eNews

November 2023

Deaconess Community,

The spirit of gratitude invites us to be grateful in both joyous and challenging seasons. As a community, we continue to care for one another and those around us even in this moment of global crises and remain hopeful that the seeds we are planting with our hands, hearts, and minds will yield a liberated reality for generations to come.  

In these times especially, the path to liberation within the next seven generations can seem daunting, but as we discovered during several community meetings we hosted over the last four months, our community is excitedly ready to partner with us to bring this audacious vision to life. For that, we are grateful and filled with joy.  

As the year winds down and we are busying about, in this season, may you find time to rest and reflect on that which brings you joy.   

In service to the mission,

Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois

President & CEO

Deaconess Foundation

How Nonprofits Can Help to Heal Internalized Racism

In this episode of Nonprofit Hub Radio, host Delaney Mullennix interviews Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois, President and CEO of the Deaconess Foundation. Bethany returned to Deaconess Foundation after having formerly served on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Devoted to the Deaconess mission and guided by faith, Bethany leads the Foundation in its continued pursuit of the improved health of the Metropolitan St. Louis and Southern Illinois communities and its people through philanthropy, advocacy, and organizing for racial equity and policy change. Listen here.

Convening Spaces at the Deaconess Center

Deaconess Center is a place to engage, collaborate and advocate. Meeting space is granted at no cost to groups and convenings aligned with Deaconess’ vision and values. The Center is open for convening Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. Learn more and request a convening space here.

Winter Sabbath - Closure Dates

The year-end is a time for rest, replenishment, and rejuvenation. In honor of that, Deaconess has a practice of sabbath to close the season.

Deaconess Center will be closed December 16 - January 15. During this time, the Center's convening spaces are closed for deep cleaning and maintenance.

Deaconess Foundation will be closed from December 22 - January 1. Our team will return to the office Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Over 35,000 people could claim part of over 3 million St. Ann settlement

Case involved ‘debtors’ prison’ lawsuit

St. Louis American Staff | The St. Louis American | October 21, 2023

People jailed in St. Ann between August 9, 2011, and November 14, 2022, can claim part of a $3.125 million settlement of a case filed seven years ago.

After litigation in the debtors’ prison lawsuit, Thomas, et al. v. City of St. Ann, the federal court has approved settlement, which could be distributed amongst over 35,000 people who were jailed by St. Ann during the time.

The settlement also requires St. Ann to permanently forgive all fines, fees, costs, and surcharges arising out of Municipal Ordinance Violations that were assessed between August 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014 - estimated to be hundreds of thousands of dollars in total. Read more.

'Significant and troubling issue'; St. Louis County officials working to curb rising child, infant mortality rates

Elizabeth Barmeier | Spectrum News | November 22, 2023

ST. LOUIS — To raise awareness of infant and child mortality rates on the rise in Missouri, St. Louis County officials held a free child safety event for families Wednesday at the John C. Murphy Health Center.



The CDC reported that Missouri’s infant mortality rate increased by 60% from than five deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021 to more than six deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, according to St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.

In St. Louis County, an average of 50 children between ages 1-17, and 80 infants, die annually, according to Dr. Kanika Cunningham, director of the Department of Public Health (DPH).

“Children and infant deaths remain a significant and troubling issue in St. Louis County,” she said.

Between 2013 and 2022, there were 82 suspected infant deaths caused by unsafe sleep environments, according to Cunningham.

“Unsafe sleep environments for infants remain a tragic problem. These deaths are entirely preventable with safe sleep practices,” she said.

Cunningham said babies should be alone and put on their backs to sleep in a crib.

The highest mortality rates in St. Louis County are among children aged 15-17, she said, adding that racial disparities also have increased over the last 10 years.

“As of today, Black children are 4.9 times more likely to die than white children in St. Louis County,” Cunningham said. Read more.

Upcoming Events

December 1: "Breakfast with IFCLA" by Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America. Register.

December 2: "Freedom Arts Winter Fest" By Faith for Justice and more. Learn more.

December 6: "Community First Responder First Monday Series" by the T. Register.

December 8: "Beyond Welcome: Moving Forward Together" by Immigrant Service Providers Network. Register.

December 9: "Come & See" by United Congregations of Metre East. Register.

December 12: "Trauma Awareness Training" by Alive & Well. Register.

January 8: "Trauma Awareness Training" by Alive & Well. Register.

Opportunities

Share your Priorities for 2024 with Missouri Budget Project (MBP): One reason MBP hosts weekly meetings during the State Legislative Session is to provide a platform for all advocates to share their priorities. They want to know what you’ve prioritized for 2024, and how they can help. Share your priorities in the brief survey linked here. 

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library:

This program is now available statewide in Missouri and in select counties of Illinois. Enrolled children, ages 0-5, receive age-appropriate books for free each month. Learn more and enroll a child here.

Now Hiring



• Almost Home – Transitional Living Coach
• American Friends Services Committee – Multiple Positions
• Cornerstone – Manager of Strategic Programming and Impact
• Freedom Community Center – Therapeutic Support Specialist, Community Organizer, and Finance & Development Associate
• Missouri Coalition for Children – Project Manager
• Missouri Jobs with Justice – Field Organizer and Signature Gatherer

Healing-centered funding for systems change | Stanford Social Innovation Review | October 2023

Zero-problem philanthropy | Stanford Social Innovation Review | October 2023

Navigating Missouri's Medicaid mayhem | The St. Louis American | November 2023

On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the Annual Joint Public Meeting of the Deaconess Foundation and Deaconess Center Boards was conducted in a hybrid format and live streamed. 

In addition to our traditional joint board meeting that included remarks from Deaconess Foundation CEO & President Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois and board chairs, Deaconess' Racial Equity Dashboard was introduced, and updates were provided by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission regarding a new partnership and the Seniors Community Revitalization Development Fund for individuals aged 55 and older.

Healthcare Open Enrollment is Now Open

It's now open enrollment season for healthcare plans. Learn more to see if you are eligible, learn about essential health benefits, and compare plans. Enroll by December 15, 2023 for coverage beginning as early as January 1, 2024. Learn more and enroll here.

www.deaconess.org

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