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Issue: 1217 Date: 12/19/2013
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St. Louis Mosaic Project Launches Immigrant Networking Program
Becomes First U.S. Metropolitan Area to Leverage Successful Referral Program
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ST. LOUIS (December 12, 2013) - The St. Louis Mosaic Project has identified 25 "connectors,?who will help immigrants launch their careers by providing networking referrals. The initiative is modeled after a project started in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The St. Louis Professional Connector Program connects skilled immigrants to well-known "connectors" for a cup of coffee and career networking referrals. Until now, few programs for the foreign-born have focused on integrating immigrants into informal networks.
The initiative is based on an award-winning program, called the Greater Halifax Partnership Connector Program, which has grown from 50 to more than 500 connectors in three years, with hundreds of immigrants getting jobs.
"The generosity of Halifax to allow its program and materials to be leveraged for the first U.S. launch is much appreciated," said Denny Coleman, CEO of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership.
The St. Louis Mosaic Project is working with local universities, companies, organizations, and agencies to recruit 75 immigrants to benefit from this program. Foreign-born residents, who are college educated with long-term work authorization in St. Louis, can sign up as a participant at www.stlmosaicproject.org.
In addition to the professional connections, a key element of the Professional Connector Program is leveraging the free, online, job skills tutorial from Upwardly Global,? said Betsy Cohen, director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project. This will accelerate a skilled immigrant's job search.?
Both the Halifax Connector Program and St. Louis Mosaic Project were featured in the International Economic Development Council's report: "The Economic Development Impacts of Immigration," which includes best practices in immigration attraction and retention for economic development.
About the St. Louis Mosaic Project
The St. Louis Mosaic Project was launched in 2012 in response to an economic impact report, outlining St. Louis to be lagging in immigrant growth as well as highlighting the economic benefits of increasing its foreign-born population. The Mosaic Project is a regional initiative that is professionally managed by St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, World Trade Center St. Louis and a 22-member committee. Its goal is to transform St. Louis into the fastest growing metropolitan area for immigration by 2020 and promote regional prosperity through immigration and innovation. Learn more at www.stlmosaicproject.com. |
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