.

Thank you.

Uh Miss Johnson and are you gonna have all your staff speak?

Uh no, ma'am.

I have the team here in the event that there are questions that exceed my trajectory.

And so I have some opening comments and uh Carsa, I have Carlos behind me who it is figuratively and literally always has my back.

And as program manager for Youth Bill, um, he would be the primary point of contact to uh respond to any questions.

Also on the call are program manager manager Shakima Hunter, I believe, my deputy director Cassandra Williams, my fiscal manager Marilyn Aline, my compliance director, Pete Eichholtz, uh Joy Jones, the youth director, and Alan Perkins, uh a youth program coordinator.

So here at Slate, we don't roll as individuals, we roll as a team.

So we have a full, we have the team here who's able to answer questions from the beginning to the end.

Anything about this program, but I'm prepared to open it up.

So first you have to be sworn.

Oh, all right.

You went through the whole piece.

So with all of you out, please raise your right hand, because I just rather do everybody.

So if you make the statement, then we're on point.

Okay.

So turn the cameras on.

Ah, turn your cameras on.

My clerk is very adamant about rules and making sure we're on point.

Okay, so do you solemnly swear to tell the truth the whole truth?

So help you guys.

I do.

I do.

All right.

Now we can get going.

Okay.

All right.

Okay.

Do I need to reintroduce those books?

Okay.

No, no, no.

I think everybody was clear, but I didn't want to, because I know my clerk and she'll get on me.

Like I didn't follow what I was supposed to do.

So yeah.

Okay.

All right.

All right.

Good morning, all.

Um, and again, I want to thank all the woman, um, Shameen Clark Hubbard for sponsoring this bill.

She's been a long time sponsor of this legislation.

Um, for the members of the body that are not aware, since 2015, Slate has granted uh Slate has been granted this youth bill award from the United States Department of Labor.

Oh almost 200 kids at this point have gone through this program.

Currently, we are in the last year of the award for 2023 to 2026.

And this year is probably one of our most successful years.

We've had um grant cycles, I should say.

We've had 60 participants.

Um 48 of the 60 participants um have achieved measurable skill gains.

85% have been placed in permanent full-time employment.

And this legislation that's been filed will allow us to continue the good work.

Um, the Department of Labor um has again awarded us for another three-year cycle that starts 2026 and would end in 2029.

And we are uh honored and humbled and plan to continue the good work that's been done by this team and continue um giving children or giving our youth the opportunity to learn about multiple career fields, not just construction.

So that's one thing I want to point out.

This is construction plus.

So while these students will be at ranking learning the basics of construction, um, they also have an opportunity to learn about other industry recognized uh trades, um, including the uh the potential to obtain a CDL um license, which is a highly sought-off a highly sought credential and a credential that opens up doors for lots of employment opportunities as well.

Um, with that, I would turn it over to Mr.

Carlos if he had any statements that he could um speak on regarding this program.

Carlos.

Yes, good morning, everybody.

Um just to piggyback everything, Miss Connie said she just did a wonderful job.

It's just like you like you said, the impact that it has and opens the door to so many other opportunities and career pathways.

And one thing uh one way that's able to be possible because we are tied to um workforce development board, or able to get all of the services that anyone gets when they come into Slate.

So let's say they complete the program and construction may not be the number one field they want to go in.

However, we can transition them to our adult program, but they may want to go to the IT field, the logistics field, the healthcare field, but just the impact and opportunities are for epithet.

Yep.

That's it, Carlos.

All right, all right.

Um those are all the comments we have.

Like I said, we do have other team members on the call.

I know Miss Shakina Hunter is our program manager.

Don't know if there's anything that she'd like to say regarding uh the youth bill award.

Good morning, everybody.

I am Shakima Hunter.

Um, one thing I could say about Youth Bill is um the impact that it has had on St.

Louis City has been great.

Um, I have had the pleasure of overseeing this program since the insertion.

And so we talk about second chances, um, but what youth build offers is second, third, and fourth chances.

We don't look at that because we didn't all get it right in the beginning either, right?

And so even for our high school graduates, some some of our young people graduate and they're in that now what phase.

