SUMMER/FALL 2024 NEWSLETTER

NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM) is thrilled to announce the onboarding of Thomas Casey as our new Chief Operating Officer. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in both youth and reentry programming that will be highly instrumental in expanding our capacity while helping to streamline our processes. Tom's proven track record in program development and expansion coupled with his innovative approaches to process management are what TSM needs as the organization works toward being a national organization leading the work of creating and implementing quality programs and services for youth with incarcerated parents and people impacted by the criminal justice system.



"I was attracted to the Chief Operating Officer position at The SoulFisher Ministries because it was a unique opportunity to grow with an organization, and to impact change in our community. Over the past few months, I have been grateful to participate in work that ensures young people are not being left behind, and that adults who have been incarcerated are supported to successfully reenter," said Tom.

ENAL SUMMER INITIATIVE SUCCESS!

The ENAL Summer Initiative is part of TSM’s 21st Century Community Learning Center portfolio funded by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). ENAL is a STEM-based tutoring and enrichment program for students who have an incarcerated parent or who are performing 2 – 3 grade levels below Grade Level Expectations (GLEs). 

ENAL completed another successful Summer School program for 60 K-8 students. Classes were offered Monday through Thursday for eight (8) weeks, with field trips each Friday. Students participated in Math, Reading, and ELA while benefitting from enrichment activities that support student success. Activities included Mad Science, Dream Builders Black Squares chess program, and Bricks4Kidz robotics. As always, students had access to a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day.

Middle School students, in the ENAL Program, engaged in career development activities that included a weekly stipend. This approach to students prepares them to engage in the workforce in meaningful ways. The ENAL Summer Initiative concluded with Perfect Attendance Awards and an End-of-Summer Bash. Congratulations to all the students.

TSM ORAS CERTIFICATION

Validated assessment tools help identify a person's risk of re-offending and information gathered during the assessment process helps ensure that proper interventions are provided during service delivery. The Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) is one such validated tool.

In June, six members of TSM’s team were certified as end-users of the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) through the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute. The ORAS is used by service providers as a tool to help identify a person’s risk of re-offending and collect information that supports individualized intervention when case-planning. The intensive two-day training allows direct service providers who work with the justice-impacted population to enhance its service by using a validated assessment tool when assessing criminogenic needs.

In August, three of the six staff who were certified as end-users went on to complete the Training of Trainers (ToT) week-long training to become certified as ORAS lead trainers. As part of the ToT training certification, TSM staff certified 15 service providers as ORAS end-users. Assessments identify a person’s risk of re-offending, and information garnered helps ensure that the right interventions are provided. 

AGAPE GRADUATION

The SoulFisher Ministries’ (TSM) family was excited to announce the graduation of two participants in the AGAPE Reentry Program. On Saturday, October 26th, Ms. Ashleigh Rose and Ms. Kimberley Ann were celebrated for their ongoing commitments to change over their past year in the program. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered at the Delmar Divine for a ceremony and reception to commend the ladies on the class and grace they exemplified throughout the past year. It was also noted during the ceremony that the program graduates’ determination, perseverance, and diligence epitomizes the TSM motto that ‘Restoration is Possible, Success is Real’.

Ms. Ashleigh Rose, now an Administrative Assistant, and Ms. Kimberley Ann, an Assembly Line Operator formed a close bond while going through the AGAPE program together, often acting as accountability partners and encouraging each other to become better. Ms. Ashleigh Rose enthusiastically noted that ‘graduation from AGAPE Reentry Program means successfully transitioning from my old life to a new life’. We can’t wait to see what’s next as she embarks on the next chapter of her transformative journey in year 2 of the program. Congratulations to Ashleigh and Kimberly for their dedication and perseverance! 

GIRLS ON THE RUN & LET ME RUN 

The ENAL After School Program teamed up once again this season with Girls on The Run (GOTR) to participate in the Fall season’s GOTR 5K Run at Forest Park on Saturday, November 16th. The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM) partners with GOTR to strengthen the elementary school girls’ social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills to successfully navigate life experience. This supports the holistic approach the ENAL team takes through its daily tutoring program within the Riverview Gardens School District.

TSM and GOTR share common goals that emphasize developing competence, confidence, and character in young girls in the ENAL After School Program. TSM staff members serve as GOTR coaches to train and encourage the girls throughout the season. Girls in the ENAL program joined over 4,500 other girls to cross the finish line as collective winners!

Boys in The SoulFisher Ministries’ (TSM) ENAL After School Program participated in the Let Me Run 5K Festival Race, the following weekend, on Saturday, November 23rd at Creve Coeur Park. Almost two dozen elementary and middle school boys from our ENAL school sites ran in this confidence-building event, celebrating their personal growth and development, while also encouraging self-expression and respect for themselves and one another.

All the boys from the ENAL After School Tutoring Program who participated in the race were recognized with award certificates for their determination and discipline in training and preparation. In addition, all boys who finished the race were presented a medal for their individual accomplishment.

