THE POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN |
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Deaconess Community,
This season I am thankful for the opportunity to reflect on the blessings this year has brought. While there is so much for us to do together in the months and years ahead, I want to take a moment to celebrate all who have made our work possible and our impact tangible. I am grateful for Deaconess’ staff, trustees and directors, our extensive network of partner organizations, our faith partners, and for each of you who are a part of our community, whether near or far. In this season of advent, I pray that hope, peace, love and joy fills your hearts, homes and communities.
As we welcome 2022, I share with you a gift I received my first few days here at Deaconess. As a centering offering Cheryl D.S. Walker, Deaconess’ former Interim President and CEO, recited a poem she penned years ago, The Power of A Praying Woman. I invite you to reflect on the power of a praying woman.
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The Power of a Praying Woman
Cheryl D.S. Walker
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the power of a praying woman
shows in her hummmm,
as soothing as soft strokes on a furrowed brow
the power of a praying woman
stands on ancestral shoulders
looks out for our futures
& transforms words into flesh
her humming prayers ignite
like a summer sun's rising
& still like morning sky's serene blueness
the power of a praying woman is found in her hum
perpetual & resounding
her gentle prayers & communion bring her closer to God
her soft humble humming brings her closer to God
learned listeners, spirit filled teachers
studying & preparing 2 b free bring her closer to God
a humble spirit keeps her closer
to God
for a praying woman is where
God lives
and hope resides
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the power of a praying woman
lives in her hummmm
guttural like wailing moms' cries
blood soaked from battle
thirsty
healing & healed
the power of a praying woman is ancestral
sankofa steeped
homemade hot butter rolled
harmonious & hymned
like pentecostal sundays, prayer meetings & tent revivals
the power of a praying woman is heard in her hummmm
her power is fueled by her spirited hallelujahs & soulful amens
her power packing prayers are sweet
like a gooey butter's core
they're amen draped
gospel coated & blues licked
the power of a praying woman lives in her hummmm
her power shows in her song
her power lives in her love
God's love
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the love of
One Father
One Son
One Spirit
One Love
One Father
One Son
One Spirit
One Love
One Father
One Son
One Spirit
One Love
a Supreme love
a love
Supreme
a love Supreme…
a love Supreme…
a love Supreme…
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In service to the mission,
Bethany Johnson-Javois
President & CEO
Deaconess Foundation
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PARTNERSHIP & CAPACITY BUILDING: STREAMLINING PROPOSALS |
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Over the last 21 months at Deaconess, we have learned so much as we have strived to meet the needs of a rapidly changing environment. Initially, we recalibrated the Foundation’s funding model and processes to expedite grantmaking specifically in response to COVID-19. We then strengthened our technical capacity and developed a new grantmaking portal to increase the efficiency of our grantmaking process. Most recently, we challenged ourselves to further review processes and look for other opportunities to eliminate barriers for our partners and prospective partners seeking grant funding. Though this form of discernment and recalibration of our processes will be ongoing for the Foundation, we are excited to share that in 2022 we are streamlining our grant proposal application for each funding opportunity in our portfolio.
Our funding priorities remain the same, and we will continue to support policy development, advocacy, and organizing efforts to improve child well-being in the St. Louis metropolitan area. However, we have simplified our ask of those submitting proposals. Partners and prospective partners seeking funding will simply need to describe how they will employ at least one of the tactics (policy development, advocacy, or organizing) to demonstrably impact systemic change in at least one of Deaconess’ four policy zones. Our policy zones are:
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INVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - All children of the St. Louis region should enjoy full access to quality early childhood care and education from birth to Pre-Kindergarten.
JUSTICE AND EQUITY FOR YOUTH - All children of the St. Louis region should receive just treatment under the law, with specific emphasis on contact with the state’s systems for juvenile justice and foster and adoptive care.
ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR FAMILIES - Families in the St. Louis region should be able to achieve economic stability within one generation in an environment marked by fair chance employment practices, family-supporting wages and asset-building supports.
ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE - All children of the St. Louis region should have universal access to affordable, high-quality, comprehensive mental, physical and dental care, supported by a trauma-informed care approach, a network of school-based health centers and the benefits of Medicaid expansion.
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Our goal is to eliminate overly complex components of our grant proposal process that may inadvertently perpetuate inequity. Rather than expending invaluable time and resources responding to complex prompts, our partners and prospective partners could focus on the work they are passionate about across the region.
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: FREEDOM COMMUNITY CENTER |
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The Freedom Community Center (FCC) is a Black-led organization in North St. Louis that was founded to dismantle systems of oppression that inflict harm and trauma on Black communities in St. Louis City, particularly the police and the criminal punishment system. They ground themselves in the knowledge that Black survivors of St. Louis have the solutions to the question: What will keep us safe? They seek to build a community-based approach centered in safety, healing, accountability, and true freedom.
Deaconess Foundation supports Freedom Community Center through our Responsive Grants Portfolio. We support their work known as Resisting Systems of Oppression. Through this partnership, Freedom Community Center is better able to equip and position young survivors of harm to join and organize with a strong collective of Black survivors of harm in St. Louis. FCC staff organizes young people who have experienced violence in their community. Through bi-weekly power building meetings and other efforts that grow out of the We Keep Us Safe Power Building Meetings, they work to build a strong network of people who have survived significant harm who are ready and capable of engaging with political actors to advocate for the material change that they seek in their community.
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A tale of two Medicaid expansions: Oklahoma jumps while Missouri lags
Bram Sable-Smith | St. Louis Public Radio
Temp worker James Dickerson applied for Medicaid because it will be cheaper than his current health plan. Home health aide Sharon Coleman looks forward to having coverage that will cover a hospital stay. Incoming medical student Danielle Gaddis no longer worries a trip to the doctor will leave her in debt. Read more >>>
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St. Louis receives $50 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Sophie Hurtwitz | The St. Louis American
The city of St. Louis announced Tuesday it received nearly $50 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to help fund $100 million in affordable housing construction, renovation and preservation of nearly 600 units.
This funding is part of an ongoing national program that has allowed for the construction or rehabilitation of about 110,000 affordable rental units across the country each year since 1986 . Read more >>>
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PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES AND UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Through January 17: the Racial Healing + Justice Fund is recruiting community members to join the Community Governance board to direct the Fund’s investment. Click here to learn more and to apply.
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DON'T MISS IT: DEACONESS' 2019-2020 BIENNIAL REPORT |
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Our 2019-2020 Biennial Report is available! We share how we activated plans to evolve our philanthropy, advocacy and engagement and affirmed our commitment to racial equity in our governance during unprecedented times -- from the COVID-19 pandemic to the racial justice movement to the attack on democracy. |
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