ST. LOUIS – A total of 118 families, including 245 children, served by the U.S. Probation Office, Eastern District of Missouri celebrated the holidays at a family event on Dec. 11, 2025 at the IBEW Local 1 Union Hall hosted by the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection and U.S. Probation Office.  It was the eighth year that the Electrical Connection partnered with the U.S. Probation Office to energize hope and brighten parolees on supervision and their families. The U.S. Probation Office presented plaques to the Electrical Connection and Electrical Connection Executive Vice President Tim Green to honor the enduring support.

The U.S. Probation Officers Holiday Giving Program featured dinner, gifts and warm coats for children along with a visit from Santa Claus.  Families were also able to take home turkeys and hams for their holiday celebration. In addition to hosting, the IBEW/NECA partnership also donated $2,500 to support the event. Missouri State Representative Kimberly Ann Collins welcomed the families.

“It is part our mission to foster hope and energize productive pathways in life to strengthen those we serve in the justice system,” noted Lisa White, Supervising U.S. probation Officer.  “We greatly appreciate the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection’s enduring support.”

“Through its creative programs, the U.S. Probation Office is committed to preparing and welcoming parolees and their families into the community,” said Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local 1.  “It is a privilege to support one of those key initiatives – the U.S. Probation Officers Holiday Giving program”

“Next door is our IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center,” noted Kyle McKenna, executive vice president, St. Louis Chapter NECA. “So, we view this as an opportunity to do our part and encourage parolees and their families to consider a career in the electrical and communications technology industry.”  Launched in 1941, the training center is the oldest of its kind in Missouri and has trained more highly skilled and safe electricians and communication technicians than any other program in the state. 

The holiday giving event is part of the U.S Probation Office’s Family Program an innovative approach to rehabilitation. It is a holistic program focused on family inclusion, led by Lisa White and Clark E. Porter, MSW, an ex-felon himself, who now serves as a program support specialist for the United States Probation Office in the Eastern District of Missouri.  The U.S Probation Office offers substance abuse treatment, community service, employment assistance, and support for ex-offenders to reduce recidivism and reorient their lives to give greater purpose beneficial to society. 

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.