What you feel provides is a structured environment where they will have case management support, they have mentorship support and just uh whole structure environment that allows them to stay on the right path to achieve their educational and um vocational education and or career pathway goes.

And so for that, that's where the passion comes from from myself and the entire team here.

We enjoy that seeing young people uh succeed, and it's just a wonderful, well-rounded program.

And we are super duper excited about the OEL grants and this uh this U Bill contract again.

So that's that's pretty much what I had.

Everything that Connie and Carlos said, I echo 100%.

We can't, I can't really see who's on the call, so I don't know if any members, other members of the team want to speak.

I would I didn't see that Shakimu was on the call too as well.

Good morning, Sis and thank you.

I really want to thank you again.

No, you all's passionate is very inspiring and seeing you all interact with these youth the way you do.

And you brought up something that I was gonna ask as a follow-up question, just so my colleagues uh people watching can know about the overall life skills, you know, and things that you all teach and share um as well with these youth that again changes their lives.

So thank you for bringing that up.

And one more thing I would want you to mention before we um move forward is make sure that people know um, you know, the ages and how people can get uh involved if they're watching and might have a youth that won't need this programming.

Absolutely.

So the age demographic that we work with is 17 to 24.

And I I do want to say something that you said just um not just the aspect of the employment and the education piece because youth building self has a 5040-10 model.

So we cover 100% of the thing, 50% education, 40% occupational training, and 10% of leadership and development.

So the leadership and development piece comes in when we're having um people like yourself, we're introducing them into our our legislative team.

We are taking them on outings and getting them connected to unions and we're doing civic engagement things, financial literacy, life skills, and mentoring.

So it the program itself is just incredible and incredible opportunity for young people.

Thank you.

And do we will you asked about how people can apply?

Right now, we right now we got to start with getting the money.

Okay.

That's why we all here today.

Jack get that money.

Um, then we will update uh flyers and information, update our website um so that people can apply uh for the program.

Um we know our partners in this include ranking tech, obviously, that's where the education takes place.

Um SLDC is also um an in-kind partner.

Um, and we have um a partnership that is developing with uh modular homes here in St.

Louis.

And so we believe that that will um help further distinguish our program because not only would they potentially get uh experienced uh with traditional building of homes, but modular building um of homes, which also kind of introduces them to manufacturing, which is a highly sought-after um industry as well.

So we're looking forward to that.

Um we'll continue our partnership with SLPS in terms of making sure that our youth um who have not graduated can get their high set.

Um so um right now we are um aligned and ready to go.

And I don't know, I can't see if Miss Uh Cassandra Williams is on here or Pete, because we can't see, but um one final thing I wanted to add is that Youth Bill also offers an opportunity for these young people to go back into their community and build it up.

So when we talk about the recent tornado that took place, this gives a hands-on opportunity for them not to just support like their neighborhoods that was impacted by all neighborhoods.

So it's just the passion of riding down.

I remember uh some of the first homes that were built was along Evans.

So just to be able to drive down Evans and say, I I built that, you know, I participated in the walls and uh pouring a seaman and building up the structure.

That that's passion.

That's that's commitment, that's uh community.

And so having programs like this in St.

Louis City, it is necessary uh for our community to continue to thrive.

So okay.

Does anyone else want to speak?

All right.

I'll uh now uh ask for any comments from our committee.

Uh Aldman Oldenburg, do you have any comments?

I don't let's go get this money.

Thank you all for your work.

Appreciate it.

Right.

Uh Audewoman Keys.

Well, as you all know, I'm I'm such a fan of Slate who gave me my first job, and I've been working ever since.

But youth build, uh, I was I had the opportunity from 1996 to 2005.

I was a tracker for juvenile offenders for the state of Missouri.

And in that partnership, uh, I had many kids who were on my caseload with uh with youth build.

So I have a long standing history, and and I'm such a fan of anything that we can do as a as a community as a city uh to help our young people to flourish and thrive.

So uh yeah, let's get the money.

Yes, uh woman Sonny.

Um, I just wanted to just highlight on the record that um when I was reading through, and just to note that you guys average of exit rate employment is higher than the national average.

