Brayan Rayo Garzón died last month in ICE custody at Phelps County Jail.

You can read the horrifying details in this May 12th St. Louis Public Radio article. "No mental health evaluation for St. Louis man who died by suicide in ICE custody."

Ashrei has supported Brayan's mother in this difficult time, coordinating the opportunity for her to see her son’s remains one last time and providing help with the financial burden of cremation, and facilitating a referral to an attorney who’s now taking the case, stating plainly that Brayan’s death—ruled a suicide—was fully preventable.

Brayan, who was registered as an organ donor, has saved over a dozen lives.

We invite you to attend the funeral:

To support this mourning family.

To witness the impacts of prioritizing profits over people.

To show up and remember our shared humanity, which so many of us are fighting desperately to protect.

St. Louis Tornado Relief: Community in Action

St. Louis has seen an incredible outpouring of support in response to the devastating tornadoes on May 16th.

At the Ashrei Foundation, we are committed to elevating and amplifying the vital work being done and opportunities to act across our city

In our latest blog post, we highlight some of these organizations and share how you can support their continued efforts — because the need is ongoing.

www.ashreifoundation.org/take-action/st-louis-tornado-relief

For the month of June our North City Photo ID Project will extend its hours to provide additional opportunities for assistance for neighbors impacted by the Tornado. See how to volunteer for the additional hours in the "Summer Support" section below.

Call for Bilingual Passport Accompaniment Volunteers



The Immigrant & Refugee Ministry, a grassroots effort that connects volunteers with immigrants and refugees to assist them as they make their homes here in St. Louis, is working with the St. Louis Public Library to help U.S. citizen children in mixed status families obtain a US passport, providing an extra comfort to families threatened by separation.

This program has helped over 70 children thus far and is seeking bilingual (English-Spanish) volunteers to support expansion of this effort.

Volunteers should have daytime availability to accompany families to a pre-set appointment at a St. Louis Public Library and work with applicant guardians and library staff to complete paperwork and photos on site.

Stories of Success: Photo ID Project Impact

Read the powerful stories of transformation—from persistence to a job-saving moment—and see how your support helps our neighbors move forward with dignity. Each one is a reminder that identification is not just paperwork—it’s power. The North City Photo ID Clinic exists because everyone deserves access to that power. Stories on our Act. Learn. Share. Blog: www.ashreifoundation.org/take-action/north-city-photo-id-clinic-stories-of-success

Weekly Clinic Application Support Volunteers

Thursdays 10:00 am-*4:00* pm at the Hub

For the month of June we are extending our Photo ID Clinic hours to provide additional opportunities for assistance for neighbors impacted by the Tornado.

To staff these additional hours with volunteers, we've added a third shift, 2:00-4:00 pm on June 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Data Entry Volunteers (new!)

As our program continues to expand, entering the data of guests served each week has become quite the task - and we need your help!

Data Entry Volunteers for the North City Photo ID Project work remotely to track program data that will be used for many reasons, including: follow-up with program guests, program effectiveness & evaluation, impact trends, statewide data analysis, advocacy.

Learn more and complete the online training here

The Missouri State ID Access Coalition is committed to eliminating barriers to official state identification faced by Missouri residents, with a special emphasis on individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness.

You can learn more about how they work to provide essential identification documents for all Missourians at their next monthly coalition meeting, June 11th at 10:00 am.

Register to attend this zoom meeting here.

Subscribe to the coalition’s mailing list and stay in the loop: moidaccess.org/join

Save the Date

October 16-17, 2025

Deaconess Foundation

The Missouri State ID Access Coalition hosted the 1st annual MO ID Access Summit in the fall of 2024, bringing together advocates, neighbors, lawyers, service providers, students and more to explore the ID landscape in Missouri. Sessions delved into the basics of ID access, current disparities, and advocacy skills, and prepared participants to take action to ensure all Missourians have the identification documents they need to thrive.

Find the program, recordings, and documents from the 2024 Summit here.

We are in the process of planning this year's offerings and would love to know if you are considering participation!

Coalition Membership

In 2025 the Coalition launched Membership, open to individuals, groups, or organizations who recognize the need for state-issued photo IDs for all Missourians and are committed to removing systemic barriers.

Membership is free and open to anyone who shares the Coalition’s values and is ready to help change the ID landscape in Missouri.

You can read more about membership benefits, expectations, and registration at www.moidaccess.org/membership

The Ashrei Foundation exists to empower and activate the St. Louis community and partners throughout the state of Missouri to promote economic justice, to relieve suffering, and interrupt cycles of poverty.

To learn more, please visit our website.

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