November 13 & 14, 2024 Ashrei partnered with the Washington University Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, & Equity to bring Dr. Jonathan Metzl to St. Louis.

We hosted two events with Dr. Metzl: Courageous Conversations, a panel on the impact of gun violence in our community, and a book talk on his most recent book, What We’ve Become: Living and Dying in a Country of Arms, a New York Times Editor’s Choice selection.

Courageous Conversations: A Panel on the Impact of Gun Violence in our Community, began with a screening of The BRIC’s new film, “Every Bullet Leaves a Mark,” which brings to light the deep wounds that bullets create, both seen and unseen.

The panel discussion confronted the persistent epidemic of gun violence, focusing on its deep-rooted impacts and potential solutions. The conversation, framed by a shared sense of urgency, explored structural inequities, the need for nuanced policies, and the human toll of firearm-related trauma. In the course of the conversations, some key themes emerged:

• The Overlap of Gun Violence and Racism
• The Aftermath of Trauma
• Community-Led Solutions
• Bridging Divides in Gun Policy
• Policy and Advocacy Challenges

This conversation serves as a vital reminder that tackling gun violence requires empathy, innovation, and collective resolve. By amplifying diverse voices and bridging divides, communities can pave the way for sustainable change.

St. Louis is advancing equity and access with Board Bill 137 (BB137), which proposes the creation of the Gateway Card, a municipal identification program for city residents. The bill, introduced by Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez November 22, 2024, aims to address barriers faced by residents who lack access to state or federal identification.

The Vision for St. Louis

If passed, BB137 could make St. Louis a leader in inclusive urban policy, helping all residents feel connected to their city. By prioritizing accessibility, the Gateway Card aligns with the city’s goal of fostering a more equitable and resilient community.

Celebrate the holiday season with our partners at the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis!

League friends and many new members will gather at their annual brunch to celebrate the holiday season and enjoy a presentation from Ashrei Executive Director, Sara Ruiz, on the work of the Missouri State ID Access Coalition and the importance of the ID Access programs offered by Ashrei and College Church.

Sara will also share how, with funding from the Missouri Foundation for Health, we plan to expand ID access programs across the state.

On December 3rd people around the world will come together to participate in a global day of giving – Giving Tuesday- when your kindness can change lives.

When you support the Ashrei Foundation you give back to move forward.

Our North City Photo ID Clinic works directly with members of the St. Louis community to access the documents and funds needed to obtain a photo ID, unlocking access to services like housing, employment, banking/credit, and public benefits.

$33 is the cost of one Photo ID. $33 and the assistance of our incredible volunteers and staff can make a path to a warm bed, a pantry full of food, and an empowering job.

This Giving Tuesday, your generosity can have twice the impact!

Thanks to a generous $5,000 matching gift from a dedicated donor, every dollar you give will be matched, doubling your support for the Ashrei Foundation’s programs.

That means your $33 becomes $66. Your $100 becomes $200. And together, we can unlock the full $5,000 match to create even more opportunities to move forward.

Together, we can unlock the full potential of this match and continue to change lives in 2025.

One of the most important aspects of the photo ID project is creating an environment where all people are welcomed warmly, treated with patience and compassion, and leave feeling loved and cared for in the short time they are with us.

We live these values in our Hospitality Room.

A self-service, semi-private area where guests can take what they need without judgement.

We need your help to offer drinks, snacks, seasonally appropriate supplies to our clinic clients! There are a variety of ways to support this vital component of our work, click below to learn how to give a tax-deductible gift.

The end of the year is busy- schedule your Photo ID Clinic volunteer days now!

Weekly Clinic Application Support Volunteers

Most Thursdays 10:00 am-2:00 pm at the Hub

We are closed the following dates through the end of 2024:

November 28

December 26

After the holiday season, clinics will resume Thursday, January 9th, 2025

ID Pick-Up or Delivery Team-dates and times flexible

If you're an attorney, we'd love your help! We're building a statewide team of Volunteer Attorneys to offer pro bono services only for the purpose of requesting out of state birth certificates.

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, December 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

2025 Subgrant Application Cycle Opening Soon!

The Missouri ID Access Coalition is excited to announce that the 2025 subgrant cycle will soon open for applications! We believe that an ID is essential to accessing vital resources and opportunities that greatly impact the quality of life for all Missourians. Our Subgrant program offers small, low-barrier funding to support nongovernmental efforts across the state that are working to expand access to IDs and birth certificates.

Join us on Wednesday, December 11th at 11:00 am CST for an informational session that will review the 2025 subgrant application process, timelines, and funding goals. Coalition leadership will be available to answer any questions.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Sara Ruiz and Christine Dragonette represented the Missouri State ID Access Coalition at the Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit hosted by Empower Missouri.

Representing the two backbone organizations of the Coalition, Sara & Christine presented a session at the conference in Columbia, where they engaged service providers and other advocates to consider the valuable role of a photo ID in eliminating poverty in MO.



It is no coincidence that 38 million Americans live in poverty and 26 million American adults lack the photo ID so often needed to break these vicious cycles of poverty.

As we prepare to move this work forward in 2025, we know that overcoming the barriers to ID will be even more critical to healing Missouri. Read more from Empower Missouri about maintaining the summit momentum here.

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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