Um, I think that's incredibly impressive and clearly um the program has worked well.

Um and I would just like to request to be added as co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Oh no, uh the woman uh cox and tweet.

Thank you, Alder Woman.

I don't have any questions.

The presentation was so good, you all answered every question that I had.

Um, one which was, you know, first and foremost, how do you, you know, get children introduced to this so they can apply the auto room from the 10th, made sure to get that out on the record so that way anyone in the public can see this so that they can get brought into the program.

Um, and then I also appreciate you all noting, you know, that this program is not just about construction jobs, so everything is not always for everybody, it's about making sure people have the exposure to the opportunities, but then also getting them introduced to all the other wonderful programs that you all have at Slate.

So I think that was really important for you all to share.

So uh with that, I agree with my colleagues.

Let's get you all the money so you can get to work.

And I would like to be added as a co-sponsor as well.

So nothing.

Okay, and uh I don't have anything to add because I I know about Slate, I know about you, Bill, I know about all the programs.

I just think that as a city, it used to be Slate was in the front forefront, so everybody was a part and involved.

Those kids were like you all were turning kids away.

It was so many kids coming at you.

And so I'm listening to Auto Woman Keys.

See, I'm a I'm a little older.

I remember long before I remember when they created Slate.

And it was like if you all were there, you knew it was a zoo because kids' parents were bringing their kids, their cousins, they was bringing everybody down to Slate for Slate to get them a job, and that was the thing back then, and I don't know how we got away from that because uh our kids need that TLC desperately, and uh what I see is our kids are being raised by kids at heart, and so if those kids would when those parents were kids, weren't didn't get TLC.

So guess what?

You got a compound piece that you're trying to accomplish.

I'm glad you all said that you have the counseling, you had a follow-up because people need to understand, and I'm like I said, I'm going back before a lot of y'all time that was out there.

All I can think of is caring communities because it was a wrap around, and so they took a community that was called Murderville and made it a community where people could walk their dogs and walk down the street, so it made a difference.

So that's I'm saying that to say that's what I think this program can do, and I just hope they gave you enough to promote it more to get it out there.

So okay, so I I agree, you know, we need to get the money.

So on that note, I'll ask Can I make one more comment, Out Woman?

The need, the the the zoo factor is still here.

People still come to Slate, and even if we don't have everything that they need, people come here.

The city doesn't have exactly a department of social services.

There's a department of human services.

But the same thing is happening.

Kids come, the kids are having kids, and they come here too.

But what I will say is that over the years, some of the city funds that would be dedicated to our youth are being outsourced to not-for-profit organizations who are doing some of they're not doing the same work, but anybody can hire a kid, okay, but not everybody gives the full scope, the supportive services.

We had a baby come in here two weeks ago with no shoes, okay.

But she came to apply for a job.

She had she did not have the basic essentials, but some kind of way she got some clothes and she got here and we got her place.

But you have government agencies competing against not-for-profit agencies, and they're getting some of the money that maybe should be coming to us.

Like, why does the city why would the city outsource a program when you have a government agency that's already doing the work?

So that's a real question that needs to be answered.

And I'm not gonna call names of what organizations are getting money, but trust me, Connie, it's been asked.

So you don't have to worry, it's okay.

Because to me, the bad word is consultant.

We don't need that.

We got the talent in the city.

So slate is showing it.

Um what is the builders network?

They're showing it.

So it is organizations that's showing it, but it like you said, why are certain ones getting certain not?

So that's a piece we just need to work on.

That's all.

So we go ahead.

No, I that I just wanted to say that you know, um, what is happening now?

We're winding down the ARPA program, you know, and so that's a pot of money, and that's gonna be a group of people that we're not gonna be able to serve because those funds will have been exhausted.

Um, we have gotten some additional funds for that older age group, but these babies are looking for jobs at 14, you know, not 16, you know.

And one of my first jobs was Operation Bright Side.

I cleaned streets in the city of St.

Louis.

I took out trash, I painted front porches, I cleaned out basements for elderly people.

That was my first job, and my family needed that money.

My family, you know, Alder Woman, my mother had lupus, and during that time, that was a bad time.