 ENAL PARENT ORIENTATION

ENAL is TSM’s year-round after-school program that provides students with a foundation for learning, academic proficiency, and social emotional skill development that supports students graduating college and career ready. In August, over 60 parents attended TSM’s first-ever ENAL Back-to-School Parent Orientation held at Westview Middle School for 2023-2024 school year. Led by ENAL Program Coordinator, Ms. O'Livia Bowles, ENAL staff greeted parents and students from all six Riverview Gardens’ participating schools. Families learned about the curriculum, which includes Math, Reading, and ELA tutoring, complemented by a daily dinner and snack. Updates about the annual Girls On The Run (GOTR) and Let Me Run activities for the new school year were also given. 

OLD NEWSBOYS & SHOE CARNIVAL

On the last Saturday of October, The ENAL After School Tutoring Program partnered again this year with the Shoe Carnival on West Florissant to provide students with shoes, gloves, and hats for the upcoming winter and the rest of the school year. Approximately 25 students from each of six schools from within the Riverview Gardens School District participated in the program.

Special thanks to the Old Newsboys Day for funding this annual endeavor, which successfully accommodated the six busloads of enthusiastic and grateful ENAL students. Many of the same students who benefitted from the Shoe Carnival event helped to support the outing by again selling Special Edition newspapers near TSM’s headquarters during the annual Old Newsboys Day.

SUCCESSFUL SECOND CHANCES EMPLOYER OPEN HOUSE

TSM’s AGAPE Reentry Program prepares program participants for the workforce through the development of strong personal, interpersonal and professional skills. To accomplish this, we rely on our Second Chance Employers who host our second-chance job seekers in the establishment and provide a snapshot of what employment in that field means and what a day on-the-job with them looks and feels like. We held one SSC Employer Open House on Friday, June 14, 2024. Seventeen participants visited Saint Louis Community College – Florissant Valley to learn about its classes and programs, toured Affinia Healthcare to learn about its services and employment opportunities and ended at Saint Louis University for a Lunch & Learn with educators to discuss classes and employment opportunities.

Another SSC Employer Open House was held on Friday, September 13^th featuring second chance employers who are actively hiring. Host sites included tours and presentations from Places for People and a Lunch & Learn with TaylorMade Construction.

For more information about the AGAPE program or to host an SSC Employer Open House, please contact Ms. LaDaisha Miller at ladaisham@thesoulfisherministries.com. 

DON'T MISS THE NEXT PANEL!

The AGAPE Reentry Program's SSC Employer Panel was held on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. The event featured keynote speaker Sawiyyah (Chiquita) Sawyer from the University of Missouri Extension. 

Expert panelists from TSM, Pure Living Recovery and Rehabilitation, and Affinia Healthcare shared insights into working with the justice-impacted population. Facilitated by AGAPE Program Coordinator, Ms. LaDaisha Miller, the program stirred a healthy exchange of ideas about the impacts of substance use on justice-impacted individuals, their families, and support agencies, as well as potential employers.This successful event was sponsored by Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and NISA.

Join us for the next panel on January 17, 2025 as we kick off the New Year by exploring the importance of financial literacy in the workplace. Be a part of the conversation that drives change and creates opportunities. Click the button to register! 

To be a panelist, speaker or attendee for a SSC Employer Panel, in 2025, please contact LaDaisha Miller at ladaisham@thesoulfisherministries.com. To be a sponsor, please contact Robert C. Vogel at robertv@thesoulfisherministries.com. 

AGAPE GALA CELEBRATES:

"WHERE FLOWERS BLOOM!"

On Friday, October 18, 2024, The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM) celebrated its 11th Annual AGAPE Gala with donors, supporters and community partners. This signature event highlights TSM’s mission to respond to the needs of youth with incarcerated parents and to promote restorative justice for those currently or previously incarcerated.

In the spirit of its theme, ‘Where Flowers Bloom’, a heartfelt testimonial was shared by CahLee W., a student from Moline Elementary. He shared his experience of having an incarcerated family member and the value of TSM’s ENAL After School Tutoring Program. Ms. Kimberly Ann shared her incredible story of triumph after incarceration and success as an AGAPE Program participant. Her commitment to changing her life for the better and reunification with her family has led her to becoming a strong, stable, and productive member of her community. Lastly, Ms. Stacey Lannert spoke about her personal journey of serving 18 years of a life sentence to become the District Defender of the Parole Revocation Unit of the St. Louis City Public Defender’s Office.

TSM’s prestigious Philanthropy in Action Award was presented to Ms. Christine Schmiz who has committed her energy and resources to fight for social justice, which is how she came to support the life-changing work of TSM. 

Interested in sponsoring our 2025 gala? Please reach out to Robert C. Vogel at (314) 978-8707 or robertv@thesoulfisherministries.com

TSM TEAM BUILDING AND EMPLOYEE WELLNESS

In September, The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM) participated in an exciting police simulator, at the Saint Ann Police Department, as part of a team building activity. Captain Clay Farmer discussed community efforts and had TSM members engage its police simulator to experience tactics that officers deploy in responding to calls. It was an enlightening exercise for the TSM team, as the staff is always striving to better understand how law enforcement works with justice-involved individuals.

The amazing team building exercise was followed by team engagement over lunch at the prestigious Saint Louis Club. Staff bonded over a specially prepared menu in a private room and continued to build memories while taking a much-needed break to wind down.

Thanks to Captain Clay Farmer, Saint Ann Police Department and Saint Louis Club for helping TSM engage in our community while prioritizing employee wellness!