February 2, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(St. Louis, MO) St. Louis’ GO! Network announces on its one-year anniversary today that it has secured three months of additional funding to provide this important ongoing support, comfort and advice to displaced professionals in the region. With regional unemployment rates lingering at nearly 10 percent, the value of the GO! Network has never been more critical.

During the U.S. State of the Union Address last week, President Barack Obama stated that despite some economic improvement and success stories of job re-creation, “there are other stories, of men and women who wake up with the anguish of not knowing where their next paycheck will come from; who send out resumes week after week and hear nothing in response… that is why jobs must be our number-one focus in 2010.”

Launched one year ago by St. Patrick Center, the United Way and several local companies, the GO! Network has hosted more than 50 weeks of free professional seminars, workshops, speaker series and job fairs to inspire, motivate and connect people to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. These seminars and workshops cover a variety of topics, including personal branding, networking, leveraging social media, self assessments, financial planning, resume writing and interviewing. Members also have the opportunity to connect with area employers during career fairs.

Sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, United Way of Greater St. Louis, St. Patrick Center’s Celtic Creative, World Wide Technology, Right Management and Paramount Planning, the GO! Network was created in response to the needs of unemployed professionals following record St. Louis layoffs in the second half of 2008.

According to research conducted by Celtic Creative, a communications and consulting venture, no other community in America has put together such a diverse, comprehensive response to keep their unemployed professionals motivated and engaged. “In St. Louis, the GO! Network has received tremendous support, and we are proud to be a part of the response effort,” says Dave Peacock, President of Anheuser-Busch. Corporate and individual donors, academia, Human Resource volunteers, government employment agencies and social service organizations have recognized the value of the GO! Network by contributing money, time and talent to the program.

Furthermore, it is evident that in the current state of the economy, the GO! Network remains a relevant and vital effort in the St. Louis community. Over the first 12 months, more than 2,300 members have enrolled in GO! Network, and approximately 26% of these members are finding jobs. In addition, 201 members are participating in entrepreneurial education in order to gain the knowledge and resources to create new jobs through their own small business development.

Registration and membership in the GO! Network is free. For more information about GO! Network events and job resources (including streaming video of previous sessions) and employment success stories, visit www.gonetworkstl.com.

MISSION:
GO! Network is a community, delivering hope and encouragement and targeted resources to the growing population of business professionals who have lost their jobs – providing personal and professional growth through life, education and career opportunities – ultimately helping the members get re-employed.

MISSION:
St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals achieve permanent, positive changes in their lives through affordable housing, sound mental health, employment and financial stability.

FOR MORE INFO:
Kelly Peach
Senior Director of Communications
St. Patrick Center
Direct Line 314.802.0687
Cell 314.581.7126
kpeach@stpatrickcenter.org

Stephanie Rea
Writer/Producer
St. Patrick Center
314.802.1968
srea@stpatrickcenter.org

www.gonetworkstl.com