Urban League's Save Our Sons Program Boasts High Job Placement Rate

For two years, Tyrell Stalling sent off job applications to no avail. Sometimes, he was homeless.

“At one point I took all the resumes I did and just threw them away. Because I was like, there’s no help. This world is just unfair,” Stalling said. Stalling is one of 114 men who this year have completed a new job training effort by the Urban League.

In January, the nonprofit established the Save Our Sons program as a response to last year’s upheaval in Ferguson after the shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer. Corporate sponsors raised $1.25 million to support the program.

After completing the July session of the program, Stalling found work at a Burger King in Lambert-St. Louis International Airport — something that keeps him going while he pursues a passion for animation.   

“Out in the real world you’re going to have people who are going to treat you well and people who’s not going to stick with you. This program is one of the ones that really came through and it worked,” Stalling said.  

For a month, participants attend half-day classes at one of two Urban League locations. When the nonprofit's new building opens on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, on the site of the burned QuikTrip gas station, classes will move there. 

>>Click here to read the full article on St. Louis Public Radio.