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Deaconess Community,
It’s been 14 days since an EF3 tornado carved a 23 mile path of destruction across our St. Louis region, causing the tragic loss of life and property — in addition to the homes, livelihoods, safety, and security of thousands.
It’s also Day 14 since the launch of a tremendous community-based, people-centered response designed to provide for the immediate needs of those living in impacted neighborhoods. Community responders numbering in the hundreds have mobilized volunteers numbering in the thousands to prioritize the delivery of essential items and food, clearing of debris, securing and stabilizing of homes, sharing of vital resources and information, and provision of somatic care. In addition to these critical services, these grassroots collaborations have been serving our community through the ministry of presence, maintaining consistent connection and care at a frightening, uncertain, and isolating time.
In this moment, Deaconess Foundation as an institution that sits in the affected footprint swiftly assessed and activated within its best and highest use. We grounded our response in the understanding of both what is needed and what we have to offer, i.e. our strengths: deep community relationships, immediate release of flexible funding, a long-term commitment to racial equity, and trusted convening power.
To-date Deaconess has disbursed $80,000 of an initial $90,000 commitment to the grassroots organizations leading rapid response efforts and directly meeting the needs of our community. We were able to disburse a portion of those funds within 24 hours following the tornado.
As is our custom, Deaconess Center is open and available as community space and sanctuary to those needing services (relief kits for babies, children, and adults, charging stations for electronics, public Wi-Fi, access to computers, etc.) and solace (prayer, reflection, somatic practices). Deaconess Center is also serving as a staging site for the Community Health Worker’s Coalition to prepare and distribute relief kits directly, door-to-door to impacted neighborhoods. If you or someone you know needs a relief kit or has other specific needs, please visit us at Deaconess Center or email info@deaconess.org.
And, we’re not done yet. As we continue responding to this crisis, it’s essential that we take the time to be thoughtful and faithful in how we steward our response—not only for this moment but for what’s still unfolding. We want to maintain our ability to design and resource a comprehensive approach that includes immediate, intermediate, and long-term recovery support and capacity. This is about more than one-time aid; it’s about sustaining our presence, values, and strategy throughout the arc of impact.
We continue to serve as a bridge for information, partnership, and visioning.
We invite our institutional partners to join us in the now and then by:
- Considering their own strengths and unique capacity to contribute financially and otherwise
- Committing to a stance of active and informed togetherness, now and in the future
- Investing in the spirit of collective inquiry, mutuality, synergy, and symbiosis
We, in St. Louis, are practiced at rapid-response collective action and community-based organizing. We have had many opportunities to build this muscle, relational trust, and organizing infrastructure.
This is a moment that invites more from us all: more humility, more commitment, more giving, more alignment, more vision, more awareness, more grounding, more solidarity, more care and more compassion. As movement partners have said many times over the last 14 days, there is a role for everyone.
There are specific needs and ways in which donations and volunteers can be helpful right now, some of which are:
The 4theVille Emergency Hub (4144 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., 63113) is currently open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm daily through June 6 (closed Monday, June 2). They are requesting volunteers for sorting, packing, and distributing supplies and skilled labor for home repair assignments. See more details about volunteer opportunities and in-person donation needs here.
For urgent donation and volunteer needs check 4theVille social media.
The People's Response Hub has been extended through June 6 (closed Sunday, June 1) and needs volunteers to support donation collection, supply distribution, and meal service daily from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm at O'Fallon Park YMCA (4343 W Florissant Ave., 63115).
They are also accepting material donations daily. For up-to-date needs and volunteer opportunities check Action STL social media.
Power4STL and The BRIC are providing Community Care in Fountain Park (Northwest corner of the park near 4950 Fountain Ave., 63113) from 12:00 - 5:00 pm daily through June 14. They need 2-3 volunteers for each 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and 2:00 - 5:00 pm shift. Volunteers will cover several stations: electronic device charging, hydration and food, supplements, and therapeutic care (only nurses, therapists, or other trained healthcare professionals, please mention in comment on sign up form). Sign up here.
They are also currently asking for support through their Amazon Wish List and direct monetary donations.
As the days come and go, I invite us individually and together, to continue:
- Embracing the ethos of response / ability
- Centering the wellness and wholeness of people, neighborhoods, and legacies
- Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those impacted and organizing response
- Inviting others into the work and the spirit of possibility into partnerships
- Imaging what can be for us all
In each of our past regional inflection points, the path forward has always pointed to a future of collaboration, alignment, and well-being for all.
This path is possible and this future is probable. Together we make it imminent.
In service to the will of the Spirit and the mission,
Bethany Johnson-Javois
President & CEO
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