So I was the breadwinner for that summer, and I needed that money.

And I'm gonna say on record, there are a lot of Connie Johnsons out there, okay, whose families are are going through a hard time.

And these kids need money, they need the opportunity to survive.

And if we have the money, we will hire as many uh as the law would allow.

But there the needs are a lot higher today than they were 20 years ago.

Right.

And so we have to, and here at Slate, we meet people where they are.

So when the baby comes in here with no shoes on, we find some shoes.

When a young man comes in here and his stomach is growling, and his case manager hears his stomach growling while he's trying to talk to him about a job, we make sure he gets some food because you can't worry about a job when you're hungry.

Okay.

Um, when so we when somebody comes in here and they're sleeping between couches, we try to utilize our resources to get them somewhere so they can get some shelter.

So we don't turn anybody away.

We serve with the full capacity of all the resources we have and the resources we don't have, we go out and find right behind me.

We have some hygiene kits.

We had a uh a group donate.

I think her name is uh uh Miss uh I don't know, Ungun Institute.

Labor Party Casey, as party case.

She provided um donated a not a bunch of hygiene kits.

She gave them to our fiscal manager.

Um, we only have a few left, okay.

We need some more.

I mean, these kids need the basics, you know, the basics.

How can you go to work?

And if you don't even have, you know, the means to keep your body clean.

We are now creating a closet here at Slate, um, where we are getting um professional wear so that when they come in here with hoodies, we can give them a polo to put on or something.

When they come in here with sag and jeans, maybe you can give them a pair of pants to put on.

So it's just that the needs are are are far greater than what any consultant can see.

We are the front line and we see what's happening, and we are more than willing, and we have answered the call to serve, and we will continue to answer the call to serve.

Thank you so much.

So is it anybody else that has a comment?

Thank you.

Because I think I did it very well.

Yes, uh, Audible and Keys.

Madam Chad like to move that we embank this.

Can I get a second?

Okay.

So that means everybody on the committee has supported uh this grant.

And so it'll go to the board to be voted out, and congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And on that note, we don't have any resolution.

We need to take a vote on the board, Bill.

Oh Lord Jesus.

Look, I'm I'm listening.

Thank you.

I was looking right to say that.

Didn't I tell you?

She's gonna keep me on point.

She gonna give me out.

Oh, can I get a vote on a motion to embank in a motion on the board?

Can I get both motion?

We gotta do the embank motion first.

Right.

Okay.

I said second the in bank.

I thought see, I thought Jamie had already did that.

Okay, all those it was it was moved by elect alder woman keys and bang by.

I mean, seconded by Alder Woman Cox and Twin.

Yes.

Okay.

Okay, Alder Woman Times.

Vice Chair Odenberg.

Alder Woman Keys.

Aye.

Alder Woman Sonye.

Aye.

Older woman cox and twin.

Aye.

Chairboy.

Aye.

We have five I vote.

Okay.

Now I move for a motion for board bill 63.

So moved.

Second.

So it was seconded by which second by these should first.

Okay.

So moved by Laura Keys.

Okay.

All right.

And so uh Madam Clerk.

Alder Woman Times.

Vice Chair Odenberg.

Alder Woman Keyes.

Aye.

Older woman Sonye.

Aye.

Older woman coxantween.

Aye.

Chair Boyd.

Aye.

We have five eye votes.

So moved.

So on your vote, we have uh voted unanimously to approve board bill number 63.

Congratulations, uh Connor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Audible Hubble, for bringing this to us.

Thank you.

And so, as you all see, we have such a fun committee.

Because I just have so I just have all my committee members helping me, my clerk, everybody.

So thank you all so much.

Thank you.

So we don't have any resolutions to review, committee discussions.

Uh should we have any written statements?

Did we okay?

Announcements.

Uh, we don't have any of those.

Excuse members is uh is auto woman tyres.

I'll ask for a motion to adjourn.

So moved.

Thank you all very much.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations, you are all right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So all the woman, are you adjourning the meeting?

Oh she left.

Okay.

Okay.

The Goldenberg's still on.

Yeah, let's move move for adjournment.

All in favor.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

I have a blessed day.

Bye bye.