TSM Announces New Chief Operating Officer | The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM) is pleased to announce that Valerie Nelson has joined the organization in the new leadership role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). TSM is dedicated to re-empowering justice-involved people to be productive influences in their families and community and to helping break the cycle of the school-to-prison pipeline. As COO, Nelson will provide leadership and oversight for operations of the organization, including finance, administration, people and facility resources, programs, and outreach. She will work closely with Founder and CEO, Shawntelle Fisher, to enable the organization’s growth objectives. | | | | |
Summer Program in Full Swing | The SoulFisher Ministries' 2023 ENAL Summer Initiative Program began on June 5th. The program offers an exciting and safe place for youth to enjoy their summer while staying engaged. It provides a range of activities, including tutoring, enrichment, and weekly field trips, designed to help youth develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Held annually at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson, this year the program is joined by a phenomenal AmeriCorps NCCC team (see details below). We are excited to continue our mission by empowering youth and families in our community, and look forward to another successful summer program. |
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AmeriCorps NCCC Team Takes Over | |
We are thrilled to announce that the AmeriCorps NCCC team has teamed up with The SoulFisher Ministries this summer. Since arriving on May 13th, the team has been hard at work, helping to set up and facilitate the ENAL Summer Initiative Program. We are incredibly grateful for the work that the AmeriCorps NCCC team has done so far, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in our community.
“It’s been a very enlightening and fun experience to be able to help the kids. I've enjoyed being here and seeing the impact, helping them get pass whole grade levels at a time,” said Mateo.
“I love the ability to work with children in a community vastly different from the one I grew up in. Meeting new people and getting to just spend time with the kids has been really cool. Working with kids is so different from all of the work that we've done before, because we usually just do physical labor. It's really cool to be able to build relationships with both the tutors and the kids, and kind of be that addition to their support system,” said Diana.
The AmeriCorps NCCC team has integrated well with TSM staff, participating in several trainings, including a police simulator training at St. Ann Police Department. Facilitated by former Chief of Police, Clay Farmer, the training was joined by St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell, who has been a vocal advocate for community outreach and engagement.
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Full-time Volunteer Opportunity | | | |
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Beyond Housing is currently seeking a talented individual to fill the role of Transformative Support Services Associate VISTA. This person will build capacity for Beyond Housing to provide employment, education, and entrepreneurship support for 24:1 Community members so that they can increase economic success and accumulate generational wealth. | |
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On May 22nd, TSM associates facilitated a mock podcast during a 2-day training with Morgan Graves Consultants. During the training, the team gained vital techniques for public speaking and presenting ideas to leadership. The podcast explored several viewpoints, picking the minds of ENAL and AGAPE associates, an intern, and a volunteer, on how TSM has and will continue to provide excellent service delivery. This training is one of many steps TSM is taking to increase the sustainability of our organization so that we can continue transforming lives for decades to come. |
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As the world reopens for in-person events, TSM is thrilled to resume hosting SSC Employer Open House. This is a recurring event that provides an opportunity formerly incarcerated individuals to visit with Second Chance employers and learn about career opportunities in their communities. The first event since the pandemic took place last Friday, June 30th, and included visits to Affinia Healthcare and BJC Healthcare. Both provided valuable insights into their hiring practices and opportunities for growth within their organizations. We were also proud to provide lunch and shuttle transportation to ensure that any formerly incarcerated person could attend, regardless of their situation. This event is a collaborative effort to help create a more inclusive and equitable workforce. Click here to learn more about becoming a Second Chance partner with TSM. Stay connected for future events. |
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Free Vision & Dental Care | On June 26th and 28th, Affinia Healthcare and Eye Thrive visited the ENAL Summer Initiative Program to offer free mobile dental care and eye appointments to our youth. Youth received a range of services, including free teeth cleaning and eyeglasses, thanks to our partnerships with Affinia Healthcare and Eye Thrive. We are incredibly grateful to these organizations for their commitment to supporting our community and the health and wellbeing of our youth. |
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On May 13th, Forest Park was filled with contagious energy as girls from all around St. Louis came together for the Girls on the Run (GOTR) 5k. The GOTR program equips young girls with the confidence to push themselves to achieve personal goals and celebrate their own uniqueness, empowering the next generation of strong, confident women. Twice a year the GOTR hosts a 5k event to encourage and uplift young girls, helping them build confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of community. The event was a resounding success, with participants being fueled by the support of their parents, coaches, and teammates. The Closing Ceremony took place the following week in the Delmar DivINe Multipurpose Community Room, where the girls received their metals and completion certificates, and did one final lap and cheer! |
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On April 21st, The SoulFisher Ministries hosted the SSC Employer Panel in the Clark-Fox Forum at Washington University in St. Louis. The event featured a keynote by St. Louis Country Jail Director, Scott Anders, an interactive case review study led by St. Louis Country Prosecutor, Wesley Bell and his team, and a panel discussion on workforce development for justice-involved individuals. The panel brought together employers and justice-involved people, who shared their insights and strategies for creating pathways to fulfilling careers for individuals with criminal records. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by justice-involved individuals and the potential benefits of hiring them. The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of giving individuals a chance to succeed and the impact that workforce development can have on creating a more just and equitable society. |
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Join us for the next SSC Employer Panel, Friday, July 21st.
Click the button below to register!
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